Laffos Bar & Pizzeria — Restaurant in Queensland

Quite disappointed in the experience I had yesterday trying to get breakfast with a friend at Laffos, Canelands.

We were told on arrival that we would wait 10minutes for a table. Not a drama, we were happy to wait. About 15 minutes after our arrival a couple was able to walk in and order coffees ahead of us (and the group in front of us in line) stating that they had made a booking. They were shown to a table, the first available in 20minutes, not long after their arrival. After double checking with the staff it was confirmed that no, you can’t ring and make a booking and that we would just have to wait in line (bit of an annoyance but we only waited a further 5 or so minutes before being shown a table)

I ordered a coffee while my friend was still deciding on what to drink (order was placed with who I assume to be ‘Laffo’ himself, although I’m not positive) when the second waitress came by to take our order, I changed my original order and was told by the original waiter that was fine, he hadn’t put the order through yet. When our drinks arrived, they were both wrong (I didn’t mind about mine however asked for my friends to be fixed due to dietary requirements set by her doctor, she is pregnant) the waiter took it back and it was fixed up, no dramas. The waiter then came back to take our meal order and I was told that contrary to the sign advertising all flavours of Eggs Bene were $12.50 that it was only if you got the Bacon and that if I wanted the Holumi I would pay full price of $18.00. I used the words ‘that’s interesting’ but regardless, I’ve had the Eggs Bene before at Laffos, once and it’s worth the price. Placed our orders. I asked for my eggs to be Well Done, twice, just to make sure.

As soon as our meals arrived I did a ‘poke test’ on my eggs, I know that sounds silly but they felt cooked enough from the outside.. however once I cut into them to check they were in fact, completely runny. The waiter at this time had taken a seat at an empty table next to us. I motioned for him to come over and said ‘excuse me but am I able to get these eggs cooked a bit more please, I did ask for well done’. The first thing that was said was ‘well, we are having problems with you today arent we’ and then ‘well actually, these eggs are well done for eggs bene, I suggest next time you ask for very very well done as the yolk is supposed to mix with the sauce’

Obviously I was angry, the last time I’d been at Laffos for eggs bene the same thing happened and the same man, apologised and took the eggs back and had them fixed up. So I said ‘well how about you take these back to the kitchen and I’ll go and eat somewhere else’ he then went to take them back, but turned around and said ‘look, I’m happy for the eggs to be cooked again, I don’t want you to have a bad experience’ and I just replied with ‘well you shouldn’t have spoken to me the way you have, don’t worry about it, I’ll eat somewhere else’ and then he told me that due to COVID if I wasn’t eating, I would not be allowed to stay. My friend was assured that she would be able to stay and complete her meal, I would have to leave.

We both decided it would be best to leave and when we went to the counter to pay for our drinks and meal the staff asked why we needed the bene taken off the order so I told them what was said and they looked mortified and apologised on his behalf.

I’m sorry but, if you order a steak well done at the restaurant, it will not come out oozing at all. It may come out the slightest bit pink in the middle but even that is considered medium-well. It comes completely cooked, whether it’s served with gravy or not. Entirely embarrassing confrontation for this man and the rest...

Laffos is a pretty decent place to eat but the last few times I've left thinking "meh". Don't get me wrong, definitely good food, but having asked for gluten free bread on my "Laffos Big Breakfast" and was instead served both gluten sourdough and gluten free bread (which cost an extra $2) is disappointing for someone with a food intolerance. After noticing the obvious gluten bread, I asked the waitress if my meal was gluten free and she said yes... I knew the sourdough bread wasn't gluten free when my friend's order came out and he had the same bread. Looking at the receipt, it says "Add GLUTEN FREE" so perhaps they thought I wanted gluten free bread to be added as an "extra" although I did specifically ask for my order to be made gluten free - meaning for it to be fully gluten free, not "gluten free with a side of gluten bread".

The $2 surcharge for gluten free bread is a bit ridiculous. Having read the reviews others have made about gluten free options at Laffos, I now believe any experience you may have will be either a hit or miss. For example, I have ordered GF Calamari in the past here and then later tried to order it again a few months later and was told they don't do GF Calamari... So I don't know what I ate the first time.

My original review thanked Laffos for not charging extra on gluten free pizza bases but unfortunately this is no longer the case (and has been like this for awhile). GF bases cost an extra $3.00

My most recent order had a strawberry shake, which I felt the size of the drink was underwhelming for $8.

In conclusion, Laffos is still a good pick in terms of food quality but it's harder to justify the premium pricing when they can't get the basics right (like NOT serving gluten bread on a meal that's supposed to be gluten free). I will likely be back again but it won't be my first restaurant option for a meal.

Original review posted 7/1/23 (5/5 stars): Good pricing and food. Thank you for not charging extra for a gluten...

Every visit to Laffo’s in Mackay has been an outstanding experience, with food that is consistently excellent and never misses the mark. Most of the staff are friendly and welcoming, but there is one lady in particular who always stands out. She treats the restaurant as if it were her own home, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for every guest. I’ve never caught her name, but if every business had staff like her, there would be little competition left in town.

The Hot Pot Breakfast is a standout dish—comforting, hearty, and full of flavour. It offers the warmth and satisfaction of a homemade meal, something far more memorable than the standard bacon-and-eggs fare you find at most cafés.

Like many venues, they don’t often check in to ask how your meal is once served. It’s a shame, as the only feedback I would have to give is overwhelmingly positive. Ordering via QR code is available, but if you’d like to make adjustments or add extras, it’s best to order at the counter.

There is plenty of parking nearby, amenities are close to the café, and they’re fully licensed with tap beers available after 10 am. Whenever I’m in Mackay, Laffo’s is always my go-to...