A popular pub has hit back at a scathing review after CCTV revealed diners had gobbled up their Sunday lunches – despite claiming the food was “inedible”.

Bosses at The White Horse Inn in St James’ Street, Dover, were horrified see its roast dinner branded “soggy” and “salty” as well as criticism of the attitude of staff.

But joint-landlord Stuart Fox witnessed the group tucking happily into their meal via the eatery’s CCTV cameras before launching into a tirade over the quality of the food.

Speaking to KentOnline, Mr Fox hit out at the attitude of the offending party - who he accused of trying get freebies rather than pay for the food.

“I was called down at around three o’clock on Sunday afternoon for a very unhappy table. I came down but decided to check the CCTV just before I do to see what the issue might be,” he said.

“I was told by staff the group claimed the food was inedible - the review calls it salty and soggy - and they started picking off bits to take home to the dog.

“I can see based on the CCTV what they’re saying makes no sense.

“They looked like they enjoyed it, one of the group even leaned over the table to try a bit from someone else’s plate and three of the four plates are completely clear.”

The complaining quartet ordered three roast beef dinners and a pork lunch, with all the beef meals being fully eaten - though Mr Fox admits the pork dinner was barely touched.

But a Google review was later published sarcastically wishing any future customers good luck.

“After hearing positive reviews about this place, I was very much looking forward to eating here however, I’ve left feeling very angry and disappointed,” it says.

“I’m not sure what I’m more disappointed in, the salty soggy roast dinner or the attitude of the staff. Either way good luck if you visit this establishment.”

With the incident fresh in the mind of Mr Fox, he spoke out against the family following their harsh words, noting he had tried to compromise but to no avail.

He said: “I approached the table and the mother starts saying about how she’s even more annoyed now she’s had to wait to be seen. I mentioned the CCTV and the men started getting very aggressive.

“I’ll always defend my corner but you’ve got to meet people halfway so I went down and said I would offer a refund for the pork dinner that had gone mostly uneaten.

“They’re saying the food is inedible but three of them cleared the plates. They then change their story about what exactly they said before begrudgingly paying - no tip of course.”

And he has ridiculed claims by the group that the food was unfit for consumption - by posting on social media pictures of the three empty plates.

“I can hold my hands up when we make a mistake but when it’s somebody trying to create a problem for no clear reason you become bent over a barrel - you can’t remedy it,” he shared.

“If it’s that salty or inedible you wouldn’t eat it until the plates clear. They’ve been surrounded by staff – they could have spoken up while eating at any time but they finished the lot.

“At a time when hospitality is going through a rough time, feedback like this can be so damaging and it can affect staff morale - all the time the team work so hard.

“You try to always have a positive outlook and an upbeat way of looking at things. It’s important to put a positive spin on things to uplift ourselves and the team.”

Stuart and his partner Julian Crowley took over the pub in September 2016 as landlords and have received praise for their approach to innkeeping.

Having been a runner-up in the 2022 British Institute of Innkeeping Licensee of the Year category, the pair have become firm favourites for Dover residents.

Amassing a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor, The White Horse holds the accolade as the second best restaurant in Dover - trumped only by The Elephant & Hind.

A Grade II-listed building, it was originally the home of the Verger to St James’ Church before becoming a pub in 1818.

Historic records show that the cellar was used as a mortuary and inquests on bodies recovered from the sea were said to have been heard in the rear dining rooms.

The pub survived unscathed during both world wars, although the neighbouring St James’ Church was wrecked.