Crown & Anchor, Heath Lane, West Bromwich

Sizeable Sizzling pub / restaurant, somewhat hidden away in suburbia between West Bromwich and Stone Cross. Partly opened-out to leave a variety of seating / dining areas around the central L-shaped bar, all in the usual anonymous semi-modern style. Also has a beer garden to the rear. Just Doom Bar (£4.30 with a packet of Nobby's Nuts) available from the three handpumps, but at least real ale is available.

A large detached Sizzling chain pub and eatery, with beer garden area. The pub was built to service the 1930s housing estate surrounding, but a little later than the houses. The pub is in white painted and unpainted brick, with the dominant features being a front gable and the steep pitched roof with dormer windows. The interior is now all open plan with the left side (including a small side area with comfy chairs) being given over to a bar area containing a pool table and pinball machine, as well as a few TVs showing the footy. A little of the old perimeter seating can be found here. The right side is the family dining area, complete with kid's grabbing machine. The walls have old photos and a bit of bistro stuff depending where you are and the decor is the usual mix of plain walls in red, green, cream and grey and the patterned wallpaper. The service was fine and there was a good mix of clientele. Beer; usual tap stuff with Banks's and M&B MILD (ok), with Pedigree on handpull. I am often critical of Sizzlings, but this one was tidy and had a better feel about it, with a nice sized bar area, so you didn't feel out of place.

Crown & Anchor page at the Sizzling Pubs site - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk

Crown & Anchor page at the Sizzling Pubs site - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk