There’s something wonderfully comforting about a trip to Toby Carvery – the smell of roast dinners in the air, plates being piled high and that little flutter of excitement as you spot the golden roasties. It’s unapologetically simple in the best way: no fuss, no pretending, just proper hearty food and the freedom to build your dream Sunday dinner, even if it’s a Tuesday. And let’s be honest, the best part is the price.
For as little as £10, diners can load their plates with two varieties of meat, unlimited vegetables and all the trimmings. Other wallet-friendly extras include bottomless drinks, desserts for a fiver and starters from £4. Yet despite visits to Toby’s already being excellent value, some diners have discovered a way to stretch their money even further. Apparently, it all comes down to saying one specific phrase when approaching the carvery counter.
The Cheeky Phrase That Works
A Redditor advised: “Don’t ask the carver for a mix of two meats. Instead, ask for beef, then when the carver is almost finished, say ‘oh go on then I’ll have some gammon too’.” While this might feel slightly uncomfortable to say while dining out, there’s actually a clever reason behind why it typically works.
Why the Strategy Succeeds
When requesting two meats upfront, the carver will serve two equal portions. You get the same amount of food if you ask for one meat, just less variety on the plate. However, if you add the second meat request right at the last moment, you’ll receive considerably more food if the carver is feeling generous.
Make sure you’re being courteous when making the request to Toby Carvery employees, because it costs nothing to be polite and you’re way more likely to be successful. While the approach is admittedly a touch cheeky, it’s been effective for some. Plus, many said they’d be saying the phrase next time they’re in Toby Carvery.
Reactions from Diners
In response to the Redditor’s post, one commenter wrote: “Devious. I like it.” Another said: “Excellent tip this.” And a third added: “Never tried this, but sounds good.”
