Baxter Tavern

4.4 Below Average

Food  4      Drinks  5      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  5     

Very disappointed in the long wait in line to order, by the time you get to the front you have lost your appetite with frustration. Food was pretty ordinary, I agree with other review that Tavern has gone down hill since the extension, will probably not go back again which is a shame as we have frequented this pub often over the years.

May 16, 2012 

1.6 Not Recommended

Food  1      Drinks  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

I order salmon they said it was grilled.

The service was fast I had the meal under 10 minutes. There was a manager standing at the counter the whole time.

I took a bite of the salmon and it tasted like smoke. So smokey I couldn't eat it. I had stout that was less smokey.

I returned it. I got a second salmon this one was cooked on the outside and raw on the inside.

When I complained I was told this is how its cooked.

The manager went and hid for a while for such a large man he was a arrogant coward.
The manager didn't give a rat, this is how the fish is cooked. We char grill it.

I will not recommend anyone go to the Baxter tavern.

May 09, 2012 

8.4 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  10     

We frequent this hotel a lot as we live nearby. I have never had a bad meal and the soup/salad is inticing. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. My only criticism is that, unless you pick your times, you usually have a long wait to order. Other than that great value.

Apr 23, 2012 

8.2 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

Wow surprised at the reviews I have read. My family are very impressed not only with the help yourself to rolls, salad, and soup but our meals were beautiful and so were the people. Yes its busy to line up and order but just shows that they obviously serve good food or why is everyone there? were definitely going back and we live in Mornington with plenty of other pubs to go to!

Jan 17, 2012 

4.2 Below Average

Food  4      Drinks  4      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  4     

Has gone downhill very fast since they built their huge extension, sad because it used to be a great place for a guaranteed satisfying feed.

Jun 06, 2011 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Went to the Baxter Tavern on Saturday Night 23/10/10 and had the worst service I have ever received in a "pub". It took 25 minutes to place an order at the one counter which one trainee girl was operating. There should have been at least two tills running to deal with the number of patrons waiting 25 minutes in line to order the ordinary food.

The salad bar was removed from guest access, and the salad was covered in oil. The steak that I had was over charcoaled on one side and the waitress could not even bring out the correct order. The wait was so long to order a meal I was going to see if the breakfast menu was available the wait was so long.

Oct 24, 2010 

4.2 Below Average

Food  3      Drinks  3      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  4     

I think this place has changed hands or something recently. Although it has always been ordinary, the last two times I have visited this pub its been bloody awful. Dishes served have been lukewarm with cold spots in them, steak rare when ordered well done, just disappointing. When chilli dish ordered you get the usual stuff with bottled sweet chilli sauce smothered on top. yuk. Waitress are friendly tho.

Apr 24, 2010 

6.6 Recommended

Food  7      Drinks  7      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  9     

This is about maximum food for minimum costs, hence, you may see a lot of rednecks here. It's very blue collar orientated and it shows, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. With free soup (ladled with salt) and salads (limited selection, but still okay) with any main meal, you can see where I'm coming from. Its feel is very much 'small country town' and you can sense the strong connection with the locals. Go there and you will probably be noticed as an outsider.

The food is actually not bad, and pretty good considering the free soup and salad bar. I usually order the 300g porter house and find it cooked to perfection (medium), tender and tasty with that important char-grilled taste. The veggies that come with it aren't as good, but I have no trouble scoffing them down with gusto (probably due to the cheap red going to my head by this stage).

Eating there is about a good feed for a very fair price. All my scoring take into consideration of what you pay. The service is what you'd expect for a value packed venue; cold but adequate.

The patrons will amuse you. Expect to see men and women in their late fifties thinking they're still in the era of the 70s. The ageing women usually have long hair and, amazingly, the balding men often have longer hair! Sadly I suspect a lot have met on internet dating sites.

It's nothing flash inside, but it doesn't pretend to be. It's recently had renovations with an additional dining room added to the right to cater for the increasing patronage. The older part feels very colonial and hippy like - luckily it's dimly lit. The new section's decor is uplifting and, surprise surprise, it's not as dark! So for a relaxing night out it's got a lot to offer if you don't want to spend a lot. If the food doesn't get your attention then at least I can guarantee that the customers certainly will. Happy eating!

Mar 21, 2010 

3.8 Below Average

Food  3      Drinks  3      Ambience  5      Service  4      Value  4     

Chicken parmas are made from thigh meat. Not good. Service was average, however, it can get quite busy so usually a full bistro will supply a buzzing atmosphere. Not great though.

Dec 03, 2009 

5.2 Average

Food  4      Drinks  4      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  3     

Have always had a good meal here. Last visit we were very disappointed. The potato and leek pie was very disappointing in size, appearance, taste and value.

Oct 17, 2009