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- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 9 pm
Fri 11:30 am - 2 am
Sat 10 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
69 reviews for Buchanan Arms Pub
Review Highlights
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"The sticky toffee pudding made for a good dessert too." In 9 reviews -
"The fish and chips - great fresh fish, terrific batter." In 22 reviews -
"My order was the steak and mushroom pie." In 4 reviews
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69 reviews in English
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Review from Diana K.
Burbank, CA
4/24/2012
I came here a couple of Saturday nights ago with my friend who had a coupon for two meals. I had always wanted to come in here and the coupon deal was a great excuse.
Glad I did! The fish and chips was terrific and the peas that came with it (a nice surprise) were fresh!!!! The extra treat was the band Rio Bravo! We hadn't planned on staying and then right after the first song we stayed a couple of hours.
Service good and the beer cold. I look forward to checking out the British store next time - however will not purchase a Heinz product sold there called "spotted dick".
We will be back! -
Review from Jim D.
Burbank, CA
3/28/2012
Went here the other day for lunch and it was great. Nice selection of beer, good food, the hearty kind you get at a diner or a pub. Also great service from the people behind the bar, friendly and smiling which feels great these days when so many restaurants hustle you in and out. We stayed, got some more drinks and had fun.
Definitely coming back! -
Review from Teena L.
Pasadena, CA
3/7/2012
I went to the Buchanan Arms with a friend for dinner. It took a while for the waitress to make it over to our table, but was very nice when she arrived. I the Roast Reef with Yorkshire Pudding and my friend ordered the Bangers and Mash. Our food arrived piping hot from the kitchen.
We sampled each others food and although I loved the tender roast beef, my friend's bangers were flavorful with a nice crispy coating. I regretted not ordering the same and vowed to order it when I return. We finished our meal with the Sticky Toffee Pudding to share. OMG! It was divine! I took a piece home with me for another day. It was just too good not to.
As a side note, there is a little shop attached to the Buchanan Arms that sells various British items. I was able to buy a wonderful spicy mustard and steak sauce. -
Review from Michelle Sykes W.
Studio City, CA
4/28/2012
UGH...I so hate giving bad reviews...this place in not good...food is terrible, service is shaky and just not a good use of your time or dollars...The soup was gravy...the chicken tasted like wood (oops...no joke though...it was bad)....
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Review from Heather L.
Burbank, CA
2/9/2012
I studied abroad in London and my boyfriend grew up in Scotland. That being said, we were ecstatic to move within walking distance of what appeared to be a cute little British pub! They even have a little gift shop that carries Irn-Bru, SOLD!
However, when we actually sat down for dinner one night we were greatly disappointed. We were the only people in the restaurant (aside from a couple of people at the bar), but the service was terrible. We had to keep wrangling the waitress over to order, get refills, etc. We ordered different things and they were both terrible and drenched in oil. After reading the reviews I'm shocked that people think this place is good.Comment from James H. of Buchanan Arms Pub 4/12/2012
Normally we do not allow waitress wrangling, but we let… More » -
Review from Annaka V J.
Los Angeles, CA
2/26/2012
After leaving a generous tip on the table they illegally charged my credit card more than I signed for. I called them and they said that the bank adds funds as a deposit when pending, then goes back to the original amount when posts. After checking back later my account had indeed returned to the correct amount. Strange.
Food was delicious, the band was not in my taste and had a really hard time talking above it with my friend that I had been trying to catch up with. Tea was excellent. I ordered the Chicken Fiesta Salad. -
Review from Daniel C.
Burbank, CA
11/13/2011
This place was cool because of the live band they had playing last night, but that's about it.
My friend and I ordered our beers and took a seat at one of the tables where some couple sat next to us and proceeded to make out as if they were in fucking high school, not only that but the chick was giving the dude a "lapdance" which looked more like a lame dance, to a Monkees song that the band was playing! That shit was fucking hilarious.
Lots of older people, service was decent, and the beer was pretty good. -
Review from Chris M.
Nice spot for that British influence.. Lots of food specials prices fair...
More of a layed back place to get away from that hustle and bustle... -
Review from Alerik H.
Lancaster, CA
5/3/2012
Surprisingly good curried veggie soup. Everything else I'd be ashamed to serve to people for free what they charge $13 a plate for. The steak and kidney pie was nothing but large completely unseasoned (even unsalted, I think) chunks of barely boiled steak and kidneys in some sort of watery residue with a piece of tasteless pastry carelessly placed on top, served with tasteless mildly greasy potatoes and a scoop of tasteless peas. The onion rings were tolerable, but their "spicy sauce" was nothing but cheap ketchup with a couple of drops of Worchestershire (maybe?) sauce dribbled on. Food of the British Isles generally isn't that attractive. but this halfhearted attempt was an insult even to that culinary tradition.
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Review from kat m.
Updated - 11/18/2011
I don't understand why people who don't like British food...write reviews and complain about the food??? STFU
I'm trying, but I don't get it!!
I hate INDIAN FOOD ( so please note no reviews on Indian Restuarants from me )
I'm also not a fan of Mexican food....again check my reviews, not many tacos listed....
Lastnight I went to a crafted beer place....I'm not a beer fan therefore didnt judge them based on their beer....
Its Friday night, I'm tired, rough week....all I want is to veg out on the couch....so I stopped at The Buchanan Arms on my way home....It was only just after 5 so not many people there....I ordered battered banger bits with gravy, a side of bread and butter and apple crumble...all to take home for my couch movie fest ....its toasty, its tasty....and it makes me f-cking HAPPY!!!!
I was also here on Sunday...so its safe to say I LIKE THIS PLACE!!!
This is NOT A TRENDY HIPSTER PLACE.....its a goddamn authentic British Pub Grub sort of place....with greasy fried foods....and daily specials....appreciate it for what it is...its not trying to be something else...its true to itself...British!!!!
If anything were to ever happen to the Buchanan arms....I would cry...I mean really i would cry....for more than 30 years I've been eating here....I love them for staying themselves....I love them for plain old bread and butter....I love them for banger bits...I love them for trifle.....I love their prices.....shit i even like having a few cocktails every now and then at the bar....it brings back happy memories...
Anyway my banger bits are getting cold....so I'm going to polish them off now!!!
Stay away haters...find somewhere else....don't go insulting my spot...I count on the place to fulfill my English food needs....and its alot easier to get to than the KingsHead!!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/8/2010
Ok, Ok, I know most people don't like British food, I get it, but it is what it is. I on the other… Read more »
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Review from Honoria P.
Los Angeles, CA
2/3/2012
Its a pub! Good English food and beer on tap. I love the Cock-a-leeky soup and the bangers and mash. The currie could be hotter but the beer is great. They have Old Speckled Hen on tap and that always makes me happy. The little shop attached is pretty good too we get our chutney there! I have only been for lunch so I can't say what it is like at night but there seems to be music there.
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Review from Bryon Z.
San Jose, CA
3/31/2012
Having eaten at many British pubs I can say this place is much better. Loads of beer on tap, very good food, and a really great atmosphere. Those looking for for fine dining are missing the point. This place is great for what it is. Just go and have a good time.
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Review from Dan J.
Burbank, CA
1/13/2012
A solid pub that delivers what it advertises. The staff routinely goes out of their way to make sure their customers are comfortable and happy. I usually stop in once a week or so, and can honestly say I've never had a bad experience here. Go drink a pint next to a big picture of Winston Churchill, you'll like it.
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Review from Amanda P.
Burbank, CA
4/27/2011 5 Check-ins Here
This is a place I go to periodically thinking just maybe it will be better this time. I guess that's why I wound up with a stomach ache after ordering fish and chips last week. I guess that is what I get. It was just too oily.
Stick with the bangers and mash and wrap it up with sticky toffee pudding or trifle.
The people that work there are super nice. No wonder this is a neighborhood hangout after the kids are tucked in bed.
One other good thing, the little shop connected with everything British. Buy some bangers and take the home. Fill your cupboard with HP sauce, PJ Tipps and custard. -
Review from Michael R.
Burbank, CA
5/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The staff is nice and don't give you any lip when you ask them to split up a bill. It has mostly been on the empty side when I have been in there, but it's a nice place to eat and talk without being pressured to get the heck out. The whole place is actually bigger than it looks and is good for groups.
When I have been there for lunch I usually go with the fish & chips, but it does taste like something is missing. I'll have to go back and try out the rest of what they have to offer on the menu. -
Review from Myles R.
Burbank, CA
7/2/2011
I have driven by this place 100 times figuring that I would try it sometime. Today was the day.
I was with one of my boys and it was after 2pm. We had just finished setting up an audio system and though we would treat ourselves to a nice sit down lunch.
My son is a big fan of British fare such as Shepards Pie and I am a big fan of fish and chips. I suggested this spot and my son liked the idea.
The portions are large. We took home half of each dish.
The fish and chips - great fresh fish, terrific batter. Tartar sauce was excellent. If I could suggest one thing to improve the dish it would be .... hmmm ... can't think of anything.
The salad (included with the fish and chips, choice of a few types of soup or salad) was large and fresh. My son had the leek, chicken and rice soup that he liked very much.
I have spent a bit of time in the U.K. over the decades and one big surprise were the green peas that came with the meal. They were bright green rather than the army drab green that were served with my first meal in the U.K. in 1970 along with three slices of 1/8" beef which was all well done to the same shade of dark brown. Somebody remarked about "frozen peas" in their review so I thought I'd mention that these peas were a few steps above what I became used to in the U.K. :-)
My son had the Shepard's Pie and loved it.
Our host asked if my son wanted some HP sauce for his pie. We did not know what that was. She said it was sort of like A1 sauce with vinegar and some like it on the pie. He tried it. His first comment was "wow, this is really tasty". There is a English shoppe next door that sells items from the U.K. Needless to say, we went in there and bought a bottle to take home.
The staff was terrific and the food was terrific. We will be going back. Again and again.
The range of reviews already here are quite diverse. Not a big shock as that is common on most places. In my case I found this place somewhere to put in my memory bank as first rate. -
Review from chuck t.
Sunland, CA
12/31/2011
Great food and service. We have lived itching 5 miles of this gem for 35 years and his was our first visit. We love the atmosphere and can't wait to go back. Great beer too!
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Review from Rod C.
Palmdale, CA
1/26/2011
Please note: This is a Burns Night review and may not be consistent with the typical experience of restaurant patrons on any other night of the year.
Since hearing last year that the Buchanan Arms holds an annual Burns Night Supper, my wife and I have been looking forward to coming here for the occasion. We made a reservation a couple of weeks ahead, and waited for January 25th to roll around.
The Burns Supper menu was rather short, but that is to be expected for a special dinner service. We both ordered the cocky leeky soup to start, and it did not disappoint. For the main course, we ordered bangers and mash and the haggis plate. Having enjoyed real Scottish haggis (in Scotland), our expectations for the haggis were probably unreasonably high. Neither of us enjoyed the haggis here that much. It seemed to be some kind of American adaptation of the haggis concept, which I understand is necessary to comply with health and safety regulations and import laws. The bangers and mash were pretty good, and the canned Heinz baked beans (standard fare at any American-British restaurant) are always a nice treat. The sticky toffee pudding made for a good dessert too.
As for the Burns Night experience, this is where an otherwise 3-star dining experience turned into a 4-star review. The Ploughboys provided the entertainment for the evening, which consisted of a traditional guitar and fiddle combo and a piper who contributed at times too. The performers were all clearly drunk, but it was Burns Night afterall. Despite being inebriated, they played some enjoyable tunes throughout dinner and into the night. The recital of Burns' "Address to a Haggis" and the parading of the whole haggis around the restaurant were nice touches.
We noticed that some patrons seemingly wandered in off the street just looking for something to eat, not understanding the reason for the Burns Night festivities. Since the regular menu is not served on Burns Night, these people may have been disappointed by the limited food selection.
Also a quick note: The Burns Night Supper costs $30 per person after tax and one shared dessert, with no beverages included. This seems pricey, especially once you start adding drinks. But since we were also paying for the live entertainment, it balances out.
While we prefer the Crown & Anchor (Thousand Oaks) for a quick British meal, we fully intend to return to the Buchanan Arms next January 25th. We may make this an annual tradition. Next time though, I will probably order one of the safer menu choices such as the fish and chips, or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. -
Review from Beatrice T.
Los Angeles, CA
4/25/2011 4 photos
I loved the chicken, rice, and leek soup that came with the entree sets. The steak and mushroom pie was filled with a savory broth rather than a starchy cream mixture, a very pleasant surprise. Great flavor and texture with a pastry top more like a chewy croissant than a dense pie crust.
Unfortunately, while the fish and chips looked amazing.. there was possibly some freezer burn for the fish had an unpleasant aftertaste. Hardly noticeable with the great crunchy batter and tarter sauce but still there =( -
Review from M. L.
Van Nuys, CA
11/12/2010
Well, fine dining it's not.
Greasy spoon? Well I've been to better greasy spoon places.
British? Mostly yes.
A couple of friends and I decided to go and give this place a try. As others have stated, you walk in and the place is mostly empty. There were a few people at the bar and a few people seated at tables drinking.
The guy waiting tables told us to sit anywhere we wanted so we took a table by the wall.
Two of us ordered the meat pies and one ordered the bangers and mash. The banger and mash looked way more decent than our steak pies tasted. The gravy in the steak pie was like sea water. Their soups were tasty, oddly enough. There were peas of course and chips. The sticky toffee pudding was fabulous which makes me think that it was made somewhere else. I'll bet it's the fabulous imported thing from a box (from the UK) that gets reheated and ice cream and toffee sauce is added.
It really is like a public house where no one could be bothered to make any effort. It strikes me as a place where you should go and go often and get to know the other people there so you'll have a purpose for being there. If you're a foodie this isn't the place for you, if you're looking for a place to hang out this is more your speed. You're not sitting at home alone, you're sitting in a room with people who don't want to be sitting at home alone. That's pretty much the vibe of this place. No one is here for the food. They have a handful of offerings for drinks.
Shame really, I wouldn't mind frequenting this place if only they did offer decent pub food. -
Review from Kate W.
Studio City, CA
1/8/2011
This is gastro-pub not in the hipster sense but in all it's original glory! The decor hasn't been updated since 1970-something: dark wood, linoleum tables, dart boards, a few club chairs. A portrait of Her Majesty gazes over the heads of dining commoners at Winston Churchill on the opposite wall. Ex-patriots can peruse the British Weekly or, just to be diplomatic, the Irish Times. Guinness on tap. (Though that may not be the novelty it once was.)
Bangers & mash, roast beef & yorkshire pudding, and sausage roll all adorn the menu but I go there for the FISH & CHIPS! Homemade and made to order. The batter is flavorful and crunchy without overwhelming the flaky white fish. I ask for the steak fries well-done. A helping of green peas, al dente and not at all greasy.
Sprinkle some Heinz vinegar over all and dig in... soon, out of the corner of my eye, Burbank Blvd. could be mistaken for the Thames. FIFA replays on the telly take on new interest. A slight cockney accent creeps into my speech. All that's needed is a roomful of cigarette smoke and we're in London... -
Review from Erika E.
8/24/2010
A solid spot in Burbank for pub food. Nothing tremendously special about this establishment, or the food. The vibe is relaxed and the menu is easy to understand.
The fish and chips are good, went for extra crispy and I am not sure that move was entirely necessary. The roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and mashed potatoes was VERY good. I'd imagine they make a mean beef dip too! The sticky toffee pudding was fine, our order was clearly microwaved about 15 seconds too long - but the flavor was there and I thought the ice cream and whipped cream was a nice touch.
If you are looking for a rowdy crowd, dark woods and low lights - this is not the pub for you. If you are looking for bright interiors, decent food and capable service - this is the pub for you! -
Review from Michael F.
Burbank, CA
5/10/2011
A nice place to get decent food at a fair price. Good bar, nice drafts. Pleasant staff.
Nuff said. -
Review from Derek J.
Burbank, CA
10/13/2011
Average, but has the best open mic in Burbank on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Tap beer could be a lot colder and food is unfortunately British. Ha!
Comment from James H. of Buchanan Arms Pub 4/12/2012
Bump those stars up! Its not our fault you cant appreciate… More » -
Review from Yan G.
San Francisco, CA
6/30/2010
Please believe me when I tell you that my review was in no way influenced by the fact that this is where I watched team USA lose to Ghana. I can't blame Buchanan Arms for that. In fact, I'd like to thank them for setting up a few extra TVs, so all four of us were able to watch the game without risking a neck sprain.
Buchanan Arms is kind of like a Denny's of British pubs. It's not particularly authentic or flashy, but it gets the job done with the bare minimum. The "British" decor seems rather contrived, and even the two soccer jerseys (one says "England" and one - "USA") can't hide that. They do have a decent bar area with 12 or so beers on tap, however. I mean, I wouldn't expect a Burbank strip mall pub to be particularly authentic.
Our waitress was very friendly and very efficient. She didn't mind the fact that some people came in, ordered 1 beer and watched the game on TV for over 2 hours. I hope they tipped her well. We, on the other hand, ordered a lot of food and a few drinks. The menu features traditional British fare with lots of safe choices. For whatever reason, they were not serving breakfast that day, and I had to go with my second choice: Sausage Rolls.
My sausage rolls (think: pigs in a filo dough blanket) were served with French fries, peas and carrots and some very sweet sauce. For $11, a garden salad was also included. It was a lot of food and a lot of calories; diced carrots and peas couldn't conceal that fact. I am not a fan of English pork sausage in general, and this one did nothing to change my mind.
I probably wouldn't come here for the food. However, it's a decent place to watch some soccer in a relaxed, non-crowded environment with just enough folks around you. You feel the enthusiasm of a sports bar without the frustration and aggravation of an overcrowded hot spot.Listed in: Raising The (Sports) Bar, So Cal ... So? Cal?
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Review from EDNA T.
North Hollywood, CA
3/15/2010 1 photo
After a HORRIBLE lunch across the street, I was still incredibly Haaaangry. Luckily, this place was right next to the traffic school I was attending for the day---so I managed to get another quick bite before my lunch break was over.
FOOD: I ordered the Fish Bites appetizer for carry out. $7.63 + tip= $9.63. I was surprised by the portion of the appetizer order, but wasn't impressed with the grease and uncooked batter. It wasn't thaaaaat bad though.
SERVICE: quick and friendly.
I probably won't be going back, but THANK YOU Buchanan Arms for cleaning my palette from the nastttttty chili i had across the street. I should have followed my fellow 'classmate' and dined at Bunchanan Arms first---that way I would've gone all out with a full meal. -
Review from Cristen W.
Canyon Country, CA
8/18/2006
This is a drive by and you'll miss it kind of place. Chris and I did just that for years. One day we decided to finally check it out. If we still lived in the area, we'd be there more often.
It's done up like a British pub. Dart board and all. All the waitresses are older, like they've been working here forever.
Food is the usual english fair. Bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, etc. Don't find a lot of that around. All dishes seem to be served with peas (I think they are the only vegetable in England or something) and chips (french fries.) If you don't like your chips well done, make sure to tell them, otherwise that's how you'll get em.
Off to the side of the place, there's a cute little market, selling english foods, some of which you can't get in your average grocery store. So pick up some biscuits and baked beans for your pantry on the way out. -
Review from Tawny A.
6/9/2009
HOW
have I forgotten to yelp the Buchanan Arms? forgive me please.
I love pubs. I love pub food. Ya, they fry almost everything, what of it?
I have been drinking Guinness here since my dad started slipping me sips when I was a little girl (he of course wished I was his little boy...)
They have good soup, GREAT fish & chips, great bangers and mash and PHENOMENAL curry fries. this is where my curry and fries obsession began.
I have not really explored the menu beyond some banger bites and other fried fare, but I have heard their specialties are really good, I am always about to order something new, when the curry fries start calling to me.
do you hear it?Listed in: Magic Curry Fries
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Review from Whitney V.
Glendale, CA
2/24/2011
Traditional and comforting.
Whether it's a hefty meal or a quick fish bits follow by sticky toffee pudding, this place always make me happy.
Time just go by slower inside this restaurant or something. You couldn't help but to relax into the atmosphere. -
Review from Mike T.
Studio City, CA
3/18/2009
My experience at Buchanan Arms was a little ridiculous because it was St. Patrick's Day. I realize that going to a British pub for St. Patty's is a bit of a socio-political faux pas, that's the hand I was dealt.
Being that it was National Get Drunk Day, it was crowded. Not line-out-the-door crowded like other places I've been for Kiss Me I'm Irish Days past, but having-to-turn-sideways-to-squeeze-between-tables crowded. I had the fish and chips, which was pretty good. I won't wake up in the middle of the night longing for it, but it certainly satisfied my need for dinner. My go-to drink on Leprechaunukkah is a Smithwicks, which I don't usually see on menus outside of Irish bars. I didn't get to see what Buchanan had on tap when I ordered, so I was glad when my party's waiter didn't bat an eye at my request.
On the subject of service, my group's waiter deserves kudos. He seemed a little bit rattled, likely dealing with more patrons at a time that he is generally accustom, but didn't let it throw off his game. And things behind the bar looked hectic, which probably led to him buying a couple of drinks for my friends -- whether intentional or otherwise. The drink prices were par for the course, but the food was a little bit pricey; especially for it not to have knocked my socks off.
I'd go back. I wonder if they have any big plans for 4th of July. -
Review from Julian H.
Burbank, CA
11/21/2009
Not going to embellish. A very middle-of-the-road spot. The decor is a little like a British caricature. Over the top attempts at English culture. The food is fairly decent. The fish and chips is actual cod with malt vinegar and HP sauce, and fairly tasty - is not a bit under-seasoned for my tastes. The beer selection is enjoyable. The small shop of British products is very diverse and compelling, but a little over-priced. This is a solid, middle of the road spot for some decent English pub fare. Nothing exceptional and nothing terrible. Very attentive service and decent atmosphere.
I would go back. -
Review from Randy C.
1/25/2010
Have been to Buchanan Arms twice now. Parking is as best you can on side streets or the main street.
First impressions are not so good. The place looks a little worn and there is a smell that is not really bad, but a little off putting. The positives are that the service seems good and the people seem to mean well, and there is football playing on the telly.
Food. The chicken and Leak soup is good. Tea was good. I ordered the fish and shrimp and chips. The shrimp was pretty bad... standard frozen and breaded stuff. The fish was quite good. The cod tasted fresh and the batter was not too greasy or bready. The meal was served with a side of undercooked peas, shredded lettuce, and a bit of cocktail and tartar sauce.
Bottom line is I really want to like this place more... but I can't -
Review from Carlos R.
North Hollywood, CA
3/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
the occasion...LA beard and mustache club meeting
and i feel they picked an appropriate spot.
i loved the decor.
the food is british authentic. don't expect different. you will be satisfied.
accompany your meal with a brew and you'll love the novelty of this place too. -
Review from Rob W.
2/25/2009
Holy Christ do they like batter? I dare you to order the croquet monsieur without going into immediate cardiac arrest. That said, I'm always super excited by the concept of going here, but never leave totally satisfied. Its just good enough to keep me coming back.
Like that everything is served with peas, makes the meal feel slightly healthier. And on that note, I think that the fish Buchanan is the way to go, but the sherry in the sauce gives it a little bit of a bite and surprisingly, they resist the urge to deep fry this one. -
Review from James T.
Santa Monica, CA
12/17/2008
This is another place that gets stars for authenticity and uniqueness. Not the best versions of classic Brit Pub food, but better than passable.
It's got an authentic old school pub/restaurant feel like you might actually find in Scotland in the 60s or 70s, and not designed to evoke some 19th century British pub vibe with a lot of facade (which I'm not against, mind you).
I also dig the Scottish theme (complete with plaid tablecloths and a bust of Robbie Burns). And the lunch specials seem like a pretty good deal. I've been there about 4 times. Other than the Tam, not many Scottish themed places aroond.. -
Review from Chris R.
North Hollywood, CA
1/4/2009
While I like the traditional pub feel, and the service was friendly, the food was very dissapointing.
I ordered the the bangers and gravy appetizer. It was deep fried bits of bangers served with brown gravy and hot mustard. It was overcooked and greasy. The brown gravy tasted as if it was out of a bottle or can.
The next was the leaky soup. Oversalted, but generally good. It is made with rice, leaks and chicken broth.
The Fish, Shrimp and Chips came out next. The shrimp was good. Deep fried. The chips were fine. The peas were frozen and not cooked well. The Fish: the first one they brought out was obviously bad and had a spoiled taste to it. It was overly breaded and might have been a pre-made frozen fish. I sent it back and got another one that wasn't spoiled. However, the fish was extremely greasy. -
Review from Shawn D.
North Hollywood, CA
2/2/2010
Never crowded as other public houses in Los Angeles or Santa Monica. Walk in - get seated and have a pint in your hand within five minutes. Mission Accomplished. They have a wealth of on tap brewments.
I've spent time in real UK pubs. The Arms is rather sedate in decor. It's rather more Scottish than British. There's a difference. (Alba Gu-Brath)
Their service is akin to a real pub. If you become a regular they get a little more friendly. Just be assertive and you'll get what you need. You don't go into a pub for "5 Star" service anyway. So don't expect it.
However, all essential pub items are there. Fish and chips, Bangers and Mash. Fish and chips are fairly traditional and accurate. Ordering a two piece results in a a good size meal. Ask for them extra crispy if you don't like grease. Malt vinegar is abundant., so don't worry. The Chips are decent. Buchanan's peas are good too. (I hate peas and I'm still saying that) Don't forget to start with a cup of Cock - A - Leeky soup. (and/or chicken and leek soup: get your mind out of the gutter)
Sticky Toffee Pudding. A fairly viable after.
Yep she's he's a little banged up. Some of us think it's just right. Grease and all. -
Review from Rebecca S.
Glendale, CA
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went to this restaurant last night and sadly won't be going back. My fiancé and I wanted to grab a bite to eat and really needed to watch our money. When we walked in the place was mostly empty except for 2 other couples. I had a http://restaurant.com coupon for Buchanan Arms which read that if you spent $35 you got $25 off. Ok, I thought. That's a good deal. We can go out to eat and I don't have to stop to get groceries and cook because I was just too exhausted from working a fundraiser we had just come from.
I handed our waitress our coupon and she looked it over and took it. In order to qualify we ordered two appetizers to go with our two main meals. The banger bits were ok. I've never had a banger appetizer where it was deep fried in batter. The fish bits appetizer had way too much batter for the fish and was extremely greasy. Some of the fish was chewy and I couldn't continue on with that.
My fiancé's main was the Shepherd's pie. He did enjoy that and thought the carrots were cooked perfectly as the side. He liked his cockaleeky soup that came with it.
My order was the steak and mushroom pie. I had the salad with thousand island dressing and while I love thousand island dressing there was just way too much of it and I should have ordered on the side. My steak and mushroom pie had a layer of steak fat/grease under the flaky pastry. It seemed that they didn't bother to drain it at all. The two green onions on top of the steak mixture were completely burnt and inedible. Steak pieces in the pie were assorted sizes. One could be bite-size, another you would have to take out of the pie and cut into pieces. Flavoring in the "gravy" a bit bland. I ate about two bites before stopping. Peas were good. I ate most of those and chips were piping hot. I will be in grease recovery today and be eating only fruit and veggies as I'm sure my stomach is a bit angry with what I put it through last night!
I had brought some plastic to go containers of my own to save on using styrofoam and we packaged the rest up. I could doctor mine up and eat it in a couple of days with some fresh veggies.
Here is the kicker, our waitress brings us our bill and informs us that they no longer accept the http://restaurants.com coupon. She apologized and said she should have checked beforehand. Yes, she should have. We wouldn't have ordered the 2 greasy appetizers and if we had decided to stay I would have ordered something cheaper on the menu. Even though it was their mistake they made no offer to remove any items from the bill. Since my fiancé is trying to pay off bills from him being off of work for so long due to the economy he didn't have the cash to be shelling out full price. I ended up putting our meal on a credit card which I'm trying to avoid using but I didn't want to stay there and have the possibility of washing dishes!
Well, lesson learned. I won't be back. I'm giving 2 stars due to our waitress. Even though she really flubbed up with the coupon she was extremely pleasant and sweet. Food-wise and manager not making amends to even partially honor the coupon by taking something off after giving the waitress the coupon and her accepting it - I would have given this establishment a 1. -
Review from Miles S.
Canoga Park, CA
5/16/2008
Ah Buchanan Arms... It's the only Scottish pub that I've seen around. Plenty of tartan draped about for your plaid-enjoying situation. The fish and chips are very tasty here. Some kind of crazy super batter, I think. This crazy super batter is even present on their bangers (of bangers and mash fame) to make for a mega UK corndog thing.
There's a good selection of beers on draught, and the service has always been friendly. At least when the Johnathan Frakes-looking guy takes care of us.
Parking's okay. Maybe three spots in back and the rest all over the street, around the corner, etc. I'm sure your car's safe on the street in Burbank, anyway.
This place would probably be good for a group of 20-30 people, due to the huge open layout of the room.
I hear their sticky toffee pudding is pretty extravagant.
Cheers! -
Review from Christina A.
Sylmar, CA
4/12/2010
A few friends and I came to this Burbank spot last month to indulge in some good ol' British grub. When we entered we found the place to be empty save for a few people who were seated at the bar. We were asked to seat ourselves to the sticky table and ordered a few beers.
Let's break this down into two categories...
Food:
The food was... alright. 3 of us ordered the Fish & Chips. I've had my (very) fair share of Fishies in my day, but these were hands down the greasiest I had ever had. The batter and the fish were tasteless and thank god for their tartar and HP sauces, otherwise my food would have gone to waste.
Another friend ordered the Steak and Mushroom pie and was pleasantly surprised.
I will say that the Buchanan Arms' saving grace was their sticky toffee pudding, every single person at our table was literally licking the plate clean. Good job BA.
However.. let's talk about ...
Service:
After taking our orders and promptly bringing out our plates, our server literally disappeared into the night. After we finished eating, we waited for a good 25-35 minutes for someone to take our check.
The only other people in the room were sitting at the bar, but they were all drinking pretty decently. We even went so far as to walk into the adjacent market to see if there was someone in there that could check us out, but of course, that too was unmanned.. We finally walked over to the bar and one of the people who had been lounging, drinking, and chatting very loudly offered to ring us up.
Now, I'm all for having fun at work, but maybe you shouldn't sit with your back facing the only table with paying customers in your establishment.
Oh well, you live and learn. Good luck to you and getting decent service!
