'I'm just like a proud mum!' Pub with family feeling and sizzling steaks in heart of Dudley community

The Meadow Lark in Dudley is one of those pubs, providing a warm welcome to those coming in to eat, to drink or just to have someone to chat to.

The pub on Dibdale Road is set in the middle of the Milking Bank area of Dudley and has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment to give it a brighter and more modern look.

Owned by Sizzling Pubs, the Meadow Lark boasts a refreshed bar, new soft furnishings and an enhanced dining area which has given the pub a new lease of life, providing guests with a relaxed, welcoming environment to enjoy their visit.

It has been managed for the last two years by general manager Vanessa Hawkes, who said the pub had become a place of solace for her at a sad time and helped her find a family.

She said: "My dad died around Christmas time and my mum was really struggling to cope, so I moved back over here and took the job at the pub at what was probably one of the most difficult times of my life.

"What came from this though was that the Meadow Lark gave me that sort of family feeling and I now call the staff here my kids as we're all one big family here.

"We look after each other, laugh and cry together and support one another and that's what makes this place what it is."

The pub shows live sport, with customers able to pre-book tables to get the comfiest seats in the house, while it also has a mascot called Bailey the bear who is the perfect addition for any children’s parties being hosted at the site.

The Meadow Lark also hosts a quiz night every Wednesday at 8pm as well as music themed bingo every Sunday at 8pm and has a DJ on weekends from 9pm.

There is also a darts and pool competition during the week with prize money and live entertainment one weekend every month from 9pm, while the pub also regularly takes part in litter-picking once a month as well as serving as a sponsor for Gornal Athletics Girls, the local girls' football team.

Ms Hawkes said the pub had a large range of drink on offer, with the average price of a pint around £4.25.

She said: "In terms of handpulls, we have three on the go, with Doom Bar, Hobgoblin and Proper Job some of the favourites alongside Tribute and other beers like that.

"With the lagers, we have Madri, Carling, Stella and Peroni, plus a bunch of craft beers like Wingman and some IPA, then we have a host of ciders like Strongbow, Dark Fruits and some of the more specialist stuff."

Along with the new look, the Meadow Lark’s food menu features all the popular favourites and comes with a guarantee, being a Sizzling Pub, that if the food isn't sizzling by the time it gets to the table, the pub will redo it for the customer.

Ms Hawkes said the favourites among customers at the pub included the tandoori chicken sizzling skillet, the giant gyros and especially the fish and chips, with hundreds sold each week.

She said the pub was like a home to her, full of good people and a lively atmosphere and said she felt like a proud mum.

She said: "It's like a home to me as you've got your guests coming in and you know them all by name and you can sit and chat with them and they'll tell you all their woes and how the day is going, so it's like having your mates around.

"I'm just like a proud mum and the guests say they can see that for the reception they get when they come here.

"We have a great team and it's just a great feeling to come in and see the people enjoying the place."