Carvery - good idea with children?

[katgod]

I know this is quite random.It is about 20 years since i have been to a carvery type restaurant. I have visions of there being a lot of queuing and me having to hold plates for small children and people being up and down from the table for second helpings and it not being that relaxing.

Am I being grumpy? Is a carvery going to be a relaxing lunch with the grandparents or are we better off at a place with a menu and someone bringing the food to us (can you tell which I'd prefer??)

Thanks for advice.

[simonethebeaver]

I've not been to any carveries round here, but I have eaten at buffet style places with kids. I'd say the pro is that you cut out that stage between sitting down and the food arriving where behaviour goes haywire, while the con, as you suggest, is some level of sophistication! I think it depends on what you want out of the meal and how well your children wait for food.

[katgod]

Thanks SdB.

Children very used to eating out and happy to wait - do you get a slot or is there one big queue? This place is out of town , and I am sure there will be othe perfectly fine places - normal pubs that do a roast, can anyone who has been to a carvery recently advise how much queing there is please?

[buggie]

Unsure I'll ever see a fine dining carvery, but for a family meal, think their ideal(although we've never been locally), helps that Bugglet loves roast dinners - can give her the veg she likes/small amount of new things without too much fuss. Think similarly it'll be handy with my youngest who's just started weaning, can sort out a few bits for him to gum without having to worry about it coming covered in gravy.

(edited to add) we normally try & beat the queues by getting an early booking/arriving early (midday), not normally long queues but can avoid problems by keeping an eyee out on other groups/holding off going up by a few mins if lots have just joined the queue. will often split with my DH so one stays with the kids & other gets theirs & the kids, then other goes up next - saves restlessness