A diner got more than they bargained for when they posted a review on Tripadvisor.
The Plough Inn near Bewdley in Worcestershire is one of the best-rated pubs in the area, yet this wasn’t enough to satisfy a customer called Judith.
Judith wrote a 200-word review complaining about ‘non-existent’ customer service among other things.
But the pub owner couldn’t resist defending his eatery with an equally cutting response and took personal pot-shots at the reviewer, Birmingham Live reports.
The Plough Inn has a TripAdvisor rating of 3.5 - with more than 1,100 reviews of which 499 are excellent.
Recent guests described it as their "new restaurant" and "highly recommended".
But Judith who dined at The Plough Inn on New Year’s Day left a one-star rating, which Mark, the owner of The Plough Inn has replied to, sarcastically thanking her for her 'priceless' review.
Judith said she had been told when she called to book a table that the full menu would be available on New Year's Day - but when they arrived at The Plough they were told it was not - and that only carveries were on offer - leaving two people unable to eat.
She also said the customer service was 'non-existent', 'useless' and that she would not be visiting again.
Her TripAdvisor review said: "Upon booking a family table and being told on the phone that the full menu was available as two of our party do not eat meat (pescatarian) so fish was an option we looked forward to our meal.
"But on arrival we where told that it was carvery with pudding only and the only veggie option needed 30 minutes to cook, but we were unable to order this due to food allergies. So unfortunately two of our party were unable to order a meal and they did not offer any alternative meal.
"My father over the years has used The Plough for many a meal, he found the price had gone up and the plates where smaller no information was advertised on the website customer service was non-existent would not recommend this place.
"The price of the carvery with a compulsive pudding which was £23 each, this price was the same for children, personally I heard several complaints about the place whilst sipping my extremely overpriced beer.
"My father won’t visit again and has put the word around, so several customers lost, I will never visit again the service is best part useless and overpriced to almost legal extortion. Regardless of being New Year's Day."
And The Plough's owner, Mark, responded:
"Hi Judith, thank you for your priceless review, maybe if I’d of paid for it, it may of been a little more constructive.
"Obviously your father is a an intelligent man, using The Plough over the years, but let’s hope he’s not guided by you in the future.
"There are many of other carvery’s around, on the whole cheaper but must say, I think they should be called CRAPERYS, that’s why the price reflects.
"Now saying that, our three course deal is now on £10 YES TEN POUNDS mealy legal extortion, what do you think? Mark."
The pub has had some top reviews in the past - with one diner thanking staff for "an amazing meal" two weeks ago.
They wrote: "Absolutely fantastic! Went for a birthday meal and £10 for 3 courses and they are not cheap crappy courses they are amazing!!
"I had stilton mushrooms to start and they was outstanding, carvery for main brilliant! My dad had the steak and that looked incredible and chocolate fudge cake with custard to end the meal!
"Highly recommended! Cannot wait to visit again! Thankyou the Plough for an amazing meal."
While Kirsty Bates visited in December she said: "Visited with partner and mom. Friendly staff.
"The boss will always make conversation with me no matter what he is doing very polite and nice man. There is nothing I don't like about this place. I love it.
"My carvery was amazing but the food always is."
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