Toby Carvery Willingdon Drove

Extremely friendly service but unbelievably busy on a Sunday. We pre booked which was fortunate. The carvery queue was long with many items running out. Service was great, amazing team, so friendly and swift in ordering and bringing out drinks. Managers were very courteous and efficient. I think the kitchen needs more support to help run the delivery orders as well as the in restaurant diners. The team were swamped but despite that they were always helpful and responsive. Best roast potatoes at any Toby's we've had.

Our table wasn't ready when we arrived despite booking it. Service was slow but the lady was friendly. Carvery was unmanned and we had to wait. Beef was almost finished and the carver was determined to give us the dry horrid bits when really a fresh joint should have been brought out. Potatoes were hard but tasted OK. Veggies nice and hot.

My wife and I were in the area and booked Sunday lunch. We had not been in a Toby for a long time and this did not disappoint. The food was fresh and well stocked and although it was busy service was good. Good choice of roasts and the only minor issue was that we expected a bit more meat than we got by "going large", however meat is expensive and this may be deliberate to keep the costs reasonable, which they were. Would happily go again.

We arrived as a chance table on a Saturday afternoon. Advised possible one hour wait, so we decided to wait. It took 13 minutes to find us somewhere!! Thrilled to see lamb added to the Saturday menu, which was also perfectly cooked for my taste. The selection on the carvery was great and well stocked, carvery chef cheerful as were all staff we encountered.

Considering the team at the carvery was under pressure, and every time there is a £5 offer, they are always rushing around and mega busy. Two people that stand out with a young gentleman, very tall, Fronterhouse blue shirt, black trousers. He has certainly grown his job as I recognise him from about a year ago. Didn’t catch his name but well done to him and good luck. The other lady was an Indian lady couldn’t remember the name but very tall, she was very pleasant, great customer service and although seem very very busy always gave a small. Well done to the team.

Have been a few times and food and service has always been excellent. However when we went last Sunday we waited ages for someone to appear and top up the vegetables. Meanwhile the chef was continuing to carve for all the people behind whose meat was then cold. Also there was various nasty comments from people as we were holding up the queue. Won't be going on a Sunday again, it's far too busy.

I visited with my dad & uncle (identical twins) as I’d driven my dad from our home in Poole, to visit my uncle. My uncle has eaten in your restaurant several times & recommended it as somewhere nice to eat. He wasn’t wrong. We ate at 12, the food was just perfect & the value equally so. The service was so friendly & welcoming & our waitress was wonderful