The Badger’s Sett in Cropston

As I mentioned in my “about me” blurb, one of my favorite things about England are the pubs. I love the tradition, the history, the coziness… there is nothing that quite compares to them in the states. And I really think there is nothing nicer than spending a chilly Sunday afternoon by a fire at an old pub with friends and drinks. Because of this, I have decided to start a pub review section of my blog, and first up is The Badger’s Sett in Cropston.

I went out on a weekday recently to The Badger’s Sett with Andrew and my mother-in-law and hadn’t been there in a few months, but was really surprised to see that there weren’t any vegetarian main courses on the menu. It was “pie night” so they did have one cheese and potato pie, but that was it. When I asked if they had anything for vegetarians they did check in the kitchen, but came back with nothing. So I looked at the menu side dishes and asked them to make me a plate with mediterranean vegetables, baby new potatoes and a salad. It all came out as I expected, which is fine, but just eating all veggies for dinner leaves one a bit hungry.

I give them kudos for putting something together on a plate for me, and checking in the kitchen about things they can make, but I’m not impressed that they don’t have any main courses suitable for vegans, let alone vegetarians. My mother-in-law said it’s likely because people in villages are not used to it, but I don’t think that’s it. Vegetarianism is growing and even meat eaters don’t always want to eat meat. But what she said next is true – English people don’t ask, and if you don’t ask, nothing will change.

This is something I’ve noticed since the day I moved to England. People here are polite to a fault. I’m not saying it’s necessarily a bad thing, but if you can’t request a special meal or send something back that’s inedible, then nothing will ever change and the restaurants won’t learn. Instead, people will stop going there altogether and ruin that business’s chance of success.

So that was my experience of The Badger’s Sett. I wouldn’t recommend it for vegetarians or vegans unless things change. I would, however, recommend it for a lovely summer drink in the garden with friends.