Beloved by students, many consider the KA an Oxford institution. It has the history, the brains, (if you believe their claim that they have the 'highest IQ per square foot anywhere in the world') and a warren-like quality which makes you feel like you are stepping back in time to the good ole days. After much searching for a table, we settled in the quieter back bar decorated in dark panelling and adorned with maps, newspaper clippings and other paraphernalia to keep one entertained while waiting for one's order. We didn't have to study the walls for long before the food arrived.

The garlic ciabatta made for a puzzling side; undeniably homemade, we were presented with an entire untoasted ciabatta pasted in a garlicky herby mixture then covered in melted cheddar. Given the generous portion size in comparison with the price (£3.50) we thought it would make an acceptable and cheap meal for a hard-up student.

I opted for the homemade pie - a popular choice according to the menu - while my companion tested out the burger. The triple cooked chips were fluffy and crisp but sadly the vegetables (cauliflower, carrot and cabbage) were overcooked - ideal for the toothless but a little too soggy for my liking. The chicken, bacon and leek pie was delightful: the pastry was sturdy and flaky, the filling was well seasoned and suitably comforting, with plenty of chicken crammed in.

The burger certainly looked tempting but the results were mixed. My companion said that the patty was overdone but the addition of pickles and burger sauce compensated for this. We both agreed that the accompanying fries were the closest thing to McDonalds fries we've had from an outside source - this is a good thing in our books!

The KA is a characterful place to head to for pretty decent pub food, quick and friendly service and plenty of eavesdropping opportunities on largely intellectual conversation (depending on the time of day/alcohol consumed by the speaker).