Vansuya Restaurant and Lounge — Restaurant in Surrey

I’m updating my review based on recent experiences at this restaurant - leaving my original review in place in fairness to the then staff.

There has been a change in personnel lately that’s seeing this gem’s original standards of customers service plummet. It is no surprise that the score has dropped from near perfect to what it is today.

There’s a young lady on staff here that has a natural gift for aggravating customers. From the moment you walk in, the reception and tone is brash and hostile. While we can appreciate the pressures of working in a restaurant, abruptly calling out how busy your personal schedule is and all the things you “‘must attend to before I (you) can attend to” is uncalled for and unbecoming of a service provider. There were multiple other customers who came in and expressed similar shock to the reception and service. We saw several who got back to their cars and drove off. We made the well meaning mistake of sticking it out . Our total wait was over an hour , well in excess of the vigorously warrantied 25 minutes. In that time we saw all manner of frustrated fellow patrons. And while I’d love to continue supporting fellow African enterprises , it is this kind of treatment that will certainly discourage future visits. I hope the owner can engage with their staff about providing proper service and get Miriam the coaching she needs to better represent them. That is assuming she had the integrity to provide her real name for this feedback.

Date of service, Dec 1st 2024 Noon to 13;49

My previous review from 10 months ago;

“Had the pleasure of another eating in at Vansuya and as committed, I’m updating my review..

Service was much better the second time around. The staff were welcoming on entry and allowed us the choice of our preferred seating. (just like last time - and we always appreciate this flexibility)

We ordered the jollof rice and chicken suya to go. While we waited we sat at the bar and ordered some cocktails. There was a considerable wait time, but we’ve come to appreciate it as they make the food fresh after you order home-style. And perhaps that’s the hack - go in and order right away, then enjoy some drinks and banter while you wait. the food never disappoints. The jollof is very flavourful, not quite as spicy as what you may have at home, but again this dish is curated to appeal to a broader set of pallets even those that may not handle spicy too well. If you enjoy the spicy version I recommend you notify them when ordering that you’d like it at a spicier level. Chicken was delicious albeit cut in odd portions (ie. through the bone midway as opposed to strictly joints and tendons)

For those wondering what’s good, on our first visit we ;

started with our main, the Asun jollof. One can hardly go wrong with jollof - we noted that this particular one’s meat was on the gamier side. It had a delightful char that elevated the flavour and made it all come together. Our starter arrived a while after we finished our main, but it did not disappoint in both aesthetic and taste. The plantain was exceptionally seasoned and paired well with the gizzards. We found these quite filling so we got the Efo riro soup with garri to go. Food was a solid ten out of ten.

Highly...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Vansuya Nigerian Restaurant in Surrey, BC, and I must say, it was an extraordinary culinary experience. Having tried several items on their menu, I can confidently attest to the fantastic quality and taste of their dishes.

I started with the Egusi soup and Pando later vegetable soup, which were both incredibly flavorful and satisfying. The chicken with beef Shawarma and spicy flavors, leaving me craving for more with each bite. Additionally, I had the opportunity to drinking Hibisberry from it Hibis brands beverages, and they perfectly complemented the meal with their refreshing taste.

Not only is the food at Vansuya exceptional, but the drinks are also wonderful. The attention to detail and commitment to quality are evident in every aspect of the dining experience.

Overall, I highly recommend Vansuya to anyone looking for authentic Nigerian cuisine in Surrey. The friendly staff, inviting ambiance, and mouthwatering dishes make it a must-visit destination. Keep up the excellent work, Vansuya team! I'll definitely be returning and recommending it to all my...

Today marks my last visit here after many years of loyal patronage. Unfortunately, my experience with customer service was extremely disappointing. I ordered 4 pastries but quickly (within 30 secs) realized that it would be better to purchase a pack of 5 instead. I informed the cashier before paying or receiving my order, but she told me she couldn't make the change and that the person who could help wasn’t available. While I could have easily walked out, I chose to accept the 4 pastries to avoid further inconvenience.

As much as I support African businesses, I find it hard to overlook inefficiencies that make simple requests unnecessarily difficult. From now on, I’ll be taking my money elsewhere.

Edit: got home and realized they made a mistake and give me 3. If I reacted the way the cashier reacted “I cannot delete it” I would be making a big deal out of it. I was asked to come pick up the missing one, but I won’t be driving all the way for 1 piece of pastry.

Put well trained staff in front facing position if you really care about your customers, they represent...