Toby Carvery Streetly, Sutton Coldfield

Typical chain pub / restaurant in a large, modernised suburban roadhouse (with the former Parson & Clerk name still used on some of the signage). The exterior probably looks quite impressive in daylight, but I only really saw the dull, modernised interior featuring numerous seating / dining areas. I was going to eat, until I saw the queue just to get a table inexplicably out the front door on a Wednesday evening, and just headed directly to the bar instead. Thankfully, a perfectly serviceable pint of Doom Bar (£3.70) was available from one of the three handpumps.

As described by Soupie, below, this very average Toby at least had reasonably priced food and was exactly what I wanted after a long, tiring drive and working day. It was also right next to the Travelodge, which saved me having to forage once I’d checked in. It was far from restful though – screaming children, an aberrant fire alarm, cliched cheering from a group in the corner, all these made my meal less pleasant than it should have been. The staff were mostly superfluous, seeming to perform no useful function apart from one over-worked lady and the slop jockey who just kept piling meat onto my plate even though I explained I was dining alone. The younger staff just shouted at each other, seemingly oblivious of customers. There was one ale on, Pedigree, which was actually in very good condition and quite enjoyable. A useful resting place, somewhere to grab a generous but cheap meal.

Official site of Toby Carvery Streetly - www.tobycarvery.co.uk

Official site of Toby Carvery Streetly - www.tobycarvery.co.uk