The Black Country Arms

In October 2018, philc752 said:

We went as a family of three for a midweek lunchtime drink and meal. The pub is homely and quirky with helpful and attentive staff. I always feel somewhat nostalgic in a pub like this as it reminds me how pubs used to be....in a good way. There are a vast array of craft ales, beers and ciders for all tastes, and the serving staff are both friendly and informative. The menu is modest but not in the quality and value. We all enjoyed our meal that was HOME COOKED and not microwaved “fresh” from Brakes catering, like you usual large chain pubs. The catering ladies are a real asset to this pub being both friendly and genuinely interested how we enjoyed our meal. As a bonus the three main meals came to under £20 that gave excellent value for money. We look forward to returning again hopefully in the near future.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In September 2018, Dawsay said:

Stopped off here for food just by chance. Staff were friendly and helpful with food being good. Large selection of ales which was impressive.
The pub was clean and looked after.
Strange hostility to our 5 month old sons pram by a female patron but that’s another story; no fault of the pub whatsoever.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In August 2018, battisonfamily said:

beer is very good excellent choice of beers nice décor a place were you can relax and have a conversation in peace and quite

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In August 2018, Lamb B said:

Its had a refurb just lately and I was a bit worried it may be spoiled. But no, its the same pub just better, the staff are hard working and helpful, the food is home made and cooked, if they are busy you may have to wait a bit, but they will tell you in advance usually, look out for the pizza on the specials board. the beer is marvellous, they will give tasters and their opinions on beers and which are likely to run out, with 20 hand pulls there is plenty to choose from including at least 2 ciders or perries. Lovely atmosphere, relaxing, sometimes you have to look out of the windows to remind yourself that the asda is over the road.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In August 2018, Janet M said:

Great food and great atmosphere at this welcoming pub. Fantastic choice of beers and food always fresh and tasty. Would highly recommend. Varied entertainment programme too!

Source: thebestof.co.uk

In August 2018, Ihbg982 said:

Always have a great time here. The food is great and vast choice of drinks. Staff are always friendly and chatty and always feel welcome. Love the new decor as well - modern but casual and relaxing. A lovely place to catch up with friends or just for a nice quiet drink with the hubby.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In August 2018, BristolProbey said:

We were staying nearby for 2 nights over the last weekend at a local hotel where food prices were quite high. Had read other reviews and thought we would give it a try and so glad we did, as we went back the following night as well.
Food was wonderful on both nights and reasonably priced, about 8.00 each. Husband had Faggots one night & Liver the second, both were excellent portions. I had Gammon & Scampi again good portions and the chips were lovely crispy outside Fluffy inside, just like a good chip should be!!. Staff were most welcoming. Husband loved the dark beer that it not available in our area.Would visit again if ever in the area

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In August 2018, Ria S said:

I love being fat shamed when I go out!! My husband I order a large brunch and a ploughman’s lunch, obviously the waitress upon seeing my bulk tries to give me the brunch, unfortunately it wasn’t for me but my husband-maybe ask and not presume
However my favourite part was when the waitress brought out my ploughman’s lunch whilst also carrying a dustpan and brush, I remarked that it’s not the best hygiene standard to do that-she was notplease about my observation
But it could have been a one off, so as my husband and I sat there eating off very chipped bowls and plates a man walks down the stair carrying 2 sanitary towel bins stopping chat to people as they eat
very Concerned with their standards and won’t be back

Source: thebestof.co.uk

Reply from Alex M:
Reply received from the Business Owner - I am sorry that you have felt the need to complain after what you consider to have been a poor experience when you recently visited our establishment. I have spoken to the waitress concerned and can only apologise for what happened. Feedback on our staff and customer service is very rarely bad so I have emphasised my disappointment in her performance following your complaint. To be honest she was taken aback and a somewhat upset that you felt she had (in your words) "fat shamed" you. That was absolutely not her intention and she asked me to pass on her sincere apologies if that's how things came across. She explained to me that she thought, when approaching your table with your food (as you say, the brunch came first), as you were facing her and looking at her (while your husband had his back to her) she engaged with you first to announce she had the brunch. She didn't intend to imply it was for you (for either of you for that matter) she was merely 'announcing its arrival' for you to say who it was for. As for the dustpan and brush - indeed you are right, she shouldn't be handling that and food at the same and she has been told - she said she merely wanted to clear up the mess that was next to you for your own comfort, as promptly as possible. The PHS sanitary man is not part of our business - he is externally contracted and calls to do the same job at dozens of pubs, restaurants and other establishments, i.e. removing sealed sanitary units from toilets. I have to say that in six years I have never seen him engage in conversation with our customers. As a general concluding note about the hygiene standards at the BCA, only last month we received a thorough and rigorous inspection by Environmental Health and received a rating of 4 (narrowly missing a 5).

In July 2018, shotgun433 said:

I read the reviews an must say it sounded great, Well had Lunch and decided on the Faggots must say great, But Fish and chips No!! chips good mushy peas good but Fish frozen iceland type special, The beer was incredible choice and very nice, beer prices very good, Really sorry to only give three stars would definately give 5 if not for awfull fish

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In July 2018, AlanM252 said:

Popped in for a pint and lunch. Excellent choice of beers. Ordered the ploughman’s lunch - enough food on that plate to have fed my entire family! Fantastic chutneys and a delicious pork pie.

Service was great too. Highly recommended Walsall pub.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In June 2018, L411JMwillh said:

Had an amazing lunch break today, surprisingly large selection of beers, fantastic service and amazing food. 5 star!

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In June 2018, Pedantic said:

Visited for the first time on a Friday lunchtime. It was quieter than expected but with a good atmosphere (background music was not obtrusive but just up my street). For someone with mobility problems, it was not the easiest place to have lunch as there are stairs to the bar to order food and more stairs to get to the toilets. The staff were friendly and helpful with advice on the massive range of ales and ciders on offer. The food was good, reasonably priced and well presented with a daily veggie option (which my son tried and enjoyed). Overall we enjoyed our visit but I wish the bar and toilets were downstairs!

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In June 2018, sportybirmingham said:

Despite the make-over, the pub isn’t bad.
Wish they had kept the stain glass windows in, don’t like the plain windows, they look dull.
The bar now numbers left to right, instead of right to left, 16 real ales, & 4 ciders.
Drinks are still lovely, as are the dinners.
Gone is the handwritten beer board in the right hand corner, now there is at least 3 electronic boards dotted around, behind bar, top floor & 1 other I remember seeing somewhere.
The possibly fake plants up the stairwell, look nice.
Haven’t got use too the table layout upstairs yet.
TV’s are now flat on side wall upstairs & by right hand side window downstairs, instead of in top corners where they were before.
Don’t like the sauce sachets, preferred when condiments were in the numbered small metal bucket, sachets are fiddly & take ages to open & you need lots of them. Needs Encona hot pepper sauce in selection too.
Pictures have been moved around, history of the Green Dragon is now upstairs instead of opp: the bar & some new dinky ones added.
Still a great quiz on 3rd Thur of the month with an excellent quiz master.
The best pub in Walsall by a country mile. Brilliant, knowledgeable staff too.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In June 2018, johnbrum said:

Black country ales must have employed a new designer as this re furb has been done very well indeed, not their normal style and all the better for it.A good range of real ales in good condition they also have a tv screen with them on but wait for it to page over in case you miss any of the choice,very busy and under staffed on our visit and even after the refurb over 80% of the bar area has bar stools so makes it even harder to get served,with people on them hogging the bar area.these should be removed or just a couple allowed by the food area at weekends.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In May 2018, DeuceWooo said:

at the new refurb at the weekend. We had to wait outside for it to open as it didn’t open until 12 on a Saturday. With just 5 mins to go until opening there was quite a queue forming, popular place is The BCA. It’s lovely, loads more tables, yet it seemed quite spacious. TV’s galore too if you pop in to watch a match or something. Love the toilets, but can you put the big mirror back please? Twice I went to have a gawk at myself but it wasn’t there. I had my usual Chilli ... to die for, MrDW had a Caesar Salad seeing as he’s on a diet. He thought he would miss the pie, but he didn’t as it was divine. Fantastic food as usual, & great prices! See you again soon x

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In April 2018, Mark M said:

I hope the refurbishment will maintain the atmosphere. Great welcome for a first time visitor. Great selection of we'll kept ales. Undoubtedly the best beef baguette I've had in a very long time. Only niggle was the condiments in sachets! I'll be back.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In March 2018, sportybirmingham said:

Closing for upgrade soon, don’t know why, the pub is great as it is.
The pub is having soft refurb from 3rd April & will close completely 30 April to 15 May inclusive to allow for major re-works to be done.
The dinners are wonderful as always especially the chilli con carni’s.
The drinks are always excellent & the staff & management a credit to the pub.
The best pub in Walsall by a country mile.
Good quiz held on 3rd Thursday of month at 8pm. It hard, good if you like a challenge.
Pet friendly, 2 lovely pub dogs in situ.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In March 2018, DeuceWooo said:

We had our usual which was BCA pie, & the Chilli, SIL had faggotts, & BIL had bol, no he didn’t really he had gammon but I thought that sounded good. BIL loves his ales, & he’s planning on a return visit with his mates so watch out for that loud crowd!!!!

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In March 2018, 20cal58 said:

Have visited this pub many times and have never been disappointed. The choice of ales is second to none and there is always the option to "try before you buy". The food is excellent too.......the Ploughmans Lunch just has to be one of the best around!!! They bar staff are always friendly and happy to help. Will always visit when in Walsall.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In February 2018, Carol B said:

Saturday 10th February 18, My husband and I went out for a drink and a meal with my godson Kevin who lives in Walsall to celebrate his 40th Birthday.
We parked the car and then My husband, Kevin and I walked down into Walsall town centre to go to ‘The Black Country Arms’, a city centre real ale pub.
The Black Country Arms is situated in a Georgian building. The pub is situated over three floors with tables for dining and a wonderful real ale bar with over 40 types of real ales and ciders.
We all found a table and we looked at the menu, we then went to look at the bar, the range of ales was impressive and as I am not an ale drinker, I asked about flat ciders, and they had an impressive array.
We were served by Kevin, who was a lovely bright and cheerful man, who took our food and drinks order.
The food when it arrived was piping hot, well presented and a HUGE portion. My husband had the Black Country Steak & Ale pie served with peas and chips. which he said was really tasty. My husband washed this down with two pints of ‘Big Friendly Giant - BFG’ ale. I had the Black Country Cottage pie, which came served with steamed vegetables and a jug of nice rich gravy, and I washed this lovely food down with two pints of ‘Ruby Tuesday’ raspberry cider, which was so smooth and had a lovely taste, but Oh so strong, as I felt 'heady' the next day.
Kevin did not want a big meal, so he had two crusty cheese and onion rolls and two bags of cheese & onion crisps. Kevin had three pints of ‘BFG’ bitter. We spent over three hours here toasting his birthday, talking and chatting and catching up on news and gossip.
If you want a good down to earth pub with friendly staff, good food and excellent bitters, ales and ciders then this is the place to be.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In February 2018, JXXXR said:

The Black Country Arms is a fantastic pub for ale drinkers with lots of choice that’s continually rotated. The atmosphere is good as well and is well worth popping in for a pint if you’re in Walsall town centre.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In February 2018, SBAGEE said:

Found this little gem today ... lovely old building ... warm and welcoming... more real ales than you can shake a stick at for hubby and a pleasant selection of gins for me... got a bit peckish while we were here so thought it only right that hubby should have the chance to sample faggots and peas ... while I chose a gorgeous cauliflower and red pepper curry ... delicious ... the staff were delightful ... could have quite settled in fir the night 10/10

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In February 2018, 104garethc said:

Best pub in Walsall by a country mile. Fantastic beer, service and atmosphere. Would not drink anywhere else, this place is what a pub should be like.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk

In January 2018, sportybirmingham said:

No food in January in the evening, was disappointed, love eating in here.
Excellent real ales, lots of them. About 14 ales available.
Brilliant knowledgeable friendly staff.
Lovely pub pets.
Great quiz & quiz masters.
Best pub in Walsall by a mile.
Seating available over 3 floors.

Source: tripadvisor.co.uk