Oporto - Bexley — Restaurant in Sydney

I was cautious yet quietly optimistic with my expectations of Bexley Oporto. I had been hurt before.

The drive to the store would take me 8 minutes & see me dodge some severe pot holes on the way. The superior AWD traction of my Subaru drivetrain filled me with confidence as I nimbly guided my automobile around these hazards. The cause of these potholes was due to heavy rainfall over the previous couple of years combined with ballooning debt that was crippling local and state government coffers; delaying action on basic infrastructure maintenance. Was the cause of these higher than usual rainfall events linked to the Hunga Tonga–Hunga volcanic eruption of 2022? An eruption that sent an estimated 146 million or more tons of water from the South Pacific Ocean into the stratosphere. This lower estimate of water vapor ejected being 10% of the stratosphere's typical stock. Temporarily warming the surface of Earth & remaining in the atmosphere for the next decade. It was these questions that I pondered as I took a left hand dogleg and reached my destination. The lowered concrete guttering of the entryway was slightly higher than normal. This slight deviance from the expected norm could pose problems for the unwary driver piloting a lowered sports car. Rather than nosing into the parking space I instead turned my car towards the restaurant and reversed into the park. This would save time on exit at which point my brain would be less sharp as bodily resources were being redirected to digestion. I also knew that having one's vehicle pointing towards the exit was an OH&S standard procedure. Why create additional risk? Reversing into a parking spot is also one of the few ways a man can still engage in masculine behaviour without being accused of a hate crime.

As I reached the summit of the entry ramp I noticed the right hand entry door was somewhat bowed inwards. I assumed this was due to customers instinctively pushing the doors inward upon entry without reading the clearly labeled 'Pull to Open' signs. This is understandable as the average customer driven to visit Oporto in a chicken induced fugue may understandably not have their mind on the basic task of correct door opening procedures.

Upon entering the restaurant I was immediately relaxed. The lighting was warm without being cold or blinding. The fake plants hanging from the ceiling provided a pleasant contrast with the wood finish of the walls. The restaurant was clean. If one were looking to get to second base at a fast food restaurant this would be my choice.

I approached the counter & noticed that the four visible staff members were all female & all of diminutive size. This did raise questions about the hiring policy of this restaurant. One could imagine a, 'You Must be This Short to Work Here' sign being a qualifying step of the interview process. This suspicion was confirmed on a later visit when once again there were three female staff members visible & all were once again at least one standard deviation below the average height of a female human. I ordered a large Bondi Meal and awaited my order.

Imagine my surprise when I opened my bag to find a generously filled box of hot, well cooked, well salted chips! I moved these to one side and retrieved my Bondi Burger. Construction was good and the burger was delicious. The chicken was about as tender as one can expect and the burger was well sauced with a pleasing balance of flavour. I enjoyed my meal and thought to myself that Oporto could indeed be delicious when the franchise in question put care & consideration for quality food at the forefront of their management strategy. I would return.

Epilogue

Upon returning I realised that adding tomato to a Bondi Burger incurred an additional $2 fee. I have adapted & now purchase an Oprego Burger which comes with tomato & simply switch the sauce to chilli. This action is akin to Neo...

What you expect. Fast food. No drive through which I don't think Oporto normally had anyway but since it's on a main road that would have been convenient. In my opinion Oportos is a bit expensive for what it is. Had to pay 1 dollar for each little thing of sauce which is obviously overpriced and highway robbery. I know you don't have to go there and I don't go often but the price is always mind boggling.

Other than that the food is tasty and that's fine. I don't really thing their chilli stuff is hot at all but feel free to try it. Especially if you can't tolerate much chilli.

The staff were pleasant and friendly. Quick to service.

The restaurant itself was neat and tidy as was the car park so that is admirable too.

All in all 3/5 mostly due to the price. Otherwise it's everything you can expect from a fast...

Ordered a whole chicken from Oporto and honestly, I’m disappointed. There was no basting on it at all — just dry, flavourless chicken with none of that signature Oporto taste. The basting is what makes the chicken juicy and full of flavour, so without it, what’s the point?

It felt like they just threw it on the grill and boxed it up. No care, no sauce, no effort. For the price I paid, I expected the proper Oporto experience, not something that tastes like it came from a plain charcoal BBQ at home.

This isn’t the first time either — seems like quality control is slipping. Please fix this, Oporto. Your fans notice when...