Swadlincote pub wins vote for best roast dinner in Derbyshire
A pub in swadlincote has won a vote for the best roast dinner in Derbyshire. The Railway Inn, on Midway Road in Swadlincote, was crowned the best place in the county for a roast dinner after a vote from DerbyshireLive[1] readers.
Described by one reviewer on TripAdvisor as a "little gem", the pub, which sits on the main road into the town from the north just past Eureka Park, serves a carvery on Sundays between 1pm and 5pm. Jamie Larkin is both landlord and head chef at the pub and has 22 years' experience in the kitchen.
He said: "We're obviously ecstatic and buzzing. It's fantastic news. I already knew it was good but it's nice to have that affirmed by other people. We've been running that carvery for nearly three years and it's taken a long time to build it up to where it is. The fact that other people are recognising that it is as good as I think it is is fantastic."
Jamie and wife Jenny took over the pub in 2020 and had to contend with two lockdowns before bringing the pub to where it is today. When they started, they had "next to no" customer base, says Jamie, so it's a source of pride that they are where they are now.
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He said: "It was testing times when we started. But recognition like this makes you think that actually, you know what, keeping at it is worthwhile."
The carvery at the Railway consists of a minimum of four meats every week, with five on some weeks. There are usually three different types of potato - mashed, new and roast - and pigs in blankets come as standard - they aren't an extra that cost more.
There's also a "massive selection of any vegetable you can think of", says Jamie, and specialities on different weeks, such as last Sunday's spiced red cabbage and apple. Creamed leeks and savoy cabbage, which Jamie says people "really like", are a popular mainstay.
The Railway Inn, on Midway Road in Swadlincote, serves the best roast dinner in Derbyshire according to our poll (Image: Google)
The latest review for the roast dinner on TripAdvisor said: "Went for a carvery for the first time and it didn’t disappoint. Food and service were excellent. It was the best pub carvery I’ve been to and it’s a friendly family pub. We will definitely be going back."
Another said: "This place serves the best Sunday lunch! Really well-cooked choice of meats and a wide selection of vegetables on the carvery. Fab roasties! Warm welcome and family-friendly, desserts tempting but too full to try one. Maybe next time! We will be back. Great value as well."
Booking for the carvery is advised due to its popularity. Prices start at £10.50.
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References
- ^ DerbyshireLive (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Win four Merlin Gold Annual Passes (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Burton and Swadlincote's Christmas lights switch-on events: All you need to know (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up for free email alerts to StaffordshireLive straight to your inbox here (data.reachplc.com)