Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find the obsession with Toby Carvery baffling?

111 replies

Kaykay90 · 11/11/2025 16:47

I went on Sunday and won’t be returning. Tiny portion of meat, kids running riot and it smelt like stale farts.

Anyone else struggle to see the appeal?

OP posts:
mamagogo1 · 11/11/2025 17:43

They vary a lot, very dependent on location to put it bluntly. We had a lovely one half way between us an my parents unfortunately they have now become a Miller and Carter (same company I think), i presume the area was deemed too nice by management

Sofaflop · 11/11/2025 17:42

Kaykay90 · 11/11/2025 17:06

I’m sure they will - our local one is usually packed every Sunday, much to my surprise.

Show quote history

What obsession?

I haven't been for a while but it served a purpose when DC were young. No need to wait for food and if I made them drink water real food cheaper than going to McDonalds.

snetts · 11/11/2025 17:42

I used to be absolutely obsessed with tovy carvery pre pandemic and go more than once a week, but it’s changed so much now. So sadly agree. The whole set up plus food and price, just no good now

Brightbluesomething · 11/11/2025 17:40

Last time I went the Yorkshire puddings were completely flat. Unacceptable. They weren’t great the previous time but I gave them another chance. Wont be going back.
No kids running round whenever I’ve been there in the past though. Surely that’s a parental responsibility to resolve first and foremost. Then staff if they don’t.

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 11/11/2025 17:38

tragichero · 11/11/2025 17:05

You want to go somewhere expensive, at least in part, so that you don't have to be around poor people?

And you think it's fine to admit this?

Sometimes Mumsnet leaves me speechless.

Show quote history

Don’t think it’s about poor people. Think it’s more about the type of people that the OP sees there - swearing and letting kids run riot.

I’ve not been personally and from these descriptions I don’t think I will! 😂

EchoedSilence · 11/11/2025 17:31

FarmGirl78 · 11/11/2025 16:56

And theres so many kids running round screaming and "What did I tell you about your fucking behaviour? You're a little shit!" shouty parents, because for all the local scutters it's a really posh place to eat out for family birthdays. Every few years I venture back and immediately remember why I hate it so much.

🙄

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 11/11/2025 17:23

We’re big fans of a Toby Carvery in our house.
It’s not fine dining but it’s cheap and our local one is always good quality,

gingercat02 · 11/11/2025 17:19

It's cheap and cheerful roast dinner. It's not for me but I can absolutely see the appeal.
DS and his mates go because it's cheap, filling and a good night out for just under 18s who can't go to regular pubs.

Zov · 11/11/2025 17:14

Kaykay90 · 11/11/2025 16:47

I went on Sunday and won’t be returning. Tiny portion of meat, kids running riot and it smelt like stale farts.

Anyone else struggle to see the appeal?

You're entitled to feel how you want to feel.

I love a carvery though! And I don't recognise what you describe to be honest.

JohnTheRevelator · 11/11/2025 17:12

I love a Toby carvery and I don't get this snobbishness that prevails around them.

Original poster
Kaykay90 · 11/11/2025 17:06

tragichero · 11/11/2025 17:05

You want to go somewhere expensive, at least in part, so that you don't have to be around poor people?

And you think it's fine to admit this?

Sometimes Mumsnet leaves me speechless.

Show quote history

No, that’s not what I said. I’m on about those who allow their multiple children to run riot.

OP posts:
BillieWiper · 11/11/2025 17:06

I'd quite like to try it but there isn't one anywhere near my house. It feels like you need to drive anyway as they're not really in towns/city centres?

The roast in my local is getting more and more mediocre each time I visit, and I think it's about £25 at this point. So frankly Toby's would be a breath of fresh air (not literally if the farty aroma is a certainty) in terms of price.

Loads of kids running amok would not be my cup of tea though so I guess I'd go when they were at school or late evening.

Original poster
Kaykay90 · 11/11/2025 17:06

Screwyousimon · 11/11/2025 17:04

Yikes what a snobby person you are op. I am sure Toby will live without your custom and sniffy attitude.

Show quote history

I’m sure they will - our local one is usually packed every Sunday, much to my surprise.

OP posts:
tragichero · 11/11/2025 17:05

Kaykay90 · 11/11/2025 17:01

We are going to stick to our country pubs for a home cooked roast in the future. Yes, you pay a premium but it’s worth it IMO - and also helps with regulating the clientele.

You want to go somewhere expensive, at least in part, so that you don't have to be around poor people?

And you think it's fine to admit this?

Sometimes Mumsnet leaves me speechless.

Screwyousimon · 11/11/2025 17:04

Kaykay90 · 11/11/2025 17:01

We are going to stick to our country pubs for a home cooked roast in the future. Yes, you pay a premium but it’s worth it IMO - and also helps with regulating the clientele.

Yikes what a snobby person you are op. I am sure Toby will live without your custom and sniffy attitude.

Screwyousimon · 11/11/2025 17:03

What’s with the word obsession I see it all over the place. Mostly used by influencers who are obsessed with innate objects or the seasons.

Anyway onto Toby, love a good Toby but sadly there isn’t one where I live so I have it as a treat when I visit my DM 😋

CasperGutman · 11/11/2025 17:02

The one near us is ... okay. I do love a Toby breakfast though. Where else can I have an all-you-can-eat fry-up with Yorkshire puds?

Original poster
Kaykay90 · 11/11/2025 17:01

We are going to stick to our country pubs for a home cooked roast in the future. Yes, you pay a premium but it’s worth it IMO - and also helps with regulating the clientele.

OP posts:
Endofyear · 11/11/2025 17:01

Is there an obsession? I've been once and thought it was mediocre at best!

CaptainSevenofNine · 11/11/2025 17:00

I enjoy a carvery meal as a treat maybe once a year, but it doesn’t have to be a Toby. It does have to be good! We check reviews before going.

Zimunya · 11/11/2025 16:59

FarmGirl78 · 11/11/2025 16:53

Tobys are just rank. The 'clean' plates in my local have enough dried remnants on them you could scrape together enough for a whole extra persons meal. 🤮

Show quote history

This made me laugh so much.

amylou8 · 11/11/2025 16:59

I call it Toby school dinners, because the lining up to get it is like being back at school.
The food is alright, but I don't particularly like the whole vibe.

TurboKirbo · 11/11/2025 16:59

It's a massive, very successful brand in the M&B chain, so lots of people are likely to have heard of it and been at least once, but I don't know anyone who's obsessed.

I used to visit a lot of Toby's through my work.
I do agree they have a.... distinctive smell.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 11/11/2025 16:57

Never had a bad meal at the one near me, I always ask for a bit of each meat too...always a decent slice(s) of each

LifeBeginsToday · 11/11/2025 16:57

My teens love it. It's a cheap treat. Not much more than a McDonalds but much better.