The Plough in Epping Forest

Christmas Day ruined because of the awful experience at this place. We booked our Xmas dinner here over a month ago. Paid in full in and made our course choices all in advance. Arrived for the second sitting at 2pm. The place was heaving with lots of people at the bar. It took 15 minutes before we were able to place our drinks order and after a further 15 minutes, my niece, who could see our drinks order waiting on the bar, fetched them herself! Despite the five of us all ordering the same (cold) starter, it was another 30 minutes (I hour in total since we’d arrived) before our starter came. A simple avocado prawn cocktail, just fine. We then had to sit for a further hour and five minutes (despite several requests for info on the whereabouts) for our main course. At this point my sister was so upset at the dreadful service, that she could no longer eat and asked for her dinner to be boxed up to go. They don’t do that apparently so her meal was wrapped in foil. I had ordered the turkey roast dinner. Unfortunately the meat was dry, the roast potatoes had clearly been ‘kept warm’ for some time and were hard and chewy, the veg was overcooked and there no Yorkshire puddings. It was pretty dismal. To add insult to injury, we then had to wait another 50 minutes for desserts. Two other customers walked out without their dinner because of the ridiculously long wait. A waitress had approached them with a card machine asking if they wanted to pay their bill, and they hadn’t even had their meal!! We were given several excuses as to the wait, including ‘only one person in the kitchen!’ ‘ the kitchen is behind schedule’ and ‘we don’t have enough waiting staff’ it was abysmal! We had paid £62.50 a head for this meal and I wouldn’t have paid £10 for it!! When we asked for possible compensation we were told we didn’t have to pay for drinks! 3 glasses of Prosecco, a beer, 2 soft drinks and a tonic water and lime!! Hardly a grand gesture!! This place does a Sunday roast every week so it’s not like they don’t know how to do it!! Absolutely disgusted and will not be recommending them to anyone. Never eating there again!

The service was quick and the staff friendly. The food was better than expected. I was highly satisfied with the outcome thank you too Zara, Jamie and Tom.

Well where do I begin . Went out with friends for a pre Xmas get together. When we booked was told our table would be at the front . On arrival we were placed next to the men’s toilets . We asked to moved but nothing . Starters were ok . The mains arrived the pie was good. The roast was cold the sea bass was good but the veggies were disappointing and cold and soggy . We tried to get the attention of our waiter but he was so busy running around . We were left . One person had a cheese board this arrived with melted Brie . We tried to get some attention nothing . We asked if we could order a second dessert was told no it’s pre ordered only well table next to us weren’t pre orders . Then the singer omg !! We moved tables to bee sitting next to the door staff over stretched not friendly not made to feel welcome at all .

ave just visited this pub with my 12 year old daughter who recently broken her leg and was meeting some friends from her stable who were seeing her for the first time since her accident. I found the staff to be rude, unhelpful and every single one ignored you when you were standing at the bar waiting to be served or even pay. The staff including the manager Dan were incapable of answering the simplest of questions like Where are our desserts? or Why is everyone else receiving their food before us? Having waited nearly 2 hours for our desserts we requested a refund and left. I had been warned about the attitude of some sraff towards certain people and unfortunately this visit seemed to confirm what I'd been told.

Lovely Lunch today here. A group of 14 ladies thoroughly enjoyed their food and we were very well looked after. Everyone wants to return soon. The staff were very helpful. The service was quick and the food was delicious with a great selection. Thank you. Cathy x

We had booked our meal and shown to our table 20 min after was asked if we wanted a drink wasn’t overly busy waited another 15 min for our drinks then we ordered our food that took 50 min to arrive couldn’t fault the food...

Zara and Jess made a great pair together! They were on top of everything. Good food... even better service! Wow

Fantastic food and service The staff could not have done better especially Zola who was friendly and helpful Will definitely be back when I am down here Well done and keep up the excellent job you are doing

Staying at a local hotel over a couple of weeks and this place became my place to eat , fab service by the the bar staff Abbie and Zara and also fab food 😊.

Was staying at near by hotel was recommended this pub by there staff didn’t disappoint,met up with some family members so good stayed on for dinner food was great and friendly staff

We had a lovely evening! Thank you Zara for being so accommodating, making sure everything was perfectly going above and beyond for us ! I Will definitely be returning.

4 of us had a Christmas meal on 6/12/22, pre booked meals from a good choice of options. We all enjoyed our meals, the table was decorated for xmas, nicely presented food, and good portions Attentive service from Zara - good time had, would recommend

Normally we go to the Bakers Arms just up the road, but fed up with the poor service and so so food. So glad we tried the Plough, lovely warm welcome varied menu to please us all. Very reasonably price and good pub grub.

Great service as ever at the Plough on hottest day of year. Thanks to Zara, Faith and Amy for still smiling in 30+ degrees.

Great food and a very large menu to choose from. Staff very attentive. Thank you Zara, Danny and Faith. Would definitely return again.

Lovely food and service. Particularly from Zara who made us feel especially welcome. Good value also.

We were going to be in the area and I booked this place because they published a seperate gluten free menu (I am coeliac). I ordered the gammon steak, whcih was advertised with chips, balsamic tomato and fried egg. I made it clear I was...

We had lovely meal for 6 with my parents, my brother his girlfriend and our kids. My mum is coeliac and so is gluten intolerant but there was a whole gluten free menu (Top marks). Also my sister in law is veggie and although the...

We had a lovely dinner here last night. We were served by Zara who was very friendly and helpful. Large menu with variety of food offerings. Really clean pub and nicely laid out. Highly recommend for families.

We were staying locally for 2 nights and stopped here for dinner on the first night. Nessie (Vanessa) and Zara were brilliant - engaged with the children and nothing was too much to ask. Food was yummy and we had a very relaxing time. It...

We've been working nearby and decided to go in for dinner and a few beers. The locals are really friendly, the food and service was excellent, Zara and Faith (I think that was their names anyway) really looked after us. We'll definitely visit again next...

excellant food my wife loves the fish and the katsu curry is tops staff friendly food is cooked to perfection will go back again

Fabulous. Staff couldn’t have been more friendly. There was ten of us and nothing was too much. Food was delicious. Will return.

Excellent food. Excellent staff nothing was a problem. Nice relaxing venue. Will definitely be going again and would recommend this pub/restaurant.

Me, my dad and aunt visited the plough sewardstone Road for Christmas Dinner. The staff were excellent especially Petra, who was very attentive and looked after us well, Dan the manager checked in to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. A great experience. The food...

I don't normally eat much of the batter on a fish, but the batter here is so light and crispy I had to eat the lot, so thank you so much to chefs Piotr and Petra, keep up the crispiness, and love the hat experience...

Really lovely staff great service food good quality. Would definitely eat there again. Thank you for your professionalism

Have visited on previous occasions but was disapponted this time starters were very unappretising the chicken skewers had very strange taste and texture.My gammon was ok but burnt onion rings plus family members chips were not very well cooked.The menu seems to have shrunk and...

Visited 'The Plough' many times over the years for lunch, dinner, drinks etc. Always been satisfied, friendly staff, good prices. Lovely in summer.

wonderful staff , exceptional personal customer service, exceeding what I would expect from a pub! As food lover in recovery from Anorexia, I always preempt eating out in unfamiliar places with an email/phonecall to request help meeting my needs. the team had obviously studied the...

We haven't been to The Plough for a couple of years but we cycled over today and it was top. The food was far more than you would be happy with in a pub, my burger was so tasty (really fresh salad and lovely hot...

We visited yesterday evening and were warmly greeted by staff and advised we could sit anywhere we liked outside. Although we were originally only coming for drinks Zara our waitress tempted us with some bar snacks (it didn't take much convincing). The ribs were gorgeous...

Called in today on the spur of the moment , pleasantly surprised, great plentiful food and reasonable prices. Good lunchtime snacks and nice efficient staff. Used to visit regularly but had an awful meal (3 years ogo) glad they have got back on TOP form

Food was lovely as usual but very disspointed that not one staff member wore masks yet most of the Customers did - am I missing something this pub is the only one that doesn't have to follow the rules a couple of Customers were making...

Met a friend quickly for lunch and it was a good pub lunch! It had a varied menu and it was great to drive to!

First time back since reopening Very freindly welcome Waitress excellent all through our lunch time meal The food was excellent nice and fresh and hot The team are working very hard ro ensure you have a good experience Nice to be back

I've spent a beautiful evening with friends here! Delicious food and amazing view. Highly recommended!

Food was brought out very quickly and was incredibly hot. Tasted great and the staff were friendly and attentive. Portions are quick large aswell. Would love to visit again

I took a client here for lunch after having it recommended by one of his colleagues. Service was very quick and the lady serving was very pleasant. we both opted for Hunters Chicken and it waas servied to us very quickly. The food was good...

First time at this place. We were a party of 4 and were there early one Friday evening. Service was good and the food was excellent. Really good choice/selection on the menu. Overall it worked out at £25 per person including drinks which we thought...

Less than average pub food. Served a fish pie that was actually more like fish broth, clearly not right.

We had a family meet up here and it was a real treat The Sunday Carvery was superb The staff were very accommodating when we asked to sit at a different table to the one offered due to my disabled farther. Would highly recommend. 👍

The waiter was enthusiastic, friendly and helpful. We were planning on visiting the restaurant up the road but it was full, so google maps led us down to the plough. There was no wait, food was great, quick; fresh and all reasonable priced! Would definitely...

We visited The Plough on 30th Oct as a family of 7 for our evening meal. After a bad experience at The Bakers Arms just further up the road the night before we were apprehensive but was pleasantly surprised. the Plough was fab! We were...

Second time we have visited this pub and so glad we did. We were greeted by a smiling waitress who said take your pick of table and ill come to you which she did. Our order was taken quickly & professionally, our waitress Julie was...

Disappointing service and variable quality food let this pub down. Long wait at the sign that says "Wait to be seated", we waited and we waited. Table fine but then no one to take the order and no sign of details for the carvery. Eventually...

We came here for lunch on a hot Saturday. It was very busy and we were warned there would be a long wait for food but we were not in a rush and just had a second drink. We asked about the seafood plater and...

Eat outside here, enjoying some of our intermittent summer weather. Scampi and chips was a good pub staple. Served quickly enough and priced ok. Set me uo for work in the evening.

The food was ok - pretty standard pub food. The service was exceptionally slow - staff seemed pleasant enough but hardly saw anyone. Waited nearly an hour and had to ask for someone to take our order!

Had the most bizarre conversation with a staff member on Friday. She actually seemed drunk. The meal was great, and came quickly. But I left feeling that something wasn’t right. Short lady, possibly a manager who was slurring her words & being indiscreet about a...

Not really dog friendly, we asked where we could sit and were directed to 2 small tables in the worst area of pub. Red ants nest in garden. Lots of tables reserved. Service slow.

Called here for food whilst staying in the area at a local camp site just along the road, good food which was served quickly and was nice and hot, friendly staff and also came with 20% off as staying at this camp site, would recommend...

Tried this place twice - everyone deserves a 2nd chance! Food terrible. Some us had luke warm food, none of us enjoyed our food. When plates were cleared, no-one asked why there was so much food left on each plate. We had to eat some...

Spent the evening there yesterday. The staff were friendly and very welcoming. Julie behind the bar was great. Tge service was prompt and the food was very nice. Would recommend if staying in the area.

Came here with a group of friends for a meal which was lovely. All the staff were very friendly. Our waitress was Julie Mason who was great. She told us what she recommended from the menu, she had actually tried the food and knew what...

I’s a cosy place situated on what I call “village road”. Had classic burger and cheese bacon burger with my partner. The burgers are good sized but it literally had no sauce so was a little dry, though we added our own ketchup and tabasco....

What you would expect from a pub lunch, food was good, service also Only thing stopping the 5 stars is the decor, very old fashioned looking pub that could do with a revamp!

Just waited 1 hr 15 mins for starters. Cold soup!!! No one knew what was going on? Can only imagine the chef had passed away.....AVOID!!

Popped in here for a quick drink on the way home just before 5 Met 7/10 walking out saying there was a queue for drink And when we went inside There was certainly a queue One barmaid on trying to keep everyone served We eventually...

Not the best meals in the world but they were hot Bar and waiting staff all attentive Were happy to comply with requests such as no salad on a childs meal Good selection of drinks

Came here on a school residential trip with 40 children aged 8-11 and 10 members of staff. We were so welcome and had menus adapted for children. Allergies taken into account, great service, great prices, wonderful food and such accommodating staff. Couldn’t of picked a...

Just a quick visit but a really good meal. Had the mixed grill which had loads of meat with it, well cooked and only £12.95. Would recommend.

Nice lunch.we had chicken platter and shared ham egg and jacket potato.followed by sharin waffle icecream and toffee sauce. We both realy enjoyed it .food was hot.and ham and eggs was realy nice.staff were pleasent .we wasnt in a rush and they came and said...

We were greeted at the door on Weds evening by a very smiley waitress who suggested a table by the fire as it was such a chilly night! Lovely personal service and a good selection of flavoured ciders. Had a tasty, hot meal (fish &...

We weren't sure whether to "wait to be seated" as there was no sign, but the bar manager just said to grab a table when she saw us looking lost. Despite them having a very large party, a waitress appeared very quickly and took our...

For the past fourteen years or so, we have frequented the pub to eat at least three times a month and, up until now, have always been very pleased with everything on offer... but last week it seemed as though the staff were really having an "off" day! Service was absolutely atrocious, which is unusual. There was too much chatting amongst the staff to the detriment of the guests and the food was just lukewarm. Very disappointed with the service (and the food).Hopefully this was just a blip!

After being served terrible food by a couldn't care less assistant manager, my partner and I walked out of the Plough two years ago, vowing never to return. Two years on, after hearing glowing reports of The Plough, its food and staff, we decided to go back, and ain't we glad we did! What a difference!Walking through the doors we could immediately see that the whole pub has been transformed. The atmosphere alone was enough to realise that everyone was happy and enjoying themselves. We wre met by immaculately dressed smiling staff and after a drink at the bar we were shown to a very nice table by a window. Natalie, our waitress, took our order and from that moment on our visit just got better and better.The service was absolutely first class, the food was absolutely delicious, and Charlotte and Nick, the manageress and her husband, very politely and professionally took the trouble to ask if everything was okay? It was more than just okay; it was perfect, so much so that my partner and I cannot wait to go back. Congratulations to everyone, especially Charlotte and Nick, for restoring the standard of food and service that were the norm before standards were allowed to roll rapidly downhill two years ago. If anyone is still reluctant to return to The Plough, don't be; once again The Plough is serving food that melts in the mouth and by staff who actually take pleasure in the job they are doing. Well done to everyone concerned, see you next Sunday. And I have sent a similar message to McMullens Chief Executive at Head Office, Hertford.

My first visit here although my parents have been several times and recommended it. Varied menu with daily specials served up piping hot by efficient and helpful staff. Really good pub food without the gastropub prices. Will definitely be returning!

This pub is in a great location and should be a goldmine!On my visit 2 beers were unavailable? Food was okay, but just that! Bar staff are nice and friendly!This place annoys me because i feel it should and could be so much better!!!

She made our baby feel welcomed. Food was good. Bouncy castle aswell, wanted a go but maybe next time haha. Interior is splendid. Keep up the good work. Will be back!

popped out for an organised biker night at the Plough, despite being quite busy the service was good and the food arrived in a timely manner.The food was well presented and tasty, at a reasonable price. beer was standard 4 pound plus a pint, but the tea and coffee was surprisingly cheap at under 4 pound for two cups. Would go and eat there again, which is the acid test.Thursday night is bike night with some lovely machines in the car park and a friendly group of people

We visited the plough for a family get together and dinner. We was shocked by the poor service and quality of food. A family member was also violently sick from their meal once we returned home. Needless to say we will not be going back and most certainly wouldn’t recommend it.

We've been visiting this pub for food for over 20 years, and it's changed hands a few times over that time, but I have to say after this new refurbishment, it is better than ever. The food is good and well cooked, the staff are friendly and polite and very efficient. The new decor is really nice. It does get very busy sometimes, but we always go a bit later to avoid the crowds. Lucky we live close!

This is not Cordon Bleu chef standard. It does though have friendly helpful staff who really could not have been nicer.The food was good - think of a 'Harvester' type place but better. Pretty varied menu and not badly priced.Made a late booking (not late evening, but late to book) for a Saturday night and did not know what to expect. Like I say, not fine dining, but if you are hungry and want some decent well priced pub grub, then I would recommend this place. I enjoyed it.

The restuarant was really busy on our visit but it was so well runyou would not have noticed. the food was of a high standard,wellcooked and hot With a great range of drinks and great staff we all had a lovely time.I would thoroughly recommend a visit,but be sureto reserve a table as its really popular.

Visited here with husband and Mum for a Sunday carvery. Have to say the staff were really lovely but ......... Roast potatoes were very oily - literally swimming in it and the Roast beef was quite "chewy". Little disappointed.....

Popped in here for an impromptu lunch last week. The staff were really friendly and told us that they'd only just been refurbished. The place does look lovely, very fresh and clean.We just had a couple of burgers for lunch with bacon & cheese which were perfectly cooked. Great pub grub!On recommendation by our waitress (whose name I can't remember, but was very smiley and told us she had twins) we had the profiteroles to share as a dessert and they were fabulous! I'm sure we'll be visiting again.

I visited The Plough before a riding lesson so was only looking for a quick 30 minute coffee break. Sadly they don't have non dairy milk so it was a very large black coffee with a Biscotti biscuit on the side for me which was only £1.95.It's got lots of outdoor seating and various levels and types of indoor areas ( I chose a armchair by the newspapers) so you'll be spoilt for choice as to where to get comfy. At 13.30 there were about 7 other people having lunch, all were very complimentary to the staff about the food and I did notice some very good customer service from staff who greeted everyone on arrival and couldn't have been more attentive {I've already emailed HO about this service and also suggested more vegan food & drinks for my next visit}.I noticed that there are different food nights - Mexican, Indian, Sunday Carvery - making it a varied and probably popular haunt. I'd recommend booking for large groups or at busy times like weekends, the summer or Bank Holidays.Toilets were very clean and well taken care of and all on ground level for those with accessibility issues.You would need to drive to get here as the 505 bus is only one every 2 hours from Chingford Station (London Overground) or you'd need a taxi (about £9 from the station)so it's not the easiest to get to unless you're in the area.