China Bar Box Hill — Restaurant in Melbourne

Potential COVID HAZARD & ARRAGONT Customer Service

WOULD NEVER VISIT UNLESS THE CURRENT MANAGER REMOVED

I've visited this restaurant for years for their lone service hours and affordable, fast Chinese cuisine. This restaurant would only accept cash unless a transaction over $30, this is okay to me and I've always tried to be understanding that some business is just cheap or simply too greedy to absorb the surcharge themself, so I always paid with cash.

Several days ago, considering the rising number of COVID cases, I was quite reluctant to approach the ATM so I asked them if I can pay by cards, I was refused and asked to make my order through apps which I was struggling finding the restaurant for some reason. I asked if I can talk to the manager about this since I expected a degree of flexibility considering the pandemic, after a long struggle the man seems to be the manager direct the cashier to charge me $1 surcharge for my $14.9 meal to end this nonsense.

Today I revisited this restaurant for a quick meal, and I expressed that I'm most willing to pay a $1 surcharge so I don't have to touch any cash. Not only I was refused again, the cashier told me "the manager explicitly instructed her there will be no more exceptions" as if they have done me a massive favour. In my personal opinion, that was extremely rude and indicated lots of issue with this establishment.

I saw the worker use the same hand to receive cash, operates the cashier, and package the foods sent out with the same hand. This is extremely unsanitary not to mention we are trying our best to fight off the COVID19(400+cases today in VIC) China Bar Boxhill would rather risk the safety of their employee and customer than reconsider their 'cash first" policy, even during a time like this. The message from the manager is basically "they would rather kick a customer out if the order is too little for them to care." The fact that the worker was "clearly instructed" means the manager is fully aware of the issue, and this is what he came out with, NEGLECT & DISRESPECT.

If not for the pandemic, I would've tolerated their hideous policy. But now they are putting their employee, customer, even the whole community at risk just because they don't want to pay the bank, or they simply can't give a damn with...

Usually great, but after this incredibly petty behaviour, we're steering clear.

We liked this place and frequently visited, but now we won't be coming back. Even though they weren't particularly busy, our one drink that we ordered came out after we'd mostly finished dinner, and only after asking. This would have been absolutely fine as the waitstaff were very polite and apologetic and we honestly don't mind that much. We also didn't mind that much when we started drinking the drink and realized it was the wrong one. We politely asked the waiter if we could have the drink we ordered, and he apologized and went to get it straight away. So all good again. And when he brought us the drink we had ordered (we had by now finished dinner) he apologized again and said we could have the wrong drink for free since all they'd do is throw it out anyway. So that was really nice.

But when we got to the checkout to pay, the cashier had added it to the bill, and insisted we pay for it as my partner was drinking it, pointing at it in his hand. He was getting very agitated so I turned to him with a big smile and asked if he wanted me to get the waiter who served us, who then rocked up behind us and said it was their mistake and we could have it for free. The cashier nodded, waited until we paid and the waitor was gone then took the drink from my partner and put it on his counter. I pointed out that it was a waste and all they'd do is throw it out and he shook his head, smiled and said no. I'd say it was stingy but it didn't even save them money. It was just...

Me and my buddy were here for a quick dinner and it was way past the dinner time. Usually, the China bar in CBD opens 24hrs, this outlet is open only until 4 AM. It was a bit crowded, most of the tables were occupied and the ambiance was good. I liked the energy in there and the interiors and flooring may make some people feel uneasy.

I ordered the Flat rice noodles with crispy beef. The staff, a young man, seemed he prefers not to talk instead he just throw down the menu and showed up the paper to mark our choice. We scribbled down the order and later the person took it off for the kitchen.

The way he served the food was a bit rude. Instead of putting down slowly he just pushed it on the table like he is throwing food for free. And the worst part is, he didn't even acknowledge that he served the food instead he just quickly walked away to the next customer. The food was delicious and as we were enjoying it over a good conversation the earsplitting sound of the juicer made everyone uncomfortable. It was really a let down every time the juicer comes on. I wish they could have operated it in an isolated session at the kitchen. The noodles were fine but, it was a bit of too many flavors that I could literally taste the powder they put it. You can see that when you look at the noodles how all those spice powders stuck on to the food.

We had a good time dining here given, the mixer is turned off. The staff should be trained properly in customer service. The food was delivered pretty fast which is impressive. A good 'late...