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Secret Drinker reviews Marston's Rock Rose pub in Whitfield, Dover

05:00, 09 December 2022

updated: 12:23, 09 December 2022

It was absolutely packed out for a Tuesday lunchtime in the Rock Rose and when I asked the barman why it was so popular he said it’s because so many other places in Whitfield have either closed or are complete rubbish.

Well, whatever its secret is, dozens of silver-haired bargain hunters and a gaggle of office workers on a quick break can’t all be wrong.

The Rock Rose on Gordon Road in Whitfield has been offering deals to local drinkers and diners for more than a decade
The Rock Rose on Gordon Road in Whitfield has been offering deals to local drinkers and diners for more than a decade

Drinks and food ordering takes place at the bar and our order went in at 13.26, exactly nine minutes later a pair of burgers were delivered to join us and our drinks at table 35 in a very busy dining room.

Although, to be fair, just about everywhere is set up for dining and, inside and out. I couldn’t even begin to guess how many tables there are?

I’d gone for a Pedigree bitter as it was the only beer available with the deal, but it didn’t really matter as it was the only beer available at all. Mrs SD’s choices saw her having to select a £5.05 Chardonnay, which she turned her nose up at, but I thought was okay.

The vast majority, if not all, of the pub is set out for those wishing to dine
The vast majority, if not all, of the pub is set out for those wishing to dine
The main area at the front of the pub is paved over with plenty of space for stacks of picnic tables and benches
The main area at the front of the pub is paved over with plenty of space for stacks of picnic tables and benches

I opted for a barbecue chicken burger, which came with a drink for £9.95 – I was tempted to try the ultimate southern fried chicken burger, normally £12.60 but again reduced to £9.95, but the barman looked at me and said it would be ‘too challenging’.

Mrs SD chose the Cowboy Burger version for an extra 20p, but when they arrived they looked identical anyway and both were served in exactly the same sort of metal dish we use to serve water to the SD hound.

The Rock Rose is part of the Marston’s wider family and the place doesn’t have an incredibly long history, although our waitress did say she’d been working here for 12 years and started when the pub was only six months old.

They came as part of the deal for a Tuesday – a pint of 4.5% Marston’s Pedigree bitter, a glass of Chardonnay and a pair of burgers for under a score
They came as part of the deal for a Tuesday – a pint of 4.5% Marston’s Pedigree bitter, a glass of Chardonnay and a pair of burgers for under a score

In fact, there were two locals who have displayed even greater longevity and claimed to have been regular visitors since day one, so much so two chairs with plaques pay homage to the loyalty of Lord Wayne and Sir Paddy. Apparently anyone can get their name on a chair here, just visit most days, every week for over 12 years.

There were two gigantic fruit machines, both delivering an impressive light display - no-one is saving any leccie here.

A big screen was delivering Sky News at One on silent, there’s a dartboard in an alcove area at the front of the bar and there’s a decent sized play area at the back left of the pub for younger kids, complete with a grabber machine.

Two respected regulars, Lord Wayne and Sir Paddy were in on the day the Rock Rose started trading and have been delivering their custom ever since
Two respected regulars, Lord Wayne and Sir Paddy were in on the day the Rock Rose started trading and have been delivering their custom ever since
I’m not sure what the relevance was of the large red cow on the wall of the children’s play area but it remained toddler-free during our visit
I’m not sure what the relevance was of the large red cow on the wall of the children’s play area but it remained toddler-free during our visit

But, despite the attractions, there’s no doubting this is a budget food boozer and everywhere is geared up for shipping diners in and out as quickly as possible.

So much so that the multi-coloured carvery section dominates all and even the high tables in the little ‘bar area’ were set out for eating.

Lord Wayne left his allocated seating area just long enough to insert a wedge of cash into one of the monster fruities but then returned to his chair without waiting to see if he’d won or lost – the machine obediently operated until the cash had all been eaten up.

Served in a painted metal dish, this is the barbecue chicken burger – on the day we were in it came with a pint of Pedigree for the princely sum of £9.95
Served in a painted metal dish, this is the barbecue chicken burger – on the day we were in it came with a pint of Pedigree for the princely sum of £9.95
The french fries served with Mrs SD’s cowboy burger were plentiful, if a little on the cool side – again £9.95 with a drink
The french fries served with Mrs SD’s cowboy burger were plentiful, if a little on the cool side – again £9.95 with a drink

I left my allocated seat to visit the gents and can report they are pretty much as you’d expect, not bad, fairly clean but with enough whiff to let you know where you are.

There was also an old fashioned vending machine on the wall to cater for a man’s needs – a pair of colourful pills (£3), protection for the same price and a pack of breath-freshening mints a pound cheaper.

I’d say 25% of the people in the Rock Rose were workers enjoying an hour's break from the daily grind, the other 75% have been retired long enough not to even remember what work is like – I pointed out to Mrs SD the split on our personal table was 50/50.

Tuesday is the day for a burger deal, Wednesday features Curry Club and Thursday is steak night. Monday is quiz night and it’s poker on a Thursday
Tuesday is the day for a burger deal, Wednesday features Curry Club and Thursday is steak night. Monday is quiz night and it’s poker on a Thursday
Artificial grass is much easier to maintain than the real stuff and in better weather I imagine a number of folk choose to sit out front
Artificial grass is much easier to maintain than the real stuff and in better weather I imagine a number of folk choose to sit out front

Both the drink and the food was about as average as it’s possible to be and this is something Marston’s seems able to achieve on a consistent basis. It would be entirely unfair to either run it down or praise it.

There is no doubt these kind of money-saving offers will be sought out and welcomed by a number of folks in today’s economic climate, particularly given that this place was well lit and amply heated, but the off-the-shelf convenience on offer here won’t be welcomed by everyone.

As they say, you pays your money…

Claiming 'King of the Grill or Burger Perfection', the menu serves up plenty of variety at affordable prices
Claiming 'King of the Grill or Burger Perfection', the menu serves up plenty of variety at affordable prices
Very few smokers were braving the torrential rain the day we were in and those who did visit the smoking area didn’t hang around long
Very few smokers were braving the torrential rain the day we were in and those who did visit the smoking area didn’t hang around long

The Rock Rose, Gordon Road, Whitfield, Dover CT16 2ES

Decor: Like the food and the drink, the furniture and decorations have been set up, and created, to do the job. It is functional and well maintained but there is very little, apart from a giant carvery sign, which stands out. **

Drink: I don’t have many memories of Pedigree, despite having drunk quite a few pints – which probably says it all. It's a dullish red in colour with slightly more aroma than taste. I’m reliably informed the wine was ‘extremely average’. **

Price: A pint of Pedigree costs £4.40 and a glass of Chardonnay £5.05, but the drinks were included in our ‘meal deals’. The BBQ chicken burger is usually £10.90 and Mrs SD’s Cowboy burger a fraction more at £11.20, but our deal of £9.95 each meant the whole bill was under £20. ****

Staff: Our barman seemed resigned to his fate, though we were served quickly and although it was just a matter of relaying the various offers available he did this politely and efficiently. ***

You need to be over the age of 16 to be allowed to use this dartboard
You need to be over the age of 16 to be allowed to use this dartboard
There was not one, but two grabber machines at the back of the pub
There was not one, but two grabber machines at the back of the pub
The toilets are reasonably maintained and looked fairly clean and tidy though there were giving off a slight whiff
The toilets are reasonably maintained and looked fairly clean and tidy though there were giving off a slight whiff
Looking for feedback, The Rock Rose is keen to hear back from as many visitors as possible
Looking for feedback, The Rock Rose is keen to hear back from as many visitors as possible

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