I know what I like and I like what I know, yes, it must be Wetherspoons!

The establishment itself, synonymous with ‘burger beer and chips’ and “£5,” is the lynchpin of our student nights out, cheap restaurant excuses, and steadfastness.

Within the all too familiar domain of Wetherspoons, my expectations for The Robert Pocock in Windmill St, Gravesend weren’t high - the familiar opaque wooden panels, the untouched shelved books and the quintessentially bog-standard same-tasting meals known to us all.

I was wrong.

Punters seemed happy, the pub was rammed and the light was brighter than other Spoons.

When I went to the bar I was even invited to it by the people around me who correctly followed the queuing etiquette that we in this country are so revered for.

I was encountered by polite and cheerful staff who seemed genuinely helpful and interested in my dining experience - I was even asked if everything was alright with my meal.

News Shopper:
The Robert Pocock in Thorn Lane, Gravesend

Now I wonder what would have happened if I had said no?

But there were no gripes for me and I was content.

Yes, the light-evading wooden panels were there, the books were there, but the mood was jolly - I even enjoyed the added touch of a rainbow-coned dangling chandelier.

As part of the curry club I ordered my chicken jalfrezi and soft drink with a side of chips and waited for the inevitable.

It arrived and I launched into the familiar, when all at once I chanced on my side order.

TOP STORIES: Is it me or are the Whetherspoons chunky chips far too fat?

Is it my imagination or have I in fact ordered a side of potato waffles that gridlock the tunnel of my mouth when I eat more than one at a time?

But these are personal gripes that can be countered by personal likes such as the Spoons’ naan bread dipped in curry sauce - I recommend it.

Halfway through the meal I needed the toilet.

I scaled the wooden staircase and looked down from a nice gallery spot and thought to myself - nice one .

After all things considered, I can’t really say the food tasted too different from any other Spoons dishes: it was hot, with taste, and reliably pub-grubesque but the mood lifted it all.

Staff: 4 out of 5

Drink: 3.5 out of 5

Decor: 3 out of 5

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5