The Highwayman, Oswestry
Rating *** Sue Austin makes a pub meal in Oswestry into a double celebration.
makes a pub meal in Oswestry into a double celebration.
Going out for a meal can be as varied as opening your wardrobe and deciding what to wear. You might be putting on a posh frock for a special occasion, or throwing on something casual and comfortable for everyday.
Eating out can be a complete culinary experience at a top restaurant, paying top prices. It can be popping along to your favourite local for a sociable night out. Or it might be calling in after work for a value for money meal to save cooking at home.
We wanted to combine the latter two to celebrate not one, but two birthdays, a joint celebration for my mum and auntie.
I had often wondered why the car park at the Highwayman on Oswestry's Shrewsbury Road, looked full each time I passed and hoped it was the quality of the food as well as the great prices advertised on the boards outside – for instance the Golden Greats, two courses up to 5pm for just £4.25, an amazing offer.
It was a glorious evening and, despite only being 6pm, there were many tables taken, both inside and in the pub garden outside.
The Highwayman is lucky to have a comfortable outside seating area and a good children's adventure playground, both a rare commodity for Oswestry pubs.
It also has probably the most comfortable outdoor smoking area for miles around.
When the smoking ban was brought in a really clever outdoor gazebo was constructed with fast growing shrubs creating 'walls' and inside resembling a lounge complete with fireplace.
It was good to see however that there were very few people using the outdoor room.
The Highwayman is a Marstons pub, one where you order your food at the bar rather than from your table.
We surveyed the menu to find a really good choice of mains, for whatever the age and appetite of the diner.
Mum and Auntie Jan were delighted to find a 'light bite' menu as both admit they don't have the appetites they used to and they had already been the ladies who lunch earlier in the day, albeit an afternoon tea event.
They both settled on gammon and pineapple with chips and peas (£3.85) although they could have had a fish, scampi, steak and ale or cheese and mushroom pie or even liver and onions.
The larger appetites among us, Melvyn and teenager Joe, could have gone for the 'Mega Hungry' menu.
But with an eye on the family bank balance they both opted for the barbecue bacon chicken and cheese melt (6.95) served with chips and side salad.
To carry on with the duo theme Sophie and I were both tempted by the sizzling chicken fajitas (£6.95). It had been a close run choice for me with the pork and apple melt and the crispy chilli bowl both appealing.
The two birthday girls said the portion size had been just right for them although to me they seemed not much larger than children's portions.
Its an excellent idea for senior citizens who really can be phased by ordinary sized portions.
However Mel and Joe said their full sized portions were certainly not generous.
Whilst neither could fault the quality, tasty chicken smothered in cheese and tangy barbecue sauce, excellent chips and a side salad, Joe in particular said he could have polished off another plateful.
So he was glad of the two sides of combos we ordered. These included garlic bread, onion rings and breaded mushrooms. The chicken fajitas were a real surprise.
They arrived on a tower server with sizzling chicken onions and peppers on one shelf, three tortilla wraps on another and pots of salsa, guacamole and sour cream and chive dip on the third.
Again Sophie said the tortillas were a little on the small size but a side portion of fries proved the answer. I have to say having pinched a few, they were pretty good chips, sizzling hot and not at all greasy.
And I should also say that for the price the size of the portions were just about right.
The dessert menu wasn't quite so exciting and eventually we settled for sharing a couple of the Mega Brownie Chocolate Sundaes, (£5.25).
There turned out to be an oversized glass bowl full of chocolate brownie, marshmallows, two types of ice cream and other chocolates
Other puds, all just under £3, included Apple Pie, Ginger Treacle Tart and a host of chocolate delights.
We really enjoyed our early evening treat and I will certainly go back – perhaps for the curry night!
The Highwayman would have earned four stars for its value for money tasty food and great outdoor eating area.
But sadly, a surly barman just took the edge off the welcome that I would expect in a pub.
ADDRESS
The Highwayman, Shrewsbury Road, Oswestry SY11 2RT
Tel: 01691 652632
MENU SAMPLE
STARTERS
Crispy Butterfly Prawns, £3.65; Country Pate , £3.50; Cheesy Nachos, £2.95
MAINS
Beef Stew and Dumplings, £6.48; Smoked Haddock Mornay with new potatoes and peas, £6.95; Chicken Tikka Masala with rice, naan, popadum and chutney, £5.45
SIDES
Spicy potato wedges, £1.85; Salad Bowl, £1.80
DESSERTS
Chocolate Moment, a chocolate truffle mousse, £2.95; Ginger Treacle Tart, £2.95; Toffee waffle with ice cream. £2.95
ATMOSPHERE
Busy with all ages from families to pensioners
SERVICE
Table service was friendly but one barman let the side down
DISABLED FACILITIES
Wheelchair users can access a good part of the Highwayman
