Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to eat in Wetherspoons?

617 replies

giveitarestplease · 27/10/2021 23:13

Popped out with BIL and OH today, I absolutely despise Wetherspoons but they love a bargain and aren't too fussy.

I'm not a snob in anyway shape or form I just can't stand it. I eventually went with them and sat in there and waited until they finished.

I just hate the old dirty pubs and how fast the rancid food comes out 🤢 the alcoholics that have been sat there since the moment they opened the doors on the morning.

I'd much rather go to one of our local independent cafes and have a nice lunch and I know it's not coming out of the microwave. I know it's not the same price bracket but you know what I mean.

They always laugh and joke and call me a snob and say I think I'm better than everyone else. But I'm really not and I don't think that.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
19
QuizzlyBear · 28/10/2021 18:44

I wouldn't eat in one. Every Wetherspoons I've been in has been oddly sticky and many people there seemed to generate an air of barely repressed desperation (possibly just incipient alcoholism?). Fecking grim.

Mind you, I also wouldn't put money in the pocket of their wanker owner.

OrbOrRobe · 28/10/2021 18:50

@giveitarestplease

I did speak up but they want to eat there so I sit with them. I'm not a snob I'm far from it infact! I just don't enjoy the atmosphere or the food. Think my mum and dad would die a bit inside if they seen me eating in there 🤣
Yeah you absolutely sound like a snob
Hoppinggreen · 28/10/2021 18:54

@shakingmytambourineatyou

Sorry, pumpkins. Just read 3 pages of posts and had to put this photo up! Then saw your post. My local wetherspoons is not so grand, but it is clean and comfy. If I had to use a pub on my own, it's where I would go.
I barely dare walk past ours and DD won’t at all since a group of men outside one told her she had nice tits (she was 12) Harrogate doesn’t count anyway, everything there is posh
Anonymous48 · 28/10/2021 18:55

@tickledtiger

The last time I went to a Wetherspoons it was a bit like you describe it op.

I would rather go to a cafe too what’s wrong with having a preference?

There's nothing wrong with having a preference, and there's certainly nothing wrong with expressing that preference when in a group trying to decide where to go.

There's something very wrong with being rude about it and refusing to eat because the rest of your party wanted to go somewhere you didn't.

Joystir59 · 28/10/2021 19:04

No I probably wouldn't eat lunch there. The food is horrible.

justasking111 · 28/10/2021 19:12

Google catering wholesalers even naice restaurants use them. Kitchen staff are in short supply and the dishes are pretty good. Looking at Tesco the range of ready meals in ours is amazing these days,

Offmyfence · 28/10/2021 19:13

@justasking111

Google catering wholesalers even naice restaurants use them. Kitchen staff are in short supply and the dishes are pretty good. Looking at Tesco the range of ready meals in ours is amazing these days,
Oh please! Ready meals from anywhere are just awful.... no I'm not a snob, I just like food that tastes nice. ...so shoot me!
Blurryeyedbeast · 28/10/2021 19:14

@tickledtiger

The last time I went to a Wetherspoons it was a bit like you describe it op.

I would rather go to a cafe too what’s wrong with having a preference?

Nothing at all with having a preference. I do think the OP sounds snobby though and having your pre-bought drinks in an establishment is just rude.

This is probably where my diet would have me vote. Cafes are pretty rubbish for vegans on the whole at least the ones I've experienced. You can have beans on toast or beans on toast.
Plus, even if casually, if I'm eating out it's because I want a long leisurely experience and the choice of having an alcoholic drink. Cafes also tend to be small and busy and I don't like that. :)

Ive been in some gorgeous spoons. And now I'm wanting to go in one this weekend and wondering how to wangle it Grin

BigFatLiar · 28/10/2021 19:15

I'd much rather go to one of our local independent cafes and have a nice lunch and I know it's not coming out of the microwave. I know it's not the same price bracket but you know what I mean.

Just meet them after lunch, get your DH to text or call when they're ready.

justasking111 · 28/10/2021 19:20

@Offmyfence Gordon Ramsay has factory units preparing his dishes which are then transported to his restaurants.

Google Brakes wholesale you can look at the range of dishes. How do you think you get a lamb shanks to the table so quickly, sticky toffee pudding etc. It's cooked in a factory, frozen, chilled sent out the kitchen then reheats, titivates and serves you inside 15 minutes

justasking111 · 28/10/2021 19:27

Two examples

To not want to eat in Wetherspoons?
To not want to eat in Wetherspoons?
gogohm · 28/10/2021 19:27

I find most Wetherspoons are not dirty nor full of alcoholics. Our local one is very nice, menu is uninspiring but they do a decent steak and chips and the beer prices you can't beat. I would prefer an independent but at £11 for a drink and a meal it's half the price and sometimes you just want someone else to cook for you

carlydooly · 28/10/2021 19:27

Do loves them and is there with friends right now. I don't mind them for a cheap post work drink or a pizza but they massively vary in quality in different areas of the country. We tried one in Liverpool and it was horrific - crowded and filthy. We walked in and straight out.

Our local one is in a lovely old converted building and it's fine. I do loathe the propaganda element though.

gogohm · 28/10/2021 19:29

Can't stand the owner though

TomAllenWife · 28/10/2021 19:31

I don't think you're snobby, Wetherspoons are dirty shit holes
I'd rather eat in our local rugby club

The food is nasty, they serve beer & lager in horrible glasses, and it's nearly always flat
Sticky tables

And owned by a twat!!

Offmyfence · 28/10/2021 19:35

[quote justasking111]@Offmyfence Gordon Ramsay has factory units preparing his dishes which are then transported to his restaurants.

Google Brakes wholesale you can look at the range of dishes. How do you think you get a lamb shanks to the table so quickly, sticky toffee pudding etc. It's cooked in a factory, frozen, chilled sent out the kitchen then reheats, titivates and serves you inside 15 minutes[/quote]
Sticky toffee pudding is very easy! An authentic curry, that's frozen probably ceased shite is just that! Tastes of nothing only hot!

STP tastes of sweet!

Easy to replicate.

You eat what you like, but please don't try and tell me

Shepherds pie
Curry
Fish pie
Bolognese
Chilli

Are good as frozen processed options, opposed to cooked from scratch (which also doesn't mean dolmio jar or Schwartz packet)

justasking111 · 28/10/2021 19:36

The one in Leeds I went to was spotless front of house and in the back. It's just the food I'm not keen on

justasking111 · 28/10/2021 19:46

Most folks will not wait for the kitchen to cook their food from scratch, extensive menus means mixing and matching. The catering wholesalers cook from scratch but then preserve by chilling freezing.

You can cook and freeze at home it's not damaging the dish. To serve it up at a later date.

You would have to go back to table dhote days if you want fresh. Three starters, three mains, and three desserts say. With vegan tastes one of each course would need to comply

PumpkinsandTea · 28/10/2021 19:47

@Strugglingtodomybest

What a beautiful building PumpkinsandTea, what did it used to be?
Was opened in 1897 as part of the Royal Baths. I know at one point it was used as a dance hall.
PumpkinsandTea · 28/10/2021 19:50

@Strugglingtodomybest

To not want to eat in Wetherspoons?
Offmyfence · 28/10/2021 19:51

@justasking111

Most folks will not wait for the kitchen to cook their food from scratch, extensive menus means mixing and matching. The catering wholesalers cook from scratch but then preserve by chilling freezing.

You can cook and freeze at home it's not damaging the dish. To serve it up at a later date.

You would have to go back to table dhote days if you want fresh. Three starters, three mains, and three desserts say. With vegan tastes one of each course would need to comply

If that's aimed at me? I'll again say Tesco ready meals are shite!!
Tevion28 · 28/10/2021 20:15

I must admit my local is dark and dingy and appears to be a bit of a mens place.
Food is nicer in other places I've been.

Againstmachine · 28/10/2021 21:10

The owner also sacked all his staff in the first few days of the pandemic and told them to go and work in Tesco

Never ever happened are we going to go the put of date beer label now.

I don't frequent wetherspoons that much but people keep on with rubbish statements.

justasking111 · 28/10/2021 21:39

This is what he actually said

To not want to eat in Wetherspoons?
Daphnise · 28/10/2021 21:48

You sound very precious, and judgemental.

And yes you are a snob- and pretentious with it.

Not a person most would want to know.

Enjoy your Himalayan Panini and Fijian Mineral Water!

Swipe left for the next trending thread