SPREAD EAGLE, Barrow By Andrew Turner WHEN you are looking for a pub that serves good grub, a full car park is always a good sign.

Personally, I worry that if too many people have been before then there won't be any food left for me.

I needn't have worried here, though.

Yes it was a franchise menu but there were plenty of specials on the board, including a full roast with all the trimmings.

I have to say, though, that offering money-off vouchers for your next meal as you are paying for your first one doesn't convey confidence in the chef.

And filling any pub with food tables always takes away from the atmosphere -- people who are eating don't talk and people who aren't eating aren't here.

Anyway, onto the food. Pate to start . . . a slimy-looking slab, but it tasted a lot better than it looked. Four big slices of toasted crusty bread were an added bonus.

Nothing too much to write home about at this stage but all was to change with the arrival of the main course -- chicken and bacon bowl. Big chunks of meat on a nice salad, with lashing of potato salad, coleslaw, more bread and a sachet of honey mustard dressing. A quick word here about sachets, my pet hate when the effort of opening them isn't worth the effort for the tiny amount inside. Here, or rather at Heinz, they appear to have learned the lesson. The result, a big plastic pot containing more than enough to tickle the tastebuds.

The sweet was a dream. Layers of toffee and vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and loads of whipped cream and nuts, all for £2.45.

This was not Michelin star stuff but it was more than enough to brighten up a rainy Sunday.

FOOD ****

DRINK ***

SERVICE ****

ATMOSPHERE *

CAR PARKING **** ****

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**** POPULAR: The Spread Eagle provided tasty fare