Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 9 and Version 8 of Cricketers, CR0 6SG

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Pub just outside central Croydon, near Lebanon Road Tram Stop.

Until mid-2017 it was a fairly traditional pub (see old version of this page for more details), but that incarnation closed down in June 2017. It reopened in September 2017 in the hands of Miss P's, a company specialising in barbecue-smoked meats which had previously traded mainly as caterers and pop-up street food providers. Its name was changed to Miss P's for a brief time after this reopening photo, and the barbecue-smoked meats were made available on the pub menu photo, but according to the Miss P's website as of early 2018, they found that it wasn't viable to keep this going, and so the menu was simplified to replace smoked meats with burgers and the name reverted to the Cricketers.

It still feels like a pub, with a low ceiling and a prominent central bar, and it's fine to come in just for a drink. Lighting is generally dim, with targeted spotlighting above the tables so you can see what you're eating.

Wooden planks cover most of the walls, with a small amount of exposed brickwork left for interest. Bar and floor are also wood, as are the two large square window seats and tables in the bay windows at the front. Other seating is provided by long backless benches at long communal tables. Much of the wood used here is recycled, sourced through the South London Wood Recycling Project

Kake has visited twice now, most recently in June 2018. On a Wednesday evening in October 2017 in the company of bob and John, we were the only customers when we arrived around 5:15pm, but it started to fill up from 6pm or so. Music was playing, not too loud. The situation was similar on a Wednesday evening in June 2018.

There was no real ale (the bar has no handpumps), just keg taps for Meantime beers (Yakima Red at £5/pint, London Lager, London Helles, and London Pale Ale), Guinness Extra Cold, and Hazy Hog cider. A pint of lime and soda was £1 in October 2017 and 50p in June 2018.

As of June 2018, food is served Wednesday to Sunday, and focuses on burgers and chicken wings with a couple of fish and vegetarian options photo of menu.

Kake had the Cajun catfish sandwich (£6 including sides of pickles and slaw) on both visits, since it was so good the first time photo in Oct 2017, photo in Jun 2018. Both times the fish was seared on the outside without being at all overcooked in the middle, the Cajun mayo included in the sandwich worked well with the fish, and the brioche bun was soft yet still sufficiently structurally stable. They actually even improved it in the time between my visits, putting shredded lettuce in the sandwich instead of slaw; my only previous complaint had been that having slaw in both the sandwich and on the side felt a bit samey. The slaw itself was great, with fresh, competently-shredded vegetables in a vibrant vinegar dressing.

Cajun fries (£3 in Oct 2017) photo weren't spicy-hot at all, but had a good flavour and were nicely crisp.

Kake's verdict: I'd come back for that sandwich alone, though this is partly because it's fairly local to me.

Accessibility: A step to get in, and more steps to the toilets. Seating is mainly long backless benches at long tables.

See also:

Last visited by Kake, June 2018. Opening hours taken from Miss P's website, October 2017.

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