Tag Archives: desi

Sandwell, West Bromwich

The Red Lion

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West Bromwich:

A short way out of town, but the right way out of town, on our bus route.

A big, red-brick, inter-war, “improved” or road-house type pub that’s been modernised inside, and given the desi treatment. Bar at the front, big, slightly canteen-like room at the back. Friendly staff, good beer choice (decent lager and cask ale), and a really impressive food menu (we were still full from The Sportsman).

Very busy- a popular pub, and despite feeling a bit canteen like, not unpleasant, until the volume on the TVs got cranked up loud.

Sandwell, West Bromwich

The Prince of Wales

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West Bromwich:

So, we’d passed this already.

When we dropped in on the way back, it was disappointing we hadn’t gone here first, though I wasn’t sure if they were doing food at lunchtime.

Anyway, inside was a basic, honest boozer. Bench seats, no cask ale, but decent lager and wine, and lovely staff. There’s an eating area out back, and to the other side, a pool table. The pub stretches back a loooong way.

We didn’t eat, having filled up at The Sportsman, but the food has a good reputation. Customers wandered in and out, as multicultural as the area.

Sandwell

The Sportsman

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West Bromwich:

So, I’d bought the Creative Black Country Desi pub book. I love Indian food, and we needed somewhere to go, so time to start. I’d not checked details before, so went past the Red Lion on the bus, and walked past the Prince of Wales en route…

Anyway, from outside, unexceptional. Inside? Clean, bright, practical if not that atmospheric, but well set up for the audience: a big open bar area at the front, and a big area with booths for food at the back, TVs in both, but not too loud. Mixed Asian and white customers, counter for food order at one end of the back area.

The food was excellent and good value, and while there was no cask ale, there were at least 3 decent lagers. really friendly staff, and a nice, friendly feel to the place.

Darlaston, Walsall

The Old Engine

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Darlaston (even if Google thinks Wednesbury):

This was near to our bus, and a friend had suggested we popped in. It’s uninspiring, to be honest, from the outside, looking mostly like a couple of houses knocked through and turned into a pub, but inside is pleasant- not pluch, but clean and tidy. No cask ale, but decent lager served by a friendly Asian barman, and…

The proper Desi pub food experience from an open kitchen at the back. I’d fancied a curry anyway, so to find one almost by accident was a bonus, and the food was great and bargain priced.

Friendly, multicultural locals- the majority white, as it happened, but a significant amount of Asian customers (including the barman when his shift ended). A sign saying “You are respectfully requested not to discuss religion or politics on the premises” didn’t seem to halt conversation. Football was on the TVs, but no-one was shouting and the sound was low enough to hear over.