John Dory's Walmer Park — Restaurant in Eastern Cape

I was a huge John Dory's fan in the past but recently John Dory's is failing their customers based on the amount of negative reviews including no interest from the business in responding to their customers concerns.

I had visited the John Dory's at Walmer Shopping Centre in Port Elizabeth. I ordered a thermidor kingklip which just tasted like mushroom and pepper sauce. I could have made a better thermidor sauce that that in my own house. When I questioned the waiter to ask why the thermidor sauce tasted like a cheap mushroom and pepper sauce. The waiter advised that this is the new recipe that is now used in all John Dory's. To me this is just lazy cheap and pathetic for creating something as big as John Dory's and then start using cheaper ingredients to save cost whilst increasing their food prices still.

I went again today the 12th June 2024 to the same branch for half price sushi. Apparently the sushi is only sit down and not takeaway. Yet on the previous two occasions I had ordered take away with no issues. The waiter was also rude when asked why is it sit down only and not take away yet I did take away on previous occasions. The waiter told me she is just following the policy which she clearly does not understand either as she was unable to explain why other than that is just the policy and if I want then I should find another waiter. What a load of garbage is that, for a waiter to tell you to find another waiter. I asked for the manager of the store and he also could not explain why I can't take sushi away other than it's in the T and C's... The manager had to go check the boards and come back to me to advise that it says sit in on the board which he looked really happy about providing the fact that he did not know this until today.

So I sat in and ordered my sushi and when it came I ate one some and asked for a takeaway which I had received. It's stupid to have a half price sushi day where I'm still paying for it but can't take it home as I have to apparently sit and eat some in the store. Now you are not only taking money from customers but also telling them how to eat their food.

Advised the manager that I don't care what anyone has to say as there is no sign saying after sitting and ordering my food I cannot take it away as I have already paid for it and you cannot hold it back, should you not allow me to leave with the food then I will not be paying for it even after I had already eaten some as its my damn food which I paid for.

Overall this was a disgraceful service from: John Dory's as a branch Waiters need training on your policies so they can explain to customers instead of getting upset by questions they may not have answers for. Customer service training also as you cannot tell customers to find another waiter that will place your take away order. Pathetic. Manager can have training on policies also as he only found out today that sit in is specified on the board. John Dory's should explain service more clearly to customers. Example if something says sit in. That means I have to be seated in the restaurant and order my food but it does not mean after getting my food I can't ask for a takeaway as it specifically states sit in. Does not state no take away on selected item. To myself if I buy food which I have paid with my own money, who are you to tell me what to do with it? If I want to take it away I will unless your clearly and visibly stating no takeaways on the board or in store somewhere visible.

I hope someone from John Dory's sees this and does something to a currently failing business I will now be using other restaurants which still care for their customers...

The day before my birthday, I went with my wife to eat at John Dory's in Walmer Park. I wasn't really impressed with the food. The portion sizes were shockingly small for the price we paid.

Upon placing my order, the waitress told me that they could give me the bigger 300 g steak for R30 more which I took. She also said that it is served with the best fresh vegetables. I opted for veggies and left the chips. This smokey Joe steak cost me R160+, and was definitely not worth the money I paid.

This was my 300 g steak, with vegetables and onion rings as it was placed down in front of me. My wife's fish was also very small, unfortunately I did not take a photo of her food. The vegetables look like they came out of a frozen packet and slapped onto my plate. The 3 onion rings weren't worth the effort.

I complained to the John Dory's customer care, upon which they replied and told me that the manager would be in touch with me. He did call me, and asked if he could give me a free meal. I declined the offer, telling him that I would not eat at John Dory's again. He said that he would give me some time to think about it, and told me that he would call me back the next day, which he never did.

Pros I have to admit, the steak was delicious. It was perfectly cooked (medium rare) and the sauce was delicious too. I must also give praise to JD's customer service. They were quick and efficient and the manager did offer me a free meal.

Cons The plate was filthy (see photo) with grey dishwasher stains and scratches. This is not what I expect from a restaurant such as JD's. Don't expect value for money. The starter was overpriced at R60. The main meals were extremely dissapointing. I actually left the restaurant hungry... after spending over R400 there.

I will never ever eat at this establishment again. If you consider going to JD's Walmer Park, be prepared not to get any value for your money. You have...

Hake and chips/rice is outstanding quality and value especially for pensioner's on Mondays.

The above review stands and week in and week out we get good food and good service.

Sadly it was not the case last night 07/04/2025. Waitron Mariska was her usual impeccable self. Friendly and efficient. I ordered the calamari strips with chips. (which I do often because the calamari is so tender) My wife the hake and chips. Her hake was exceptional and probably the best we have had there. Unfortunately my calamari was the worst I have ever had. I mentioned this to manager on his rounds past our table and his response was quite surprising. He said he is not surprised because they are having supply issues and do I know how much a kilo of calamari costs these days. He also said he would offer to bring me another serving of calamari but he he expected it to be just as bad. I was stunned by these remarks. I left the bulk of the calamari as it was so tough it was inedible. One receiving the bill there was no credit or even a discount for the calamari. I found this very disappointing and it left a bad taste in my mouth...