Central Planet Grill — Restaurant in Albufeira

After politely asking for a table with a socket so I could quietly work on my own (as I usually do here), I was told off by the manager who, clearly showing no sign of good will and moderation, told me I "go there to use their internet all day" and "move around and it becomes a mess to keep track".

Laughable.

1. It's her job to keep track of what's going on.
2. Customers have reasons for those moves usually. After being put right under a stupidly loud speaker, I could not hold any sort of videochat and simply sat in a different table (asking for yet another beer).
3. I consume around 10 euros in coffee and beer every time I go, always move the table to wherever they say it's where it best suits them.

For reference, I use to come to this place regularly and have occasionally consumed their food (which is I stopped as it is undoubtedly sub-par given the local standard of food and awful value.)

Yet she starts berating the customer.

I am NOT begging or asking for favours.

No regard for the definition of a true customer (and not your usual chap who eats there and never returns). I have been in that massive place as the only customer.

For a local who has to endure extortionate prices for tourists and still comes back, this is my way to let anyone know what this place is - nothing else but a eat-and-go-never-return place

As for the manager: Endowed with a backwards mindset of someone who cannot fathom the possibility that a customer may as well consume and work and not do the usual thing.

The usual think is of course to ask for an overpriced sub-standard cocktail and look into the void in the sun for hours.

You do a disservice to the local community. Let others read this for their sake.

I will leave 2 stars because the staff there is otherwise really friendly and chilled...

Wouldn't recommend, absolute disaster.

Arrived at approx 7.35pm and 6 of us were seated. Our drinks order was placed just after being seated, then our orders were taken for the FIRST time at approx 7.45pm.

After about 5 minutes the server came back to table to say that there was no ribs, 2 of the 6 of us had ordered them. So replacement was ordered instead.

After about another 5 minutes the server came back out and said that there was an issue and he would need to re-take the order. So at approx 7.55pm the order was placed for the SECOND time.

The starters came out after approx 8.15pm and one of them didn't come out for a further 5mins after all the others had already finished theirs.

We then sat and waited for the mains for another hour and nothing. No explanation or updates as to what was going on with order, restaurant was going but not full by any means, people came after we had arrived and had got their mains before us, Others looked to be in a similar situation.

We had enough at that point at approx 9.15pm and asked to pay for our bill so far for what we had gotten (starters and drinks). It then took a further 10mins to try pay for the bill as they scrambled to find the order, multiple card machines later we paid and left.

In short: poor communication, disorganized service, and unacceptable delays. I’d advise avoiding if you're looking for reliable service or a smooth...

2021 EDIT What a difference a year makes. Went here to watch the football, asked the guy outside if it was on with commentary he said yes. So we sit down, order drinks and food, about 20 minutes to kick off a guy comes and sets up for live music. Asked the waiter twice if there would be music, or commentary, he walked off and never came back. We finished eating quickly when the music started, which the food tasted like microwave meal. Paid and left, when we left we asked the guy outside why he lied to us about the commentary, and had the cheek to say they couldn't put it on because of COVID?? Yet the bars nearby did, and they had a guy singing live, potentially infecting the people sat closest to him, whilst murdering the Beatles.

2020 Great food, great atmosphere, amazing service. And even a magic show after we finished eating !

Also fantastic cocktail variations...