I was excited about another carvery joint opening up this end of town. I think we only have three now in the whole city of Geelong? I wanted SO much to love these guys because they offer roasts and less than 5 minutes from where I live.

At first, I was pleasantly surprised by the price of the large & small dinner packs. Our favourite roasty resto 'Ripper Roasts' charge nearly $20 for a large dinner pack, so to see the prices at Donnybrook at around the $12-$13 mark, I was grateful. Until.... we got home with our takeaway pack.

I was shocked to open up the polystyrene lid only to find very stingey portions of everything. Let me tell you, Ripper Roasts offer a lot more in their small packs than these guys do in their large dinner packs. Not enough carrots and pea's or cauliflower and white sauce and definitely not enough scalloped potatoes. I actually can't believe how small the portion of potatoes was. The meat portion (in our case, lamb) was .. I'd say acceptable for the price we paid ($13.50.. it's $1 extra for lamb.. all the other meats are cheaper).

I can't not mention their 'zucchini & tomato' offering. I forget its official name but it just looks like a baking tray full of tomato paste. I love all things tomatoey and I love zucchini but this concoction.. I'm sorry... was horrendous. It's as someone thickened a couple of litres of tomato paste with flour.. and then stirred in some shaved zucchini strips. You could not describe that sidedish as anything edible. And I have a wiiiiiiide palate.

The cauliflower and white sauce was dreadful... the cauli tasting watery and like it was old.. or boiled from a bag of frozen cauli that was passed its use-by date. Peas and carrots were not good.. The barely-there scalloped potatoes were flavourless ..as was the mashed pumpkin. Ripper roasts adds cheese to their pumpkin mash.. but at least it has a bit of body. Donnybrook Roasts version was watery.. and tasteless.

Regarding the lamb.. Some bits were 'ok'... perhaps could have done with some extra seasoning.. But other bits were way too dry.

I can get two meals from one Ripper Roast 'small' dinner pack.. But I have not got even one meal out of this large Donnybrook Roasts dinner pack. It's just inedible.

There wasn't enough gravy either.

When we walked in.. the place was desserted... and the owners/staff were chatty and friendly. As I said.. I really wanted to love them.. and support them. I took two of their business cards and two of their magnets and I told them I'd spread the word about their business. I envisioned positive words.. and a glowing review.

Sorry Donnybrook roasts. I see you have a decent coffee machine and advertise 'Piazza o'Doro' coffee.. but I'm not willing to gamble on your drinks after the roast experience. And I'd much rather pay Ripper Roasts prices but receive generous portions.. and some very tasty food.. regardless of the fact that its cash-only (no eftpos) too.

The lack of eftpos is Ripper Roasts achilles heel.. But I keep travelling to Latrobe Terrace for more carved meat.

Approximate cost: $12.50