Bracken Hall - Cafe, Gift Shop, Mini Market & NZ Post — Restaurant in Northern Community

On January 1st, we biked from Camp Taringatura to Mossburn with our 3 children. We hoped to rejoin the Around the Mountains Trail after a detour to Invercargill and Bluff. But there was a strong headwind and nowhere else to stop before Lake Mavora or TeAnau. We could get a site at the camp but we didn't have enough food for dinner or lunch the next day. Bracken Hall and the petrol station across the road were the only places open. The petrol station had next to no supplies other than milk and bread and Bracken Hall closed before dinner time. The ladies were snowed under with customers stopping in for lunch and coffees. But we weren't in any hurry so we waiting until the manager had time to talk with us. When we explained our situation, she was more than willing to help us. She told us to come back as they were closing and they would arrange a meal of pies and salads for us all. She also agreed to make us sandwiches for lunch the next day and made some great suggestions for a hearty and economical breakfast in the morning. We returned to the most amazing pies!!! Both the chicken and the venison pies were the best we had in the South Island. We also loved the real fruit ice creams made with chocolate ice cream. The ladies were all delightful even though they' worked a very busy shift. And, in the morning, they were there again to greet us with our packed sandwiches, slices and breakfast. We can't thank them enough for helping us out of a...

Considering 5 staff on service was slow and poor - the lady who served us was nice and polite We weren't offered dine in and got our food in bags Lamb pie had chunks of lamb very good however $10.90 it was full off grated carrots and mash potatoes and very bland - lucky for us there was sauces to chose from on the tables - great idea and surely added the missing flavour

That staff seemed to lack desire to serve customers when about 8 people came up to the counter no one was in a hurry to serve so I am guessing the owner himself did eventually

We also got a sausage roll this was fare again priced at $8.50 wasn’t worth the money We also got long cheese rolls and a. Cheese scone Cheese rolls were barely toasted and were just warm disappointed as we waited a good 15 minutes for them The cheese scone was dry and ok Over all we have been here before and it’s a big step backwards from what it was PLEASE can the staff also follow food regulations and put their hair up properly 2 girls (one with extremely long hair) only had their hair in pony tails This should have been at a minimum in a plait or bun Their long hair could have easily touched food on a plate - Lovley young girls don’t get me wrong but please look at your business from the customers point of view My insight was only 20...

Three ladies working.. With a collective age that would make them older than New Zealand itself! I ordered a sausage roll.. It's took them 21 minutes to heat it, after ten minutes a customer walked in and ordered a sausage roll, and he somehow got his sausage roll before me?! Wild. Then a customer left without being given half of their order.. So they just put it back in the cabinet and said "well at least it was paid for" 😂. Anyway.. It took three ladies, 21 minutes to heat up and organise three sausage rolls for three customers whilst bickering at who was to blame for the sausage roll chaos... And there wasn't even an utter of "sorry for the wait".... Stick...