I went to see if a pub in Saddleworth that was crowned the nation's favourite for its pub grub lived up to its title.
The White Lion in Delph celebrated success in November last year after the pub was voted 'best pub food' in a nationwide battle.
The award was given by Thwaites Hospitality Awards after the pub went head-to-head with more than 200 other venues for a chance to win a top status, ranging from 'best pint' to 'pub of the year'.
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A rigorous judging process, which included interviews and mystery pub visits, saw the Oldham pub scoop the coveted title for its "varied homecooked menu".
Pub landlord, Alan Warrior, said the team were "over the moon" to win the award.
With this in mind and hankering for some good old-fashioned pub food, I thought there was no better way to spend a Saturday evening than putting this so-called award-winning pub to the test.
Here's what I thought of the venue, the food and drink, the cost and the overall experience.
A warm greeting and a cosy venue
When booking, I opted for a quiet cosy corner and me and my guest were promptly seated in 'the snug' next to a fire when we arrived.
The fire wasn't roaring at the time, considering it was disco night and residents were soon to cram inside, but it was a lovely and cosy setting. I was pleasantly surprised to find it is dog-friendly and the two red roses in a vase, which were presumably brought out for Valentine's Day, added a nice heartwarming touch.
The pub is also all the more inviting because of its friendly and attentive staff who really couldn't have done more for us. At one point, the waitress scurried over to help me look for my lost earring, and she ensured our drinks, napkins and cutlery were topped up ahead of time all evening long.
The food
To start with, I ordered halloumi fries which came with a side salad and a punchy sweet chilli dip while my guest went for soup of the day.
My halloumi fries were crispy on the outside and had that satisfying 'squeaky cheese' chew in the middle. The dip had a nice kick to it which made me think that was perhaps homemade, too.
Meanwhile, I was told the mixed pepper soup was hot and peppery and came with a rather generous wedge of a bread roll and butter.
As for the mains, I had to go for a traditional British dish - home-cooked steak and ale pie with homemade chunky chips and mushy peas.
I initially ordered the steak and kidney pie but, to my delight, the waitress asked if I would be happy with the steak and ale version.
As it turned out, I was more than happy with this switch as the meal in all its glory was fit for royalty.
The pastry top delicately flaked into the hearty mix of tender steak and ale gravy, which I couldn't get enough of, and I tackled the mountainous size of possibly the biggest chips my eyes have ever seen.
Each chip was potato-sized and cooked to perfection with a crispy skin and fluffy insides.
However, if I'm being fussy, I admit I was craving a pot of gravy on the side to dunk the last remaining chips into.
My partner then had another classic British tea: a huge portion of fish, chips, mushy peas and tartar sauce, plus two Inch's apple ciders to wash it down.
Throw in my large Coca-Cola and the whole bill came to £54.70 which I think is quite reasonable considering the quality and sheer volume of food we ate.
Final verdict
I can definitely see why The White Lion is a national favourite and a hotspot that has deserved its legendary status among locals.
From its stunning setting and cosy seating areas by the fire to its generous homemade pub food, fair prices, attentive staff and even its late-night disco, which soon saw the pub packed from wall to wall with revellers singing the night away to some golden oldie British classics, this pub oozes tradition and class without being frilly and stuck up about it.
And really, what more could you want from your local countryside pub?
The White Lion, 1 Delph Lane, Delph, Oldham OL3 5HX
Got a restaurant you’d like us to review, a business shout-out or another story idea? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge
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