The Mekong Cat — Restaurant in Stockport

I’ve always really enjoyed the food and service at Mekong Cat, but unfortunately, my recent visit for Mother’s Day weekend was quite disappointing.

We booked a table a week in advance, and at no point were we informed of any time restrictions. The food did take a while to arrive, which we didn’t mind, but the dishes came out at different times—so while I was finishing my meal, my mum had only just received hers.

Then, just as my mum was about halfway through her meal, a female server came over and bluntly told us we needed to vacate the table in five minutes. There was no way she could have finished her food in that time. If we had been made aware of a time limit when booking, that would have been understandable—but we weren’t. And if we had finished eating and were lingering, I could have understood—but my mum was literally still eating. As a result, she had to leave half her food, and we had to take our drinks with us.

We had only been at the table for about 55 minutes when we were told to leave. Our food started arriving at the 30-minute mark, but because the dishes came out separately, we naturally finished at different times, making it difficult to eat quickly.

This experience really put a dampener on what should have been a special meal. I usually love this restaurant, but this felt rushed and inconsiderate, and I left feeling quite disappointed.

I do want to mention that the main male server was great—polite, informative, and attentive. It’s just a shame that the experience was overshadowed by the female server’s abrupt approach, which really impacted the atmosphere. I wouldn’t be surprised if he loses out on tips...

In the 70s in communists ruled Poland was made film called Teddy Bear (miś in original.) There's famous scene where one of many characters go to very popular milk bars. Place where food was really cheap and cheaply made. Service was rude and you ate on... Well have a look for yourself on YT - bar mleczny MIS. Metal plate screwwfo table and before our character was able to eat that plate was secured with a screwdriver to the table.

And today i felt just like in that scene. When i was served by cheeky (in not very nice way) young person that slammed mug in which chopsticks and forks and napkins where stored. Thought its just my face but every one was served like that. Like that young person was doing life sentence here by serving customers. And before you say anything... I often order in takeaways and im served by young people. And im treated with more respect that i had today. No questions gentleman whom took our order was polite, had a time to chat with customer and explain differences in meals.

And meals? Lao style Pho. I want to learn how they do broth in Vietnam. This was amazing. Simple broth with rice noodles and nice chunks of rice noodles. And you can choose from many different types of meat. And how such meat is prepared.

Im also happy tlwe where able to get table. This place is popular. For food that is, not for a service from angy kid who probably planned to play on console rather than help / earn some pocket money. When it comes to pay you have option to give a tip. My advice don't. Let the kid learn some manners first. Ao you don't have deja vu feeling of being in 70 comedy.

4 stars because of...

Mixed feelings;

The food is out of this world!!

However we booked a table from 6-7:30 on the booking it states we will have 1.5 hours.

We got a phone call around 5:30 to say the table was as ready early if we wanted it we said we would do our best to arrive early.

On arrival the server was great very friendly and helpful with menu questions.

The mains were brought whilst we were mid starters but appreciate that can be a thing in some places so didn’t mind too much. After 50 minutes the small amount of food we had left was taken away whilst my Mrs was still chewing, the bill was then slapped on the table and we were told we only had 10 minutes left on the table….

We asked why on the reservation it says 1.5 hours and were told by the confused server there must have been some sort of “system error”

After protesting we were very kindly allowed to order dessert.

We noticed on paying we had an email at 5:31 to say the booking had been changed to 5:30-7…..this wasn’t discussed with us on the phone. And then another email at 5:45 to say the booking was 5:45-7 and then another email to say the booking was 6-7.

I fully appreciate the service industry is a difficult place to operate but you have to talk to your customers not change their bookings without talking to them.

In summary food is out of this world.

Customer service was the opposite and as a result wont spend any more money there

I’m not the sort of person to give a negative review in the current climate but this was a...