You Said....

Posted Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Awful awful awful - and that is just the service!  - The food (when you eventually get your order) is cooked beyond overdone and the waiting staff are acknowledging that this is the case! - I find it hard that the 'chef' (termed very loosely) and so called 'management' believe that this is an acceptable standard to serve to their guests! - Then again judging by the appalling attitude of the management when we complained - it shouldn't surprise me that the quality of food is on a par with their levels of customer service - I will definitely be giving this pub a wide berth in the future - Come on Mitchell & Butler please do something about the attitude of the management and the poor quality of food
Steve Jones

Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Lunch at the Red Lion on the weekend was not a pleasant experience and I would recommend to anyone considering a visit to go elsewhere.  Our food took nearly an hour to arrive and although most was, at best, below average, one serving was burnt to a crisp.  When we requested a replacement for the cremated offering the table staff were pleasant agreeing the food was very overcooked (why serve it?), however a gentleman who was clearly in a more senior position set an example by being sarcatic and dissmive.  Poor customer service and below average food.  Give it a miss.
Nicola Davies

Posted Monday, June 23, 2008
Terrible service - had to enquire regarding when my food would arrive a number of times. When food did eventually arrive I had to send back as it was badly overcooked and inedible. The staff were mostly unhelpful. I strongly recommend never visiting this pub
Chad

Posted Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Having just been to the red lion for Sunday lunch I am very disappointed with the quality of service we received. I ordered fishcakes which were cold, I sent them back but received no apology, although I did get a replacement. It is a very good menu and a very nice location, unfortunately probably will not be visiting again because of poor service.
Jackie Walton

Posted Monday, April 21, 2008
I would like to echo the comments made previously by T. Phillips about customer service - or rather lack of it - at the Red Lion. This pub used to be a fantastic place to eat and stop and have a drink but the atmosphere over the last few months has been considerably hostile! - The decoration is the same so I can only blame this upon the staff who work there and therefore the blame ultimately must reside with the pub's management. I must add, as I have read the latest comment by Danielle, the manager of this establishment, that she intended to improve on the previous bad comments posted over the last 2 years - well Danielle, all I can say is that you haven't and in fact the service and quality that local residents have always been given may have come under criticism over the last 2 years but it has never been as bad as it is at the moment. I have also visited this pub during a quiet period and the staff can't seem to cope then - I pity anyone who eats there when it is busy!!!
Geoff  Poole

Posted Monday, April 14, 2008
As a local family we eat at the Red Lion regularly - that was until today. The quality of food is average, certainly not up to the high standards that the Red Lion has been proud of over previous management years. More concerning is the service and attitude of the staff. If you would like a friendly welcome where you can sit in a relaxed atmosphere this is no longer the place to eat. The management feels it is appropriate to wear jogging bottoms and a hooded top covered in animal fur and her staff were overheard gossiping in a nasty way about a table of customers - all this on a very quiet lunchtime!! I was also advised by the manager that this pub is 'no longer marketed as a family pub' - Hmmm not sure what the brewery would think of the change in management style!
T. Phillips

Posted Thursday, April 3, 2008
I am the current manager here at the red lion, it has had a lot of changes in the time I've been here (only all of six months). I am shocked to read these comments but can assure you this doesn't happen anymore, I love my pub and love everything about it, so why not have a re think and retry it?.
Danielle

Posted Wednesday, May 3, 2006
I am interested in the early history of the Red Lion Hotel, I visited last August when travelling in the UK, and loved all the old photos around the walls, does anyone know their origin, I believe my great grandfather (Dennis White) was the licensee early 1900's. Would really appreciate if someone could provide me with some details, or where I could find out previous licensees.
Kind regards Kaye Heberle


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Posted Saturday, October 8, 2005
I ate here with my family last week, after reading some of the comments I started to think about changing venue. Once there we had a fantastic meal and the staff were very helpful and always smiling. Will be visiting again soon.
Anne

Posted Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Possibly the worst meal have ever had was the chorizo chicken with cheese. The chef opened a micro- waved bag which had chicken but no sausage and a piece of string that was described to me as cheese. The portion of dried up chips was less than a handful. The member of staff informed me that this meal is bought in but he would speak with the chef. Why speak with the chef when all he's done is opened a bag and spooned on some chips. My border collie could do that. Can the chef make a little garnish for the plate???. Appears not!!! Chicken and chips (half portion) £7.50
Disgrace
Colin Brittle

Posted Monday, August 1, 2005
As a regular at the red lion, I think the pub is smashing, the beer and the food are tremendous and the staff are great. and for the country pub lover, where do you go and get hot salads? M. Sharpe you're an idiot, this waitress is the best there, maybe its you and your attitude. long live the Red Lion.
R Carter

Posted Thursday, June 9, 2005
Don't know if she is the manageress who head waiter or what but the pub is let down by a young woman who is short and wears glasses who is incapable of smiling and is rude and somewhat aggressive if it wasn't for her I think the pub would be smashing!!!!
Country pub lover

Posted Monday, May 9, 2005
Have been a regular at this pub for a while, but after what happened Friday night I wont be going there again. For my main meal, the chicken was cold and my partners vegetables were cold. After asking to speak with the manager, he came over and said that it didn't state on the menu that the food was going to be hot!! No apology at all, just a terrible attitude from the manager and waiter. Not even an apology.  
 M Sharpe

Posted Tuesday, January 18, 2005
 All us locals know about this excellent pub and it's great food - does the rest of Solihull?  Unlike some of the other country pubs, this place is not over-priced and the food is not your usual pub fare.  Expect lots of flavour and large portions.
Alice Andrews

Posted Wednesday, October 20, 2004
 In response to the two last entries, it's a Vintage Inn, staffed by spotty youths whose culinary knowledge just about stretches to operating a microwave! If you want decent food, then go elsewhere; preferably to a pub which:
a) Is not a homogenised, corporate-owned establishment;
b) Doesn't use laminated menus.
Neville Mundy

Posted Monday, May 31, 2004
Today i had the crispy bacon and warm black pudding as a starter which is usually served with a tangy dressing, today no tangy dressing and the crispy bacon was substituted with cold bits of ham. I ask you....what the hells going on?? Disillusioned Birmingham.
Dave Livesey

Posted Saturday, April 10, 2004
We ate here yesterday, the starters were ok but the mains came with mashed potatoes that tasted synthetic and my chicken was over cooked or over microwaved! The staff seemed stressed and there was no evidence of the management any where, very disappointing as it is in a lovely spot but if we visit again it will only be for a drink. Has it changed hands over the past couple of years?
Pam Smith

Posted Friday, February 27, 2004
Mmm, interesting comment by an un-named regular customer. In response, two comments:
1. The Red Lion was selling lamb shanks at the time I ate there.
2. The Red Lion's bar and eating area is restricted to the downstairs; the upstairs is used for accommodation and presumably office space.
I think you have the wrong pub Muppet!
Neville Mundy

Posted Friday, January 9, 2004
Probably my favourite pub in the Solihull area. My colleagues and I have been enjoying lunch at the Red Lion most Fridays for the past seven years.
The food is consistently good with generous portions served. I can heartily recommend the big cod! Although I did enjoy the odd game of skittles I much prefer the extended dining area with traditional log fire. The staff are always friendly and the garden is fantastic in Summer. This pub is also on some fantastic cycle routes and is only a short walk from the lakes.
Richard Gallois

Posted Thursday, September 18, 2003
Neville Mundy is a compete dick as the Red Lion does not sell lamb shank! And the land lord is working down stairs where he is friendly.
A regular customer

Hi, I think your pub is FAB. It's wicked since it has been decorated.
Sophie Payne

A pub belonging to the nationwide 'Vintage Inn' chain. Those interested in seeking out establishments serving good food should take heed of this opening comment and know from experience that in the main (no pun intended!), 'chain pubs', particularly those which feel compelled to promote their fare by use of such slogans as 'Great British Food, All Day, Every Day', do not offer quality food. Myself and my partner honestly had some pretty dire experiences at the Red Lion on the food front. One that immediately comes to mind was the occasion when a lamb shank (one of the smallest that I had ever seen) was served swimming in a pool of what can only be described as diluted Bisto or its equivalent. Another time, a sticky toffee pudding would have needed a side order of industrial strength adhesive to impart any degree of stickiness to the dry sponge parading itself as a desert. Comments about food aside, we never did find either the landlord or the landlady welcoming or friendly and despite our frequent visits for a drink, neither would ever make the effort to say hello or attempt to engage in any sort of conversation at all. In summary, if you appreciate good food which has been cooked properly, then I advise you to avoid this pub at all costs; it really is an appalling example of what's on offer in the area.
Neville Mundy

Again shame about the limited beer choice -I used to enjoy the Brew XI, but Bass and Tetley very poor. Another Lager pub?
Mike Smith

Suggest you take another visit. Land Lord Land Lady very welcoming- I only drink and don't eat there- will admit that Sunday afternoons in manic. I smoke quite happily next to the fire in the winter and disappear outside in the summer- if you visit again you will note most old staff are back and the team is working well together. Suggest you pay a visit early doors and see just how friendly staff management and locals can be. I was also sceptical when the pub re-opened, however it's settled down and deserves a lot better comment than you have given.
Carrie

The recent refurbishment seems to have entailed a complete change in staff and a resultant fall in the standard of service. Food remains good but draught beer choice is very limited (Bass and the ubiquitous Tetley's).
Steve Reading



Re-opened on the 16th July. Very nice, however, it is more of an eating pub now than a drinking pub-and only one smoking area! Nice food-but not very welcoming for drinkers.
Gareth Hall

It appears that this pub is shut for refurbishment and re-opens Mid July.
Shame really - it is always a nice place to sit and have a drink outside-after fishing in the lakes. Hopefully there will still be some sun left for the re-opening.
Gareth Hall

This page is part of the Solihull Online Pub Guide and is not connected with any of the pubs and bars listed.