It's a treat to eat out as a family isn't it, especially when everyone's finances are stretched. And when it comes to a roast dinner, you can't do better than a good old Toby Carvery - or so we thought.
A bit of a last minute decision, we still managed to book online just a few hours before getting a table for Sunday teatime, so presumed that meant there would be space for us.
However, arriving at the Watergate Toll, Bolton, to see people queuing out of the door, it soon became clear that wasn't going to be the case.
Some had booked, others hadn't and were just turning up on a whim, but nobody looked pleased with the situation - one mum storming off with her daughter to 'find somewhere else'.
As we waited in line, one cause of the delay became abundantly clear as a group of Just Eat drivers were gathered waiting for their deliveries to take back to those customers who had ordered online. They looked equally fed up.
The staff trying to manage the situation looked most stressed of all though and did their best to explain that 'there was a backlog' - caused in part by people staying at their tables too long.
It didn't seem to wash and customers were soon discussing between themselves about the most likely reason for the delay, which in our case lasted around 20 minutes before we got seated.
As with places like McDonald's, where we've reported on similar complaints, they seem to be struggling to cope with the demand to cater for online customers as well as those turning up to eat.
The result is that everyone suffers - not least the staff who are having to deal with the extra workload. I have to hand it to them for remaining so calm and pleasant in such a pressured environment and I'm not sure which of the chefs the 'happy birthday' banner was on display for behind the hot counter but I pitied their soul.
Having lived with a chef for the last 20 years, I know how brutal the catering industry can be. It wasn't only the Just Eat orders that seemed to be adding a strain though, people can order takeaways to come and collect too.
Now I'm told these are usually made up in advance, but one family was busy filling up numerous trays to take home with them, which only served to lengthen the carvery queue - and they were doing none of it in a hurry.
Of course it's the quality that suffers too. Not only the quality of food, but the entire experience.
Clearly struggling to even get the food out to the hot counter, there were empty bowls stacked high, mash dropped into the peas and spillages all along the front, which I'm presuming nobody even had time to think about.
We probably picked the busiest time to visit and overall the food wasn't too bad. But it's not an experience I want to repeat in a hurry. It's more of a treat having a Sunday dinner at home, if I can persuade the chef to cook that is.
I get why pubs and restaurants are trying to offer all things to all people, but it seems they may well have taken on more than they can chew.
A spokesperson for Toby Carvery Watergate Toll, said: “At the home of the roast, we pride ourselves on offering a delicious carvery to enjoy every day of the week in our restaurants or at home.
“We have been offering both a click and collect and delivery service in participating restaurants for a number of years, with takeaway orders pre-packaged by our teams ready for our guests and delivery partners to collect on arrival.
“Guest feedback and experience is very important to us, so we continually review and invest to improve our restaurant and delivery processes to ensure our guests have an excellent experience at their local Toby Carvery."
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