Brazooka - BBQ Brazil — Restaurant in Christchurch

I have been a loyal customer of this restaurant since high school, visiting around 40 times over the years, often bringing friends to celebrate special occasions. Unfortunately, this recent experience was extremely disappointing.

We booked the first table of the evening and received the half-price promotion, with the rules being a 90-minute limit and two excluded food items. The buffet style is served by staff at the table. At first everything seemed fine, but halfway through the meal the service suddenly slowed down, and several items we requested never arrived.

With only 10 minutes left on our reservation, a woman with glasses approached us in a very rude manner, warning us that our time was almost up. When I tried to explain that we had been waiting for food that never came, she cut me off and demanded we order immediately. Within a minute, she piled all the food onto our plates in a rushed manner and told us to finish quickly. This forced us to eat uncomfortably fast, and some of my friends even felt unwell afterwards.

What made the experience worse was the clear difference in treatment. While other customers received polite and smiling service, we were treated as if we were freeloading. At one point, when only one of us had finished eating, she came over and rudely took his plate away, insisting we leave.

As someone who has supported this restaurant for years, I felt insulted and deeply disappointed. Being forced to finish a large amount of food within 10 minutes and treated with such hostility is unacceptable in any hospitality business. I sincerely hope the management takes this issue seriously and addresses the staff’s behavior, because no loyal customer should ever be made to feel this way.

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Reply owners review

I understand your perspective, but as a long-time customer, my review was only to share my personal experience from that evening. Regardless of the explanation, the way we were treated made us feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome. For that reason, unfortunately, I will no longer...

I’ve been a loyal customer for several years and have always had wonderful experiences dining here, which is why I chose your restaurant to host some Canadian guests for dinner recently.

I made a booking three weeks in advance for a Friday evening at 5:30pm. When we arrived, we were informed we’d been seated in the “back room.” Unfortunately, the space felt very disconnected from the main restaurant - minimal atmosphere, just a few tables, and a young family with children had been already seated. It wasn’t what I’d expected for the occasion. I’d I spoke with the staff at the front and explained the situation, including that we had booked well in advance. They were understanding and moved us to a booth in the main dining area, which I appreciated.

However, once seated, the service felt unusually rushed. All of our dishes came out very quickly, to the point that one of our guests felt overwhelmed. I found myself trying to manage the situation and help her feel more at ease, which made it difficult to enjoy the evening.

I couldn’t help but wonder if asking to change our table might have affected how we were treated, as the pace and energy felt markedly different from what I’ve experienced in the past. I even hesitated to ask for sides or extras, which is not how I’ve ever felt dining here before.

It was disappointing, especially given how consistently positive my previous visits have been. I truly hope this was just an off night, as I’ve always recommended your restaurant to friends and visitors.

Thank you for taking the time to read this - I share it with the hope that it’s received in the spirit of genuine feedback from a...

I would have defined given it a 5 if not for a better given hospitality.

The lady that seated me for a bit rude and when I ordered a BBQ service from the menu which I told I would take it and she replied this is the only one we have and this is what u would get ..Then came in another lady who asked me if it's the first time that i am visiting them ..I replied yes.. she just told me that if I leave the green side of the wood it means I need food and the red ahows no food.. For $63 u get only this told to u..There were 7 staff for a 36 seater restaurant which would fit only 22.

The food was fantastic and worth the price u pay.. But just don't expect a star service..Maybe a bit racist but be prepared..

The ribs were melting in the mouth..The chicken wings were awesome but when I asked 2 more the staff hesitated to give me a bit more..She looks a little bulky and she never smiles that all I know.. But There was another guy named "CODY" who is awesome and an another guy who explained to other tables I'm such a way they would drool..

Honestly the food is good and it's worth much more even to a fine dining level if ubwould train staff well to smile and be polite and more caring to the customers irrelative to the race they belong..

Everyone who is dining with you is paying you a good amount of money.

Please I love your food and I want to come back..But if u have some bad staff I would never show up or recommend..

Keep serving...