A Family Meal at the Pike and Musket in Tuffley
Our local pub is a Sizzling Pub. It is only a ten minute walk away and is right opposite the girls’ school. Being family friendly, Emily and I have visited several times straight after school whilst waiting for Freyja at a club. The food has always been good pub grub and great value. When we were invited to visit another Sizzling Pub, the newly refurbished Pike and Musket in Tuffley, I couldn’t resist.
The Pike and Musket reopened in April after a major refurbishment. We hadn’t visited before so I am unable to comment on how much the interior had been improved. However, we were impressed when we walked in. We arrived at a bright and clean bar area. There was plenty of seating available in various arrangements and the tables were clean.
The bat staff were friendly and welcoming and we enjoyed drinks whilst we waited for food. In fact all the staff were really friendly and waiting staff were efficient and helpful, checking everything was ok with the food, speaking to the kids and cleaning away plates afterwards quickly.
Just like our local, the Pike and Musket have several gins to choose from. This makes me happy. What made me even happier was the bottle of Whitley Neill rhubarb and ginger gin – one of my current favourites.
We do like the range of food available on the children’s menu. They offer a menu for the under 5’s and one for the over 5’s. Essentially, similar food but smaller portions (and consequently at a cheaper price) for younger children. There is so much flexibility with the kid’s menu. They choose a main course, a side and veg. Then follow this with a dessert. Freyja had been to a party earlier in the day and insisted she wasn’t that hungry. She opted for a bowl of chips.
Rich chose a double Backyard BBQ. The two beef burgers were topped with BBQ pulled pork, cheese and onion rings. All the burgers came with chips and BBQ sauce on the side and included a soft drink. Rich decided to swap his chips for curly fries. If you have never had the curly fries at a Sizzling Pub, I urge you to try them!
I would normally have had something with curly fries, but was in the mood for chips. Particular chips with curry sauce. So I opted for cod and chips with garden peas and a jug of katsu curry sauce. It really hit the spot!
Emily was the Toad in the Hole – which was sausages in a Yorkshire pudding. Emily is 4 years old, but insisted on having the over 5’s menu because she wanted 2 sausages. The flexibility of the menu meant she could have it with two of her other favourite foods – garlic bread and sweetcorn. The fact that she was able to choose exactly what she wanted meant that her plate was cleared! She was really excited to have her own gravy boat – as you can probably see in the picture!
As happy as her main course maid her, she loved her “make your own sundae” even more! She had a bowl of vanilla ice cream and separate chocolate sauce, chocolate sprinkles, buttons and strawberries to decorate it.
The previously “not very hungry” Freyja couldn’t resist and she made short work of one too!
In the interests of doing a complete and thorough review, I felt that I should have a dessert to report back on too! I had the Tia Maria Sundae. This consisted of pieces of brownie soaked in Tia Maria liqueur with vanilla ice cream, Belgian chocolate sauce and cream, topped with chocolate sauce and a wafer. I can happily report back that it was really good!
Our drinks and food came to less than £50 which we thought was such great value. Overall the food was really good and the pub had a really friendly, relaxed atmosphere. We wouldn’t hesitate to return again in the future! If you are looking for a family friendly, reasonably-priced pub to eat at, I thoroughly recommend you try the Pike and Musket.
Disclaimer: We were compensated towards the cost of our meal in exchange for an honest review, but as always all thoughts and opinions are our own.
