There’s something about pub food that keeps us coming back for more, even when it’s not exactly gourmet. But let’s be honest: some pub foods aren’t exactly crowd-pleasers. Here are 21 pub foods we all secretly dislike but continue to order anyway.
Overcooked Chicken Wings
“Chicken wings are inexpensive and ideal for deep-frying or barbecuing,” says the BBC, which is why they’re so popular—but too often, they arrive overcooked and dry. Despite being smothered in sauce, the meat can be tough and chewy, lacking the tenderness that makes us crave wings so much. Still, they’re a staple in pub menus and usually the go-to when you’re not sure what else to order.
Soggy Fish and Chips
A British classic, fish and chips are often not done justice in pubs. The fish can be greasy, and the batter is either too thick or not crispy enough. The chips can range from undercooked to limp and soggy. Despite these flaws, they’re hard to resist.
Flavourless Nachos
Nachos have the potential to be a great sharing dish, but pub nachos often fall flat. The chips can be stale, and the cheese sauce is usually more like a thin, bland goo, while the toppings are often scant and unevenly distributed.
Bland Ploughman’s Lunch
While it’s supposed to be a hearty, rustic meal, the Ploughman’s Lunch in many pubs is nothing more than a few slices of cheap ham, a chunk of tasteless cheese, and some wilted salad. The pickles and bread are often the highlight, but they can’t save the dish from being a letdown.
Chewy Calamari
Calamari should be light and tender, but pub versions are often rubbery and over-battered. The accompanying dipping sauces can’t disguise the fact that you’re chewing on something that feels more like an elastic band than a delicious seafood treat.
Greasy Sausage Rolls
Pub sausage rolls are often greasy with a filling that’s more bread than sausage. The pastry can be heavy and soggy, making each bite a struggle, but despite this, they remain a staple snack—likely because they’re easy to eat with one hand while holding a pint in the other.
Overly Salty Crisps
Crisps are a pub classic, but they’re often overly salty and leave you reaching for your drink more often than enjoying the flavour. They’re a simple, easy snack, but after a few handfuls, the salt can be overwhelming. Yet, they’re so commonly available that we keep munching away.
Gritty Black Pudding
When not prepared properly, black pudding can be gritty and dry instead of rich and satisfying. Some pubs serve it with little care, resulting in a texture that’s far from pleasant. Even so, it remains on the menu, partly because of its traditional roots and hearty reputation.
Watery Soup
Pub soups can be hit or miss, and more often than not, they’re a miss. A good soup should be hearty and full of flavour, but pub soups are frequently watery and bland, lacking the depth that makes a soup satisfying.
Stale Bread
Nothing is more disappointing than being served stale bread with your meal, whether it’s for dipping into soup or part of a sandwich. Old, hard bread can ruin the entire experience, yet bread is often an afterthought in many pubs, served more out of obligation than care.
Flavourless Burgers
Burgers are a pub favourite, but they can be underwhelming. The patty might be overcooked and dry, with a lack of seasoning that leaves it flavourless. The bun can be stale, and the toppings are often uninspired, yet despite these frequent failings, we keep ordering burgers.
Lumpy Mashed Potatoes
They should be creamy and smooth, but pub mashed potatoes can often be lumpy and bland, and they’re usually served as a side dish. While they have the potential to be comforting, they often end up being a disappointment, yet they accompany many pub meals, so we keep scooping them onto our plates.
Overly Breaded Onion Rings
Too often, onion rings are served with a thick, heavy breading that overshadows the onion inside. The batter can be greasy and leave your fingers feeling oily, making them less enjoyable to eat, but we keep hoping for that perfect crispy bite.
Dry Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are supposed to be a reliable, tasty option, but in pubs, they can often be dry and flavourless. The breading might also be too thick, and the chicken inside might be tough. Despite their flaws, chicken tenders are a go-to for many people because they’re familiar and usually come with a variety of dipping sauces.
Uninspired Caesar Salad
A Caesar salad should be a refreshing option, but pub versions often disappoint. The lettuce can be wilted, the croutons stale, and the dressing lacking in flavour. The promise of a light, tasty dish is rarely delivered—yet we keep ordering it, hoping for a fresher experience.
Rubber Steak
Pub steaks can often be rubbery and overcooked instead of juicy and tender as they should be. The meat can be tough to chew, making each bite more of a chore than a pleasure, but steaks remain on many pub menus.
Overly Breaded Scampi
While it should be a light, tasty seafood option, pub scampi is often heavily breaded and greasy. The breading can overpower the delicate flavour of the seafood, making it more about the batter than the scampi itself. Still, it’s a popular choice because it’s quick, easy, and familiar.
Limp Side Salad
Side salads are often an afterthought, and it shows, as pub side salads can be limp and uninspired, with a few sad leaves of lettuce, a couple of tomatoes, and a drizzle of dressing. They’re meant to add a bit of freshness to your meal, but they often leave much to be desired.
Tasteless Pie
While they should be comforting and flavourful, pies from local drinking establishments are often bland. The crust is either too soggy or too hard, and the filling can be meagre and lacking in seasoning, making each bite a bit of a letdown.
Overcooked Veg
Vegetables should add a healthy, tasty element to your meal, but pub vegetables are often overcooked and lifeless. They can also be mushy and flavourless, losing all their natural goodness. Despite these flaws, pub vegetables are a common side dish that we keep eating.
Greasy Chips
Lastly, a bowl of chips at your local pub should be crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, but they’re too commonly greasy and soggy. They can leave you feeling more sluggish than satisfied, yet they’re still an integral part of many pub meals.
