Groby Club

There may be days when you just can't face cooking a dinner for some reason. You may have had an exhausting day. Or perhaps you just can't think of something to prepare, or simply want someone else to do the work and the washing up. Maybe you want to eat out with friends.

If you don't want to travel out of Groby your choices are limited. You could opt for something tasty from the fish and chip shop, a supermarket ready meal, one of the delivery services or a takeaway at home. For a more traditional dining experience the popular Stamford Arms can be relied on for good food.

There is another venue, but it's not one that many locals think of - Groby Club on Leicester Road. There's no big banner outside, just a modest whiteboard. If you are looking for somewhere to eat don't be put off by the fact it's a club – everyone is welcome, even if you don't book in advance.

In recent years Groby Club has had a transformative makeover and upgrade, including a kitchen refurbishment that has cost £26,000. This investment means that food continues to be prepared in the hygienic conditions that customers expect, and the club retained its 5 star rating when inspected by a Food Safety Officer in October 2018.

The catering side of the Club is now under the direction of 26 year old Reece Thompson-Brown, born in Leicester but now living in Groby. His mother is a chef, so it's a family affair.

“My mum has been a chef all her life, said Reece, “so that’s where I got the idea from. When I was younger, I was a pot washer at weekends, and one day the head chef where I was working asked me to help out, since then I haven’t looked back. I have been taught by some top chefs, one of them is my mother. I have a vast experience for someone of 26, and I’ve held all the chef positions you can think of. And I’ve worked at places such as the Bradgate in Newtown Linford, and the Belmont Hotel on New Walk.”

All the regulars are on the main menu, including salmon, cod, lasagne, Hunter's Chicken, gammon, steak, chilli, pies, faggots and burgers. Children aren't forgotten with their favourite meals priced at £3.95, the same price as the desserts. If you like to see the food before you book then take a look at the photos on facebook at ‘reece’s groby’.

To improve on already good value one Sunday carvery diner goes free with groups of 8 or more and Reece is offering free meals for mums on Mother's Day (terms and conditions apply). And if you are thinking of a group booking with a buffet instead of a dinner there are three menus on offer from as little as £5.49 per person. There are rooms that can be booked in the club for exclusive use for parties, large and small.