The Spotted Dog in Darlington

*Pre COVID Review*Went here on a date with my partner with a Groupon voucher from a friend (which paid for most of the meal)Ate a delicious mixed grill with bacon-wrapped sausages and it tasted great!It was a quiet night with good atmosphere and the staff that were on were friendly I'd recommend it to people.

Very friendly welcome and service, lovely pub. The beer & vodka battered haddock was unanimously the best fish and chips we've ever had; the batter is incredible, and the fish was perfect. Same goes for the sticky toffee pudding: very light, very tasty. It's also incredibly good value. We'll definitely be back!

Went for a Sunday lunch, greeted by a young man behind the bar whose first words were "if you want a Sunday lunch, we don't have beef or lamb or roast potatoes". A hello would have been nice instead of diving in with negatives. Ordered 3 Sunday lunches. All arrived at different times, Yorkshires were burnt and inedible and meals were cold. Veg arrived about 5 minutes after the meal and we had very little gravy to share between 3 of us. I have given 2 stars because they did have some activities for children, but overall in terms of food and service, it was a 1. Neither myself, nor the 2 people I was with will be going again.

Went here a couple of weeks ago and the service from the staff was fantastic. We arrived with our dog who was allowed with us in a quiet area. Not only did we get amazing service but the food was gorgeous and the price was really reasonable. Our dog was given water, biscuits and cuddles which was lovely. Well done we will definitely be back.

Nice layout inside disappointed to find only Sunday lunch menu on Sunday but went for it anyway. Food came out very quickly but it wasn't perfect Yorkshire puddings were quite cold and stiff. It wasn't cheap but it wasn't expensive. Overall I'd probably go back but not for a Sunday lunch. The main menu looked and sounded great. Give it a try.

Called in for lunch on the way to Darlington with my mum. We both had burgers off the lunch menu and both were delicious and very good value. The staff were lovely and very helpful, holding open the door so my mum could get my wheelchair in. Definitely plan to return for an evening meal in the future.

Service was very bad, only 1 real waiter who seemed to be doing everything, rest was school lads. Portions pretty bad and not consistent, yorkies burnt and some small some huge, same for meat cuts, other customer had large cuts, ours were small. 4 sunday dinners ordered, 2 kids portions and we only got 1 veg portion to share, which didn't even arrive with the meat, had to ask for it after nobody brought it. Also a lack of gravy, had to ask for that too. Taste was good but spoilt by service, wouldn't return that's for sure.

Good Saturday evening meal enjoyed here. Rib eye steak recommended, with proper chips. Well stocked bar, good sized car park with convenient rear door into the pub. Clean toilets.

Pleasant friendly, welcoming well run pub. Family and dog friendly with well kept real ales and good fresh home cooked food.The steak pie was spot on. Plenty of meat and decent gravy inside a proper suet pastry crust. It comes with fresh home cooked proper chips, peas and a decent pot of ale gravy.Proper no nonsense pub food at its best!

Just had lunch at the spotted dog. Fabulous food & service. I had the Gammon it was cooked just to my liking with home made chips egg & proper fresh pineapple. My wife Anne had the posh fish pie it was superb the best she has ever tasted. Well done guys👍