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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
View all details
meals, features
Reviews (423)
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421 results
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LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
155
116
61
37
52
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All reviews sunday roast whitebait great pub friendly atmosphere frinton spitfire ales sea platter lunchtime
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Reviewed 3 days ago

On high street,with on street parking had 2 physically impaired relatives,so handy.Arrived just after 14:00 on Wednesday 6th December 23. My first visit to venue, inside was clean ,spacious, not loads of dining tables and was quarter full of customers eating. Starters 2 out 3...don't have grilled prawns as not done look like frozen stuck on a bit of salad( not worth it) .Main meals were Okay, shepherds pie was tasteless according to my relative, my pork loin was good apart from pok chou could of been pan fried,grilled, as near enough raw, daphanaise potatoes was nice another 5mins cooking would of been better as potatoes were a bit hard. Deserts good. The staff which was mainly 2 serving, did apologized for delays and waiting time as it did take long time for ordering, getting meals,drinks, paying for bill, was getting concerned at a point as 2 hours on blue badge running out of time. I would also state that we didn't know the procedure for ordering saw food menus on bar,not on tables, no daily specials/offers, had to keep getting member of staff attention or going to bar for services. The toilets could be more cleaner,smell nicer,as dirty,wet floor completely freezing as outside ammindites. The worst thing I saw as where I was sitting,see in the food service area were members of staff taking chips? Off customer plates then munching when plating on table with customers meals. The pricing is at a peak as stated home-made, I guess cooked to order(fresh)? I don't think I be returning as first impression and standards were poor, couldn't figure out if trying to be a first class restaurant or local pub missed view of business impression. I would email the establishment with review , don't have....More

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago

It has new owners and they need to sack the chef. The food here has always been excellent and omg what a change. I understand the owner is the same owner as the skipper, the food there is OK, not always the best, but they...have ruined the lock and barrell for food. The new paint and the blinds being open are good, ot gives it a more modern feel, but you have got to get a chef in that cooks good food. The chicken burger meal in particular is awful, it used to be moist and a large meal with chinky chips and onion rings, it's now dry, bland, tiny and what is the point of putting half a teaspoon of coleslaw on the plate? Tall Paul is still there I'm pleased to see as he really makes the place, he's very nice, makes great cocktails and is the heart and soul of the place. Please don't ruin our local with poor food!!More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 28 August 2023 via mobile

We headed for Saturday lunch to this venue I've previously reviewed. Back then I wrote that I can't wait to visit again... and August Bank Holiday brought along this visit. We arrived for late-lunch,/early dinner finding this venue to be deservedly busy with customers being...served at the bar in good time and others sat at tables waiting for the food they'd ordered... soon enough we were doing the same. Harry had taken our order perfectly and now Ruby was serving us and making sure we had everything we needed. 2 x burger meals and my pork dish were delicious and filling. 3 x happy diners! Thanks to all at The Lock and Barrel, Frinton-on-Sea, until we meet again.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 16 April 2023

Been a regular here for a few years ,somethings gone wrong use to have a friendly atmosphere and it was busy. We use it summers for lunch,s when the dog can sit in the garden. If he could go in the bar it would be...all year. I think its new people they seem stuffy the old staff were fun. Sunday lunch it was dead says it all. Dont think we will be going back. Shame loved that pub.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 9 April 2023 via mobile

Excellent service, staff amazing and food great too. Chance find on Easter Sunday and not disappointed. Will visit again

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 2 April 2023 via mobile

We had Saturday lunch in a venue I previously reviewed. Back then I wrote that I can't wait to visit again... and I'm so glad we did. Yesterday was a wet April 1st but we still wanted to do something nice. We arrived and parked...for free down by the Frinton coast and walked back 5 minutes into town then were immediately greeted by Ian, who was clearly pleased to serve in this great Shepherd Neame pub restaurant. He brought our drinks to the table and took our food order. Whitebait to share, main meals of Pork Escalope and Cottage Pie. All accompaniments were also perfect and portioned just over enough for a hungry couple, superb. We felt it foolish not to enjoy a dessert so had chocolate fudge cake with cream/ice cream. Yummy. Coffee was served and we watched more rain-dodgers fill this deservedly busy, but not overbearing, venue. Thanks to Ian and all at The Lock and Barrel, Frinton-on-Sea, we'll see you again.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 10 March 2023 via mobile

Popped in for lunch and had scampi and chips and a chicken burger and chips Food was very good and lovely service We were served by Paul and another guy both very professional Lovely open fire Nothing to complain about

Date of visit: March 2023
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Reviewed 6 March 2023

Had fish and chips with mushy peas, and a cup of tea. When the food arrived did not look very appetising, the chips were a very dark brown and very hard, the fish very runny not cooked properly, but the peas were BAD they tasted...foul. I called the waiter over and told him about my feelings, he said he would go and check/ H came back several minutes later and told me the chef said that everything was fresh. I then said ok so how did he explain the rock hard chips and the vile taste of the mushy peas, NO answer. I went to pay the bill expecting a good discount having not touched the chips or mushy peas, all i had of the meal was a bite of the fish and a cup of tea. did not receive an apology nor a discount off the meal, it cost me over £38.50 needless to say will never be going back there. the worst place I have ever eaten at. Please if you do go there give stay clear of the fish & chipsMore

Date of visit: February 2023
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Reviewed 24 February 2023

Visited for Sunday lunch 19ty February. Food and service we amazing. Can definitely recommend the Sunday roast. Staff were attentive and friendly. Will go again.

Date of visit: February 2023
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Reviewed 10 December 2022

Popped in last weekend with family who came to visit. Lovely relaxed place, lovely staff & customers.

Date of visit: December 2022
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Reviewed 14 November 2022 via mobile

Now this is a quaint coastal town with a great pub on its main shopping street. We aren't locals but were still made very welcome by Jack who served us well kept beers and fantastic food. The pie was rich and my beef rib was...amazing... accompanying veg' were done just right too. It's clear that this was beyond 'pub grub', thank you Chef! Between Jack's welcome and Paul's farewell we'd been made to feel like regulars, eaten well, chatted and watched the world go by. A restful Saturday lunch in a venue I can't wait to visit again. Thanks to all at The Lock and Barrel, Frinton-on-Sea.More

Date of visit: November 2022
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Reviewed 28 October 2022 via mobile

I was once a regular here. No longer and no doubt why. Popped by today hoping for a change and a few pints of Master Brew. The beer was too cold, cloudy and tasted off. The Spitfire pump clip was turned away so was offered...the only remaining ale, Whitstable Bay. That too was very cold, not clear and completely tasteless. The place was decorated in silly Halloween stuff but it smelt unclean and the supposed stock in trade was the worst I’ve seen in a pub recently - and I know my beer. A chap who appeared to be the manager was aware of my returning the drink but seemed untroubled that a Friday afternoon and evening was unfolding with just one of three ales on offer available and even that was dreadful. Unless you want to pay £9 for a jacket potato and drink expensive non ale in a very ordinary cavernous pub then avoid this place. As someone else has posted here, they need some real competition.More

Date of visit: October 2022
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Reviewed 10 September 2022

Lovely place to eat friendly helpful staff.Lots of choice of food great starter to share .smoked haddock with veg and mash.really hot great flavours great taste

Date of visit: September 2022
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Reviewed 1 September 2022 via mobile

There was four of us went to the lock and Barrel for two drinks each and four portions of chips. Likely we had some hand wipes with us as our outside table was filthy also the toilets were discussing one toilet out of four was...working in the ladies and filthy dirty and no hand soap the gents toilet were no better filthy dirty and in bad repair. When our chips came I couldn’t believe it. It cost £14 for four very small portions of chips they where child size. In a nut shell we were very disappointed we won’t be going back. Nick from FrintonMore

Date of visit: August 2022
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Reviewed 15 August 2022

Only pub in town and you have too pay for it ! typical S.Neame watering hole, expensive for a modest beer and playing to a captive audience - wetherspoon where are you, local people or visitors do not need this pub - nothing great at...all, but its the only one and there should be some competition to keep Mr.Neame and co on their Toes - will not go again, too expensiveMore

Date of visit: August 2022
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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Twosixsix
3 June 2018|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from terrid799 | Reviewed this property |
Yes, there is outside. There is a courtyard where you can sit.
1
Vote
paulsmith_moss
11 June 2017|
AnswerShow all 9 answers
Response from BobC594 | Reviewed this property |
yes dogs are allowed
0
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LOCK AND BARREL, Frinton-On-Sea - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Lock and barrel

Lock and barrel is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4