Location: 10 Castle St, Reading Rg1 7RD

Telephone number: 0118 586466

Website: N/A

Date of visit: 15 November 2009

Approximate cost per head: From £5

Comments on wine list/beer: They carry a range of  beer, cider and wine. The beer is the basic Adnams and Wadsworth 6x. There is also Peroni on tap.

Summary:
This establishment is famous for its pies and have been trading since 1978. It’s owned by the Hayward family that also runs Vicars (butcher) and one of the largest game wholesalers in the SE.

The range of pies here is phenomenal – e.g. there are 4 steak varieties – steak, steak and oyster, steak & mushroom and steak & kidney. On most days there are at least 20 varieties on sale. The basic pie is just over £1.20 in the retail outlet at the front and £5.20 in the restaurant with a salad trimming.  Extras such as potatoes and vegetables are available from £2. Chips are only available during lunch time.

The most interesting pies are the various games – hare, venison, country (rabbit) etc. They are done with internal gravy so it’s not the dryish hot water pastry pies that you get with most game pies.

The retail outlet sells cooked ham (no added water), scotch eggs, pasties, sausages rolls and filled rolls as well as the pies.

Opening hours are normal pub hours – they are closed on Sundays and bank holidays.

The best way to describe this place is that the cooking is basic, honest and nice. This is the place for a cheap meal in the centre of Reading although I have heard good reports about The Horn – round the corner.

I have been a regular customer since they opened.

Eddie