Shaka Shack — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

Shaka Shack – The Worst Hospitality Experience Ever!

I picked this place from a random Google search because of its proximity to Mahabalipuram beach. Big mistake. As someone from the customer service industry myself, I understand the importance of treating customers well — sadly, the owner of this place (who proudly mentions she drives a Benz) knows absolutely nothing about that.

First off, there is no parking space. We had to park on the road, and when we parked opposite the shack, we got into an argument with the owner of the hotel on that land. Not a great start.

The shack itself is tiny — just six tables total (five upstairs and one downstairs). They claim they make only fresh food, but that translates to a ridiculous 2.5-hour wait time. We went in at 3:15 PM and were served our rice and fish curry at 5:15 PM. It was insane.

Water wasn’t offered even once, not even when I was coughing badly after eating their overly spicy Madras prawns. I had to rely on my daughter's water bottle. That’s the most basic courtesy, and they failed miserably at even that.

We ordered: Tawa Fish Curry Leaves Prawns Madras Prawns Rice Kandhari Fish Curry (which the owner pushed us to try)

The food was average at best, and absolutely not worth the sky-high prices. I’ve eaten at other shacks in Mahabs, and this was by far the most overpriced with the worst service.

To make matters worse, other tables were being served while we were left waiting. A customer next to us had their fish curry replaced within minutes after they complained. I strongly suspect they gave away our dish and made us wait for the next one. The owner kept justifying the delay by talking about "fresh cuts" and how a shack operates, but honestly, it just sounded like poor planning and even worse attitude.

When I finally told her to cancel the fish curry, she told me to wait because “the fish is still being cut.” At that point, we had completely lost our appetite.

Even after all this, she remained unapologetic and rude. When we came back from the beach and found our car blocked, we went in to ask for help, and she snapped, saying it’s not a general parking space and we shouldn’t have parked after leaving the shack (we parked at the end of the road, not in front of her place). The sheer audacity.

Final verdict:

Overpriced, underwhelming Rude owner who has zero clue about customer experience Longest wait time I’ve ever experienced Mediocre food with 5-star pricing No parking, no water, no accountability

Avoid this place at all costs. There are far better places in Mahabs that actually value...

Shaka Shak, located just a stone’s throw from the stunning Mahabalipuram Beach, is a true hidden gem. The spot offers an incredible view of the sea, making it the perfect place to relax after a swim or just soak in the coastal vibes. The ambiance is vibrant and chill, with great music playing in the background that sets the perfect tone — whether you’re here to unwind solo or hang out with friends. The beach breeze, the sound of the waves, and the beats in the air create a magical atmosphere that’s hard to match. Now, let’s talk food — the menu doesn’t disappoint. One dish that truly stood out was the Chicken Stroganoff. Creamy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection — it's a must-try! The portions are generous, and everything feels fresh and thoughtfully prepared. But what really makes Shaka Shak special is the staff. After a dip in the sea, they kindly allowed us to use their shower facilities — a gesture you don’t see everywhere. Super accommodating and genuinely warm service. You can tell they care about your experience. Honestly, I wish I could come here every day. Between the views, the food, the music, and the kindness of the people, Shaka Shak has become one of my favorite beachside spots. Highly recommended if you're in Mahabalipuram and want the full beach chill experience. Overall...

The food was outstanding - excellent quality and presentation for each dish we got. Many of the dishes had a fine dining feel. The fish was The restaurant atmosphere was lovely with great Ocean views and open seating with nice sea/land breeze. The staff were very friendly. The bathroom although old fashioned was tidy and had toilet paper and handwash. The only criticism, which is significant, is that the food took a long time to be ready - over 2.5 hours. This meant that some of our party had to cancel their order as we had to leave. We did somewhat overwhelm the kitchen as we came as a large party of around 15 at one time. I feel like our expectations regarding waiting time could have been managed at the start and possibly suggesting to us particular dishes which can be made quickly, or maybe giving us the option to go and come back.

Overall the food quality was amazing and given this I am very keen for this type of restaurant to succeed although there are definitely some 'logistics' which require...