The Picture Palace - JD Wetherspoon in Braintree

Food came out quick, but all was cold. I had beef and ale pie, no beef in it. Chips cold. My husband had the all day brunch, also cold. Eggs snotty. Something sharp was in eggs, but not shell. Will not be coming back.flippin awful!!!!!!!!!

This Wetherspoons is local to us and we have used it a lot. We went there on 28th May 2025. We had to clear a table ourselves so we could sit down. We ordered our meals, my wife’s came out without the gravy. When we pointed this out they brought out some gravy but it was cold and I mean cold. They then heated it up and brought it out again. The staff would bring out food to customers and walk back to the bar area past dirty plates on empty tables. I also saw several other people take back their meals while we were there. On a plus, their real ales were all very nice.

This used to be our local and was always happy with the service. We have moved out the area and were visiting so popped in. Actually can't believe how down hill it's gone in around 8 months. Hot chocolate lid was off on the coffee machine, flies inside it and all over the machines. I raised this with staff and a young girl who clearly didn't want to be working done nothing about it. Drink service was quick- no straws, drink spilt on the table by said same girl, no offer to clear it up etc. Went to get some loo roll only to find there wasn't any in the disabled cubicle. Then our food comes out, my side was dumped on my child's pizza- not on its own plate so requested a plate. Ordered two dips for pizzas, only X1 came so asked for another as I had paid for them. Why do the kids pizzas comeo it cut but adult ones don't, they don't even give you a decent knife to cut them with. We won't be rushing back, such a shame as it used to be one of the better ones. Also the pod type tables, why add in the small circle tables, it doesn't work at all, bring back the big oval tables.

Went in to meet friends for morning drinks with the intention to return for lunch. Unfortunately, bar staff were not efficient and quickly a queue built up. This could have been avoided by one staff member who was literally trying to look busy but not actually doing much. No tea bags by the coffee machine, milk ran out. Fella topped milk up but not the tea bags. 🤣The mess by the machine was bad. Mugs were dirty and the lady changed it several times before she got to a clean one. So we decided not to return.

I’ve been coming here some mornings to get food before and after gym - I can confidently say that the cooks here have no idea how to cook meat properly. This is meant to be medium rare. Some of the staff are absolutely clueless, and then get rude to you when you show any sign of discontent. Some other members of staff are nice though. But yeah - sort your chefs out