Mammoth Cafe Armadale — Restaurant in Melbourne

While I can’t comment on the food (which does look great), I can comment on their methods regarding hot drinks. They don’t prepare drinks in the order placed, but instead batch them by milk type — the barista even told me so. Meaning, if you order one lactose-free dairy drink, you have to wait until the entire rush of almond/soy/full-cream drinks placed by other customers at any time, no matter the arrival order, has ended before they even touch your order. Because of this, I ended up waiting far longer than I should have, while at least two takeaway customers who ordered after me walked out with their coffees well before me (and who knows how many dine-in orders skipped the line too). When I questioned this ridiculous system, the lady with glasses and red hair told me not to come back — an unprofessional response to a very reasonable frustration. Yes, while my language became colourful criticising the café’s absurd methods of preparing drinks, it was not directed at any staff member. I wasn’t there to cause trouble; I just wanted a quick get-in/get-out takeaway order. I was also polite in my actions while waiting, even going out of my way to hold doors open for staff and delivery drivers. I don’t mind that I was asked not to return, because this place doesn’t deserve your money as they don’t value your time. The bottom line: their method of handling takeaway drinks is completely impractical and shows no respect for customers’ time. If you’re sitting in, fine. But if you’re after a takeaway coffee, don’t waste your time here. A possible improvement would be to reduce the number of milk options offered — if batching by milk type is necessary, fewer options could prevent these absurd delays.

Edit to add, after owner's response: My in-person initial enquiry was respectful (my wording was strongly along the lines of: "Excuse me, unless I'm mistaken, I think these two orders that just left were prepared before mine and ordered after mine") then your barista provided the explanation that you batch by milk-type. None of my comments were aimed at any member of staff, they were entirely aimed at your own system which is absolutely bonkers. As I also said in-person, I won't be returning and I also encourage other takeaway coffee-lovers to go elsewhere as batching by milk-type means you don't...

To the owner, Walked in today looking for a table of 3, all the 4 seater tables up the back were empty but I was placed on a corner table for a squeezed 5 and was asked to only take up a side as there may be a need to share, when I looked around at all the empty tables I rebutted and was told it would be unlikely so was assumed all good. Half way through my meal I was asked to shove over as the table was reserved for 2, I looked around and at this stage there were still 2 tables of 4 seats empty from when I walked in originally. I left half my meal there and walked out and was asked about my experience, I told the lady with red hair running the show not to worry but after deliberating it should be voiced. My first time as a local moving into the area only a stones throw away will be the last time they see me. Learn how to run a business and treat people. I wasn’t on a communal table of 10 and expecting to share but if I’m at breakfast with my family, no one needs to hear my conversations. Total dismay and I thought my 25 minutes that I took up to order my coffees and meals would have at least allowed me to finish my food without leaving disgruntled and spending the fastest $100 of all times.

Total joke. Get your show under control or leave the industry and allow professionals to take customers money by offering a service. If you don’t want to host tables of 2 then other parties of people shouldn’t have to baby sit...

Not too shabby for my second corn fritter ever but kinda undermining 🤔

FOOD: I ordered the corn, zucchini and feta fritter. When I saw it on the menu, it sounded divine and it came pretty fast. The star of the show for me was... the kale! I’m not even joking! I have never had kale be cooked so deliciously so I have to give them MAJOR props to them because it tasted amazing! The eggs were a great addition to the fritter but the fritter was unfortunately, pretty underwhelming. The portion was fair but I tasted no feta 🤷🏻‍♀️ It was mostly corn and just some peppery batter. It was pretty good but just don’t expect the most feta-y flavour. The kale was HEAVENLY tho!

SERVICE: Service was friendly and quick!

Overall, Mammoth is a pretty good cafe and considering I went on a Tuesday afternoon and it was fully packed, it says alot. The food was not too bad and I’m hoping to come back to try their Lemon...