The first time we encountered the King’s Head in Tealby, Lincolnshire was some 14 years’ ago on a holiday before we moved to the county. At the time it looked like a picture-postcard pub with a lovely blond thatched roof. It was a warm September’s day if I remember and the doors to the pub were wide open and inviting and, arriving unannounced, we turned right into the main restaurant area. Our meals were brought to us quickly and if I remember correctly I had a lovely fish finger sandwich with crisp chips served up on the side in a wire basket. Lovely.
The experience this time was somewhat different. The blond thatch is now green and the doors were shut against the February rain. The online menu says that sandwiches (which were all we wanted) are served only in the bar area or outside as the restaurant is for main meals only. A4 laminated signs on the opposing doors make it clear that the restaurant is for booked tables only.
Reservations are necessary, according to the website, but on arrival there was plenty of room available. We took up our table in the corner underneath a speaker from which music was playing (right above Mrs Wanderer’s head) and were brought two menus for the three of us. The bar area seems a little faded.
I flip-flopped between the BLT (thinking in my mind that it was actually a club sandwich) and the smoked salmon and cucumber on white. Our friend went for the ham and mustard on brown, and Mrs W the prawns marie-rose again on white. All with chips. There was no fish finger sandwich option. Our orders were taken.
A short time later the waitress returned to say that there was no cucumber and did I want spring onion and chives instead? I agreed but on arrival realised I had made a mistake as the spring onions were far too strong. Never mind as the sandwich was pleasant enough although I’m unsure even now if there was any butter on the bread as it generally felt dry. Mrs Wanderer said that her prawns could have done with some more of the marie-rose dressing. We left our crusts. The chips, although few, were nice and crisp with a good mouth-feel but were served on the side of the plate without the style of the basket.
Our friend and I ordered a flat white each and Mrs W a large Shiraz. The coffee cooled quickly and I ended up leaving half a cup as it had gone cold. It was generally very milky.
This was a slightly disappointing experience from when we had first encountered the pub and I can only hope that the restaurant side has a better ambience and food. Our friend said that he has brought friends to the restaurant side before and that it is better than the bar area.
Not sure we would return but certainly give the restaurant a go if you’re in the area.
The Willoughton Wanderer 
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