Cams Wharf Tavern — Restaurant in Cams Wharf

Today we finally made our way down to Cams Wharf Tavern to support a local establishment.

Order - burger/chips and House Made Salad bowl with added chicken.

Burger was an average burger you’d expect and acceptable for the price in comparison although definitely nothing outstanding to draw you back to order another or compete with some of the other local venues. The verdict was just fine 😊

The chicken parmigiana on other tables definitely seemed a decent serve for the price if you prefer that style. I’d say go for that over a burger for value for money. Unfortunately very limited choice if you are looking for something not fried. Frying is the main go to at Cams.

My salad…. What I ordered was main meal size of house made salad bowl Tortilla Chips, Jasmine Rice, Char Grilled Corn, Pico de Gallo, Avocado, and the extra grilled chicken. $18.00 plus $6.00 (chicken)…sounds delicious?

What I got - without exaggeration.

1/4 cup yellow bland well cooked rice. Dessert spoon at best of avocado that was already browning off with oxidation, dessert spoonful at best of chopped onion that equals the tiny plastic mini containers served at Guzman and Gomez for additional inclusions on your meal, a dessert spoonful of chargrilled corn kernels, 6 small dry cubes of overcooked (what tasted like processed frozen) chicken breast. That’s one dollar per cube. All served in what is best described as a standard cereal bowl you’d expect on a breakfast bar in a major hotel chain. To top it off I struggled with finding a full salt shaker to add flavour and the one that I did find that appeared to be full when I shook it was filled with pepper. Shaker marked with a large S in case you were wondering, thankfully I am a fan of pepper. And it was flavour of sorts.

The dessert spoon described would fit on one standard fork.

No manager on site to query if this was standard for a main for $28 in comparison to rest of menu.

Perhaps just a bad day. We won’t return to find out. Far too many other well priced and consistently good food just as local.

The photo probably doesn’t do justice for perception. I would have loved to have had a tape measure to show the true scale. I wondered if everyone had the same experience that ordered that dish. Or did I just cop a bad service period?

We rarely eat out as it’s a big thing out of our very limited budget and this was a completely unnecessary price gouging exercise on behalf of the management...

Newly refurbished but lacking in so many areas . I get that it has just reopened but if you are going to do a substandard approach then maybe you shouldn't bother . The tables in the main dining area are so squished in together there is no personal space and the constant opening and banging closing of the door is annoying , fix your struts ! I don't feel the massive TV with sports on is necessary in main seating area . The whole area with the 2 bars and dining options is so discombulated and what an absolute waste of a beautiful outdoors area , rip out the hedge open up the doors , build a deck get a shade cloth , get some decent umbrellas and this would certainly draw in the crowds , sitting outside and admiring the beautiful view would be amazing . There are 2 bar areas , if you want tap beer you can only order it at one bar but this bar does not have spirits so If you want a cocktail and a beer you have to line up and order at 2 separate bars The staff are trying their best but I asked 2 separate questions , one about whether or not there is a band on and another about a wine , the staff said I don't know . The lighting in the sports bar is too bright and the constant back and forth of wait staff with empty plates is annoying. There is no bin next to the Tab and keno kiosks for tickets . Now the food , the menu is limited, we ordered small plates, the scallops had zero seasoning or flavor, the bucket of prawns were not served with a finger wash bowl - and didn't smell that great , seared tuna was lovely and so was the squid. The self serve water jug was empty when I was instructed by bar staff to help myself to water On a side note .... seeing staff vape in the gaming room is not a good look !! This place has so much potential, hopefully things change , I wouldn't label it a tavern it is...

Flies with that?

Had a casual celebration lunch here. The venue is nicely renovated and maintained and location pretty awesome too. Can’t fault it on that’s aspect.

It was a quiet day there so the service was fast and we never had issues with space or queues like many mention in their posts. We can see how it might be hectic and delayed on weekends perhaps.

The bar options are good however the menu is mainly fried or grilled tavern faire and uninspiring. The prices are all over the place and some items are ridiculously expensive but others quite fair. 2 salads with chicken, 2 glasses of wine and 4 grilled prawns for over $100… not great but not terrible either.

The staff seem defeated though. No energy or warmth. No engagement. They seem miserable and do the bare minimum. I’ve worked in hospo and had lots of fun and energy particularly in small venues like this but I would not want to work there if that’s how the staff clearly feel. Something is off…

Perhaps the worst issue though was the flies. We know there is little the staff can do about it (ceiling fans perhaps) but the flies wait until the food comes out and then we found ourselves in a fierce battle waving off some 10 dedicated large blue flies. It was relentless and disgusting. These guys know how to swarm. We put a sacrificial plate to the side and it made a difference but OMG the whole meal time was frustrating and almost torture. We then saw other dinners having the same issues. We wanted to stay and finish our wines unrushed and take in the views and the quiet setting but the flies…

So disappointing as the salad we ordered wasn’t too bad and it could be an awesome experience but it wasn’t.

…and now we are both at home with upset tummies after a glass of wine and a...