Billy Bob’s Parlour in Myerscough opened in 2019 and, at the time, my wife and I lived a five-minute drive away and were expecting our first child. As a fan of Americana in general, I gravitated towards the marketing that felt intended to transport customers to a 1950s diner experience, complete with American drinks like A&W root beer.
It was also fascinating to see their sister site online, located in Skipton, which featured a fully decked-out restaurant and a massive play area for kids.
Not long after our eldest was born, we made our way out and thoroughly enjoyed the playbarn, the large yellow school bus that was converted into seating, and the small shack that offered ice cream, drinks, and burgers.
Now, six years on, Billy Bob’s has become a sprawling venue with a huge sit-in diner that features several themed areas. The original playbarn has been joined by an extensive playground filled with custom playsets shaped like trucks, trains, pirate ships (my boy’s favorite), and helicopters, to name a few.
The play area costs £5 per child, or £3 for those who are also dining, usually for an hour, but this tends to be flexible depending on how busy they are. While that can add up quickly, the variety of activities is impressive considering the remote location just off the A6.
Anyway, my wife and I decided to drop in again this week, now accompanied by three boisterous kids full of energy, and choosing to have breakfast there ahead of the play session.
As you arrive on site, the size of the venue is impressive to the point that it almost feels overwhelming, but the charming American diner tunes blasting out across the site, and the variety of props and set pieces do a lot to transport you into a nostalgic vision of a time and place that I’ve only ever experienced in films.
Inside, the staff is incredibly warm and friendly, and they directed us towards some seating towards the back inside a large converted Coca-Cola truck. There is seating throughout the main body, while the front cabin has been converted into a small play area for kids to feel like they are driving this massive machine. My little ones were impressed, and spent a great deal of time playing together there both before and after they finished eating.
In terms of ordering, customers have the choice to either scan a QR code on the front of the menu, which directs them to download an app and place their order, or walk back to the entryway and make their order at the front till. I decided to use the app and was pleasantly surprised to see how easy it was to navigate, place orders, and customise individual meal selections. However, I was a little frustrated that the app required so much information, including email address, mobile number, and a home address. You could easily input false details, but it seemed odd that it would require all this information just so I could get some pancakes and eggs…
For the kids, we ordered two portions of children’s pancakes, labelled as “Silver Dollar Pancakes” on the menu, for £4.75 each and a kids portion of waffles, which were also £4.75. With each, there was a wide variety of toppings to pick from, and the boys both opted for Nutella on their pancakes, while we chose bananas for the youngest. All the kids enjoyed their meals, though our littlest did get distracted by the portion of chips we ordered, which meant I could steal a bite of her leftover waffle, and I can confirm that it was indeed fluffly, golden brown, and delicious.
I chose the Skillet Hash, which consisted of chunks of beef brisket, crispy fried potatoes, sweet onions, and equally sweet peppers with two sunny-side-up eggs on top. This plate came to £12.75, and while it wasn’t quite an American-sized portion, the flavours were delicious. From the tender seasoned brisket to the perfectly fried potatoes, it was a hearty breakfast and something different from a traditional plate with sausage, egg, and beans.
My wife ordered the Okie Smokie, or in English, the pulled pork barbecue in a brioche bun with a side of homemade coleslaw and warm BBQ dip, for £12.45. The meat was tender and juicy, with a deep smoky flavour, a wonderful contrast to the subtle sweetness of the brioche bun. The coleslaw was fresh, crisp, and added another layer to what was happening on the plate that was very welcome after all the meat and potatoes on my wife’s and my plates.
That being said, we did also order a portion of fries (£4.75), which went down a treat with everyone on the table. Perfectly golden brown, hot, fresh, and perfectly finished with a sprinkling of salt from the shaker on the table. Interestingly, there is a note on the menu that indicates sides can’t be ordered without a main, which is something worth keeping in mind if you plan to visit. Despite not being able to get a solo side, you can absolutely order an ice cream or a milkshake, which range between £5 for scoops and cones, to up to around £10 for an adult sundae.
I did get a vanilla malt shake for £7.55, and was impressed with the serving size and the incredibly thick and creamy texture. The malt flavour came through in spades with a warm, toasted nuttiness that enhanced the overall effect. It was delicious, creamy, frothy, and if you want to go extremely indulgent, you can get it with a serving of cream, sauce, and a flake for an additional £1.45.
After being thoroughly filled and letting the kids play in the truck cabin, the food settled. We then went on to spend another hour and a half in the play area, as they made the most of the activities, from the playsets to the zipline and large slides located in the playbarn. Overall, we experienced wonderful, filling food, and happy, entertained kids for several hours.
While we wouldn’t go for food on every visit, the option to just grab some ice creams or drinks does make it feel like a viable option for fairly frequent repeat visits. It’s unique, vibrant, full of energy and atmosphere, and the warm and welcoming staff make it a very enjoyable experience for kids and adults.
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