Rice Boi — Restaurant in Sunshine Coast Regional

After being told by several people that we must try Rice Boi, we decided to give it a go this weekend. Can't book a table according to website, have to just turn up and queue. So Saturday night we found ourselves in the queue at 7.40pm with about 20 others. When we made the front of the queue we saw who we presume to be the shift manager come and tell the person who seats you to cut it off shortly. I won't repeat the words used but it was unprofessional to say that in front of customers. We were given the option of upstairs or outside and being winter we chose upstairs. The lass showed us to our bar table with stools and asked if we'd been before and we replied no. She put the menus on the table and pointed to the bar servery and said "order there" and walked away. Zero advice on food ordering, quantities, portion sizes etc offered, and probably disappointingly for the owners no attempt to upsell anything. So we looked at the menu and went over to the counter outside to order, a starter and 2 mains plus a drink each. The music was so loud and inappropriately uptempo we thought about asking to be moved outside away from the rave music, however when trying to gain staff attention no one seemed interested in meeting our gaze. Having run a restaurant and bar I was just really deflated by this time, and questioning why rice boi was recommended to us. The food came and OMG it was amazing, 💯 delicious however we soon realised that we would have been fine just ordering one main plus starter as we didn't even touch the second main. When another staff member came to clear our plates (no-one came to ask how we were enjoying our meal) I asked for a couple of takeaway containers. Having haphazardly served it into the containers we got up and left. As we walked back down the stairs we walked past several staff, and not once were we given any recognition of a thank you, or a good bye or hope you enjoyed your food. All in all we were really disappointed in the service and atmosphere, but having worked in the industry we do understand that it's easy and unfortunately too frequent that establishments just have an 'off' night. We will try again because the food was excellent, but maybe during the day when there is less pressure on us to get in...

RICE BOI = YEAH BOI

Arrived early AF as rumour had it that regardless of time of day, week or year this place absolutely pumps. We sat in the beer garden which even at 430pm was already filling fast, confirming clearly that the hype surrounding Rice Boi was in fact the real deal.

GF menu was on point (for us Coeliac diners) as we continued to nosh on dish after dish after dish, even ordering the Kingfish & Eggplant Chips twice. Aromatic Asian flavours danced across the pallet, laced with street food vibes & gnawish textures.

Portion sizes were generous and reflective of a price point that wasn't unreasonable by any means. Most expensive dish was $28, with the average sitting around the $22 mark.

The staff were young (which us oldies couldn't help but notice), but don't let the youthful energy fool you as they possessed a hospitality game beyond their years and great composure considering the endless stream of diners they had to contend with.

Special shout out to Henrick & Blair for amazing service, even after putting up with my numerous conversations about what dish to try next, weather comparisons to our home in the Adelaide Hills, what play list is this and whether good Saki should be served warm or chilled. In the end their eyes just glazed over as they nodded politely at the excitable tourist hahahaha.

If your expectations are to just roll up and sit down (as reservations here are unavailable) then put on your patience pants because good things come only to those who wait. As we left a huge line of eager customers were forming as they waited like hungry herded cattle for their opportunity to seated.

Rice Boi is a foodies must-do regardless if your staying nearby or within a country mile...

I don't understand the hype. Yes, it was like street food. Stood in line, sat on a tin stool amongst stacks of boxes. Ordered 4 dishes at the bar from a dirty tattered menu. Shouted over the bad music. It was crouded, but noticed only 2 Asian patrons in the whole place, 2 girls at the table next to us. The rest were all white Anglo Saxon. "Not a good sign," I thought. There was nothing Asian about it. None of the wait staff were Asian. None of the cooks were Asian. Like a junky burger shop, just kids, still in their teens. There was no aroma of food cooking, yet all 4 dishes arrived within minutes. The crumbed chicken was bland and tasteless, so I dipped it into the sauce that accompanied it. It too was bland and tasteless. The noodle soup had the same crumbed chicken, only now it was soggy and sunk to the bottom of the bowl. I think it all came out of the same bucket and was heated in the microwave. The 2 Asian girls got up and left, their food almost untouched. Maybe to go find something to eat. It's obvious to me, after reading the other reviews, that many people love this sort of swill, but if your tastes extend beyond the tradies food van, or outback petrol stations, I suggest you avoid Rice Boi, and go find a proper restaurant that cooks fresh...