Big Lukes in Gateshead

Came to the Big Luke's as we have been a couple of times before several years ago, when we went home we raved about it to everyone. After today we won't be raving about it. Such a let down. The variety of food has dropped by about half. But for higher price. Some of the food was nice (BBQ ribs and chocolate fudge cake), other parts very dry and inedible (chicken fajita). Staff were very polite and efficient at their job cleaning tables as soon as guest had left, can't fault them. Just let down by the quality and lack of variety of food compared to previous visits.

Wouldn't recommend going here, the food is terrible, so cheap and poor quality. I couldn't eat it. I even tried the ice cream and that was grainy like sand. Would never go again, total waste of money.

First time in ages since I have been here. I was on my own in a wheelchair. I cannot commend the staff enough. Very helpful and attentive. The food was varied and plentiful. Only downside was difficulty maneuvering around and opening the lids on some hot foods.

OK Its an unpretencious all you can eat stodge diner, with only a few better value choices. How much mash and beans can you eat? The only way to get value for your money is to stuff yourself silly and join the race to obesity. The ONLY good point - pleasant (but overworked) staff.

Absolutely vile ! Can’t say much more than that It’s that bad it needs closed down ! The only decent thing was the warm soup and the carrot cake Never again !

Absolutely vile food. The simplest of cheap food was soggy, dry or tasteless. Will never be back! The best part was the unlimited Pepsi max

Don't waste your money! Food looked cheap and tasted cheap, the Chinese noodles tasted vile and that's them being freshly cooked, the deserts were limited and a packet of cheap jam tarts together with cheap apple pies tasted disgusting, the woman with blonde hair was moody, just an unpleasant experience and expensive at £16.99 per person without drinks, really disappointed because the menu looked good and it's all you can eat buffet so we thought we eould get good quality food. Please take these reviews seriously and don't waste your money and save your stomach

Have just waisted £40 for two of us food and soft drink. Food was cold, all dishes cross contaminated on tongs, food wouldn’t feed my dog. Only one staff member was half pleasant and just not enjoyable experience. Won’t be going here again, let’s down all food places at Metrocentre.

It's a shame because service was lovely as we most of the staff. However one female chef let it down by being very unhygienic. We were here around 2 hours with my husband and 3 children. In that time I had seen this one staff member scoop rubbish off the bench and them touch food with the same hand, them walk around touching all the spoon and handles on the buffet items. She didn't rotate the food putting fresh cooked food on top of old ones. Scratch her head with her gloves on and then touch the food she was bringing out of the kitchen. Blow her nose and them serve pizza without washing her hands. Not a place I would be revisiting. Completely put me and my husband off our food and wasted our money as we didn't eat ours after noticing all of this. My husband has been a chef for 20 years it's basic hygiene measures that she failed to follow. When my husband mentioned it to the manager her only response was well she does wash her hands. Not once in the 2 hours did we see her watch her hands. Its such a shame as one member of staff let it down for everyone. Might I add on a Monday night when it was extremely quiet with only a few customers in.

Food was horrible, all you can eat prison and hospital food would be a better description. I feel rough as a dog now. Will definitely not be returning

Great for a catch up don’t rate the food much tho kids didn’t really eat that much either as a lot of things were burnt or very dry

Disgusting! Changing mat on the wet floor in the disabled toilet where the expected me to change my 6 month old child!!!!

I visited the buffet restaurant recently and was disappointed with the limited and unexciting choices. The food was bland, and the selection was terrible. Definitely not worth the visit.

You don’t go to Big Luke’s with high expectations. Metro Centre was heaving at Christmas and there was no queue. Now I know why. I can honestly say this is the WORST food I’ve experienced in many years. The food honestly ranges from very poor to inedible. The selection is very basic too and none of it comes close to nice. You’d get better food, better value and less disappointment from waiting the 15 mins in a queue at any fast food place. The staff were ok. All young kids who clearly don’t want to be here but were fine and polite. It’s the food that is god awful and £15.99 is genuinely a farce.

Vile disgusting place, wouldn’t let my dog eat there, food was off and stale, looked cheap and out of a tin mot worth £16 absolutely disgusting 🤢 staff were too busy mattering on to each-other and we were rushed out so they could close 45 mins early

Went here today and wow it has changed a lot in food,taste, and cleaning,went few year ago was lovley today the food didn't taste of anything toilets was dirty... the que was shocking when they was table's should gone to burger King

. Me and my partner love this place just ashame we can't get there more often my partner is always moaning to go she loves it too

The food was absolutely disgusting would not of give it to my dog was so dirty and disgusting waste of £40 the drinks station was dirty. There was food on the floor.this was at the metrocente

Worst buffet I think I’ve ever been too, over priced for what seemed like reheated frozen food, not much selection and what was there wasn’t worth selecting. “World food” but was mostly unappetising British food. Seems to be too many staff stood around just talking, maybe if they did some work the food would be more edible, will not return

I had fond memories of Big Lukes as a kid, thought I’d take my own kids for the first time - it will also be the last time. Shocking how expensive it is for adults, when the food is so poor. The toilets were all out of order except the disabled toilet; this toilet was absolutely disgustingly dirty, in hindsight we should have just left after seeing that. So disappointing to have such a waste of money when eating out is a rare treat these days.

Visited here yesterday for tea before doing some shopping a wish we would have read the reviews because we would have decided against going in staff were friendly but slow although it wasn’t busy food was tasteless and Luke warm if that terrible meal I would not recommend eating here and this morning my mams got a bad stomach she had the chicken curry the only thing she ate that we didn’t think food hygiene should pay this place a visit

Due to Covid there are restrictions in place - reduced menu and table service- which is fine except the food was of the poorest quality. It was not busy yet the food had been standing around for a while. The soup was so salty it was unpalatable. Wafer thin "pizza" had no taste and was like cardboard. Pasta sauce was hardly a sauce; rather a tin of chopped tomatoes. B-B ribs as tough as nails because it had been standing. Chips were obviously poor quality frozen ones. Onion rings soft and soggy. Salad - few lettuce leaves, bit of tomato and cucumber. All in all, one of the worst meals I have ever had. Covid should not be an excuse to serve the worst possible food. With a limited menu then I would expect top quality food; instead it was more like a run down roadside cafe. A big improvement is needed.

Visited here today with my housemate for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Due to Covid-19 they are operating with a reduced menu and table service, but everything was made very clear to us before we entered so no hidden shocks! The track and trace system is done with tickets instead of a book and the ticket is placed in a locked box so this is a brilliant way to prevent weirdos from getting your details! We sat down and the waiting staff were very friendly, quick and attentive. Whenever they weren't serving, they were constantly cleaning so we felt very comfortable and safe given the current situation. The food was very good, remember this is an all-you-can-eat buffet so if you're expecting haute cuisine then you're just being silly! That said, I enjoyed everything we had and it seemed to be higher quality than most other buffets!

The first thing we noticed is a little bug scurrying around on our table. The service was ok but no one looked happy to work there. The food was not good at all it felt like a school dinner. Sorry

took my two teenage daughters here,the food I had in this place was very good,i especially liked the tomato soup ,think it has basil in also.the salad was all nice and fresh,the chicken was nice and hot also,I couldn’t pick fault,except the dirty plates were on the tables too long,saying that the lady , I assume she was the supervisor was rushed off her feet,the drinks weren’t bad also,the toilets were quite clean, not like some places,they also gave me BlueLightCard discount ,noticed a lot of negative reviews,however we were very pleased,on this occasion,we will be going back ,once they open up again after the corona virus

Food dry, old, cold and and when asked a question about the food the server couldn't answer. It used to be good but now I would give it a wide berth. Not worth the money

Went to big likes in the metro centre and I’ve never had such a bad experience. The food as awful and bland, not much choice and the drinks machine could definitely use a clean out as the pop had a funny taste. But that’s not the worse of it. After my meal I was taking my insulin (I’m a type 1 diabetic) when a member of staff came over and asked what I was doing. I’ve had this before so wasn’t to bothered I advised I was taking my insulin, I was then asked if ‘could I not do that in the toilets as I may make other people feel uncomfortable as not everyone likes needles’ I was so taken aback by this i didn’t really know how to respond. I did say it’s never been a problem anywhere else and I am aware that not everyone likes needles so I do try and be a little discreet. After this I just wanted to leave so we paid the bill and left. I will never go back to that place again it’s disgraceful they treat there customers.

Popped in during trip to metrocentre £10.99 per person..decent value and choice of food..was warm and fresh.. standard all you can eat buffet. Service quick and friendly

4 of us went for lunch here BIG MISTAKE food cold,bland,unappetising, lack of choice, for somewhere it advertised world food, spoke to waiting staff about concerns he laughed spoke to female manager about concerns again unhelpful commented I quote “well that’s your opinion “ well after reading a lot of reviews on here it’s not just my opinion, can’t see how on earth they are still open dreadful place I so hope the owners read some of these reviews and act on them

I read the reviews before going for tea last night with my son and daughter and didn’t take much notice as I’ve always thought people will complain on review sites BIG MISTAKE it was awful the curry and rice were like water the burgers were vile we tried lots to find something edible but couldn’t I ended up with a burger bun with chips in that was edible but not what I expected for tea my son tried the ribs which were covered in water I’m not sure what it was my daughter had she said it was noodles but she couldn’t eat it as the tang was horrible I tried the pancakes before I got the chip bun and I think something had actually happened to them as at 55 years old I’ve NEVER tasted a taste like them the refillable drinks were vile cheap coke rancid orange my son tried iron brew but left that too we didn’t complain just paid the bill and left but we’re not happy as at £10.99 each meal and £2.99 per refillable drink we actually expected to have a meal we felt sick before we left not a good experience at all

Omg this place is shocking Iceland food but worse quality no burgers or hardly any meat all onion rings etc etc 32 pound for two people disgusting

£13 for bland frozen food, everything was watery and covered in grease, the tables were filthy and the seating was held together with tape. Won’t be going back again, very very disappointed.

Decided to call here as it sounded like there would be something for all tastes. Good choice however most of the food was frozen produce and didn’t have much taste. Kids enjoyed it but the adults agreed it would be our last visit.

Absolutely disgusted with the food and pudding really horrible I would recommend no one to go to that disgusting place I spent 50 pound to eat food that was horrible it's a joke

Earlier today my girlfriend and myself decided to give Big Lukes a try as a fallback plan as neither of us had been in years and out favourite pub stops serving food at 8pm.

Went as a group of 5 friends. Payed 80 quid for all of us, got all you can eat and all you can drink services. Absolutely fantastic range of foods, and half decent quality of food (for the price). would recommend

Metrocentre visit. Awful, seats taped up with black masking tape. Sticky tables lukewarm tasteless food. Water down drinks. This place has gone right down in my standards. Never again

The meal was fine. However two of us are students. They would only pay discount to one meal and that was our sons. It seemed a peculiar way to operate

Been here a few times and each time it has gotten worse. Some of the food is nice but most of it is just average and not really worth the price you pay.

Loads to choose from and not expensive. We like to have a bit of this, a bit of that. Make your own burrito with pulled pork or beef chili. Puddings are great and the staff helpful. Endless drinks are a bit pricey.

I did a quick scoot around before deciding to have a speedy solo lunch here, but wished I'd taken a longer look.

Very disappointed. Food was very tasteless and there was those little flies all over the food. To top it off me and my sister now have food poising from this restaurant as it’s the only thing we had ate all day yesterday and now we are both really ill having to miss work. Food used to be lovely but now it’s all rushed and got no taste.

Good service, wide selection of food, all freshly made and tasted great! Meat is really tender and falls apart, they make fresh pizzas every few minutes, and desserts are really fancy! I don't understand the 3 star rating for this place - it's a definite 5 star!

First off would like to say that the service from the lady who served us was lovely!!!

never been to a buffet like this.there were dishes from all over.i started at the salad bar.had chili ,curry from Thailand,pizza ,curry madras,noodles, rice,.I swerved the burgers and chips as I tend to choose what I cant cook at home and was so pleased no-one wanted the burger bars.Now what I had was all very tasty,especially the chili.we paid £40 for 5 of us 2 adults 3 hungry children.Servicequeries was good,lots of clearing plates and little uestioning re satisfaction.Toilet nce and clean.Negative points,place looks tired..Plus point booths discourage wandering children

We took our nephew - he was overwhelmed by the choice. The food was as usual good. I'd have liked larger wraps, the little ones are just too small to wrap!

Visited the "restaurant" after rave reviews. Upon arrival found the staff run off their feet and have little regard for their customers.

Me and partner went to Big Luke’s for lunch after doing a bit of shopping in metro centre, I was saying to my partner we should go because I use to go to Big Luke’s when I was a kid. Well I was not happy at all, we waited at the entrance and just got told to park it on the table beside the counter, then had another member staff saying what you want in more of hurry it up way, so we said what we want etc, I’m thinking to myself how rude and I work in hospitality industry and I would never speak to a customer like that, so anyway I went to get us the refillable drinks after when the glasses came, and I was like are you kidding me I’m being charged £2.70 for cheap cola it’s cheaper going to cosmos and you get better soft drinks there and the food was vile and over cooked and just plain disgusting definitely not worth the money at all, so we said we can’t eat here we went to pay the bill and I kept my mouth shut because I know what I will say will upset someone when my partner was gonna pay for the bill he was more bothered about another member of staff than us. So in the end we ended up going to McDonald’s and it was lovely and cheaper

We wasn’t sure about going in at first , but actually really glad we did. Four of us just popped up to take our son out for tea. Really really impressed with the professionalism and explanation given by our waiter Alan. Nothing was too much trouble . We all started off with the burger then has the sea bass then steak and lamb chops. A lovely Buffett selection of Chinese Asian Italian and vegan food.with a nice desert menu.

Very fresh. Good rotation of food by staff. Good quality and excellent value. Good staff front of house. The katsu curry was excellent.

Food wasn’t the best not that thiers a great deal of food out to begin with only decent food was the pizza, the slice me and me kids had as they didn’t put anymore out, took 25 mins for me kids chicken nuggets, the asda 30p pasta was also awful, the selection of food that was out is pitiful, the metro centre one is top notch to this one in Newcastle like. What a waste of money wouldn’t recommend it and wouldn’t go back.

good food friendly staff clean had a good night out with family will be there again soon good food buffet good and food on menu cooked while you wait

As buffets go this is a decent global buffet with lots of different foods from different regions.

Went to Newcastle’s Big Lukes at old Eldon Square with a voucher from the Evening Chronicle. It is valid until the end of May. When I showed it at the desk, I was rudely told by the manager that they have other offers on, and will not accept the Evening Chronicle Voucher. I felt quite embarrassed and left.

Visited on Monday greeted by the friendliest of staff then show to our table ordered steak chicken lamb salmon and sea bass along with gammon had our starters from the buffet along with some curries rice etc table service food was brought to our table very well presented on wooden blocks and cooked to perfection we ordered some more as it’s all u can eat for the amazing price of £12.99 I can highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be back next time I’m in Newcastle

Probably the worst food I have ever seen or eaten,I have jus paid £12.99 for one rib, a pickled onion and some coleslaw,my children left everything on the plate and declared it vile.

Went to the one at Eldon square. Don’t order anything from the kitchen! Chef has a bad attitude.

I was in big Luke’s with my parents for lunch in Eldon square. The staff at the welcome desk could not be faulted, the taste of the food was alright too. However, there was no warnings at all about ALL of the curry’s containing nuts! When we asked the waitress she said that she wasn’t sure so she would ask. We were then informed 5 minutes later that it was. I have a nut allergy and this could have been a whole lot worse if I’d finished the meal.

Was in Newcastle so thought we would try it out 3 adults. When we got in waitress explained that today pay for one the second half price so 3 people 9.99 each but obviously one half price so £25 plus 4 little bottles of coke at £2.75 each = £11 add them together £36? WRONG actually charged us over £45 been in a bit of a rush and not realising until on the way home I've lost out. Not good I hate being ripped off. To late for us but just a little warning. CHECK YOUR BILL

I've been the one in Eldon Square. Absolutely terrible, quality of food bad, empty food trays, no plates, rubbish

I’m really not a fussy eater. But the choice is very poor and the food just bland and tasteless. We used to come here a lot but it’s gone so down hill.

Needed somewhere for evening meal, looks like a nice place from the outside, modern and welcoming, price was reasonable, initially thought the first visit to the hot food, it looked really good quality and should be on to a winner. Ribs were tough, chicken thighs were bad quality all bones, cheese burger had a nasty taste, only thing we liked was the pizza. Cheap pop refills were a let down too, chicken in Katsu curry was inedible. Yes you can eat as much as you want but, when the edible dishes are limited then it becomes less enjoyable.

Okay so we went to Newcastle for a day or 2 and didn't go here the first day plainly based on reviews.

I was here recently and not that excited about it. It was average, the food was okay, nothing exciting, but it was good. There were a few arities, but not too much, pizza, chicken nuggets, rice and curry, jacket potatoes, chip ect ect. For the price, it does not seem to be worth it as there were no sea food items, mainly just chicken and pork.

Went in last Saturday as my kids wanted to try it, I had my reservations but gave it a try.

Like many others here I went to Big Luke’s years ago and enjoyed it for what it was. Reasonably priced with a good selection of hot junk food.

Remembered big Luke’s from years ago and loved it, so thought would take the family along. Service was ok, people in front of us in the queue left before being seated when they had talked to their friends, maybe that was the clue

My little boy is a picky eater and as he is also

I remember big Luke's from years ago so I suggested we try it again. Big mistake! I was actually embarrassed because I kept having to leave my plate full of tasteless, inedible food and go and try again in the hopes of finding something I could eat.

Visited with a friend last week. Helpful friendly staff. The food was hot and ok.. fairly good choice at the buffet

Went here with partner after seeing a film. Been here before but this time was different. Had chicken tikka. Thought was undercooked and good seemed to have been out for some time. When walking around buffet kitchen staff were laughing and carrying on which thought was dangerous considering g the environment that they were working in. Waiting staff helpful nevertheless. Not that impressed this time.

Cheap food, cheap drinks, cheap everything. Food quality rubbish. Drink quality rubbish. AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Visited big lukes when was on a shopping trip were met by a female waitress who showed us to our seats and was polite and friendly

Total CRAP.... avoid at all cost, do yourself a favour and go elsewhere, tried to charge my partner full price for not eating anything

I remember Big Lukes when it opened in Newcastle, not far from St James Park - in those days it was very much burgers, chicken, sausages, pizza and chilli but it did what it did very well and you were always guaranteed to come away stuffed (and with money left in your pocket).

My partner took his son to the cinema while I spent a few hours shopping. Before we left the Metro we went to Big Luke's. The food was beautiful and there was soo much choice. Id definately recommend Big Luke's especially if you are like me and likes to try a few different things.We had travelled over from Ireland and this was my first time here, it did not disappoint.

I've never tasted anything so bland in my life. Not much choice, dirty around the food, no one filling any food up, greasy and cold. Would never go back

coming home to the North east you have to Visit Big Lukes, we went there as youngsters when there was just one! good selection of food good for families with lots of different tastes

Always tend to go to Big Luke’s when in the metrocentre and every time I’ve been in the staff have always been friendly and went the extra mile for us! Food is always lovely, the pizza is cooked fresh as well so that’s always nice, the sausages are tasty! Can’t fault it for me being a fussy eater it’s perfect for me!! Oh and the desserts (chocolate fudge cake is just lush)!!

Visited this restaurant quiet a few times but past 3 visit after eating the chicken I’ve been ill

I know it’s not everyone’s place to go for a meal; maybe it’s the lack of variety, the cheapness of the food, the “unsophistication” of the “beans and chips” menu – but I like having a meal here. I think it’s the best value for money restaurant there is. If you go for the “unlimited steak” option – it’s a no-brainier! The steaks are not the best – but they are tasty enough: I think at minimum they are Rump steak – although I think they are as good as Rib-eye if not above. The desserts are also nice – even though they are basic – the puddings are hearty and enjoyable. So – with the disappearance of Taybarns – Big Luke’s is the replacement.

Don't use American generalisation & call us 'Guys'. Two over 50 yr old female patrons & we're classed as 'Guys'. Not appropriate & not friendly or funny.

We were attracted to look of this restaurant, spacious, comfy seating and a good looking menu. The staff were great, clearing away and getting drinks for us.

The staff always look after us when we visited. They are all friendly. They have a good variety of food ranging from chilli, curries, chicken, salads, burgers, pizzas and offer unlimited soft drinks

My wife and daughter decided to go out for some food after the birthday party my daughter had been to so we chose big like a in the metro centre as my daughter was looking forward to eating their. We arrived at about 16.30pm which wasn't to late but only to be told that they were closing as it was quiet and they were running the buffet down I really found this rude but most of all strange as it's not like I planned on being there all night

Big Luke's used to be a good place to eat I visited there yesterday and it was poor the food was disgusting hardly any choice. This restaurant has gone down hill

It's an all you can eat buffet so expect to be eating food that has been sat over 10 mins plus in heat pans. Food was ok, staff pleasant enough plenty of choice but wouldn't rush back

What a Crap place to eat never going there again. What a Crap place to eat never going there again. What a Crap place to eat never going there again.

Been big lukes buffet couple of times now. Food always good and my kids love eating here. Lots of choose from meat lover to vegetarian. Staff are doing good job always friendly. Will definitely come back

My first time at Big Lukes and, I regret to say, my last. The food was greasy, unappetising and not hot enough. I was not impressed with the cleanliness or the staff attitude either. There are much better places to eat in the Metro Centre.

Been here a few times but yesterday will be my last. The staff were great and the food was tasty enough BUT this morning both myself and my daughter were both ill with upset stomachs, sickness and stomach pains so obviously not as good s...

Big Lukes has changed a lot over the years. Whilst there is a substantial selection to go at, nothing really stands out as a firm favourite. I do like the fact that the hot food is well protected in the heated tureens but the dessert...

The food tasted so cheap for a reasonably high price. There was little option. It seems unhygienic and everything was covered in grease. The burgers and sausages were literally dripping with fat and it made me physically sick. I would not advice going here at...

Fair choice but very poor quality food .. but don't think cheap is cheerful .. what you see is what you get and it's not cheap to dine here..

Me and my partner thought this place was both overpriced and just of a poor quality. I understand the restaurant...

Hubby and daughter are big meat eaters so live the buffet , not much choice for me as a veggie...

Average food! Nothing bad, nothing amazing! Basically Just like taybarns that was open just down from the metrocentre. Staff were...

We always come to Luke’s when visiting the Metro and have done for years. My kids love coming and getting...

Me and my husband visited for the first time after shopping on a Saturday afternoon, the food was good for...

We had a good meal there last week - tasty food all hot and a good choice. We called again...