Star rating: ***
One of the main problems with reviewing a constant stream of pubs - apart from my expanding waistline - is that they can become just a little bit the same.
Indeed, people are surprised to learn that pubs need to try very hard if they are to make a lasting impression.
And at the Thomas Botfield pub in Telford Shopping Centre, standing out from the crowd is something that still needs to be worked on.
Although the prices at Wetherspoon pubs have always been far better than anywhere else in the area, I often find that the quality can suffer.
I had no reason to change that view when I visited the Thomas Botfield with my brother - and best man - Steven to discuss the plans for my forthcoming wedding.
Both of us have, in the past, sampled the excellent breakfasts offered at the pub in Central Square but we found that the main daytime meals still leave quite a lot to be desired.
In the interests of getting as messy as possible - I’m still a bit of a child at heart - I went for the rack of ribs, while Steven chose the braised lamb shank.
Unsurprisingly, my ribs came with plenty of BBQ sauce, which did an admirable job of getting in as many places a possible.
The meat, however, was just not very interesting and while there is no reason to suggest that the ribs were undercooked, my tastebuds were certainly not tickled. In fact, they were downright disappointed.
And the chips did little to improve my opinion of the meal. Like the ribs, they were clearly not in the running for any awards. Glancing across the table, Steven offered similar thoughts.
One of the things I learned when growing up is that Steven likes to gobble down his food. Meals cooked by mum and dad would be scooped up in moments as he looked to rush out of the front door and on to the next caper with his friends.
His experiences have served him well and he had plenty to say on the subject of his lamb shank.
The mash was actually described as creamy on the menu, but was nothing of the sort in reality.
That was also the case with the lamb shank itself, which Steve told me had too much gristle.
Undeterred, we gave ourselves a few moments to survey the drinks menu before ordering desserts.
The range of drinks are, perhaps, the best part of the Thomas Botfield’s armoury and on most evenings, the pub is filled with sharp-suited workers from the surrounding offices.
But back to the meals - and perhaps, the low point of my visit.
When ordering a meal, mistakes can often be made on both sides and then quickly forgotten. What I do not expect is to be glared and tutted at by the bar staff after making a simple mistake in translating.
Nevertheless, Steven and I were prepared to put aside this disappointment as we sampled our desserts. As ever, I chose the chocolate fudge cake, while Steven decided to taste the Bramley apple pie.
Unlike the rest of our meals, the desserts were a very pleasant surprise - clearly, the staff in this part of the kitchen take great care in their work.
My fudge cake was light and moist enough to round off the meal, without leaving me feeling too stodgy.
Sitting opposite, Steven was also highly impressed with his apple pie - a favourite from our childhood days.
And although his dessert would never match the apple pies made by mum, it provided a very good substitute.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the rest of our meals.The Thomas Botfield pub
Central Square, Telford Shopping Centre
01952 292672 MENU SAMPLE
Starters
Nachos with cheese and salsa (£3.99)
Crayfish cocktail (£2.59)
Main courses
Chilli con carne (£5.19)
Salmon & lime fishcakes (£4.29)
Desserts
Treacle sponge (£1.99)
Fruit salad (£1.49)
ATMOSPHERE
Busy and active - it is a very quick-moving environment.
SERVICE
A low point of our visit - by any standards, it was not up to scratch.
DISABLED FACILITIES
There are disabled toilet facilities.
SMOKING POLICY
The entire pub is no smoking.
4 Comments
The majority of those of us who go to a wetherspoons for a meal do so because we want a reasonable choice of reasonable meals at reasonable prices.i
The number of diners eager to spend the equivalent of two days wages on meals which appear to have been eaten before they are served is reducing which explains why the number closing is growing
I have eaten at the wetherspoons on a few occasions and to be honest, the food has nearly always been fine. Its good value for money and the portion sizes are good. The only thing that disappointed me was the sunday lunches as nothing was fresh. All frozen and overcooked but we wont make the same mistake twice on that score.
I agree with Johns comment, if you want a reasonable choice of food for ok prices, its the place to go.
At least its not a bleedin carvery, like most of the other pubs in Telford!
Try the flame grilled Chicken breast burger.
The Thomas Botfield has the better Lloyds Number 1 bar menu.
Like the other comments if you want food that’s ok for a good price then a Whetherspoons is the place. What I will say about this particular venue is the price of the beer is not Wetherspoons prices, I recall paying the same price for a beer in the Lloyds No.1 Bar in, I think, Tottenham Court Road, London which in my view is a much better venue. I’d also like to mention that some of the staff in the Thomas Bottfield are unbelieveably rude, I asked for a pint and whilst the young lady was pouring she asked if I’d like anything else, at the time I said no, but as I was paying I asked if I could have some crisps I had spotted out the corner of my eye. I got the crisps after a lecture about asking for them when asked was there anything else prior to paying.