Pub Of The Week: Anglers Tavern, Maribyrnong
Listen back to Tony’s full review!
Anglers Tavern
2 Anglers Way, Maribyrnong
Phone: 9318 2811
16 August, 2024
To much fanfare and love of the locals, the Anglers Tavern has reopened after the devastating floods from the Maribyrnong two years ago.
It is undeniable that the Anglers is the most popular in the area, now under the umbrella of the monolithic AVC group, a company whose acquisition of pubs knows no bounds. Having spoken about them previously, these are very good, experienced operators, ensuring that their managers are best available. Here was no different.
The pub covers plenty of territory with the river its constant company. In essence split over two and a half levels, upstairs (or street level) is home to spacious and well presented functions rooms, whilst downstairs (at sea level!) is a large, clean modern bistro, separate kids area, (the half level down), sports bar, bistro deck next to the River with a massive split level beer garden to the rear.
The latter feature, in summer, is as popular as any outdoor area in a pub, size for size/pound for pound (you get the idea!).
The Anglers underwent a severe makeover some five years ago so much is familiar, save for the massive clean up job to make it operable again. It really is no surprise that the pub has hit the ground running, with a safe, all ages appeal.
Most days the Anglers trade 11:30/12-10:30pm , with a later finish on Friday/Saturday nights. Some sports nights (free of charge) are coming up, and the pub is happy to support local charities with donations from meals sold. On a recent Thursday, the pub was very brisk.
Pokies: No
Tab: Yes
The food offerings don’t deviate from a solid pub grub line, with plenty of choice from starters/mains/seniors. S&P calamari, ($19 entree/$28 main), lemon aioli, chicken tenders, chilli, BBQ, pickles, ($19), mushroom arancini, truffle mayo, pecorino ($18). In the starters, the showstopper is the seafood platter, ($129, feeds four), a massive mix of oysters, calamari, mussels, prawns, fish, chips, salad. Broken down, $30 per head is good buying.
Mains too are a roll call of pub favs. While a range of large pizza falls in mid-high $20s (still not sure why you go to pub to have pizza), chicken parma ($31), pork cutlet, apple sauce, crackling ($33), steak sanga ($32), cheese, bacon, onion rings, fries, gives you an idea of what is coming from the kitchen. Choice of three burgers ($27), desserts for $15, and fully plated steak meals from $32-59 rounds an extensive offer out.
Highlights. The two mains tried were very good. Rump steak, 250g, fully plated was a well presented meal, and comparatively excellent value as the price of steak in pubs/restaurants has risen so significantly. Pan roasted barramundi ($34), came as a thick, crisp tile of fish, excellent flavour, chive cream sauce, with potato and sugar snaps.
The only issue I have is with the price of wine being charged here. Not one bottle under $55, the mean price is around $65 for easily accessible wines. The mark up, for a pub, is stiff in anyone’s language.
However, the pub will continue to serve the locals well, and no doubt be the focus of many AFL/Spring racing events.
The Anglers is off to a good start.
SCORE: 14
PS: As stated before, the inaccurate, out date reviews from popular sites (TripAdvisor head of the queue) still exists and it is a disgrace, that somehow needs addressing from either the AHA looking after its members, or consumer affairs, demanding action for damning, irrelevant criticism that affects businesses. Anything pre-COVID should be automatically rescinded.
Case in point: TripAdvisor on Anglers Tavern.
● Jeffrey B; May 2024 – ‘ Fine Place to drink’
● Jeffrey B; Sept 2023 – ‘Tavern comes alive’
For the record had been long closed and not trading then due to floods.
And so it goes, and so it goes, and where it stops, nobody knows.