Safari Snack House — Restaurant in Burnaby

Lack of Price Transparency, Inconsistent Customer Service & Unusual Operating Practices at Safari Snack House & Grill

I enjoy the unique East African and Indian fusion dishes at Safari Snack House & Grill, but I’ve had ongoing issues with price transparency and customer service.

The owner posts a daily menu on the restaurant’s Facebook page featuring delicious items like masala parotha, khadi & khichdi, beef kalio, chicken tikka, mishkaki, and tandoori chicken. However, these menus never include prices, making it difficult to know what to expect before ordering.

When I called the restaurant to ask about prices, responses varied. Sometimes I was told, “I don’t have access to the POS system,” or simply, “It is what it is.” This lack of clear pricing is frustrating and feels unfair, especially since portions tend to be small for the cost.

The restaurant’s official website also does not list the daily specials or their prices, and it appears the pricing there may not be regularly updated. This adds to the confusion for customers who want to plan their meals ahead or compare prices.

Another point worth mentioning is that the restaurant often closes on public holidays or whenever the owner chooses to take a personal vacation. While every business is entitled to set its own schedule, this approach is unusual compared to other restaurants, which typically remain open — or even extend hours — during peak times. It also raises concerns about operational reliability and gives the impression that the staff may not be trusted or empowered to run the business in the owner’s absence.

Update in Response to Owner – July 7, 2025:

Thanks for your response, Shai. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify how things work at the restaurant.

I wanted to share a bit more context, especially around pricing. While I understand prices may be listed inside the restaurant, it can be difficult for customers ordering takeout or checking the Facebook menu to know what to expect beforehand. In my experience, getting clear price info over the phone was sometimes a challenge, and receipts weren’t always provided unless specifically requested. Offering upfront pricing and automatic receipts would go a long way in making the experience feel more transparent and consistent.

Thank you again for your time and...

I typically refrain from leaving negative reviews for food establishments, especially those that are family-owned. However, my recent experience at Safari Snack House compels me to share my disappointment. This is not the first instance of poor treatment by the lady who appears to be the owner of the restaurant.

On several occasions, my family and I have been ill-treated by this same individual. Most recently, we called to place a bulk order. Initially, she informed us that the food was only prepared for Saturday and Sunday. When we requested the order for Friday night instead, she agreed. However, upon mentioning that we preferred the food to be made fresh, her attitude abruptly changed. She dismissed our request without explanation and abruptly hung up the phone.

Sadly, upon reading other one-star reviews, it appears that our experience is not unique. Many others have voiced similar grievances about the owner's disrespectful behaviour towards customers.

While I appreciate the challenges of running a restaurant, professionalism and respect for patrons should always be paramount. Unfortunately, our interactions with Safari Snack House have left us deeply...

Forget “best samosas in town”—they are the best samosas in North America! We have had many, MANY samosas between the US & Canada. These are the best ones, hands down. It’s gotten to the point that my partner and I have to order an equal number of beef samosas, otherwise we’ll fight each other for the last one. I’ve strongly considered moving across the street, her food is consistently amazing. We come every weekend and happily make the trek from downtown via transit! Her mandazi is drool worthy —we always stock up for the week. I always cry a little when I eat my last mandazi for the week. Don’t even get me started on the bateta champs. We have to get at least four, otherwise we’ll eyeball each other’s champs and start plotting ways to steal them. And her entrees? WOW. From the beef kichro, masala fish, daal & rice, to (my personal favorite) spinach curry with rotli—her entrees will have you enjoying every mouthwatering bite until the last drop. We’re always counting down the days until our next trip to Safari and...