The Stork, Lancaster

Firstly, credit to Stonegate for reviving the pub from a burnt out shell, it looked completely doomed. Sadly they decided to reestablish it as a chain pub, albeit fairly nicely done. Uninspired and dull food & drink offer, everything just seems to be going through the motions, a countryside Wetherspoons. I obviously preferred it when it had character but at least it still exists.

I called in as I was passing by. Only a quick stop but found the staff very welcoming. I shall call in again when nearby.

Ate here a couple of weeks back. Nice pub and the staff are excellent, beer good. Wife had soup which was nice I had the steak and kidney pie and chips and veg, available in 2 sizes £9 and £12, went for the £12 not much for the money £9 version must be none existent. Very small round pot with steak and kidney in. Meat was very chewy and fatty with the odd large piece of fat thrown in for good measure. On the plus side the veg was fresh and the chips are home cooked but only had eleven of them. Would go for a drink there again but not to eat as not good value for money.

My mate used to work here a few years ago and raved about the place, so we took in a visit over Christmas. Fair to say that it wasn't anywhere near the quality he had talked about (which he acknowledged). Most of the ale was unavailable and the pint I had wasn't exactly a world-beater. Noticed a plaque on the wall tracing all the landlords past and present and the one of the mid 90's had moved on, so I guess that explains things. The interior was quite cosy, if a little tired in places but the views from outside are nice. Elsewhere it has been suggested that this is a good place to take a mistress - I believe we saw at least one occurrence of that, interrupting a rather amorous couple as we sat down in (what we thought was) a quiet corner to the right of the bar. I hope the chap washed his hands before he left.