The Full Pantry Store and Cafe — Restaurant in Melbourne

It gives me no pleasure to write this. I've been coming to this cafe and store regularly since 2016 when I believe they opened. I heard about it through friends who also live locally - word spreads fast when you get that perfect combination: great atmosphere, food, service and coffee. All of which this place possessed. After today I will be telling my friends in the area that I was given a meal that was inedible and when kitchen staff were made aware they had floor staff relay to me that this was how it was and when it was returned I was to be charged $18 and offered nothing in return. $18. What I refused to eat was a piece of tofu (which most people will agree is not so much a flavour but a vehicle for flavour and texture) which was bland and coated in dry spice. There was an average serve of cooked quinoa and some steamed vegetables - I assume, I don't eat half a meal and send it back (I think that's poor form) so I did not eat them considering the tofu was bitter, bland and coated in dry spice and I knew I would not eat it. There was a smear of some kind of turmeric sauce/paste on the side of the bowl which I guess was for added moisture but it was bitter - turmeric is a strong flavour on it's own and added to the dry turmeric on the outside of the tofu, it was not good. I had my companion taste it and they confirmed it was inedible. The clincher is ultimately not the debate about the flavours because maybe someone out there would like this - but I was genuinely wondering how it was still on the menu. The worst part is the way I was treated. I was told this was the meal and even if I couldn't eat it I'd pay for it. When I worked in hospitality the mantra drummed into me was "the customer is always right". Arguing over a plate of food wasn't worth losing business. Apparently not so at The Full Pantry. Myself, my companion and my friends will no longer be frequenting your cafe - or the store which we also shopped at regularly. I've never written a negative review for a cafe before but considering there was nothing registered in their system about this because I was forced to pay, I felt it was important that there was some form of record of this dreadful service. We brought it up twice with two different floor staff and the kitchen staff relayed the same message. Because the kitchen is open to view from the floor I saw the chefs look over at me several times after the food was returned but when we went to pay at the register and I was only two metres away they would not look at me. Even when I was in earshot and telling the girl at the register my experience and she walked behind to talk to them - no eye contact, no enquiry about how it could be improved (I would suggest a marinade?), just 'blanked'. This is not only poor business and customer service, it's really juvenile. I hope you lift your game guys but honestly I don't intend to return...

You have love coming home, seeing a package, and getting excited, not because you have package, but how it's going to smell when you open it! The smell is only made better when you open your mason jars and Tupperware containers, put all the ingredients in a saucepan, and take a moment to realise you didn't buy a 30g pepper refill from ColesWorth for $4.99. Yeah, you might sniffle a bit at the postage, but plan ahead to decrease the marginal transport cost ;)

Also, hand written note [attached pic], and everything packaged in primary-school-canteen-lunch/butchers bags, combined with transferring cash back to you, no questions asked? Seriously, the nostalgia, the fact that someone will pick up a pen to write you a note [damn, I haven't had anyone write me note like that since I was in High School] AND give you some cash back because they couldn't fulfil the order?

Seriously. So many good experiences ordering from TFP. (Just make sure you have air-tight containers, and a device, such as a funnel, that can transfer a kilo of cumin powder from a plastic freezer bag into said container)... And to think, the only reason I ordered initially was because of an extremely...

I'm new to the Full Pantry and was absolutely thrilled that at last these kind of places are gaining popularity - although I remember 30 years ago trying to get something like this up and running with people thinking it was crazy! Thankfully, we've all moved forward and the Full Pantry is providing a wonderful service. There are so many things you can buy in bulk here from cinnamon sticks to lentils, from dried apricots to pumpkin seeds, laundry detergent to spices You can bring your own bags (which is ideal) or they do have some paper bags there. They also sell beeswax wraps, produce bags or even larger bags to take your goodies home in. Perhaps you'd like a reuseable water bottle or coffee cup? What about an alternative to cling wrap? Whatever you need it's here. Located centrally on Maroondah Highway, with plenty of parking you can come here and do your shopping and also have a bite to eat or a coffee in the cafe area. The staff are extremely helpful and any queries they can help. Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Good parking. Well worth a visit to check it out but beware, you won't go home empty...