Chop 'n Chill — Restaurant in Port Macquarie

Updated: As you can see by the owners response, they couldn’t care less and didn’t even seem surprised by our bad experience at their restaurant, it must be the norm here.

First thoughts; McDonalds but worse.

Photo 1: The questionable paper towel roll on our table. Not sure if I was meant to wipe my face with this hot mess, or if I was expected to wipe the table down prior to leaving. I’m genuinely unsure what the purpose of the dirty paper towel roll was for, if possible please let me know in a reply.

Photo 2: We initially received a bucket with cutlery and condiments, it had food scraps and crumbs of previously eaten food from other customers, after taking it to the staff we were given this bucket that I took a photo of, cutlery loose in the bucket, not very clean or hygienic, I’d expect this kind of food service in a playground or sandpit. Bad idea/10.

Photo 3: The chips I ordered came with a napkin, rendering the possible purpose of the paper towel null and void. Just take away the gross paper towel, people wiping their mouths with paper towel other people have fondled, yuck. The food being served to others looked “sad”, wilting lettuce, overcooked meat, it didn’t pop visually or even look remotely good. Burger served in two difficult to flip halves, deconstructed. A burger was ordered, an open sandwich was received. And not the good kind with a saucy bun needing flipping, but half the contents on each half, quite strange and difficult to tackle. Kind of like when you get a Big Mac and it’s had a bumpy ride home. My partner said the burger wasn’t even as good as the burgers I make at home, but they are pretty gourmet homemade burgs. The sauces with the meal also came in throwaway paper ramekins, not very green to be using disposable ramekins with every meal. Aside from the disgusting environment, gross rusty cutlery buckets and oddly decorated table; the food was served shortly after ordering, the bar staff were lovely and friendly and made me a 10/10 cocktail served exactly how it was supposed to be.

Would I come back and eat here again? I wouldn’t, the whole place needs an overhaul, I don’t know how they’re operating. Why not just have tea towels on the tables so everyone can share germs if that’s the purpose. 100% not Covid safe or hygienic. On a final note, you’re paying gourmet prices for fast food vibes, I could pay less eating in at a fine dining establishment like Miss Lucy, Ichi, or Bar Florian where staff pour your water, come to your table for ordering and cater to you...

After 2 years, I received a notification by Google that many people saw the photo of the insect came out of their serving dish - a bamboo steamer. I was hoping they are no longer using these bamboo steamers to serve food unless they are actually steaming food in it, but they are still following the same practice according to some other newer posts of food served in an 'aged looking steamer'. As an asian, I would say these steamers are not truly designed to serve food unless you steam food in it. They need to be 'sanitised' by steaming regularly unless washed in vinegar water and dried properly (I put my steamers under the sun regularly). Otherwise it can be a home for unwelcomed germs and even insects like the picture. I was disappointed that they did not take their customers' feedback sincerely as they seem to be a popular eatery in the area.

The location and staff were OK. However, I would not reccomed this place to people who enjoy well prepared meals and clealiness. I ordered a main called 'San Fran Choy Bow' which was served like 5 mins after ordering - pretty dry, not warm and bland shredded pork sitting on top of a couple of lettuce leaves. It did not look as good as the description at all. THEN I saw tiny crawlers coming out of the serving dish, a bamboo steamer... I did not want to make my friend who chose this place sad, so did not make a scene, but politely pointed out the 'issue' to a staff who was apologetic. I managed to order safer sounding food, but my apetite was gone. The replacement meal came - grilled fish, slaw and chips served on a piece of paper on a plate. WHY paper? I accept it for burgers or deep fried food. But NOT for grilled fish and SLAW! They did not offer sorry drink or anything for this terrible exerience. That was a...

I have always been a fan of Chop and Chill and had had many meals here. Saturday night a friend and i had booked a table for 17.00 inside near the window. i was told at the time of booking that there was another booking at 19.00 which was fine. We arrived just before 17.00 and it was very noise. The was a group of ladies on a long table against the window and the only way some of the ladies could go to the bar was to push past our table. The ladies kept saying they were sorry and there wasn't much they could really do about it if they wanted a drink from the bar. We order our meal around 17.20 and it arrived shortly after. We were eating our meal when a waitress came to the table and said i am putting the name of the people that have booked at 19.00 on the table. Look at her as we knew there was a booking at 19.00 and it was 17.55. My friend and i kept speaking to each other, when another male came over a took our empty glasses while we were having our meal. And the table of ladies were still trying to squeeze past us to get to the bar. These ladies had to come around a Polon and our table which was very uncomfortable At 18.15 another waitress. Came over asked if we were finished which you could clearly see we were still eating. I told the waitress to take our plate and we left. I know it is leading up to Christmas and you try to turn the tables over a quickly as possible. The service was degusting, and that Christmas party should have been in a area where they could go to the bar without disturbing other people. We will never go back and it was so unfriendly and...