Toby Carvery - Braintree

Carvery’s are good, great variety of veg including parsnips. No complaints, other than Gaynor. Very slow, always chit chatting and distracting other staff. Oblivious to her surroundings. Gaynor gets 1 star.

Average experience overall. We had booked a table but upon arriving it was obvious there was no need as loads of room and free/clean/set tables. However, despite this for some reason the host was in a total spin as to where we could seat and after a couple of minutes deliberating he decided we should be sat at the smallest table in the restaurant in the midst of other packed tables, and that other larger tables were reserved. After he left we simply moved... but it was apparent this may have more due to reluctance to service other areas as other arriving guests were placed at the same small tables, all bunched together- when large areas of the restaurant remained empty. Not a great welcome. On a good note, our waitress was friendly and efficient and the carvery was fine. Dessert however was very disappointing. A Toby sponge is always a proper steamed pudding. What I was served however was just a small cupcake/madeline - you could still see the ridges where the cake case had been peeled off! Can Toby tell me whether all branches are now doing this? Not terrible, but not terribly good. Wouldn't rush back.

We have come to this carvery many times over the years because it was way better than our local carvery at home, pretty convenient and the food is always good. The last few times we've been it seems to have gone down hill. More areas of the restaurant cordoned off, less staff, and less quality of service. We decided to give it another go 20th Feb'25, for breakfast. We pre booked our table, requesting a table near the serving station, my mum is elderly and struggles to stand/walk without an aid. On entering there wasn't anybody to greet us just an arrow to the till and a sign telling you to pay first, we've never done this before. We were then sent to find our own table, we were a group of five. We were told there was a large table in the window (the furthest point from the bar) - there weren't any large tables available. I went back to the the bar, where I was told ' well you will just have to move some tables and chairs together'. This made myself and my Mum feel pretty annoyed. So, I then sorted the tables rushing, a bit and flustered because Mum is standing and waiting and uncomfortable the whole time. The food was mediocre not upto its usual standard. Toast had run out, Sausages were overcooked, eggs were too. There was no service in the restaurant while we were there, and the guy behind the food area was very clearly stressed and unhappy. I raised a complaint in house and left my contact details, its been five days and I've heard nothing. We will not be visiting here again.