Page 13 | To think Toby Carvery is working class ?

JoanneTeresa · 2025-10-26T18:46:01+00:00

I went this week and was looking around at the likely demographic

VoodooQualities · 26/10/2025 19:02

I like Wetherspoons (if it's a nice building, which it often is) and I like Toby Carvery.

I also like bijoux little independent tea shops and pubs with genuine character.

I don't like Toby Carvery breakfasts though. I've only had one once, but the eggs were powdered, the bacon was the type that's full of water so never goes brown and crispy, the sausages were low quality ones and the mushrooms were sloppy.

Swiftie1878 · 26/10/2025 18:59

I’m working class and have never been.
Don’t like carveries.

ilovesooty · 26/10/2025 18:58

If you like going there why does the demographic matter?

DrCoconut · 26/10/2025 18:58

Used to like it before having to go gluten free. Now it's not safe. It would be my DS's idea of heaven though.

Original poster

JoanneTeresa · 26/10/2025 18:58

OvenChick · 26/10/2025 18:54

@JoanneTeresa Oh right, and where would you place yourself class-wise? As you've implied you are not WC but haven't stated it explicitly.

WC

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FeetLikeFlippers · 26/10/2025 18:58

Well of course it is but so what?

Laiste · 26/10/2025 18:56

My Dad used to say that if you have to get up in the morning to earn your money you're working class.

If you can stay at home while other people go to work to earn money for you you're middle class.

And if you are born with a title you're upper class no matter how much money have. Or have not.

Therefore yes the majority of customers in the Toby will be working clsss.

Someonelookedatmypostinghistorysoichanged · 26/10/2025 18:55

When I go to Toby, I see hungry people. I get a sense that you are implying there is a class of person who considers themselves too good to eat there.

Dillydollydingdong · 26/10/2025 18:55

Betty bobble not for real, surely? You're joking (aren't you?)

BettyBobble · 26/10/2025 18:55

OvenChick · 26/10/2025 18:54

@JoanneTeresa Oh right, and where would you place yourself class-wise? As you've implied you are not WC but haven't stated it explicitly.

Not worth a rise is it. In other news were fancying one now and planning our next visit

RosesAndHellebores · 26/10/2025 18:55

It serves cheap poor quality food.

I'm not entirely sure how the term working class can be attributed to a chain restaurant owned by Whitbread? It usually refers to human beings rathwr than bricks and mortar or a brand.

I could see how "the Toby Carvery brand appeals to people with low incomes". However, to have a low income doesn't mean someone is working class.

Our local Toby is surrounded by houses worth £1m to £2m. There is a significant retired population around the Toby. They use it heavily for lunch Monday to Friday. Neither poor nor working class on the whole.

I suspect someone who says "To think Toby Carvery is working class", probably sits close to the bottom of educational achievement.

Lucyccfc68 · 26/10/2025 18:54

I don’t like Toby Carvery - been to 2 different ones and wasn’t impressed. I am a bit fussy with food though.

HOWEVER there are lots of people who either really like it or go because they are on a low income and it’s cheap.

For some people (and I am thinking of my foster daughter here), she loves to eat out with her husband and 2 boys, but they are on a low income. Toby Carvery is a lovely treat for them.

Peclet · 26/10/2025 18:54

It’ used to be the height of sophistication! I went there for a birthday meal about 35 years ago and we sat inside a fake indoor pergola in the middle of the restaurant with plastic flowers all around us. I thought it was the HEIGHT of sophistication.

OvenChick · 26/10/2025 18:54

@JoanneTeresa Oh right, and where would you place yourself class-wise? As you've implied you are not WC but haven't stated it explicitly.

AbsentosaurusRex · 26/10/2025 18:54

JoanneTeresa · 26/10/2025 18:52

Believe it or not - yes!!!!!!

im not very class conscious am I ? Karl Marx would turn in his grave!

Show quote history

He certainly would. How dare you pay to eat out when others can’t afford it. Shocking…

Original poster

JoanneTeresa · 26/10/2025 18:52

OvenChick · 26/10/2025 18:50

@JoanneTeresa and you only just noticed this? Really?

Believe it or not - yes!!!!!!

im not very class conscious am I ? Karl Marx would turn in his grave!

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Dita73 · 26/10/2025 18:51

Never been to one so couldn’t say

OvenChick · 26/10/2025 18:50

@JoanneTeresa and you only just noticed this? Really?

Original poster

JoanneTeresa · 26/10/2025 18:50

OnlyOnAFriday · 26/10/2025 18:49

A friend of mine was very snobby about it and I dragged her in and she loved it. I do only go for breakfast mind but it’s the best breakfast

I love their breakfast just gorgeous !

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Original poster

JoanneTeresa · 26/10/2025 18:50

ComtesseDeSpair · 26/10/2025 18:49

It’s affordable food in an accessible environment. If by working class you mean “people on lower incomes”, sure, that’s their target market. I’m sure many of the people who eat at Toby Carvery would prefer to be dining at the Ned, but don’t have the budget for it, and find it perfectly acceptable for the budget they do have.

Edited

I love it and eat there really often!

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OnlyOnAFriday · 26/10/2025 18:49

A friend of mine was very snobby about it and I dragged her in and she loved it. I do only go for breakfast mind but it’s the best breakfast

ComtesseDeSpair · 26/10/2025 18:49

It’s affordable food in an accessible environment. If by working class you mean “people on lower incomes”, sure, that’s their target market. I’m sure many of the people who eat at Toby Carvery would prefer to be dining at the Ned, but don’t have the budget for it, and find it perfectly acceptable for the budget they do have.

Original poster

JoanneTeresa · 26/10/2025 18:49

Fnbbb · 26/10/2025 18:48

It's tasty.

Youre so right 🙌

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BitOutOfPractice · 26/10/2025 18:49

I’m middle class. I love a gravy dinner at Toby. Where does that put me in your social hierarchy.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 26/10/2025 18:48

Who cares? No one said it was the Ritz 🙄