Reviewing the HARVESTER - The WORST REVIEW on the CHANNEL so far!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ม.ค. 2025
- It's been a long time since I'd visited the Harvester and I thought I'd pop in just before Christmas and give it a go since it had been over 10 years since my last visit. It's safe to say, it's one of the worst meals I've ever had and easily the worst on the channel.
Please don't forget to like and subscribe to the channel.
/ @garyeats
So, Gary - To sum up, aside from the black pudding being cold, the steak wrongly cooked, the gammon being too tough, the onion rings being like a brass door knocker, and the chicken being the size of a budgie, the meal was delicious ?
I laughed out loud at this. Thank you for making my evening.
You just can’t please some people lol
In all fairness to Gary it did look crap and he called it as he found it.@@sportsglobal9527
*and the chicken being the size of a budgie*..you must have seen a different piece to what i seen.
@@Spannerface
Whoosh
I'm 37 now and when I was a young pre teen, my family would dress smart and see the harvester as a real treat. I used to enjoy the bill and Ben themed decor, the unlimited salad bar, the fact that the waiter came to the table with a bread basket and a condiments basket. I would always get a children's combo and a Knickerbocker glory. I'd end up asleep under the table awoken by my father carrying me to the car with the crisp night air filling my lungs.
Hi Gary. Went that branch about 4 years ago. It was dreadful then!
Awww🎉
Harvester used to be fantastic!
And did your Dad get change from a ten bob note?😋
@@CB-xr1eg ten bob note..! you must be very old to recall that..🤔😉🤣🤣
Great video once again Gary. The biggest issue with these chain restaurants is that they have no "chefs". They have people who cook but that is not the same thing. It is basically fast food dressed as restaurant food with a pretence at some sort of standards. We came to the conclusion many years ago that we can cook better food at home and save ourselves the hassle and expense of going to places like Harvester.
Thanks my friend.
We have a local Harvester but, it is awful. We travel to the posh yachting and shops area known as “Port Solent” where you can get a decent Harvester meal. Huge clue right there!
They pay 10p over minimum wage and expect the staff to work 12+ hour days. Ita no wonder they can't get real chefs. That and a lot of chefs got out of the industry during covid and never looked back.
@@avacadman2155out of curiosity, you don’t happen to live in Portsmouth do you? It’s just I live there and Port Solent is really close by as well so I’m curious whether we have the same local Harvester lol
@@jamiengo2343 yes, I do! More towards Eastney beach area, lived in my house for almost 47 years now and raised all my children here.
Hi Gary, came across this video today.
I actually worked at this Harvester years ago as a busser (cleaner of tables) and occasionally still visit here for a drink as a few of my friends whom I worked with are still there. I left because of the management there at the time, 2 out of the 3 managers we had were arrogant, rude and had very little if any care for anyone who worked there- money was always their priority. Upon relocating a few regulars (one funnily enough I saw in the background at one point) would visit and always talk about how bad the food had gotten. Safe to say this video has sadly validated my fears, which is a shame because so many people who still work there are lovely and this place was a childhood favourite of mine. Of course it's still worth a visit to the bar! :P
Good video mate!👍
Matthew I’m really sad to read your comment, poor management lets the whole team down, you take care and have a great week 👍
i thought as much...its always the so called "managers"
They do say "a fish rots from the head"... don't they !! 😕
Food looked dreadful. Sadly, a lot of pub meals have gone this way, more so for the good value pub meals. Meats are often pre cooked and then finished off on the grill, which is why they were mainly dry, tough and appeared over cooked. Their aims are to just food out. There is no quality control r regard for pleasing a customer, or even a returning customer! Seems the best part of the meal was the tomato!
@@dannatkins4621 Sadly its because corperate chain pubs have taken over and force at best average food with very little freedom given to the actual chefs to change or improve the dishes meanwhile the independent pubs are usually always getting shafted since they're in quieter areas and usually have to charge more
Only you ,Gary, can 'smash a restaurant' in such a gentlemanly manner, well done.
🤣🤣
That's a shame Gary. Try the ones up in the Wallsall/Birmingham area . Excellent food. We very much enjoyed the one in Perry Barr.
oinion rings are rubbish food anywhere but fair comment. however complaing the food was cold when all he did was mess about wih it and talk to cameres as if he was a famous gastronome just allowed time to pass. and allowed the food to cool. it was his own fault. harvesters are posh on a budget we all under stand that noot really a place on would assume to critique i'm interested in the description bill and ben decor. i didn't see lots of flowerpots and i did watch the show as a kid fleebop weeeeeed
WELL SAID SIR .
Mate, thanks for taking one for the team! I’ll never ever set foot in a Harvester. Tried it once, and never again. Probably the worst meal I’ve ever had. I have no idea how they’re still open. Cheers, Gary!
Don't blame you. You're welcome!
Probably found their Chefs in a cereal box.
@@HenryTheOunce bet their toilets are more flakey than Santa's dandruff 😂
I went to Harvester once, all you could eat breakfast! 😂
Got knocked over by all of the “huge” 20+stone punters racing up for their 2nd’s………and 3rd’s………..and 4th’s………and……it was disgusting, with the cheapest ingredients available! 🤮
@@JynxedKomaI bet they pay the chefs nearly £9 an hour!
Thanks for your reviews Gary. I love your honesty and your being down to earth , great watch !
I appreciate that. Thanks!!
I went to a Harvester in Addington for my Dads birthday. The table was sticky, the food took forever to come and it was horrible. When i complained the manager said "Well no one asked you to come here". Safe to say I've never stepped foot in one again.
That’s not great customer service to say the least Richard
Was his name Basil?
Thought exactly the same 😊@@simonkevnorris
@@grahamdrummond2412 I was also thinking about the line from Falling Down where Michael Douglas asks if the manager has heard of "the customer is always right" and the manager responds "we don't have that policy here" (or something similar).
Disgusting you are spending your money.
Hi Gary. Your delightfully understated delivery is a pleasure to watch and I’m loving your videos. Weirdly, it reminds me of a wild and windy night some years ago when, as an aircraft passenger, the flight I was on was coming into land at Leeds airport which is very exposed. The plane was being bounced around, folk were frightened (including me), one passenger was crying noisily and when we landed, the Yorkshireman next to me turned and said calmly ‘it were a bit bumpy tonight wont it’. Keep up the great work! M
lol that really made me laugh thank you a lovely comment
What really annoys me is that someone actually thinks it's acceptable to send it out!
Of course. The 'Head Chef' is an office dweller, not a Chef.
Nobody cares about the food, from the highest paid to the lowest.
Yep, it shouldn't happen. I have a number of food outlets under me from fast food to high end steak houses and the golden rule is, don't send out bad food, apologize to the guest, explain that it didn't look good and the dish is being remade, comp them desert or a drink, in the long run you will have happier guests.
I wonder what experience the Chef has and how much he/she values their job when i see standards such as these
@@matthew6994I don’t really think the are Chefs, most of it is just microwaved I should think and it’s not great quality ingredients either
Gammon being salty - its a gammon! the rump being grizzly - it's a rump! and 90% of the video moaning about the onion rings and he gives it a 2! what a joker!!!!
So sad to see what the harvester has become. This used to be a real fancy treat of a place to visit during the 90s. The salad bar looks about the only thing decent that survived from those days.
Indeed. Used to be so much better.
@@trueseeker262 there was just no need for that comment was there ? Idiot.
@@trueseeker262Was the darker bit necessary ?
Nothings changed about harvester since the 90's but yhe rest of the world has.
Quality gone drastically downhill over the last 20 years, no better than a beefeater now and barely above a Wetherspoons
I took a job as a head chef at a harvester some yrs ago. I hated it and left after a few months. I could litterally type for an hour about what I saw in that place. However, I noted you thought the salad was ok. Well........ In my first few days at the harvester I noted that the salad robochef was covered in mold and grime. This robochef is an industrial sized salad prep/cutting machine. It took up the whole table that it sat on. Anyways, I stayed 3 hrs past my shift to take it apart, scrub it, clean it, spray with anti bacterial liquid and put it all back together again. The next day when all the staff came in they said things like oh wow, we've got a new robochef at last. They thought it was new because the stainless steel looked polished and wasnt green and black anymore! I told them it wasnt new, it has just been cleaned lol. It made me feel sick that the customers had been eating salad dipped in mold and black grime for yrs as they had never cleaned it in the 4 yrs that they had it apart from a wipe over with a cloth!
Sorry to hear that. Must be deflating for you
What exactly did you do to correct the issues . ???
Ecoli tastic...
Health inspectors like "I don't see nothin'!"
Health inspectors like "I don't see nothin'!"
Your honesty is so refreshing, thank you.
I appreciate that!
You say that like anyone has ever said the harvester is good @annakelly7772
I went to the Harvester in Salisbury in 2016. It was a late breakfast. As a Canadian I found everything about the room, decor, food, and service, below horrible - and I'm not fussy having eaten in many western Canadian truck stops. I see now that the location is closed. Bloody good I say.
Indeed. Not good enough!
I went to 1 with my dad few years ago and it was terrible. Never again.
incorrect by a large margin regarding it being closed, and its called the old castle harvester. they did shut for a number of weeks recently but that was to finally renew its feel and extend the seating. however im pretty sure when you went they still likely had the feel of when they last did a renew/ refurb that happened back in 2000.
@@danimayb basically the whole concept of this restaurant is "value". its literally 1 above another they have, and 6 below their others which to them are far higher in class and price. essentially you dont go to the harvester if you expect any thought into, seasoning, proper cooked food, presentation and quality in produce.. its very much cook it as fast as you can, and sadly the way i was taught to cook was to press down onto say the steaks so that it cooks quicker ( thought process for that is to remove any redness), it was also quite often you would also butterfly the chicken breast and filets etc. oh and chef mic is often used at a high rate.
@magnacarta7956 yeah i said that two months ago lol
This review Gary and how you are so honest is what makes your channel the NUMBER ONE on You Tube as other food reviewers can just give 10s to please the places. Thank you as always for such a great channel and being the BEST on You Tube.
Stephanie. As always, thank you very much. Means a lot!
I second than Stephanie. Well said.
10:27 I don't know why but I absolutely lost it at this point as you played lofi lounge music and zoomed in on this horrible food. Epic troll and so funny! Thanks for the laughs, Gary. :)
Lol thank you it was accidental
It was like they actually set themselves the challenge of how badly they could do it. And they were wildly successful.
🤣
Very successful!
lol
🤣🤣🤣
Pre-Cooked and left to serve later sad reflection of hard times in Britain due to extortionate energy prices and lack of people going out to eat only on very special occasions, over 150 pubs in England and Wales have shut down in the first three months of 2023, no excuse for poor food regardless, another superb review Gary.
Indeed. Very disappointing. Thank you Paul :)
It’s going to be 100X worse under Labour when they come in. Vote Reform.
Its not in the last year or 2 this has been happening. Its over the last 10 at least, some places are serving rubbish food and charging high prices, people are not taking the bait and the eateries are crying poverty, yet the fat cats are still getting their fat profits. And we see lots of piri piri chicken places popping up all over the country, they too are getting greedy and so the cycle continues, time to get back to decent basic non junk food and a less greedy management
@@mrwhoannon300 What's the point in voting Reform? They're just another right wing party that was set up by a former Tory party member.
@@mrwhoannon300It'll be the same whoever gets in.
Gary I've stumbled upon your page recently and I'm hooked. Thanks for your great down to earth wholesome reviews
Thanks and welcome. Means a lot!
I last went to a Harvester about a decade ago. I see they haven't improved was the same back then. Everything was overcooked, they must pre-cook everything and goes dry under the heat lights. No idea why they ask how you want the steak when it always comes well done. Thanks for the review.
Indeed. You're more than welcome!
Hi Gary
That really was a disappointing experience for you
My husband and I have visited our local Harvester many times and we have never had a bad meal
So watching you with that I was totally disappointed as you was
It certainly didn’t look edible and I would not have eaten it
I know you were doing a review but I’m the type of person to complain and I do
Although not very often
@@veronicamosley2416 My local one in Bracknell is excellent. It used to be poor but they had a change of management a couple of years ago and the quality improved a lot.
Indeed Veronica. Hope you're well.
@@GaryEatsnot too bad thank you for asking
Hope you are keeping well?
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
A thing I like about Gary is that he comes across as a genuinely honest man. No airs and graces; just honest reviews from a man who has a real taste for good foods.
Thank you my friend 👍🏼😊
Absolutely true. I wish him all the best and much success, minus onion rings as hard as chain links followed closely by indigestion 😕
Haha. Thank you!
Can we get Gary to 1 million subscribers so he can focus fully on reviews. There are food reviewers out there who made it on a unique idea of reviewing, however there reviews have now become more about the person eating the food without truly giving a comprehensive review. I hope he doesnt change once he becomes more and more successful with his TH-cam channel. Gary is an inspiration, comes across as a true gentlemen.
This is an extremely kind comment. Thank you. I won't be changing the style of reviews ever so you don't have to worry about that.
1 million subscribers = Gary will end up as large and jolly as Santa ! ;)
Personally I think he should keep this as a hobby of some sorts
Let's focus on 100,000 first. Then the following increments. Gary certainly does deserve the 1m though!
@@GaryEatsplease don’t, by the end of 2024 this will be your full time position , better to get ready now.
Just started watching your videos this week, brilliant, you seem a genuine good bloke. So refreshing watching you instead of other in your face type reviewers. Never change, top drawer!
Thanks and welcome Shaun
Gosh Gary, it looked very disappointing indeed. It’s been precooked and just left on a hot pass is my reckoning. You’re a trooper, you definitely took one for the team 🎉
Thank you!
"took one for the team" - how original. 🙂
@ sit your ass back down and stop yapping like a scrap yard mongrel 😏
I have not been to a Harvester for 30 years and I feel vindicated that not going was correct. Keep up the good work Gary.
Thanks 👍
Thirty years ago it was far better, unfortunatelybstandards have dropped
Jesus I didn't even know it's been around for over 30 years
I was in Harvester a couple of days ago and had a Mediterranean tart, it tasted like it had been in the bottom of the freezer for about 6 years, rock hard and to top it off it tasted like someone had sprinkled sugar on it and had no choice but to send it back. The staff are lovely but the quality of the food is rock bottom especially as it isn’t the cheapest so your assessment was very fair.
'I was in Harvester a couple of days ago and had a Mediterranean tart'.
Well played, but what was the food like?
Not good.
@@jshaers96 lol
We went to a Harvester after a very long drive, and we were starving. We started eating, and then after a few mouthfuls we just couldn't continue. Everything was either overcooked or greasy, and worst of all tasteless. It wasn't the one you went to, but we'll never eat in one again.
We're not prima donnas, but we appreciate well cooked food, and we were really disappointed. I 'm just glad we weren't the only ones to feel that way. Honesty is the best policy with any review, and we appreciate your honest review.
Thank you Jake. Yes Harvester has gone downhill recently
"You know what I'm gonna say.....they're well done!" Great timing/delivery on the Peas lol. Merry Christmas Gary, am happy to have found this channel.
🤣🤣 Have an amazing Christmas 🎅🏼
Hi Gary. My husband and I LOVE watching your reviews.
But, take care of your health. I mean, don't feel like you have to post everyday... We'll all be happy when you do!
Why would posting every day be bad for his Health.🤔
Agreed, enjoy a nice relax over Christmas Gary & cameraman - you'll burn out your passion if you work too hard
That's very kind of you. I tend to very healthy when not reviewing but I appreciate your concern and very kind that you and your partner love the videos.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you Alexander. Have a lovely Christmas.
I’m speechless Gary. I’ve read the comments and I’ve nothing I could possibly add to what you’re subscriber’s have so eloquently said. Never seen you so disappointed and rightly so. It’s called honesty. Thanks for the review. 👍
Thank you Philip. All the best 😊
Another great review Gary, the problem with these chain restaurants is the shareholders want so much return on their dividend, they really are not interested in the quality of food that is either bought in or cooked for their customers as long as they dividend payment is made on a regular basis. As previous subscribers have commented the food in these so-called restaurants are not prepared properly or any thought process for the customer, the staff are poorly trained or not skilled enough to notice the standards are below par.
Unfortunately, you are completely right. That is an excellent comment.
I loved your videos, Gary, and your frankness in your evaluation of the restaurants you tried. I recommend Persian cuisine, especially Kish in West 9 London.
Thank you my friend. Would love to try Persian cuisine soon, thank you!
Mmm persian food... 🤤 Could go for some saffron rice right ab now
Another very informative review Gary - well recorded and narrated. Why were they so mean with that miserable black pudding, bearing in mind it is so cheap? Anyway your opinion is always well worth noting! I went to a Toby Carvery for the first time last week spurred on by your recent good review - the experience was so good I went back this week! Many thanks! Philip.
Thank you Philip. I’m glad you liked Toby, it’s a good go to for Sunday roasts at a good price.
Always love your reviews because of your frankness and the skillful way they’re delivered. Thank you for what, sadly, is a warning to keep away. Years ago we might have accepted such a meal, but not nowadays - we expect more.
Glad you like them!
Come to USA. Much bigger portions, better prices and tastier. UK is an awful country!
Came across your channel when randomly clicking through You Tube, however I enjoyed your honest reviews and relaxed style so much that I have subscribed, even though I rarely go to restaurants or pubs for meals.
Thanks John
Such a good an honest review Gary. You took one for the team today! I love this channel and it is strangely addictive.
Thank you Jonathan. Much appreciated!
End of the day, love your reviews as you are brutally honest and needs be at times. I've been to bad restaurants but never complain, just never go back. Maybe should as that's where they learn, from their mistakes. What is it with chains, can't cook a mixed grill, wetherspoons exactly the same. As always, keep up the great work Gary 👍👍👍
Thank you Andrew 😊 very kind of you mate!
Thanks for another great review, Gary. I love the format of your videos! Straight to the point. Keep up the great work 😁
Thank you!
Something I very much like Gary is you are honest and give every chance and are balanced. That meal though looked horrific, I'd of not been happy. The 2 scoring was well deserved as it was a shameful performance
Thanks Michael. Not good at all 👍🏼
@@GaryEats you were still balanced and fair mate, good on you
@@MichaelKng-fk5jk And I love how Gary takes the time to thank and reply to comments on here. Excellent TH-cam content.
Thank you Sean 😊
I found Shakin Stevens’ song finishing perfectly in time with you getting up from the table incredibly satisfying 😂
Perfect timing 😂😂
Gary, I think you’re quite right. The last time I had a mixed grill at `Harvester it was bloody awful. The worst element was the steak., which was a slice of shoe leather. Their butcher/meat supplier wants locking up.
Indeed David. Tough as old boots!
Waitress "Have you ever been to a Harvester before? Customer "Yeah once and it was effing terrible."😂
🤣🤣
The black paint flaking off the terrace & stair rails was a good indicator of what to expect.
Lol indeed.
Holy moly Gary, you're black pudding is almost as thin as the slices of summer sausage I bought at the butcher today! Love the "that's cremated isn't" comment 🙂 As always your gentle demeanour and good humour made my day😘 Cheered from Canada 🇨🇦 🍻
Unfortunately, this was very disappointing, Judy 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Love the reviews. Never watched a food review that seems so honest and down to earth.
You’re very kind. Thank you 😊
is a greasy spoon what do U expect rating a sausage get a life 😂😂😂😂😂 gary
Whether it's retail or resteraunts, 'chain' outlets are a thing of the past. The staff are just there to pick up their wages at the end of the month. It's been a long time since I have been to a chain resteraunt. The smaller, the better! Thanks for taking us along. Appreciated. And a happy Christmas to you and yours (and the cameraman)
Indeed Jeff. Have a smashing Christmas mate!
We are quite lucky here in Ireland, I think, to still have vibrant independant restaurant, pub and coffee scenes.
BrewDog didn't last a few months in my city, and the only Spoons has recently decided to change hands. There are some coffee chains of course, but the indie shops are so much better and have a loyal following.
@seantynan1 Hi. You are so right. Can actually hold a conversation with the staff. They want your custom, and go out of their way to ensure they keep it.
I agree about the lack of care these days with big chains. It’s all overpriced microwave food. Went to TGI for the 1st time in years and it was appalling food in a tired and dirty restaurant. Very disappointed. Great video as always Gary 👍🏻
Yep. Needs sorting - thank you Andy!
Oh no.. tgi used to be so good back in the day.
Tbf harvester is cooked on a grill rather than microwaved... They just do it very badly
@@morganhavard9056 Probably not fair to judge an entire chain by one video. Admitedly i havent gone to one for years ( a Nandos opened right next door to the one i used, and Nandos>Harvester). But i never once had a bad experiance over many many years. But its tough times for all, and maybe this chef was a having a bad day cooking the cheap shit head office had sent him.
@@jamesmaybrick2001tbf in an earlier reply I did describe them as hit and miss which is probably more accurate.. but the quality of ingredients is a definite issue
Thank you Gary for reviewing once again! Your videos are great and you deserve a lot more viewers and subscribers
Excellent review of a terrible meal Gary! ....hope you found a decent chippy nearby 😁
Merry Christmas mate...looking forward to more food reviews in 2024 👍🎅
Thank you Arthur! Merry Christmas my friend 🎅🏼
Good of you to do that review Gary. Full respect to you for giving you honest thoughts of that meal.
It is hard to give criticism and I could tell by the look on your face that you didn’t like doing it, nevertheless it will help other people and hopefully the “Harvester” as well.
I appreciate that Paul. Thank you!
Gary, your reviews are SO informative. Thank you for what you do! Love this channel
I appreciate that! Thank you!!
He's a good lad, intelligent but doesn't take himself too seriously.
Love your reviews. Honest and very entertaining.
Thank you very much Robert
Gary, you have taken a severe beating with what Harvester served you.
I feel you may possibly have post traumatic stress disorder after this meal.
May you have sufficient time to recover from this ordeal, over the Christmas holidays and back on your feet for more restaurant reviews.
Best wishes as always.
Stay safe and healthy.
Sanjay
You’re too kind Sanjay. Have a lovely Christmas and all the best to you
Another fair review Gary. At least they could fry an egg and grill a tomato 😂
You are 💯right family run restaurants are definitely the best. 👍🏾
Thank you my friend! At the very least!
Hey Gary, big fan of the channel and found you randomly on TH-cam funnily enough.
I went to a Harvester years ago and had their mix grill (I'm sure back then it had liver with it) I remember being hugely disappointed with everything tasting of plastic & processed.
Wasn't a fan at all and haven't been back since.
Thank you my friend. Yes, similar experience.
Another great video Gary 👍. That meal was another example of restaurant food made by company Accountants using a spreadsheet for inspiration.
It’s gone downhill unfortunately
No worries Gary. Thank you for taking the hits so that we can choose a better meal. It is appreciated.
No worries Mike. Better to come!
Hi Gary, thank you for an honest review. I had an awful meal in one of these Harvester places. It was cold in parts cremated in other parts of the meal. Never again. Keep up the good work. Emma x
Sorry to hear that Emma. Thank you!
Evening Gary 👍what a shame, all of it looked simply overcooked and the chips didn't even get the 'chips are chips' level of approval, at first glimpse it looked alright but you were quite right clearly in your honest breakdown of it. For 20 quid you'd expect more than just the salad to be reasonable and as soon as you cut into that steak knowing that you prefer a rare steak I thought it's going to be a 5 score but I never thought a 2 until you tried the rest. A more than fair assessment and sorry it was naff. Cheers✌️🍻
Evening Martin. You’ve pretty much nailed it mate, not good enough 👍🏼 no problem!
You gave that a "2"... must have been the festive music that cheered you up Gary 🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂😂
After making us all suffer, in front of our beans on toast watching him eat one glorious meal after another, it is only fair, and satisfying, that Gary finally has to attack a bad meal.
Haha that made me laugh James 🤣
For once, the poor hungry camera man was happy to be behind the camera! Lol
You should watch the Nandos episode. 😂
Avoided Harvester and Beefeater for years. Went to one in Droitwich and it was excellent. 25% off with the app so I assume it is down to individual chefs/management. Nice video yet again.
Thank you Colin 👍🏼
mitchells and butlers group took over beefeater ie bought out the company and it was rebranded as Toby Carvery
Been to Harvester once and never again, so thank you very much for taking one for the team, Gary! It was borderline edible and the quality was appalling. But another fantastic and honest review, as usual! I gave it a 1 and the wife a 0.... Keep up the fabulous work, mate and have yourself an absolutely wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. 🎅🏼🎁🥂🎄🍻⭐🍾 BTW you got mail
You’re more than welcome mate. I will take a look soon. Have a wonderful evening and a superb Christmas but I’ll speak to you before then! 🎄🎄
Eating out can be a rare treat,so very disappointing.
I went to my first Harvester in Bristol with my wife who lives, I'm relocating from Arizona USA. I will say that being an amateur chef I'm a bit picky but I enjoyed my dinner there however the salad bar was very limited. Discovered your channel today & I'm digging it, hope to see more.
Thank you for watching this wasn’t acceptable on any level unfortunately
The salad bar was a lot better a few decades ago with more and better choices.
Brilliant review Gary, as always! Bet you wish you hadn’t given it a go😂 these ‘chain’ food companies are all pretty similar, and they aren’t that cheap anymore. I wouldn’t go to these nowadays!!
Indeed Jeffrey! Thank you mate 👍🏼
Interesting to think that back in the 1970's, this mixed grill, even cooked like Gary's, would have been classed as a real treat. With a glass of Blue Nun and Black Forrest gateau to follow, one might have even given a tip. Now expectations have changed somewhat!
Indeed.
that sounds more like a bernie inn meal had those and thought it was brill dont forget the prawn cocktail starter
@@josephberrie9550 Yes prawn cocktail, still popular. Also washed down with a pint of Watney's, Courage Best or Ind Coope.
Trying to think of another popular starter...
Mulligatawny soup?
I had a piss poor experience in the Torquay branch a few years ago and I shall never set foot in one again.
Regardless of how Harvester might be perceived within the food industry and more cultivated sections of society, for many, a meal there still constitutes a treat. Those people aren’t expecting gourmet food but they are expecting something put together with a bit more than just a large pinch of that’ll do. What they served you there only demonstrates the contempt that chains like Harvester must have for their (hopefully dwindling) core customer base.
Fast cheap food in other words. Just say it as it is
Spot on.
@GaryEats hi hope you have a great Xmas and new year Gary are you spending time with family/friends xx
@@tracyfun6918 Plenty of places serve fast and cheap food. Pie n Mash shops, etc. The issue isn't how fast it's prepared or the cost, it's the apparent disregard that certain chains have for basic quality control. Besides, £20 for a mixed grill isn't actually that cheap when compared with similar chains.
@walterekurtz4320 I'm in Lancashire. So not well up on prices either
They've shot up we used to get the odd pizza as a treat but was always cold when.delivered.
I once had a mixed grill at Harvester. Half of was inedible and steak was a piece of shoe leather. On the plus side, the blue cheese dressing you get with the salad is terrific. It’s the one thing I look forward to if I go to a Harvester.
Thanks Gary i know how you feel, last time i went to the Harvester the portions were small , and you had to pay for parking , although you get it back when you pay for the meal ,and it only last for 2 hours,so your clock watching all the time, not been back since ,
Not good at all Malcolm.
Gary, you were kind to even rank it any number. I think it's always fair to admit the establishment simply didn't meet the standard to be ranked food wise.
Fair comment - thank you!
Never eat in an empty restaurant . They are not doing business for a reason.
Fair comment.
Sometimes even the best places are empty. Lazy lazy and uneducated comment.
Well, someone has to be the first person to go into a restaurant. If no one goes in because it is empty then no one will ever go in!
Maybe they are not doing business because people say never eat in an empty restaurant and thus no one will be the first to go in!
@@vagabondvibes2578what a dilemma 😂 thousands of potential customers all sitting in their cars waiting for the other to make a move
Love your videos Gary .Your views on food in places that most of us have either been or have heard of is Unique as most reviews done are by food writers only going to the top end where as you do the lot !!!.Loved the one in Glasgow the star bar just lovely basic food ive been a few times …all the best to you Gary 🏴🇬🇧
Good review Gary. You have to be honest and you were. I suspect the Harvester is busy enough with customers who are not too picky so they probably wont care about your review.
Thank you. Sadly, I think you're right.
It looks awful. Thank you for another good, honest review. The only part of Harvester I ever liked was the salad bar and the blue cheese dressing. Love the channel. Take care x
Indeed Joanna. Thank you 😊
It looks exactly what one would expect at a franchise restaurant
Gary, you are an absolute hoot. Yourfacial expressions are hilarious. Your wit is immense. I really love your videos. Keep up the entertainment. You are fab.
That’s very kind of you Robert thank you very much
Spot on - your comments regarding chains and their lack of care is absolutely correct. Pack 'em in seems to be the order of the day. No love or understanding of food.
Yes, Richard, we both agree. Absolutely no understanding of food whatsoever.
Remember, when you're eating shoe leather, cut *across* the grain.
Against the grain, with the grain... it was very tough regardless. Thanks for watching!
I feel your videos are incredibly fair, if you had so little good to say about their plate I know it's not worth rolling the dice on. Cheers Gary!
Thank you my friend 😊
You have to stay honest and you do, so well done. Could have been an unlucky moment, but over or poorly cooked food seems to be a theme in some chains.
Thank you. I agree David 👍🏼
Love it a honest review. How far do you travel. I know some lovely food places. Here in Cornwall.
I have already been to Cornwall, and I will be travelling throughout the country
Too many of these big chains get away with throwing out these "pub classics" in terrible fashion. That steak was criminal. Where did you end up going after Gary, I'm curious. 🤣
Indeed. Went home and made a nice bolognese! 🤣
I find Gary’s Everyman persona a refreshing change from all the characters and gimmicks that go along with food review channels these days.
Thank you. No gimmicks here, turn up, show you the food and review. It will never change 😊
Gary, it really seemed like a letdown. My guess is that it has been precooked and is simply on a hot pass. You're a brave one; you made a great contribution to the squad.
Indeed. Thanks for watching!
Good one, Gary. We could see how bad that was, pretty disgusting really. These chains buy in from a forced supplier, the main company, so you can feel sorry for those at point of delivery but cold is cold, medium rare looks cremated. Very honest, review, I'm addicted to watching. BTW not unfair points!
Not too tough of a review! The only decent bits were the chicken and egg and who can mess that up?? Thanks for the review Gary!
More than welcome!
I first and last went to a Harvester about 5 years ago. I actually wrote them an email to complain. The Pasta in the salad bar was dry - literally just cooked pasta with no sauce. The Coleslaw was cheap and nasty. I had the ribs, and though they did melt in the mouth, they were lukewarm, and wouldn't have fed a child.
They phoned me to enquire about my email, and the fella who phoned told me he loved the pasta and coleslaw, and the portion sizes never got complaints - pretty useless.
Lol. That is terrible.
Not been for ages, but even the salad bar 'king awful. Considering where they came from, not fantastic, but far from bad. If you can east at Witherspoons beter than here, then you're doing something very wrong.
I have to agree with you Gary, it was a very honest assessment of the meal. I have watched a few of your reviews recently & as a new subscriber think you give a fair and honest opinion. Carry on the good work!
Thank you David
Cremation, dry and very dry😂 and music that drives you nuts. At least the chicken and salad edible. For £19.50 I would have thrown the onion rings back gary hahaha. Good humorous review. Made my morning ... cheers gary
Ver6 kind Dave I wish the food was better but onwards and upwards 👍
Could not agree more, we had the misfortune to visit a Harvester for a lunch, I cannot remember ever being served food that was so bad, there were 4 of us, we complained, and were offered a free dessert! Absolutely atrocious.
Sorry to heat you didn't enjoy it either.
I agree Gary. My wife and I went to one recently and we had the same meal as you. On top of the poor meal, the service from the staff was non existant/abysmal. The man who served us looked astounded when we never left a tip - and we always tip when we go out. I gave mine a 1/10 - Onwards eh Gary!
Sorry to hear mate. Of course, onwards!
If you ever receive a Harvester gift card from Gary then he REALLY doesn’t like you 😂 Man alive that steak was tougher than a Glaswegian granny!
🤣🤣🤣
Going through some of your back catalogue of videos, and came across this one. The first question which pops in to my mind when I see one of these reviews when the meal "isn't satisfactory" - which is: when the waitress/server comes back to you and asks you if everything is ok (or at the point of paying when they ask you similar), what do you say?
When they come back, I tell them what I think, on this occasion, no one asked me
I remember the cheasy 80’s TV adverts.
Worsel Gomage and Aunt Sally not there anymore?
I’m amazed there are any of these left tbh
If they don’t improve, I don’t think there will be many left
I've had food poisoning at Harvester a few years ago so I avoid it like the plague!
I would have chosen something else 🤣👍
Wow. That's awful.
Fair enough but on balance, I'd always recommend the food poisoning over a touch of the Black Death.
What appears to be happening at this place is the chef is definitely not engaging with the cooks and really tasting the quality of the food being sent out to paying customers. Maybe the attitude is kind of like a cheap cruise buffet where they just dump overcooked meats, dry chips and soggy vegetable salads. The place seriously needs the chef to wake up before it is too late. Great video
Thank you 👍🏼
Hi Gary, I have to say that you are spot on. I have a mini mix grills at the various harvesters in Buckinghamshire and everything you experienced is a running theme. If you don’t go for ribs and or chicken my experience is you will be disappointed. Keep up the good work and if you can include more family type restraint chaine, themed pubs it would be great. Al the best and merry Christmas. Steve
That is very disappointing to hear and Merry Christmas to you, Steve
Hopefully they see this and pay heed to your observations!
I live in hope but I doubt it.
I love that you began the review without prejudice and continued to eat with positive expectations. As the meal went on I empathised with you more and more as to why I hate these pub chains. They promise so much and deliver so little.
The chefs aren't trained at all, basically home cooked food commercialised. Not sure what more you expect
Very accurate comment regarding theses pub chains churning out rubbish frozen & chilled food at restaurant prices We must learn lessons and stop using them
Thank you :)
This guy is best food reviewer in world , no pretentiousness no crap just a guy being himself giving a fair review hope he gets a million subs
Wow. You're too kind - thank you.
think weatherspoons is worst but both bad
Great vid once again Gary. Interesting because I thought " Are you really going to eat that" 😅😅 Hope you didn't feed it to the cameraman 😂😂 poor bloke!
We both left disappointed unfortunately