The Observatory - Erewash

Is a Wetherspoons. Menu is average, has got better recently, and I can always recommend the curry night on a Thursday! Great for cheap drinks. Not my...

Good place to go for food, very nice chain and a very clean pub! Wide range of choice on the menu, suitable for kids,..some gluten free foods and vegetarian!

Ilkeston has many things. Most of them are pubs. Just a normal Wetherspoons cheap and cheerful with the occasional book of vouchers dropping through the...

We used to be regulars in the Observatory when we lived in Ilkeston 10 years ago, so thought we'd give it a go. First impressions was rather grubby with unwiped tables and a stained rumpled Wetherspoons magazine stuck to the table. We ordered our food and waited approximately 30 mins for it. Fair enough, it was busy. I ordered a veggie pizza and hubby a mixed grill with salad rather than the usual trimmings, as he isn't eating carbs. He also got a side of chicken wings, after checking they weren't breaded. Food arrived after about 30 mins. Hubby was confused that peas were still on the plate and that the salad was in a side bowl, as peas are carbs. We were also confused about the chicken wings, as they looked breaded it turned out that they weren't breaded, they were just cremated to the point of being completely inedible. His mixed grill looked like shoe leather (the egg was done well, though) and was lukewarm. I started on my pizza and ate one slice as it was tepid. I can eat hot pizza or even stone cold pizza the day after, but tepid pizza, especially vegetable ones are slimy and horrible. Such a shame, because had it been delivered when cooked, rather than left standing, I think it would have been a good pizza I quite like a Spoons when done reasonably to well they are exactly what you expect and cheap, but The Observatory is not done well. Never again

Great choice of real ales as always. I like to try some of the guest ales and they are always kept well. Late afternoon there is always a nice relaxed buzzing atmosphere. As with all Spoons pubs, the prices are great value. Some of the bar staff could be more welcoming, except Jay who always acknowledges customers and is happy to have a word while he is serving. He should be in charge!