The Old Stags Head, Wolverhampton

Anyone still on a New Year's detox may want to give The Old Stags Head in Wolverhampton a miss - at least for a few weeks,

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For the Penn pub serves up some of what are arguably the biggest and best portions in the city, if not the region.

Think big seems to be The Old Stags motto, and even though the the post-Christmas period is normally amongst the quietest of the year with people watching the pennies as much as the pounds, it seems to work as it was packed out on our recent Monday night visit.

Located on Pennwood Lane, near Penn Common, the building is a quaint looking pub from the outside and while the décor is decidedly more brash and modern on the inside, the chef definitely sticks to the classics when it comes to the food.

For starters, diners can tuck into breaded mushrooms with a garlic mayonnaise dip for the pricely sum of £4.50.

But beware - while that may buy you four or five mushrooms in a lesser pub this one came with almost 20 and was large enough to be a main meal on its own.

Even better than the price and portion size, they actually tasted great - none of the soggy offerings that can be served up in some pubs - and the mayonnaise went down a treat as well.

Other starter options include pate, toast and side salad at £4.25 and breaded whitebait with tartare sauce for £4.50 - but it is clear that the emphasis at The Old Stag is very much on the main event with an extensive selection of hearty meals.

The jumbo lamb and mint pie, priced £8.25, drew gasps of admiration when it was delivered to a table near us along with the old favourite of double sausage and egg (£5.95).

Other options include breaded plaice at £8.95, a tasty alternative to the battered option, and battered roe at £7.75.

But all the talk at The Old Stag is about its steaks, so we promptly put in an order for a 10oz sirloin and egg for £11.10, which came with a mountain of chips and fresh side salad.

Those feeling even hungrier can plump for a 16oz T-bone and egg or 10oz sirloin and scampi for £13.75. The mushroom stroganoff at £8.95 was also an enjoyable option.

Served up with a pile of chips, although it could have come with rice, there was plenty to keep diners going for an hour or two.

There are also an array of curries, which left us aghast as one went past us seemingly accompanied by a whole garlic bread.

If the starters and mains don't defeat you, there are some delicious dessert options for anyone brave enough to attempt to fit them in with the classical theme of the menu very much in evidence.

The options will take you back to your childhood with desserts including banana split, spotted dick and a sticky toffee pudding, which came with lashings of toffee sauce.

And at £2.95 for each, a third course isn't going to break the bank at this place - even though it may burst the belt.

Our bill came in at a very reasonable £38.94, including drinks and coffee which left us feeling as satisfied as the meal.

Just don't come here if you are attempting to diet.

ADDRESS

The Old Stags Head, Pennwood Lane, Wolverhampton WV4 5JB

Telephone: 01902 341023