Reviews - Toby Carvery - Willingdon Drove
Reviews
8.4of 10
Ratings and reviews can only be left by guests who have booked with TheFork.
Colin P. • 1 review
27 January 2025
5/10The meal was fine but the service poor. The attitude of the server lacked interest. He kept us waiting ages before coming back to take our order for deserts. He wasn’t busy just most of the time propping up the bar. Brought our coffees etc and just dumped them in the middle of the table not bothering to pass them to each individual. On most of our visits we have had good service but sadly not on this occasion.
Gail M. • 1 review
27 December 2023
10/10We had booked for a family lunch, my partner is disabled and uses a scooter. The staff accommodated us beautifully and we wanted for nothing. Even offered to carry the second plate for me as I collected his meal. A little disappointed that so.e of the desserts were off the menu but it was immediately after Christmas. We will book for our family gatherings again.
EDWARD B. • 1 review
8 November 2023
9.5/10Very busy so service for sweet was a little slow, other than that good value for the money.
Roy B. • 1 review
3 November 2023
4/10Food was cold because the carver left twice while i was standing there, to get meat this restaurant is badly understaffed long wait for service this is the second time in 2 weeks shame could do better
Diane C. • 2 reviews
29 October 2023
9.5/10Meals have improved. Cauliflower cheese had a problem getting out and cheese was just put over the top. Nice to see mashed potatoes on menu especially with people with swallowing difficulties.
Lesley S. • 1 review
20 October 2023
6/10We appreciate that there was a shortage of waiting staff but we waited 20 minutes for our drinks after they were ordered. The meal itself was mediocre, the roast potatoes were rock hard, there was no mac and cheese or gravy left and the other vegetables were just lukewarm. The small bowl of rice pudding was well overpriced at £4.99 and didn't taste very nice at all. However our waitress was very pleasant and helpful despite being understaffed .
Brian W. • 3 reviews
6 October 2023
4.5/10Took nearly 15 minutes for the beef to come out of the kitchen. Service counter needs to be regularly cleaned as it looked a mess. When we sat down upon entry into the restaurant, again it took what appeared to be ages for the waitress to realise that we were sitting down and waiting to be offered drinks. Eventually we got the attention of a gentleman whom we think was the manager. Same problem each time we come to this restaurant in that the tables are sticky and need not only to be cleaned but to be wiped dry. As a now retired Group H.R. Director of a company running 500 hotels across 13 European countries, it would appear that management controls have a lot to be desired.
Gill H. • 1 review
20 August 2023
4/10Food disappointing. Service non existent.
Ruth B. • 1 review
10 July 2023
10/10My time at the Toby Carvery was enjoyable. I haven't been there for quite a while & the new layout has been well planned. The background music wasn't too loud & pleasant.
Kath H. • 1 review
13 June 2023
10/10We went back to Tobys after a 3yr absent (coronavirus) and wondered if it had changed any, well it hadn't. It was the same lovely place we remembered. Very clean and tidy, food was great and a special shout out to Ashley, he was such a nice man, very engaging and helpful. We all enjoyed ourselves, especially our 90yrs young Aunt ???? Thankyou again Toby
June F. • 1 review
28 April 2023
5/10There was obviously a shortage of staff. My meal was not good. The batter was not cooked and cold. The staff looked frazzled, no-one was smiling. It did appear very friendly
Carol S. • 2 reviews
23 April 2023
7.5/10My husband book a lunch time meal for 2, the food was good but there were so many people waiting to be served at the carvery counter it was ridiculous, the staff were rushed off their feet trying to do their best, the carvery counter needs to be longer and more staff. I felt really sorry for the staff and considering the fullness of the place I feel they did a very good job, maybe the people who come up with designs and rules need to work it for a day of to.
Janette R. • 1 review
16 April 2023
10/10Very enjoyable carvery. Pigs in blankets as a starter were very tasty. Staff were great too
Jo S. • 1 review
11 April 2023
5.5/10Booked for a birthday meal. Very busy but no queue at food counter. Lots of uncleared tables cluttered with debris. No Yorkshire puddings and by the time arrived we had eaten our meal. Toilets were extremely unpleasant- all five cubicles in ladies blocked and unusable. We did tell waiter. Waiter was very young and could have been more “on the ball” but did ok. Really love a car very but unsure we would go there again.
Julie M. • 1 review
9 April 2023
8.5/10Staff very friendly and efficient. Good range of meat and vegetables so plenty of choice. There was no apple sauce to go with the pork (I did ask ) I like my food piping hot but never find the food here very hot which is why I haven't given an excellent rating.
Carol S. • 2 reviews
5 April 2023
7.5/10The food was very tasty and our table was in a very good place. The only thing I would say I was disappointed with was the wait at the carvery counter, the front of house just disappeared not even saying why, I think just a sorry about the wait would of been nice, and maybe a smile from the serving staff, the young man who did most of our service was very good.
Sally B. • 1 review
2 April 2023
2.5/10The service was very slow.for the money you pay for carvery there wasn't enough meat ,even if you only had 1 meat option you only got one slice.to many potato options and not enough veg.waited 30 mins for server to take dessert order and waited nearly 30 mins for it to come.a very disappointing experience. Won't be returning anytime soon
Sandra K. • 1 review
2 April 2023
8/10Staff lovely, only improvement would be food hotter and meat should be slices, not last bits off the bone.
Bruno L. • 1 review
28 February 2023
4/10Restaurant overbooked, long wait, huge queue to the buffet. Had to wait 30 mns to be seated, even though the table was reserved. Chefs nowhere to be found. I went there 3 times and experienced this chaos, twice.
Chris H. • 1 review
28 February 2023
5/10We were disappointed with the service we received, my elderly mother in law wanted soup, we were half way through our carveries before she got it! Also the drinks we ordered before we queued at ghe carvery, appeared just before the soup, when we'd got our carveries, we had to wait for gravy, as there was none there! service for our desserts was slow! not what i expect when i take my family out for dinner.
mark b. • 1 review
24 February 2023
4/10We hadn't been to the Toby Eastbourne for a few years and were exited to go back today. Unfortunately our excitement was soon quashed as having ordered we looked around the empty tables (15.30) and could see a lot of dirty plates that hadnt been cleared also dirty beer glasses on another table. On the bar where we were met were further dirty plates stacked up in full view of incoming customers. during our 70 minutes in the restaurant none were cleared, and our plates were dumped on the bar with others. A 30 minute wait for pudding no check by staff as to whether our meal was OK, and the staff disappearing out back all the time made for an experience which we will not repeat.
monica S. • 1 review
22 February 2023
9.5/10Waitress was friendly , carvery food was delicious, plentiful and variety of meat and veg was superb.
Bodicea I. • 141 reviews
13 January 2023
5/10Big portions of meat but place was a bit quiet and consequently the vegetable offerings were a little slim. Overall fine but I've been to better Toby's
Julie M. • 1 review
8 January 2023
7.5/10We usually have a great meal. My meal veg was poorly prepped with crunchy sprouts and bullet peas. Turkey was nice. Husband enjoyed his large meal but agreed veg poor. Roasties husband said were good and meat good.
Liz S. • 1 review
18 August 2022
10/10Always go to Toby for a decent roast dinner
Brian W. • 3 reviews
9 August 2022
8.5/10Good food for a carvery. Unfortunately the table was very sticky but was seen to immediately by Richie who had a very good service attitude and manner
Patricia B. • 1 review
10 June 2022
10/10I love our Toby Carvery in Hailsham. The staff are courteous and polite. The food is fabulous and good value for money. The restaurant is cozy and welcoming. Well done Toby!
John m. • 1 review
31 May 2022
4.5/10The standard of service from the server on the the carvery was rude I asked him for beef but there was a small piece all dried up and not very presentable on the tray I said to him could he get a new joint from the kitchen and he said it was above his pay grade to get a new joint and had been told to use the piece that looked disgusting I do not find this acceptable and will not be using this restaurant again.
Carole k. • 1 review
11 May 2022
9/10Great as usual - only one niggle on this occasion - food came out but delay to gravy meant the carver didn't start at 12. Unfortunately the veggies hadn't been covered over and our food when we sat down to eat, could have done with being a little warmer.
Norma H. • 2 reviews
6 March 2022
10/10Never tried a Toby before but will definitely be going again. Food was lovely although only beef, gammon and turkey left when we arrived at 2.30pm. Had beef, which was very tender. Batters huge and all the veg that I tried was yummy.
Pauilne H. • 3 reviews
19 February 2022
8/10Food was really good Service was good but a bit slow no fault of the staff just not enough staff. No ice cream so pudding was a no . We would go again as the food is really good value
Martin W. • 1 review
4 July 2021
7/10Overall a pretty decent lunch. Food and staff were very good. My only problem is with the 2 hour time limit for the table. Waiting 25 minutes to be called to the carvery then 10 minute wait to collect food really eats in to the allowable time. Fortunately we skipped starters as that would meant more delay. As the plates were cleared from our main course we were told we had 20 minutes left of our time limit. We decided to have no dessert and just have coffee. This we started then had to take it outside to finish as our time was up. Fortunately there was a covered outside area for us to sit as it was raining quite hard. I understand that you need to get customers through as quickly as possible but quicker service would make this easier to achieve. Whilst waiting we did ask if it was our turn yet and was told that there was a couple of tables to go up first.
Matt P. • 1 review
6 June 2021
6.5/10The tregle sponge was horrible and was short changed when paying the bill other than this nice meal. Had the refillable coke and was only filled up once
- -. • 1 review
23 December 2019
3.5/10Disappointing considering my youngest (2) didn’t want the cooked breakfast and even though we paid for it (3.49 - the same price for a 12 year old) there were no alternatives. I asked for cereal for him and was told that would cost £1.29 ...... FOR CEREAL!!! I’m never coming again!
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