Reviews
Reviews of Cross Keys Inn
3.9 stars out of 5
15 reviews
just visited the crosskeys in esh WoW!!
fantastic real ales on offer friendly service and fantastic food it's a but dark inside but what so you expect from a 14th century building the menu is just your usual pub fare but the specials board looked amazing really recomend this little gem of a pub
jason ness Reviewed 18th September 2014 8:44 PM
Excellent Sunday lunch. Friendly, attentive staff. About to book again.
Gen Mc P. Reviewed 17th April 2014 5:56 PM
Simply the best real ale in county durham. There is always something different and clearly well thought through as there is something for everyone. Even my wife took a liking to one real ale they sell which is unheard of. The seafood platter I enjoyed was as good as I have ever had and the banoffee cheesecake is clealry homemade as I've never seen nor tasted anything like it. The staff are all courteous and the ambience is wonderful. Log burning firehas chestnut roasters available with free chestnuts to roast. All in all this little country pub is out of place in co durham. It belongs in yorkshire along with lots of my favourite haunts like the wensleydale heifer and the blue lion. Truly faboulous can't wait to visit family again up there .
angus from kirby misperton Reviewed 9th December 2012 6:34 PM
have just had a lovely sunday lunch proper beef and gravy good fresh veg and an exellent pint of big lamp beer having had a few meals of same quality in the evening it was nice to try sunday lunch for the price they charge it was exceptional value I will be returning with family .the staff were very helpfull and pleasant
poppy and family from durham Reviewed 26th November 2012 1:20 PM
in response to the last comment. stay in your little nearby village. I was in at the same time on the same daya and was served attentively not only by a lovely girl but also by the owner. we were a party of 10 and the food was fab.Our yorkies were home cooked as they had a taste and the meat was to die for.The fire was burning in the background and the atmosphere was loveley. Not a gastro pub but oldie world stuff.If you want more than the recommmended daily calorie intake over three courses then this place is not for you fatty so go to a carvery and kill yourself. If you want sensible portions at reasonable prices made fresh with quality ingredients then go here.I know my stuff as I have ran a successful pub in Kent for the last 25 years.My customers would pay double for what I ate. Oh and by the way the real ale I had was from a local brewery and it was to die for so much so that I will be having it delivered to my place.
jamie from Kent Reviewed 17th October 2012 11:10 AM
We live in a nearby village and used to come here a lot as the food was always great and the staff friendly. Oh, what a lot has changed!
Having been working down south for the last six months, we haven't had the chance to visit here for a while: let's just say the difference was stark!
We visited early Sunday evening - we wanted to go for dinner, but food was being stopped at six.
No menus were offered to us and we waited around ten minutes for the sole waitress to come and ask us what we wanted. I went for the roast, which I remembered being fantastic before, and my husband had a vegetarian crumble.
When they arrived, I was quite disappointed. The portions have shrunk massively, and the delicious home made yorkshire puddings have disappeared, replaced by small frozen ones.
Pudding for us was a sticky toffee pudding and a banoffee pie - both served with ice cream. My sticky toffee pudding was a good sized serving, whilst my husband had a tiny sliver of pie. Our ice cream was a mere dessert spoon sized portion, served, for some reason, in a condiment ramekin. Slices of fresh apple on the plates as a garnish were totally bizarre!
To top it all off, the prices have gone up. What would have cost us about £25 for two six months ago, now cost about £35.
Needless to say, we won't be going back, which is a tragedy as we love Esh and the pub setting.
Siobhan Reviewed 7th October 2012 10:01 PM
Had a lovely meal. The food arrived quickly and was very good quality. Mark made us feel very welcome. The pub is under new ownership and they have really improved the restaurant. Will be be back again
Happy customer Reviewed 6th October 2012 6:19 PM
Visited the Cross Keys Thursday 27th for evening meal, glad to see some of the old staff back , very friendly and could not do enough for you, food was excellent had trout with a horseradish topping divine, also try the sticky toffee pudding, will def be returning
Peter Reviewed 28th September 2012 9:07 AM
What a lovely atmosphere and great food!! The Yorkshire puddings were home cooked and the desserts divine. One of the best Sunday lunches we have had. The staff were so friendly and we can't wait till next Sunday to return,
Clare and family Reviewed 25th September 2012 10:09 AM
What on earth has happened to this lovely pub. Went for lunch today absolutely diabolical, nothing compared to it a few weeks ago. No mashed potato, one frozen yorkshire pudding and two slices of meat, shocking, won't be going again until they either sack the chef or buck there ideas up. Totally agree with all the negative responses and there was only 3 table occupied. Sad to see its gone like this.
One unhappy customer Reviewed 23rd September 2012 5:38 PM
Visited 15th sept for evening meal. Food was excellent and staff could not have been friendlier. Very warm and welcoming. Would definately recommend.
Martin Reviewed 15th September 2012 9:35 PM
Quite frankly, a nice pub run by people who don't know what they are doing. The beer is atrocious, service was diabolical, attitude arrogant. Sorry but never again !!
Disenchanted Customer Reviewed 1st September 2012 12:53 AM
Visited for lunch - 2 meals for £8.95. Excellent value for money, also chunky home made chips. Regarding earlier review I can only assume that they took your advice re: sacking chef. Food hot and tasty, served with a smile. Thank you.
One happy lunchtime customer + friend. Reviewed 1st May 2012 12:41 PM
Give it a miss,shocking food all I can say is sack the chef.
One unhappy customer Reviewed 19th March 2012 10:55 AM
Been today for lunch. Staff were excellent. Food was fresh and cooked beautifully. Nice country atmosphere. Will definately re-visit.
Eric Spark Reviewed 7th August 2011 7:54 PM
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Parking near
Newbiggen lane, Newbiggen Lane, Lanchester, DH7 0PB (3.06 miles)
Kitswell Road, Kitswell Road, Lanchester, DH7 0JP (3.30 miles)
Holmside Terrace, Holmside Terrace, Craghead, DH9 6ET (4.17 miles)
Railway street, Railway Street, Craghead, DH9 6EP (4.26 miles)
The Gates, North Road, Durham, DH1 4SL (4.72 miles)
Train stations near
Durham (4.56 miles)
Chester-le-Street (6.38 miles)
Bishop Auckland (9.26 miles)
Metro Centre (Gateshead) (11.04 miles)
Dunston (11.18 miles)
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