06/07/25 |
Comfort in a Click: My Toby Carvery Takeaway Experience|
Ok, so I’m no stranger to a takeaway. That said, these days I’m watching my calorie intake and paying closer attention to my salt-to-potassium ratio. Last week, on my off day - what most would call a 'cheat day' - I was in the mood for some
good ol’-fashioned
British comfort. And it just so happened to be a Sunday. Doing what I do best, I hopped onto Deliveroo and spotted a Toby Carvery in my area.
I’ve always passed by Toby Carverys while out and about and thought, “this place looks very homely”.
Already craving a Sunday Roast, I was eager to try Toby Carvery.
Curious to see if it lived up to the cosy charm I’d always imagined, I placed my order on Deliveroo, turned on Netflix and got myself comfortable while I patiently waited for my Sunday feast to arrive.
For my main course I chose the Ulti-Meat Carvery for one, this option came with mash and roast potatoes, carrots and peas, thick gravy and a side of Pigs in Blankets. For my choice of meat, I went with the Gammon and Turkey.
As to be expected, the turkey was a little dry and chewy, however after dipping it into the rich beef gravy, it softened just enough to become not only easier to eat but surprisingly more flavourful with each bite.
The gammon, on the other hand, was the standout. Just the right amount of salt, chewy in the best way, and wonderfully smokey. Squeezed onto my already stacked fork, the gammon was a welcome contrast to the more subtle turkey. Each bite felt layered and flavourful. The trimmings were a bit hit and miss. In order of my most – to - least favourite was:
Stuffing - herby and oniony with a pleasant scent, the ultimate comfort dish of the Sunday Roast
Roast potatoes – crunchy and crispy, and soft on the inside
Yorkshire Pudding – pure comfort. Firm yet buttery, and melted in my mouth when slathered in gravy
Carrots and Peas – no complaints here
Pigs in blankets – these didn’t quite hit the mark, which was such a shame. They were noticeably dry and only slightly redeemed when dipped in the gravy
Mash – this was too dry and a little on the salty side which is not my preference when indulging in a side of mash
Cauliflower cheese – no. Just no. Not with a traditional Sunday roast. Call me old school I guess?
All in all, I would rate the mains a 7 out of 10. While there were some definite highlights - namely the gammon and the stuffing, some elements unfortunately missed the mark e.g., the dry mash and lacklustre pigs in blankets.
To round off the meal, I went for the Sticky Toffee Pudding and honestly, it really hit the spot.
The sponge was soft and moist without being overly sweet, and I loved the elements of raisins and currants. I'm a big raisin fan, so that was a win for me. The pudding was warm with a toasty smell, as if it had just come out of the oven. This made it feel a bit homemade in the best way.
The toffee sauce was perfect – not too sweet, just the right amount of richness. A cosy, comforting end to the meal.
Toby Carvery delivered on the comfort front, with a few pleasant surprises and a couple of dishes that didn’t quite land. Still, there’s something about a roast dinner that feels like a hug on a plate – and for a takeaway, this came pretty close. I might not rush back weekly, but on a chilly Sunday when the cravings hit? It’s good to know it’s just a few taps away.
