Cheap, cheerful and very homely

Those of us who regularly make the drive from Worksop to Lincoln were recently left frustrated after the toll prices were hiked up on Dunham Bridge.

It seemed to me that even in the hardest of times, we are being hit in the pocket again and again.

That was until I made a short pit-stop at The Bridge Inn - a traditional British family pub that still fights for quality and value, even in the face of financial adversity.

The Bridge Inn simply couldn’t be more welcoming.

With a cosy, traditional and old-school English Inn interior, the welcome and service received from the staff were as family and warm as the pub itself.

I plonked myself on a quiet little table in the corner and relaxed as I soaked up the soothing and friendly atmosphere.

The main menu boasted a mouth-watering selection all at great value.

They offer a massive mixed grill, all you can eat curry, lasagne, pork chip with chips and beans and all of the other regular pub grub staples - with very few of the options being much more than a fiver or tenner.

My eye however, was drawn towards the special ‘basket’ menu on the chalkboard by the bar.

On offer was some super cheap bar meals - including sausage and chips, scampi and chips, fish and chips or a spicy meatball pannini - all for just £3.50.

I was also mighty tempted by a pint and a burger for just £5, but in the end settled for chicken and chips in a basket.

For the price you pay, the size of the portion is really quite generous.

I was presented with a basket, bursting with piping-hot chunky chips and a meaty piece of Southern-fried chicken.

It may not have been the best meal I’ve ever had but it certainly filled a hole and hit the spot.

For £3.50 you really can’t grumble that much.

Either way, with value like that and pot-size bites that do the trick, make sure you head to The Bridge Inn for a brief bite and a pit-stop next time you head towards Lincoln.

With purse-strings being tightened all over the place, it’s good to see a place still dedicated to traditional pub grub at good-old fashioned low prices.

By Andrew Trendell

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