Pub giant Wetherspoons is facing a wave of criticism from its customers after launching a new range of jacket potatoes across its UK establishments. The menu addition, part of a January sale promotion, has been met with a notably negative reception, with some diners describing the offerings as "horrible" and "tasteless".
Customer Backlash Over New Menu Items
The feedback on social media and review platforms has been brutally honest. One disgruntled customer targeted the chilli bean non-carne option, calling it the "most dreadful small potato chilli non carne, very small, tasteless and not hot". Another simply stated they didn't like the look of the promotional pictures and wouldn't be trying them, while a third succinctly warned: "Absolutely horrible don’t bother." A solitary, faint praise described the meal as "better than its burgers".
What's on the January Sale Menu?
The controversial launch is part of Wetherspoons' January sale, which began on 8 January 2026. The chain is offering a choice of six standard jacket potatoes and three new 'gourmet' versions. The standard jackets, which come with one filling, include tuna mayo, coleslaw, chilli bean non-carne, cheese, baked beans, and roasted vegetables.
Pricing for these starts at £4.99 including a soft drink, or £6.52 with an alcoholic drink.
The gourmet range, priced at £6.49 with a soft drink, features three loaded options:
- The Loaded Spud: Topped with cheese, maple-cured bacon, garlic butter, and sour cream.
- The Mexican Spud: Loaded with chilli bean non-carne, cheese, guacamole, crushed tortilla chips, sliced chilli, and coriander.
- The Smoky Spud: Comes with pulled BBQ beef brisket, cheese, smoky chipotle mayo, and sliced chilli.
Company Statement and Variable Pricing
Wetherspoon’s founder and chairman, Tim Martin, defended the sale initiative. "Department stores and shops hold their sales in January, so it is the perfect time to also have a sale in the pubs," he said. "The range of food and drinks on sale in the pub is aimed at suiting a wide variety of tastes. We have included a large selection of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. I believe that the January sale will prove popular with customers."
He added that staff would serve customers responsibly. The chain also noted that prices at 200 other Wetherspoon pubs may vary from the advertised sale prices.
Despite the company's optimism, the initial customer reaction suggests the new potato range has so far failed to impress a significant portion of its clientele, who have been vocal in their disappointment on public forums.
