Toby Carvery customer orders breakfast and is astounded by price

A Toby Carvery customer has issued her verdict after heading to a branch of the restaurant to sample a popular breakfast option. Gab Dawson took to TikTok where she asked, "How can the price go up that much?" as she claimed a £4 increase felt "wild" to her.

"Since 2015, the Toby Carvery [all-you-can-eat] breakfast has gone up by £4 - it used to be £3.99, but now it is £7.99... so what has caused this?" Gab pondered in a video. With a hint of sarcasm, she joked her dining experience "started off strong" with "very dirty plates". Undeterred, however, she proceeded to gather items for her morning meal.

"I don't know about you, but I quite like a Yorkie pud [Yorkshire pudding] with my breakfast when I go for a TC [Toby Carvery]," she enthused.

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However, Gab soon pointed out the "unwiped counter" and "beans spill" as she loaded her plate with more common breakfast fare including "watery mushrooms".

"It was a Sunday morning so everything kept running out, but what do you expect? " she asked. "Everyone thinks it is grim, but everyone keeps coming here including me."

Showcasing her plate, which also included "two of everything and a pile of everything else", Gab tucked in at the table she claims "hasn't been cleaned since the building was built."

Avoiding the "greasy" fried bread, Gab closed by commenting: "The breakfast has gone up by 100% and nothing has really changed."

Defending the chain, however, one Toby Carvery customer responded: "Obviously going to the wrong one, the one I go to is always spotless."

A second person added: "It really isn't the staffs' fault the counter is dirty, my dad works there and has said if they wanted to keep the deck clean they would have to close it every 10 minutes because of people being disrespectful and not cleaning up after themselves."

To which Gab replied: "I always clear up after myself, I pick food up off the floor, I wipe the side if I drop something, however the staff standards are very low, most of them during this visit were standing around talking to each other, in that time they could have wiped a side or two."

Other diners also shared positive reviews of the eatery on TripAdvisor.

Earlier this month, one happy customer hailed in a five-star review: "Had a lovely carvery with my partner here tonight, served by a lovely chap who, despite the volume of customers (some of which were being rude and refusing to let him deal with the customers he was speaking to and being inconsiderate), was always polite and friendly.

"The manager on shift was also really nice and bubbly and we had a great experience. Much appreciated all!"

Meanwhile a second person praised: "We visited with friends and as always service from Louise was amazing. Pub is always tidy, beer very good .plenty of parking spaces and big beer garden."

Prices across the food and hospitality industry have increased since 2015, with consumers noting a drastic rise in the cost of everyday goods following the Covid pandemic as the cost of living crisis took hold.

Toby Carvery's all-you-can-eat breakfasts cost £7.49 Monday to Friday and £7.99 at weekends. The meal is promoted on the company's web site as: "Enjoy a choice of different breakfast menu items, including sausages, bacon, free range fried eggs, and our famous breakfast Yorkies – it’s the best breakfast buffet ever, with vegetarian and vegan choices too.

"Get ready to pile your plate high and enjoy all your favourites – you can even self-serve and build your perfect Full English.

"We’ve got all the kids breakfast favourites too, whether they’re after eggs and sausage or our vegetarian pancakes.

"Breakfast just isn’t the same without your favourite morning drink by your side, although they aren't included, we've got juices, Lavazza coffee, or refillable tea and filter coffee. Please ask for more details when ordering at your local Toby Carvery."

Toby Carvery's parent company, Mitchells & Butlers plc, declined to comment.