MARK TEMPLETON revciews food at the Gamecock, Great Harwood...

I'D just like to reassure the waitress who served me that, yes, everything really was OK.

Honestly!

I just lost my appetite that day but there was nothing wrong with the food.

The trouble was, I went for the giant combo as a starter, which probably explains my lack of enthusiasm once I got to the main course.

Coated chicken wings, breaded mushrooms, battered prawns, onion rings . . . you get the picture?

Served up with three dips, it's a great starter -- but, even for two people, it's still a lot of grub to swallow.

The menu at the Gamecock seems endless.

I went for the roast chicken, served with stuffing, mini sausages, roast and new potatoes and vegetables and covered in a thick gravy.

To be honest, I just picked at it, which led to the waitress asking me THREE times if there was anything wrong.

Believe me (and this is for her benefit) everything was fine -- it was just the starter that, well, finished me off.

I'm not one for screaming kids when I'm going out for something to eat but the Gamecock is a family boozer so I should have stayed well clear once I saw the balloons and words "fun party"as I entered.

My only real gripe is ordering your food at the bar instead of your table but when you're going to a chain, what more do you expect?

Great for families and still worth a visit for the childless. RATINGS:

Food ****

Drink **

Service ****

Atmosphere **

Car parking ****