Weatherspoons

I’ve only been to a Spoons once, years ago in Turnpike Lane with my daughter. Sticky carpets and we were seated just outside the Men’s. Could the two be connected!

Aveline

I've always wondered how they can be so cheap. Cheap ingredients? Low pay for staff?

Not at all. It’s buying power and not ripping the arse out of it like many eating establishments.
I remember many years ago 20 of us were eating in a Weatherspoons. The food was late in arriving but good.
I complained to the company about the time we waited.
I was reimbursed the whole bill.

Some are good some are awful depends on the venue

I’ve been to many Wetherspoons around the country and it’s a great place to go if you don’t want to spend too much. Beer and wine as cheep as you can get it.
Food fine but don’t expect restaurant food.
Also no music which personally I like

There is one in Exeter which has a large stained glass window. some are theatres which still have cardboard figures. the one in Harrogate is beautiful. As for food it is edible -not haute cuisine but good value. . Some pubs are dirty whilst some are clean. What is nice is that you can visit as a single person without any issue . I'm not sure if Lloyds is still part of Wetherspoons but I'm happy to be proved wrong.

I've always wondered how they can be so cheap. Cheap ingredients? Low pay for staff?

We go almost every week to our local Wetherspoons as my sister's partner likes the very cheap beer price. He buys a pint and a large wine for just about £5. In their local it would cost just over £12. Spoons have a selection of AF beers and cider very cheap too. Ours is one of the sticky carpet ones unfortunately and never have sufficient staff to get served swiftly and tables cleared. We have eaten there a couple of times, but I'm not keen really. We've been to other Spoons which have been much better so, as folk have mentioned, it just depends where you are.

Our local weatherspoons is friendly and welcoming with good food and service. They don't allow dogs though so that might please some people but it's why we don't go very often

Never been in one but have heard a few people say their breakfasts are very good and reasonably priced.

Had my first visut to a Wetherspoons last Christmas. Group I walk with met there for a lunch and given the different circumstances of all the folk I'd say it was fine. Certainly wasn't expensive and food was reasonable. Some in tge group were obviously more familiar with the place and menu and had their favourites. Think I paid £13 something for a main, pudding and soft drink. Would go back definitely.

Ours is a friendly place where people can just sit for as long as they like reading or playing games. However, while the food is great value, it is very basic. It is very popular and affordable so even though I don't use it, I'm happy to have it locally.

Responding to NanKate: We have a Wetherspoons in Ramsgate right by the harbour. The rear of it has doors that open directly on to the sandy beach. It really is nice! The food is cheap and cheerful, and the drinks are good as well. I love Spoons (as my DGD calls them)!

Hubby and I have been to 2 different Spoons within a year of each other in 2 different areas, both times we were treated like filth by the staff, we'll never go back!

We took some American friends to one near the Tower of London years ago and had the BOGOF deal. It was great and so cheap especially considering the location.

When DS was at Uni he often frequented Weatherspoons as they did BOGOF deal on meals (maybe they still do?)
I said it was nice for him and a friend to eat cheaply. The reply?
Oh no I eat them both! 😂

NanKate, you are so right about your town needing somewhere cheap and cheerful! I think the new Wetherspoons will be a great addition and a good place to enjoy time with family and friends.

We have a very good wetherspoons in Melton Mowbray - it burnt down a few years ago so was rebuilt. The carpets have been steam cleaned recently and the standard of cleaning is usually good. On Saturdays and school holidays there are often large family parties which seem to condone throwing food on the floor so the staff have a lot to cope with. DH likes the prices of drinks and the selection of different real ales. They serve good wine at an affordable price. The food is so-so in my opinion but you get what you pay for with food. We often go for a Saturday lunchtime drink after a visit to the market for vegetables. I usually have a small bottle of Prosecco as I get nearly 2 glasses from that for about a fiver. They do vary from town to town though. We went in one juts behind St. Pauls and the food was amazing- we had smoked salmon bagels.

What I like about this pub is that it doesn’t/ didn’t play music, when I was 40ish, I used to meet my friends & have a good blether before going off to the noisy wine bars in town. This pub had no theme, quite boring really, compared to other Wetherspoon pubs, I would say to the girls I’ll meet them in the airport lounge 🤣 because that’s what it reminded of. The Pubs long gone 😔

Winniewit

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'

Actually Winniewit, I have used frozen avocado occasionally. I haven't seen it in regular supermarkets but I buy mine at a cash and carry. If handled properly it's an excellent standby. It's pre sliced and I take out just what I need, sprinkle with lemon juice and leave to defrost for around 45 minutes. Great for salads or sandwiches and you really don't know the difference. My guess is that Wetherspoons defrosted yours hours beforehand, or even the day before and left it hanging around which would be most unpleasant even with fresh avocado.

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

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'

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.

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.

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.

Primrose Our granddaughter loves the Eggs Benedict.