The Theydon Oak in Epping Forest

Really mixed experience for father's day, some good but some pretty bad. We booked a week in advance and paid a deposit. We were explicitly told roasts would be served outside but when we arrived on the day they said no. Another person at the bar complained that they had been told the same thing. Forced us to sit inside in quite a dark and crowded room with full tables all back to back on a lovely hot day. The food was pretty good but took a very long time to come, we were waiting about 40 mins between courses which would have been ok if it was all adults but we had hungry young children with us and it was very busy and cramped inside which made it quite stressful. The playground outside is good for young kids. The garden looked nice, but didn't get a chance to sit in it. The service was very haphazard. They kept bringing drinks and food to the table that weren't ours, their system needs refining. I wouldn't describe the service as particularly warm or friendly, not sure I saw a smile from anyone and barely got a thanks as we left. Perhaps an inexperienced team on a busy day, but still not ideal when you're spending a lot of cash for a special occasion.

If i could put no stars i would, the waitress was so rude she needs training with people skills i had the bill thrown at me twice for her then to walk away and not once bring the card reader over or ask if i was ready to pay. She was more interested in putting cutlery on tables of an empty restaurant, there was 2 tables to serve and 2 waitresses and 1 waiter no one even came over and asked us if we wanted a drink or if our food was okay or if we wanted desserts , the food was of poor quality even the peas where cold. (chips were tye only thing that was good only thing we all ate)

Great music thanks to Mike Happninboy for that. Quality food & great beer & Cider choices🙏

A gorgeous village pub, with fabulous food and service! The Pie & Chips was a nod back to the good old days, very hearty meal.. thanks guys, look forward to our next visit!!

Amazing place! It’s 500 years old and the atmosphere is stunning. Food was great and portions were enormous. Staff are friendly and did everything possible to help and make us feel special. Sure it will be one of my favourite restaurants in the future.

I had previously given 5 stars, but had to change the rating following my today's visit. After over an hour of waiting (it was fairly busy), I received a burger that was burned and the potatoes were undercooked. I returned it and got a refund, but I didn't have the time to wait for another hour for a replacement.

12:30pm on a Friday afternoon.Fairly quiet but got busier.Fabulous food. Freshly made so took a bit of time to come but was worth it.Friendly helpful staff.Definitely will be back.

Friendly village pub that we came to primarily because they were showing the football. Good ales, great kids play area and nice menu. They did a kids scampi for our daughter which she loved. Fish pie was good with fresh veg and 2 king prawns. Homemade sticky toffee pudding too! A good find.

Came along for light lunch today. Waited a long time for food. The ploughman’s came up as a ham and cheese sandwich, sent it back. Then got a cheese and pickle sandwich! With stale bread, still not a ploughman’s. They changed it again for the same thing My friend had over cooked prawns as they run out of smoked salmon! I watched as she struggled to get the shell off! I asked 3 times for a glass of water no ice. Eventually I got it..with ice. Another friend asked for tea no milk. They brought it in a glass cafetière, with about 4 spoons of tea in. So bitter she couldn’t drink it. Basically it was awful and not cheap. The waitress was very nice but the lady we spoke to after( could be manageress) said the bread is in a hot kitchen!😄 that’s why it’s like that. Offered no money back and made us feel like it was our fault. No wonder it was so quiet in there.

Really cute pub and decorated lovely for Xmas.Food was a bit hit and miss probably miss. The burger and chips were quite standard but both cold.Roast was good but nothing special, you'd not have to put a lot of effort in thr replicate it at home.Staff really friendly and attentive