John Dory's Ballito Junction — Restaurant in KwaDukuza Local Municipality

I don't understand why exactly my wording of this particular review wasn't posted, only my rating showed, so I'm editing this post to add my initial review.

I have given the Ballito branch a 5 star rating because the staff went over and beyond to meet all my and friends needs.

I'm not a fussy guy and don't like to complain but service is everything for me. I strongly believe that first impressions last and people remember how you make them feel.

My love for John Dorys started at the Durban branch at Sun Coast Casino in 2015. I went to John Dorys to redeem my hake and chips voucher that I received with my Suncoast member card.

It was a Wednesday evening and the place wasn't too busy, the manager at the time approached me and asked if I'd be interested in trying their Sushi, especially because it was half price.

I let him know that I did not really understand the hype about Sushi because I tried it once with my dad and it wasn't that great.

He then went on and asked if he could change that experience into something great for me by introducing me to Sushi the proper way.

He sat down in front of me and taught me how to use the chop sticks, gave me all the tips one needed to know about Wasabi, Soya sauce and of cause the best way to eat Sushi.

Boy oh boy was I in for a treat, the lady working in the Sushi bar section had resigned and the manager decided to give her free will to experiment on her last day.

We were fortunate enough to try all her delicious Sushi experiments.

I must say that this moment is extremely memorable and ever since I have gotten people to join me on Sushi dates at John Dorys in JHB, Durban and Cape Town.

I love John Dorys!!! Recently however, I went with a friend to the Umhlanga branch for the very first time and I was heavily disappointed.🙁

We were greeted by a young gentleman that wasn't wearing proper uniform, the staff were noisy, the floor and tables were dirty, the service was slow, the Sushi bar was full of staff and not all that clean, the color plate covers were cracked and the Sushi did not look appealing or appetizing to say the least.

My friend and I desperatley wanted to leave the place but unfortunately we had already ordered our Cappuccinos and our waitress was quite sweet so we did not want to let her down.

We decided to leave very soon after our beverages. The waitress realised that we weren't too satisfied and asked what the matter was, we explained all the issues we spotted and that there seemed to be no order at this particular branch.

Shortly after the manager arrived and apologized explaining that unfortunately it was a little chaos because of the staff change over and that the previous staff that were on duty, did not do as they needed within their section.

Anyway we appreciated the apology but that did not justify the situation and we left soon after. It just wasn't the same.

As despondant as we were, we thought we'd give JD's one more try and went to the branch in Ballito at the Ballito Junction mall.

Gosh, immediately one could notice a difference and the place was really busy.

We were greeted with smiles and friendly faces, the place was spotless and in great order. The staff were even so considerate and kind to inform us that we should beware of the step at the entrance.

The manager was on the floor and asking each table how everything was as a manager should do.

The service was flawless and serviced with excellence. The Sushi was so delicious and this branch just restored my love for John Dorys.

Our waitress was Smangele and she was an absolute star and on a roll, she welcomed us with the most precious personality.

After all our delicious Sushi orders, they offered us a small bowl of pop corn to finish of the meal which was a new one for me but I actually appreciated it very much.

I'd go on forever about how genuine and amazing the service was that we experienced at this newish branch, excellent job to all the staff and manager!!!

Please keep up the outstanding service.

Thank you for restoring my faith in John Dorys, you guys rock and...

My partner and I went to John Dorys Ballito Junction last night to celebrate our 3-year anniversary, and unfortunately, it turned into one of the most disappointing dining experiences we’ve ever had.

We were told our meals would take about 25–30 minutes, but ended up waiting close to an hour. While waiting, we noticed an alarming number of cockroaches in the restaurant. We were seated in a booth near the kitchen and saw cockroaches on the booth itself, crawling under nearby tables, and even climbing the metal fixture that keeps food warm near the kitchen. It was absolutely shocking and completely unacceptable for a restaurant serving food to the public.

To make matters worse, my partner lost her ring during our visit. We called the restaurant soon after to ask if they could please check the booth and bathroom (as she might have left it on the sink). We were told someone would call us back — but no one did. I followed up myself, only to be told they couldn’t find the ring. I then asked if they could review the CCTV footage to see if the ring was still on her finger when leaving the bathroom or if it might have been taken. Again, I was told I’d get a call after the manager looked into it, but once more, no one followed up. When I called a third time, I was simply told that the manager had already gone home.

The person answering the phone was also very difficult to understand, spoke unclearly, and showed little interest in helping us.

We used to really enjoy dining at John Dorys and often chose it for a casual meal out. Sadly, after this experience — between the poor hygiene, lack of communication, and overall indifference to customer service — we won’t be returning...

I will like to lay a complaint about the John dorys at Ballito, I've had such bad experience from the management, mainly the head office management named Malusi which we was told by himself.

We had ordered the special attached to the mail, they was 7 ppl seated at our the table, we decided to have a quick meal before our travel.

We was then refused the special by Malusi, saying that he cannot give us what we ordered to share with our couples and that we must order something else, the advertising did not specify no sharing. Do they have the right to stop customers from sharing a meal?

I then asked him can we write a statement about our experience and send it to the head office and he can also write his feedback which he had agreed to. After statement and feed back written signature was given, I then asked him to add on a company stamp which he agreed upon. On his way to place the stamp few minutes after he said that he cannot give us the statement written and he had thrown it away and we will not get it.

This was shocking coming from management at John dorys,

Since all my life Going to John dorys I never experienced this, everytime we Always had shared a meal.

John dorys need to teach management about customer service and management s**s

I would like to see action taken on Malusi, for his rudeness, Customers at the restaurant had also said they are not allowed to refuse people from sharing.

What about customer that cannot afford a meal and that's the...