The Cross Roads Inn, East Barkwith

Glorious weather accompanied our visit to this friendly Batemans local to sample their Sunday lunch.
The Cross Roads Inn is a familiar landmark on the main A158 from Lincoln on the way to Skegness. The pub has plenty to entertain including a pool table and dartboard, with local league team competitions resuming after the summer but we carried on through the rear bar into the main dining area and bar. Themed evenings are already popular locally including a Pie and Pud special on Tuesdays and Fish and Chip meals on Fridays, which include a pint of beer or a glass of wine for the fixed price of £8.95.

There were three roasts available – beef, chicken and pork – as well as the main pub menu so we settled at a table to have a drink and make our choices. Chef, Adrian Graves and his wife, Emma, have been at the Cross Roads Inn for two years and he is a familiar name in the county having successfully run other establishments.

I chose the roast beef Sunday roast while my companion chose fish, chips and mushy peas. The main menu runs to three pages with a choice of six starters, a seasonal addition of five spring and summer salads – all freshly prepared using Abbey Parks produce – Cross Roads favourites including homemade steak and kidney pie or a curry of the day; as well as vegetarian options and a grill menu that offers a good choice of steaks, ribs and mixed grills.

While we waited for our main courses I had a chance to look at the other dining areas further round the L shape of the bar. The space is versatile with two open fires at either end of the area. The Cross Roads Inn is a member of the Tastes of Lincolnshire campaign and has won awards from Batemans for the quality of their food. Popular with local shooting parties and for functions, the pub has a loyal local following.

Crispy, golden batter covered the fillet of haddock along with a generous portion of chips and mushy peas. A wedge of lemon garnished the plate. My two substantial slices of beef were accompanied by a large Yorkshire pudding and three types of potato: mashed, boiled and roast. My piping hot side dish of fresh vegetables included cauliflower, carrot, broccoli, sugar snap beans and cubes of swede. A tasty gravy was the final element. The fish was milky soft and the chips perfectly cooked. I did my best to clear my plate and really enjoyed the meat and vegetables, but three portions of potato were more than I could eat.

We let our main courses settle as more diners came into the pub for lunch and drinkers at the bar chatted over the previous night’s Olympic performances.

Four desserts were on offer. We rounded off our relaxed lunch with my companion opting for the treacle sponge and custard, while I tucked into the lemon cheesecake.

As well as the spacious interior there is a sheltered garden and patio area with tables and umbrellas at the rear and plenty of off-road car parking which makes The Cross Roads Inn a perfect stop off location on the way through to or from the coast.

Whenever you call, try their award-winning Lincolnshire beer and their county sourced food in this friendly local.

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