Jeremy Clarkson opened The Farmer's Dog pub in Oxfordshire in August 2024. The pub enforces a strict condition that all produce is 100% British, excluding items like coffee and ketchup. This policy aims to emphasize local sourcing, but it has been met with varied customer reactions on platforms like TripAdvisor.
Reviews have pointed to long wait times and poor disabled access, with some patrons expressing disappointment over food quality and service. According to Daily Express - Showbiz, an anonymous TripAdvisor reviewer described waiting over 30 minutes for starters and nearly an hour for main courses, leading to frustration despite a manager's apology. Another reviewer, cited by the same source, highlighted difficulties with wheelchair access due to rubber matting and crowded counters, advising others with mobility issues to avoid the venue.
We were so looking forward to this. We sat at 6pm, and the starter for the table didn't arrive until 30 minutes after ordering. By 7pm, we still didn't have the main courses. They are very clear about your time limit when booking. There had obviously been an error - we think a nearby table got our starter, and mistakes do happen. But the lady I initially asked about checking for our food was really blase and offhand. A manager did come and apologise and offer us a voucher, but as we had travelled miles and it was our last night, this couldn't really put right the disappointment.
Additional complaints included a lack of ambiance and cold, dry food, with one customer noting pork arrived nearly cold and vegetables undercooked. However, not all feedback has been negative; some reviewers have praised specific menu items. According to Daily Express - Showbiz, an anonymous TripAdvisor reviewer commended the sausage and mash as among the best they had eaten, with smooth mash and flavorful sausages, while another lauded the steak pie for being full of meat and gravy.
The pub operates on a cashless system, accepting only card payments. It remains unclear what specific improvements, if any, Jeremy Clarkson or the management have implemented in response to the negative reviews, and the exact ratio of negative to positive feedback on TripAdvisor has not been disclosed. Additionally, whether any measures have been taken to enhance disabled access since the initial complaints is unknown.
The Farmer's Dog is certainly not wheelchair friendly. Very disappointed as expected. There was rubber matting instead of grass, which made getting into the shop area very difficult, and I had to get other visitors to assist me. No space inside for wheelchair access. Counters are very busy, so trying to speak to staff was nearly impossible due to the background noise. I advise any people who use wheelchairs to stay away, as you will be very disappointed, like my family and I were.
No ambience, felt like a production line, head em up, move em out, was like being served by robots. No acknowledgement of his birthday even though I stated it when booking. Really disappointing for a special birthday, it was a let down. Won't be returning or recommending like I have in the past. This was like going to a cafe or McDonald's - in fact I've probably sat longer in a fast food outlet than here for a special meal.
Both ordered pork and it arrived in less than 10 minutes (not a good sign) and was nearly cold, meat was so dry, the singular carrot was hardly cooked, potatoes like mush and Yorkshire pudding so dry it was crumbling. There was no crackling as written on the menu. We weren't asked once if we had enjoyed the food. It seems they value churning food out, over any sort of quality. Really disappointing.
For our mains two of us had the sausage and mash and they were some of the best sausages we have eaten. The mash was smooth, light and delicious. The other member of our party had the steak pie which was full of meat and gravy and again extremely tasty. The food may have cost a little more than you would normally pay but you get what you pay for, fresh, local produce. We felt it was well worth the money.