Taybarns, Hobsons Way, South Shields

Sep 12 2010 Sunday Sun

Taybarns, Hobsons Way, off Newcastle Road, South Shields, NE34 9PQ

MRS Eats can be a tricky customer sometimes.

She’s just one of those women for whom nothing is ever good enough.

Take last week for instance. After a Saturday night in, you’d have thought she would’ve been up with the larks on Sunday morning, full of the joys of autumn and all excitable about her impending Sunday lunch.

Not the case. Sunday morning dawned but it was far from bright around her, so with much trepidation I asked what was wrong. “I’m out of sorts,” she grumbled. “I just need something to eat, but I don’t know what I want or where from.”

So that was it. She was clearly in one of those difficult moods and I had no idea how I was going to drag her out of it, until I remembered something that a friend had mentioned to me recently . . . Taybarns.

I’d heard all about the eat-all-you-can from a 34-metre food line, but had always been a bit sceptical . . . until I discovered it included a carvery. Where better to take the woman who wants everything?

Jumping in the trusty Eatsmobile, we headed to South Shields, South Tyneside, which is home to one of just a handful of Taybarns in the UK. Is it a pub? No. Is it a restaurant, sort of.

Taybarns is a nationwide chain that gives diners a chance to experience a host of different dishes all day, every day.

Diners can choose from Chinese, Indian, pasta, pizza, a grill, and of course a carvery, as well as a host of salads, soups and several yummy desserts. For a fixed price you can eat as much as you want – ideal for those with a big appetite.

On arrival, we were greeted by a smiling member of staff who explained you pay first and then just help yourself.

Prices vary depending on what time of day you arrive. On Sunday, food is served from 11.30am and costs £8.49 each, whereas during the week it is £5.99 up until 5pm and £7.99 after that. Kids under 10 pay £3.99 at all times.

Both Mrs Eats and I started our meals with a nice bowl of soup. There were three choices, and she went for tomato while I opted for creamy leek and potato with freshly baked bread. They were both very tasty and we had to stop ourselves going back for seconds, for fear we’d fill ourselves up ahead of the main event.