The thing about carveries is that whilst good value, they can sometimes taste a little bland.
It’s a bit like a hotel buffet, even in the finest of hotels, it never seems to taste as good as meals freshly made a-la-carte.
Nonetheless, carveries have their fans, no doubt due to the good value of being able to get all the veg and trimmings you want.
Mum and dad were very fond of the well-known Pear Tree Farm near the Vanguard Centre in York and dad would always rave about how tender the ham was. He was told it was because they cooked it overnight.
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Outside the Fox and Hounds in Langthorpe.
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
They were also fans of Riverside Farm at Skelton and they were sad when it became Hickory’s Bar and Grill.
The ubiquitous Toby Carvery, which has branches all over the UK, serves a pleasant carvery at Hopgrove. And as part of a national chain, it will have various offers and deals, including with Groupon or similar vouchers, boosting their good value.
The choice is extensive
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
In more recent times, the Commercial Inn at Easingwold has delivered good carvery meals, well-priced and still having that flavoursome homemade feel. Nothing bland here.
The Anchor Inn at Whixley is noted for its carvery. I was there having a drink last Friday and it did look good. A woman confirmed to me it was, adding she and her husband drive miles for it, often.
However, I decided to take mum and dad last Sunday to the Fox and Hounds at Langthorpe, Boroughbridge.
We all agreed 'this is a right carvery'
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
This pub is one of the small chain of hostelries owned by Boroughbridge publican Simon Wade.
In recent years, he has transformed venues including The Grantham Arms in Milby, Boroughbridge, the Blue Bell at Arkendale, and earlier this year, the Punch Bowl at Marton-Cum-Grafton.
Dad's plate
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
These are more upmarket gastropubs, whereas the Fox and Hounds is more your traditional village pub.
I thought, well Simon has delivered top-class gastropub fare, so his Sunday carvery should also be good.
We arrived just after 1pm, having booked and were quickly shown to a table by the friendly staff.
Darren's plate. Look at the size of the Yorkshire pud!
(Image: Darren's plate)
We ordered drinks, with me settling for a Jorvik Blonde (£4.60), dad a pint of John Smiths (£4.40 ) and mum, half of Guinness (£3).
The carvery is served on Sunday from 12-noon to 5pm and costs £16.95 for one course and £19.95 for two courses. A take-away option with one choice of meat can be had for £11.95.
Pub diners get a choice of two meats. There is roast striploin of beef served pink, honey and mustard glazed gammon, roasted pork loin with crispy crackling, turkey crown, a pie option and a vegetarian option, which on our visit was steak pie and a vegetarian wellington.
The vegetables and trimmings included Yorkshire puddings, honey glazed carrots and parsnips, roast potatoes, creamy mash, cauliflower cheese, buttered greens, spiced red cabbage and gravy.
The puddings were the traditional fruit crumble, soft centre chocolate pudding, zesty lemon cheesecake and classic sticky toffee pudding.
The interior of The Fox and Hounds at Langthorpe.
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
After a few minutes wait, we were invited to go for the food.
I went for the turkey and the pork, and both portions were generous.
Mum went for pork and beef and again, two generous portions.
Dad just went for the pork, which was plentiful and I enjoyed his crackling too.
And we helped ourselves to the extensive range of vegetables on display.
We returned to our table and a server delivered a jug of gravy.
It all looked good and appreciative comments came from all.
“This is a right carvery,” said Mum, which we all agreed.
Soon after a staff member asked if we needed any sauces and was everything okay? It was.
The pub interior
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
We tucked in and I don’t know if these meats were cooked overnight, but the pork was flavoursome and exceptionally tender. The crackling was also lovely and crunchy. If only I could get my crackling like that with my pork loin roasts from Morrisons!
The turkey was also tender and delicious, and the beef was a treat, again exceptionally tender and a little pink as promised. I once went to a posh place in Harrogate and their Sunday beef was disappointingly tough.
The vegetables were also good, with plenty of flavour and no blandness. They still had that freshly-made home cooked taste.
The roast carrots and parsnips were pleasant and soft, the greens had a bit more crispness, the mash and lovely and smooth. The roast potatoes were cooked to perfection, not too hard and the red cabbage was another treat.
Of course, we struggled to empty our plates, but there was enough beef for mum to give me some and for her enough pork for her to take some home for tea.
Mum's plate
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
The Yorkshire Pudding was fine, but far too big for me. However, a chap at the next table had two on his plate. We did not stay long enough to see if he ate them.
We had no room for pudding and asked for the bill.
It came to a very reasonable £62.85.
We were greeted out and thanked by the friendly staff, who we all felt had delivered good and warm service.
We were all highly delighted and satisfied, having enjoyed our best carvery in years. The Fox and Hounds is a recommended ride out and I am sure we will come again.
Such success is highlighted in the rave reviews online.
Google awards 4.7 stars out of five, based on 296 reviews.
The most recent awarded five stars and said: “Great food, amazing service, the staff were lovely! Especially as we had 5 kids in tow.”
Tripadvisor awards a surprisingly poor 4 stars out of five, ranking it 7th out of 15 Boroughbridge restaurants.
However, its latest review gives five stars and said: “Superb Sunday Roast Carvery (Veggie option available) with family today. First time here, but won’t be the last. Very friendly welcome from all staff. Lovely Dog friendly country pub with outside seating. Amazing value too with 2 courses for under £20. Many thanks to all at The Fox & Hounds.”
So, for a delicious carvery, at a good price, with friendly service, in a traditional pub, in a pleasant village not far from York, head to the Fox and Hounds and Langthorpe. You won’t be disappointed!
Reviews are independent and meals paid for by The Press
Fact file
Skelton Rd, Langthorpe, Boroughbridge, York YO51 9BZ
T: 01423 325239
Verdict:
Food: Plenty of choice, tasty and tender
Service: Friendly and professional
Ambience: Traditional village pub
Value: Really good