Toby Carvery Child's Meals

yorkshirelassy

HI
I have visited three Toby carveries in the last six months and had different experiences in regard to kids meals.My youngest is nearly 2 and when we visited friends in the north east he was not charged for a kids meal and a bowl was brought to our table.He has never sat in a high chair in his life (hates them)...tears tears and more tears so either sits on my lap or on the chair next to me.
Visited a carvery in West Yorkshire and was charged for a child's meal and thought no more of it (he his tall for his age).Although only charged for a vegetarian carvery as DS could have meat of my plate...her words(waitress) but no veg?
Went to my local carvery today and a bowl was brought over to our table for my DS.
So what are the guidelines for chidren's meals in Toby restaurants?Is it a certain age,certain height or discretion?Anyone experienced the same?

~Beanie~

According to their website, they do have a childrens menu for under 10's which you pay for - £4.50 for a cavery or £3.25 for a meat free one.

However it then says this: For very young children (generally children in a high-chair), we can provide a small plate at the table,
if requested, so they can share their parent’s meal. Our waiting team will be happy to help you.

popadom

Next time, tell the staff(nicely) that you would rather your child share your meal and could they provide a small plate. Most places will allow it.

Annieuk75

I think the price they charge is shocking...a daytime adult carvery is only £5.50. I think they really fleece children in restaurants. We often eat at a local Beefeater and my 3 year old struggles to get through a childrens meal. So now, he eats from my plate and with the salad bowl, there is more than enough for us both.

geordieracer

Annieuk75 wrote: »

I think the price they charge is shocking...a daytime adult carvery is only £5.50. I think they really fleece children in restaurants. We often eat at a local Beefeater and my 3 year old struggles to get through a childrens meal. So now, he eats from my plate and with the salad bowl, there is more than enough for us both.

Thats a 3 year old though. An 8 year old would be more then happy to eat a full carvery wouldnt they? Thats why they have child prices.

Becles

Annieuk75 wrote: »

We often eat at a local Beefeater and my 3 year old struggles to get through a childrens meal. So now, he eats from my plate and with the salad bowl, there is more than enough for us both.

Guess it depends on the child. Mine are gannets and would eat most of a child's meal at that age

MarzipanFish

Annieuk75 wrote: »

I think the price they charge is shocking...a daytime adult carvery is only £5.50. I think they really fleece children in restaurants. We often eat at a local Beefeater and my 3 year old struggles to get through a childrens meal. So now, he eats from my plate and with the salad bowl, there is more than enough for us both.

Whilst I can see why you feel the children's carvery isn't good value for the amount of food eaten it's not the only thing that justifies the price. A child's meal has less food in it but it's roughly the same amount of order taking, dishing up, carrying plates, washing up and often more cleaning up the table afterwards than an adult. Then there's the 'free' crayons, colouring book, balloon or whatever else they do.

But probably a bit OT anyway... OP I'd just ask for my preferred option next time and cut out the guesswork for the staff. I guess certain places might have guidelines you could ask about (seems like the high chair thing is one!) but it doesn't look very uniform and the website implies it's up to you.

Annieuk75

I think eating establishments need to rethink their pricing for children. As Becles said, what a 3 year old can eat is very different to an 8 year old. I think there needs to be an under 5's menu and then a 5-11 menu...sorted.

jazzyman01

At least in Toby the childrens meals include veg etc. My biggest gripe when mine was younger was children's menu with a choice of burger - and chips, fish fingers - and chips, sausage - and chips etc with only veg being either peas or baked beans!

Annieuk75

Very true Jazzy, we went out to eat when my little boy was 2 years old. The kids menu came with baked beans and I asked if he could have peas instead (They were available with the adult meal). They looked completely shocked!

chocdonuty

the reason is probably very simple, it's due to the staff not knowing whether you would like a kids meal or not, they don't know how much the child eats and so just guessed, if you don't ask for your prefered option then they have to ask you or guess, quite suprised they didn't ask tbh