JD Wetherspoon

not one of my favourites, was not impressed with the service the times i visited we waited ages for a meal which just was not very warm when served not very tempting and staff looked miserable

I’ve had more bad experiences here than good.
The pumps do not match what is on offer. They don’t seem to care about the beer just how the bar looks. I’ve repeatedly been served cold food that didn’t get rectified on the second attempt. The coffees are good and cheap. I tried to tie my dog up on the gate at the beer yard and the Manager stated No dogs allowed Very rudely. I asked why and he said health and safety law. The over flowing bins are allowed by the tables but dogs by the gate are not. Politeness also seems not to be required. No worries I kept my money.

Just an average, Wetherspoons chain pub. The only thing of note is the glass floor with some remains of a monastery which existed on the site beforehand — apart from the that the place is like any other branch. Same food, same drinks. Gets quite busy at the weekends, so don’t expect a table!

What you expect from a Wetherspoons place this is actually called The Friar Penketh and gets extremely busy at times. The food is the usual Wetherspoons fare very cheaply priced and quite well prepared, but nothing is fresh.
There is always a choice of real ales, but quite often not the ones on the pumps!
It is always worth asking what is actually on first.
The atmosphere is often rather noisy as families are welcomed, but no-​one takes responsibility for children.
Have been in today (02.02.2010) and there were three of the special guest beers on the pumps. I have to say that the ones on were stunningly good. The George Wright’s Cheaky Pheasant, in particular, was a wonderful pint! No sign of noise from drunks or children.
Additional; May, 2012.
A group of us called in last night on our way to a concert at Parr Hall (separate review!) and had a wonderful hour or so. My wife and I had a meal and a few excellent pints of real ale, well-​served. The manager and staff were knowledgeable about the products and served us with a smile. Being CAMRA members, we made use of the annual vouchers and got two pints for £2.55; less than the price of one pint almost anywhere else and, as I said, it was good quality beer. Score increased to four stars.