OPORTO BBQ — Restaurant in Barrie

I went in with a desire for Portuguese food - chicken particularly. I did not see chicken on the hot table but could clearly see a tall, operational rotisserie unit. I confirmed that chicken was available. The place wa not that well kept, nor visibly clean. I asked for chicken and potato’s - the only side visible. There was neither rice nor vegetables visible. Then I saw a tray of pulled beef as well. I asked for a “side order” of that. Then the problems began.

The young man behind the counter said I could not have it. We went back a forth. With clear hand gestures in case there was ambiguity or a language barrier, I said “a container with 1/4 chicken and potatoes”, placing my left hand on the upper counter and a side container of the beef, placing my right hand on the same counter - clearly demonstrating 2 items. He still insisted NO. I said “I’m the only customer here and you’re fine to let me leave”. “Yes” was his response. Then another person came out from the back. I went through it again. It was made so complicated by them. It was shocking. Meanwhile, up to this point, I never asked for or questioned price. Up to this point there was never any revelation of what they considered sides that go with their chicken dinner. They were just adamant that I could not have a side order of beef - which makes no sense.

Finally, after all this confrontation, I got what. I ordered for $27.

I left, spinning my head. The food’s flavour was very good. The “taste in my mouth” because of the experience was not so good.

I don’t like to judge a book by its cover but maybe if place is less than clean and there is no evidence of the ethnicity behind the product being served that should be a note to buyer…. But in so many restaurants the Kitchen and the staff are not localized with the type of food being offered and they are brilliant. Or maybe is a front of house issue. Or maybe it’s a lack of training. I don’t know but this was not a good experience but it was recovered by decent food and a fair price after I left.

I left and to this moment, the next morning, I still have no idea as to what the side dishes are that should have been available or offered. None were ever discussed.

The chicken and the beef were great. The potatoes really good. I am not sure about the use of the wax paper that turned to mush because the dishes were so moiste and wet but I worked through it.

Be aware of the challenges - or maybe additional training will happen for front...

First try at this place. Asked for deluxe chicken dinner (two chickens and two sides) and the gentlemen behind the counter said no, the grilled veggies on the hot table are an exception and would not count as a side. I reluctantly swapped that with a ceaser salad and added the grilled veggies as an extra.

Fast forward to home - the chicken was not cooked evenly, maybe it was left on warming for too long as the wings were rock hard and some parts a little dried out. The dark meat seemed to be satisfactory. Flarvour was good however.

Fries were well seasoned and crispy. Salad was brutal, not enough for four people. If that was a $10 large side, then I don't want to know what a medium order looks like. No different than generic dressing and grocery store romaine and croutons.

The grilled veggies were probably delicious - but I couldn't tell you for sure because they we never sent with the order. Absolute disappointment.

I called and asked what happened and the gentlemen muttered that he forgot. I was rude about it when he followed up with silence. He was unable to come up with a solution and quickly reminded me that it was never charged to my card.

There were other minor disappointments while making the order that I won't mention, and I felt uneasy the second I asked for a menu. Maybe it was just this location? I feel robbed for $60. I'm eating the leftovers while writing the review. I'd rather...

I was greeted and treated very disrespectfully at this location which I have been coming to since they have opened. I am not going to be going here anymore. My review for this place before was really good because i have been a loyal customer but after today I will never be walking in there again. When i walked in to get my usual quarter chicken dinner meal with two sides the owner immediately rudely said chicken isn't ready yet and when i mentioned ill just get salad and rice we then started a conversation on sizes she asked if I wanted a medium size very rudely and i replied" yes whatever you recommend, I am pregnant though and hungry" she took that the wrong way and due to my disability being fully deaf in my left ear sometimes i talk louder and she thought I was being rude when i just have a bit of a louder voice then most people because of my disability. I was actually being very nice and she then yelled at me, mocked me and when she was in the back making my salad I could hear her complaining about me. I walked out and did not get the meal. due to my disability i felt shamed and now there is a lost customer due to disrespectful attitude. I drive over 15 minutes to get there for a nice lunch every now and then and I cant believe I was treated that way. As an owner myself I would never treat customers the way she and her co - worker treated me...