
Bistro Le Coq
Quick info
About Bistro Le Coq
Bistro Le Coq is a French themed restaurant, bar and takeaway on Station Rd in Stafford, set inside a former pub once known as The Cock Inn. The dining area keeps the building's pew seating at tables, and a guestbook sits for visitors to sign. The kitchen focuses on French dishes rather than the usual crowd-pleasing standards, and a French lunch menu is offered alongside the main service. The entrance is step-free and wheelchair-accessible, making it workable for visitors with mobility needs. It opens daily, and reservations are recommended. Parking is easy to find nearby, useful for those driving in rather than walking from the station.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Menu & Prices
9 dishes- Cointreau
- Apple Pie
- Saltimbocca
- Kebab
- Key Lime Pie
- Tarte Tatin
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention mackerel pate, bass dish, lamb dish and creme brulee.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention mackerel pate, bass dish, lamb dish and creme brulee.
Customer Review Summary
Most reviewers return for the French bistro cooking itself, praising dishes like the mussels and a creme brulee with a "fantastic caramelised crust" as consistently fresh, well cooked and good value, paired with friendly, attentive service even for larger birthday parties. Several longtime patrons describe it as reliably excellent over years of visits, with easy parking and a cosy pub-meets-bistro setting adding to the appeal. A notable exception describes a disappointing meal: a slow, unengaged food order taker, a skimpy mackerel pate served with inadequate bread, an overcooked bass with sparse vegetables, and a dessert that "tasted old," though that reviewer still praised the waitress's attentiveness. One reviewer also expressed concern after a name change added a burger and breakfast menu, hoping the French lunch offerings would continue rather than be phased out.
Customer Review Summary
Most reviewers return for the French bistro cooking itself, praising dishes like the mussels and a creme brulee with a "fantastic caramelised crust" as consistently fresh, well cooked and good value, paired with friendly, attentive service even for larger birthday parties. Several longtime patrons describe it as reliably excellent over years of visits, with easy parking and a cosy pub-meets-bistro setting adding to the appeal. A notable exception describes a disappointing meal: a slow, unengaged food order taker, a skimpy mackerel pate served with inadequate bread, an overcooked bass with sparse vegetables, and a dessert that "tasted old," though that reviewer still praised the waitress's attentiveness. One reviewer also expressed concern after a name change added a burger and breakfast menu, hoping the French lunch offerings would continue rather than be phased out.
Featured reviews
- boRGus boRGus
“Underwhelmed is how I would describe my overall experience at Le Coq. Initially we were kept waiting for ten to fifteen minutes (while sat on very shallow and uncomfortable pews) before anyone took our food order. It was fairly busy, but I got the impression the the gentleman who took it wasn't in a rush to get anywhere quick. I made a couple of light- hearted remarks but he made no response to my attempts at building rapport. He gave me the impression he was just there to do his job and had lost most of his enjoyment along the way. The mackerel pate was okay. It was a little salty and I could not detect any hint of horseradish. It was served with three paltry slices of what looked like Co-ops tiger baton which proved inadequate to the task of being spread with the course. It was imaginatively and stingely served but it was okay. The shock of the evening came with the main course. I had the bass and my wife had the lamb. The first thing I said to my wife after the waitress had left was "Well I'm glad I had a starter now!" The dish came served on a narrow oblong plate which the pair of fillets adequately spanned. The fish was a little overcooked (possibly because it was so thin) but pleasant. The two small fillets completely covered all the accompanying vegetables. These consisted of around two to three largish (sliced) new potatoes and four or five spears of asparagus. It was not an impressive sight. The dish left me with the feeling I was being conned out of £15.95. My wife enjoyed her lamb but from where I was sitting it looked like it was worth £12.95 rather than another £6! We both had the same dessert which was the apple and cassis confection which I think they describe as gateau but to all intents and purposes was a cheesecake. My overall impression of this was it tasted 'old'. It looked (and subsequently tasted) like it had been sat under a cover for sometime. It was lacking in definition and anything by which to recommend it. It was all very underwhelming. The menu leaves one with the impression that this has not changed for some time. No specials would further indicate that the kitchen are going through the motions. However I must commend the waitress; she was a very personable and attentive aspect of the evening. I can only apologise to her for the meagre tip we left due to the rest of experience. Le Coq Bistro leaves one with the impression they have stopped trying. Maybe that's why no-one asked us if we enjoyed our meal? Very disappointed.”
- Baz NevinGreen
“The food was absolutely lovely, the service wonderful and I cannot wait to go back.”
- Ran Davies
“Our second visit and once again a superb lunch at a reasonable price. Delicious thank you, and we'll be back for more! UPDATE Dec19 We're somewhat alarmed to note that this fine establishment has changed its name and, now, the headline main course dish is some kind of burger. And it now opens for breakfast too, 2 bacon 2 eggs style. Fortunately the French lunch menu was still available last week and long may it continue. Needless to say, we won't be making our one-hour drive for bacon, eggs and burgers! We sincerely wish you luck and good business in the future :)”
- Paul Smith
“Have been going for years, always consistently excellent food. Friendly staff, great place.”
- Graham McKenna
“Great food, good menu, easy parking, nice friendly staff, decent beers. What's not to like”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Dine-in
- Alcohol
- Casual
Show more amenities
- Beer
- Food
- Spirits
- Table service
- Solo dining
- Toilet
- Offerings· 2
- Cocktails
- Wine
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Location
Bars near Bistro Le Coq
- The Cock At Stowe4.7780 miReservationsOutdoor seatingTakeout
sunday roast dinner, melt in the mouth beef, generous portions of veg
- Woolpack4.51,1221.7 mi
fish and chips, birthday meals, reasonably priced food
- The Lamb and Flag4.41543.7 mi£15–30Outdoor seatingGood for kidsWi-Fi
homemade thursday pizzas, dog friendly pub, open fire
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bistro Le CoqReservations · Takeout | 4.699 | — | £15–30 | mackerel pate, bass dish, lamb dish |
| The Cock At StoweReservations · Outdoor seating · Takeout | 4.778 | 0 mi | — | sunday roast dinner, melt in the mouth beef, generous portions of veg |
| Woolpack | 4.51,122 | 1.7 mi | — | fish and chips, birthday meals, reasonably priced food |
| The Lamb and FlagOutdoor seating · Good for kids · Wi-Fi | 4.4154 | 3.7 mi | £15–30 | homemade thursday pizzas, dog friendly pub, open fire |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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