Black Country Arms - Walsall

This isn’t just the best pub in town but one of the best pubs in the West Midlands. Over 20 beers on cask and keg available plus numerous bottles. The food is top notch too. A decent town centre location just a few minutes walk from Walsall railway station. Friendly and knowledgeable staff who know their ale. A must-visit if ever you’re in town.

I had given up my attempt to walk across Cannock Chase in a downpour, so on my way back to Birmingham on the train, thought I'd have a look round Walsall, as you do. I circled all round the town and back to what I'd thought looked the most promising pub. I like this brewery chain, anyway, and the front looked elegant, unlike much of Walsall, which exudes neglect. The pub was even more terrific inside. It comprises a grand complex of rooms on various levels, all beautifully carpeted and furnitured in a plush, traditional style. The main bar is gorgeous, all artistically furbished in art deco style, and with a food hatch which looked like something from the 1920s. The barmaid was friendly and fun, and she turned out to be the landlady's daughter. They bantered forth with each other between the main bar and the food hatch, and with the clutch of regulars sitting opposite the bar counter in what one of them called the drinkers' tables. By chance I was in the midst of that lot, and so I found myself chatting merrily with the various characters who drifted in and out. I think I had 5 different pints from the vast range on offer, including BFG, Pig on the Wall, and Heel Stone. All were well priced and kept, and induced no after effects except happiness. Walsall may have its critics, but both this pub and its lovely characters were pure class.

Having researched good pubs with food in Walsall town centre i was looking forward to visiting this place which has plenty of good reviews. I arrived at 4.30pm on a Tuesday, the building is a lovely place, well kept with plenty of character, and ordered a pint of vanilla stout which was really good and well priced, although the lady who served me wasn’t particularly friendly but efficient enough. I returned to the bar to order the same drink and asked for the food menu which, according to the website, is served till 6.30pm, to be told rather curtly, that food orders stop at 3.30pm except saturdays, whilst the lady waved vaguely in the direction of a cabinet that contained rolls and sandwiches of some kind, whilst engaging rather more enthusiastically with a near by table of locals. I soon left in search of food.

Good basic traditional and honest food realistically priced with a range of hand pulled ales to die for. Great friendly service and great decor what more do you need from a pub ?

On arriving at the pub myself and my family were greeted by a man in a full tuxedo, more than willing to seat us. We were all then gave individual napkins with our names on (i dont know how they knew our names) Our seats were engraved with our birthdays and birth stones. They then took us out the back to pick our own live chicken that would later be made into casserole. The food was 5* quality, better than the shard in london. I cried whilst eating my desert and the manager came out and gave us back massages to finish such a touching experience. My grandmother has written the owners in her will and left all of her assets to them.