The Pig Station — Restaurant in Invercargill City

I read the reviews and couldn't wait to go here bc I have recently come down here from a place that had a café that was dedicated to bacon and they were sublime.

Parking was good and inside was very quirky, almost back street New York looking, and like you could expect it to be buzzing with hustle and bustle. So I had high hopes...but I was left disappointed.

It was evident as I approached the counter that there was nothing hustle and bustle about the place vibe-wise. And the buzzing seemed more like a 2 second 'pssshhh' as you open a half-flat bottle of fizzy.

I was after one of their long ciabatta bacon rolls with whatever else they came with, but they didn't have any. As it was only lunchtime, and mainly bc we were in the car and so driving and I wanted something I could chomp on on the way home, I settled on a bacon buttie and a hot chocolate each for me and my wife, who had just said "get me whatever you have". Well, while I waited I just stood and watched the comings and goings behind the counter and out back in the kitchen. There wasn't one smile that came across any of the staff's faces and contrastingly to the many "very friendly staff" reviews, some looked downright miserable, which was confirmed when I asked after 20-odd minutes how my order was coming along. You would've thought I'd asked her if she would throw her first-born child into the Oreti River or something, by the look on her face.

For such a simple order I thought the 30+ minute wait was a bit long, but hey, the layers upon layers of deliciously salty, bacony goodness will make up for the wait and staff's 'downer' attitude, right? Um...when the lady handed me my two butties in the bags I knew this wasnt going to be what I had wanted it to be. The butties were two pieces of white toast bread, not super thick, just normal toast bread and a very measley amount of bacon, some soggy caramalized onion and that was it! No sauce even and, yes, it may have melted into it a bit, possibly, but ya know what?..I would go under oath and say in my eyes (and my wife's), there didn't even seem to be any butter on the bread either! Hugely disappointed, because I was really looking forward to it. I could have easily given it to my four year old granddaughter and she would have finished it under two minutes. And these were...$10 each thank you very much! They would cost a flat, honest buck to make at most! The hot chocolate tasted good, but I asked for both to be extra hot and apparently there that must mean 'warm'. As I said, lovely flavour but it really wasnt even hot at all.

So, $31.80 for what they gave me was, frankly, insulting, and I have no real inclination to go back there again.

It's a shame, cos their burgers look lush! But I just can't be bothered with the side orders of long wait time and sour attitudes.

They get two stars instead of one because the hot chocolate tasted good and would've been great had it been hot.

Sorry, but this was my experience and I have to call it as I saw it on the day.

EDIT to YEAR OLD REVIEW:

New 06/03/2024;

I bought dinner one night and decided to give these guys another chance, albeit hesitantly...and...I'm glad I did. I got a pork belly burger and a big ciabatta bread toasted pork sandwich with an egg and salad stuff in it and, what I have to say was, the best Hollandaise sauce on any burger/toasted sandwich/muffin etc., in town. Both items were absolutely delicious and the big ciabatta toasted pork and thick cut bacon sandwich with that sauce was truly an out-of-body experience. It is hard for me to get my head around that these two meals I have written about here were from the same place! I want to say that the first appalling attempt at bacon sarnies was just a very bad day at the office, and that the latter sublime offerings are the ACTUAL norm that is what will be served in future and, I choose to say this purely because that burger and huge toasted, saucy sandwich were THAT good!..So, don't let me down now, Pig Station!..You had to lift the bar from loooooow, but...you did! So please,...

We were in Invercargill for four days. Came to the station twice. The first time was because I saw the bright red Wagyu shop sign. You should try it if you can eat it as a pig, right?

The staff are as energetic as bells, with masculine enthusiasm and unique style.

There is no size choice for coffee, only mugs. The grilled pork skewers are very fragrant. The burgers are pretty good too.

I haven't touched burgers in years and have grilled a range of foods. Really well done, Unique food . It's easy to eat like a cute little pig.

We are from Shanghai and live in Auckland. This time is our son’s school holiday, so he can go out and experience the world. My son loves the pork skewers...

Have often passed by but never had the time to stop and chill out in this quirky Cafe. What an absolute treat. An unusual name for a cafe but the food was devine. We had the eggs benedict one with hash brown one with sour dough, what can I say the presentation was on point, the eggs were cooked just right, runny yoke and cooked white and perfectly shaped. The bacon was crunchy just the way I like. The drinks ordered were hot and delicious. I'm looking forward to returning and tasting more off the delicious array of items on the menu. Best of all the parking spots are free and directly outside the cafe. Keep up the...