To say that pub roast dinners are crap?

[ThreeRingCircus]

I know I'm being a bit unreasonable as you can't make roast potatoes etc to order so they're always going to have to be reheated at a pub..... probably the same with Yorkshire puddings but we went out for a roast for Mother's Day yesterday and although it was delightful in that I didn't have to cook the food really was disappointing.

Roast potatoes that aren't crispy on the outside, yorkshire puddings that are too soft, weird thin watery gravy and never enough of it. I don't think I've ever had a really decent roast at a pub even when it's a good pub and it's cost a fair bit of money.

I genuinely think I could have saved the £60 pub bill yesterday and bought a load of Aunt Bessie's stuff for a tenner and done it at home for zero hassle and it would have been a lot nicer.

Are there magical pubs out there that do amazing roasts or do I just need to accept that if I want a decent one I have to cook it myself?

It's a problem eating out if you're a good cook as you know you can cook it much better at home.
My H used to always comments on the fact that my food was better, but it was nice just to sit and eat something without shopping, prepping and cooking, then clearing up afterwards.

Firmly with the group that think roasts are always better when home-cooked. It's an easy meal to do at home for up to eight or 10 people. And I believe eating in a restaurant should deliver an experience that I couldn't replicate myself.

@Tuala where specifically in Brighton please? We go a fair bit but never for a roast and I'd like to change that if they're really nice!

This has not been my experience in Hertfordshire

Since covid all the ones we’ve had are crap

I don’t know if it’s a staff and getting ingredient issue or just been spoilt by home ones. We’ve had some expensive and shit meals.

Like PP, I've had some really cracking ones near me in London. Have also had some rubbish ones, mostly by big chains!

YNBU
I can cook a far best Sunday roast for the price pubs charge.
Overcooked veg, tough meat crap gravy - why go to a pub?

I had a corking one last night in a (very very nice) pub/restaurant. Very expensive at £20/head but absolutely delicious. Very good quality.

Also never order anything with gravy after 1pm on a Sunday unless you want it watered down, particularly if it's sunny. If its a damp day you are safe until about 1.15 / 1.30.

They are usually not very good but there are two in my area an exception.

Completely agree. They do nothing for me I'm afraid

Ours was really lovely yesterday. Then again, all the food at the place is.

@YoYoYoYoSup

There is a lot of competition in Brighton and a Facebook page where people rate roasts in Brighton pubs, it’s very popular. Ones I’d recommend would be The Southern Belle, Secret Companions, The Engineer, The Victory Inn. Or look up Brighton Sunday Roast Club on FB to see al the pics with reviews!

We were only saying the other day how so many people rave about "going for a roast" - but whenever we've had one, even at highly recommended places, we've always been a bit underwhelmed. I'd rather spend my money on a really nice joint from a proper farm shop and get DP to cook at home

The 'best' pub roast I've had was just ok. The food this pub normally serves is great so it was still a disappointment.

The Wharf in Manchester. You will not beat those roasties. Nom.

Big chains like Toby Carvery or Harvester are rubbish but here in Devon we are spoit for choice with some amazing independent pubs. Local does 2 for 18 quid and its walking distance! Cheaper and less hassle than cooking

Id say you're going to the wrong places!

Pub up the road is fully booked months in advance on Sundays for their roasts, because they are just so well done!

However I can do superb roasts at home but do like to go out for meals I can't perfect at home like my favourite greek/turkish coal grilled lamb, Indian and Thai food.

Agree with the first poster - you need to get yourself to Brighton, basically a city sport to make the best roast!

Yanbu. Worst is when you go to a place that has been recommended by friends and it turns out just meh. Then you have to give a polite answer when they excitedly ask if you loved it and you don't want them to get defensive about it. Pubs are best for those indulgent salty, fatty treat foods.

I can think of 4 pubs off the top of my head where the roasts are so good you would almost weep with happiness eating them! Our city is known for roasts tho...

Oh, we do live in Brighton BTW...

With a lot of pubs it's about timing I think. A really good restaurant/pub will be able to plan better to serve out portions as they go but a lot of pubs just whack a certain number of joints in the oven at different times and then carve them until they're done, then out comes the next one. I've had fantastic roast dinner at our local.... and some seriously disappointing ones.

The best roast dinner at a pub I ever had was years and years ago when gastro pubs were still sort of new. What I remember most about it was that they'd been quite clever - it was rib of beef so big slabs of meat with decent marbling so I imagine if it had been sitting/resting for longer, no problem (vs thin slices of meat that quickly go grey and overcooked), vegetables that looked like they'd been finished off as we ordered etc.

We were a big table though so it's entirely possible that, for example, all the roasties and yorkshires genuinely were finished off to order as they could probably do a full tray for our table alone and we were certain happy to sit boozing in the meantime!

I can't really comment on pub roast dinners as I don't eat meat, but I agree that a meal out is usually disappointing. I prefer to go for a meal that i wouldn't cook at home

It certainly wouldn't be risotto, butternut squash, beetroot, mushroom or goats cheese.

There are three great ones near me. Never go on Mother's Day though, it's worse than Valentines Day for eating out.