Weatherspoons

Our one is lovely and we have never been disappointed with the food - freshly cooked. No sticky floor, spotless tables, furnishings all clean - you can even see the tracks where the fabric has been vacuumed! Good decaf coffee (Lavatzza)! It also has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. We’re very lucky!

We’ve been to several others and the only one that disappointed was in Wimborne. Dreadful service, plus they ran out of food at about 5.30pm apart from burgers and pizza!

Our very popular one is closing in our town . It is always busy , l love the fact it is full of different age groups and people playing chess and other games . No TV blaring and the food and drinks are affordable, unlike the other trendy bars and restaurants in our area. It will be missed by many. It’s closing apparently because the very old building needs major repairs.

All was fine when I went in one, in Glasgow.
Clean, tidy, and decent food for a reasonable price.

They have got it right... Food is good, not expensive, price of drinks much cheaper than your average pub.
Some interior better than others, but
always reliable, you can't go wrong.

I think Wetherspoon's is a bit like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I love Marmite but not enthralled by Wetherspoons.

They vary a lot. Our local one attracts lots of families with small children who drop crayons and bits of paper on the floor which don't seem to get picked up. Also, the tables are cleared infrequently and that puts me off going in there. I've been in others which are clean and tidy so it all depends. I saw a TV chef who said he could not make better curry than Wetherspoons do even though all their food is out of a microwave. Breakfast is excellent value.

I once went to one in an airport and it was horrible.

I think they are a bit hit and miss. Our local Weatherspoons is very good. Prompt service, hot food and pleasant staff. I've eaten in one of two that have been rather indifferent. One the whole though, mostly a good experience.

We've been to a number of Wetherspoons all over the UK and I agree it depends totally on each location. Some are lovely and some very grotty.

In-laws used to have breakfast regularly in the one near them and loved it. We have one near us that is always full of families with small kids running everywhere so we stopped going there. When it opened a few years ago it was really nice but it's gone downhill quite rapidly.

We stopped using them because we disagreed with the boss over Brexit. However, we have now started again because they don't allow dogs in and also because we understand that they are good employers. As others have said, they can be variable, but the food is reliable and not expensive, and they often have interesting beer.

Fun fact about Wetherspoons. Every one has a unique carpet designed just for that branch.
They do vary enormously. the one at Whitstable was lovely when we visited 10 or more years ago. Also some in central London are/were pretty good. I've been to both the smallest and largest Wetherspoons in the country. The smallest has recently closed I hear.

Wheniwasyourage

We stopped using them because we disagreed with the boss over Brexit. However, we have now started again because they don't allow dogs in and also because we understand that they are good employers. As others have said, they can be variable, but the food is reliable and not expensive, and they often have interesting beer.

A refreshingly honest comment. 👏👏

One of the few places that accept the CAMRA 50p off vouchers too!

Indigo8

'Spoons' is a franchise and although their menus are fairly standard the ambience varies quite a lot.

I have two quite close to where I live. One is the sticky carpet, early morning drinkers variety although the food and service are very good. The other is very pleasant, clean and quiet. The service is also very good but the food is almost the same. As it is becoming increasingly difficult to eat out without taking out a second mortgage, Wetherspoons offers very good value but nobody would claim it is haute cuisine.

I've never come across a franchised Spoons and they say they don't do franchise. They promote from ury existing staff which is probably a positive. Our local one is fairly acceptable, the city ones less so.
Lloyds are Wetherspoons with music.

Cheap and cheerful. They are as good as the staff can make it, so each will vary.

Indigo8

'Spoons' is a franchise and although their menus are fairly standard the ambience varies quite a lot.

I have two quite close to where I live. One is the sticky carpet, early morning drinkers variety although the food and service are very good. The other is very pleasant, clean and quiet. The service is also very good but the food is almost the same. As it is becoming increasingly difficult to eat out without taking out a second mortgage, Wetherspoons offers very good value but nobody would claim it is haute cuisine.

Wetherspoons is NOT a Franchise. They all have managers employed directly by the company. They do have individual pub targets to achieve and receive bonuses according. They vary a lot in food quality and service. Newer or refurbished establishments are usually worth a shot. It's not as cheap as it used to be to eat but drinks are good value. Personally I'm not a fan.

They are certainly cheap here. Last week my husband had an all day brunch - 2 sausages, 2 rashers of bacon, 2 fried eggs, chips, beans and a pint of beer for £5.99. He really enjoyed it.

Kate1949

They are certainly cheap here. Last week my husband had an all day brunch - 2 sausages, 2 rashers of bacon, 2 fried eggs, chips, beans and a pint of beer for £5.99. He really enjoyed it.

They do excellent Eggs Benedict for less than a fiver. I went out with a friend to a posh cafe/restaurant and EB there was about £13 and honestly no nicer.

They also do a Miners Benendict where you get black pudding instead of ham. My husband loves that.

They are cheap for alcohol, the food is very basic, and variable, and the pubs vary hugely. Some are ok, some are awful.

They are the only pubs that won’t allow dogs, inside or in the beer garden, which may suit you.

Best way is to try it.🙂

Primrose Our granddaughter loves the Eggs Benedict.

They really do vary but all of them are housed in restored historic buildings or buildings of local interest. That's part of their ethos. As you live in what sounds like a tourist or picturesque area OP, I would imagine that your new Wetherspoons will maintain a good standard and be a good option for an inexpensive meal. Their breakfasts are very good value and one of the few things cooked fresh to order.

The new Weatherspoons will be in tan old department store. Yes Flappergirl the town is on the Thames and there are few reasonably priced cafes restaurants, so hopefully this new addition to the town will even things out a bit, especially for families with children. I think my two grandsons will love it.

The best Weatherspoons is the old Winter Gardens in Harrogate- the building is awesome!
The food, however, is the same you get anywhere and so I am selective with the menu. The food in my opinion is not as good as it used to be. It is always served on the distinctive blue and white flowered plates!
The drinks are the best thing- cheap and a good choice whatever your tipple.
The toilets are always miles away from the seating area- be warned!
The reclaiming of the old buildings are what Weatherspoons do best.
Sadly often understaffed these days too.

I once had a chicken and avocado salad at our local Spoons
The avocado was like slimy green slugs. I was told that it was frozen.
Iv never heard of frozen avocado !
I think the food is a little ' boil in the bag'

Ours here is a beautiful old building which has been restore to a high standard there are lots of large frame photos of the building as it was and local photos too The food is basic but well cooked and not expensive I ve had a lovely curry there and their breakfasts are really good coffee is refills outside there is an area with really nice seating and lots of flowers in baskets It very well used by all types of folks