Coco Thai Bistro — Restaurant in Narberth

Coco Thai Bistro is your small, local, community restaurant. The atmosphere is charming, surroundings of natural vegetation and greenery throughout. The food is delicious. Those are all the pros.

Cons:

1. Mobile Ordering: The ordering is done entirely on your smart phone. We asked for paper menus, but were kindly turned to our smart phones. No waiter service aside from having your food served. Upon checking out, you are asked to fill out your name, email, phone, and if you want to "subscribe". Just like a YouTube channel.

2. Fees: The "fees" charged to your bill are horrendous. There is 20% gratuity charge to the entire order. Even with no waiter service. A dollar is charged per box for a small container for any leftovers. Now, you are debating if you should finish your food or just leave it.

3. Additional Tipping: On top of the 20% waiter-less gratuity, after paying, there is a line for "additional tip". The audacity to ask for more even after a required tip is jarring. This has left many customers questioning if it's even worth giving any business.

4. Rude Host: Whoever answers the phone for reservations is curt. I had to call twice just to make sure a reservation is made. It was briefly debated how well the restaurant would be if the host is brusque and impatient. I still felt wondering if a reservation for the right time was made.

Summarizing, the food is delicious, but expensive. Bring a charged smart phone, otherwise you may have to order upfront. Be aware of the excessive fees. Gouging customers to pay more is not a way to do business, especially when this restaurant is located in a small niche community. If you aren't old school or traditional, then making a reservation online would be easier. It is a small opinion, but this restaurant is operating on a slippery slope; that is to be out of business. It is also understood that due to things outside of control, such as, Co-vid and the pandemic that prices would be higher, but charging customers for more than just their meal is not a smart, long term business strategy. Attempts were made to discuss with restaurant about these issues before this review was written; was dismissed briskly and told to write this...

Pre pandemic, I loved this place. WAS a friendly, cozy and quiet BYO with an uplifting atmosphere.

I made reservations to go post pandemic.

We arrived to find the only seating was on the second floor, which is not ADA compliant. My walker depended mom wouldn't be able to easily sit. (Strike one.)

Then they asked us to use a QR code to access the menu. I don't have or want a QR code thing on my phone and shouldn't have to download an app to order food. Some people (me) have vision issues that make online ordering unpleasant. No paper menu option. (Strike two.)

THEN the waitress points out that there's an uncorking fee for your BYO. NOPE. I draw the line at that. (Three strikes.)

We were out of there.

Additionally, the second floor only seating put us right next to a very loud table in a very cramped spot. When I asked to be seated on the first floor telling them about my mother's disability (not to mention my own issues with stairs,) and the noise level I was told there wasn't a server for the first floor. So, my disabled mother should have to climb the stairs because your staff wont?

I was told I should have asked before making the reservations. WHO EVER WOULD ASSUME A RESSTARAUNT ONLY SERVED ON ITS SECOND FLOOR?!!?

When I asked if there was any other option to order aside from "online," I was told no. Some people don't have phones. What do you do then?

As for uncorking fees.... that's ridiculous.

IK I may be coming across like an uber-karen... For which I am truly sorry. I'm especially sorry and apologize to the waitress for my bruskness and walking out. The waitress wasn't at fault for anything, and she got stuck with my airing of displeasure.

I hope the owners see this review and recognize that they need to make some changes to keep customers.

The food is (probably) still wonderful, BUT the place is no longer "user friendly."...

This is my second time here and I’m never coming back. My friend orders the salmon hot pot and I tried it once and liked the flavor but thought it was too spicy for me personally. So when I ordered it the first for myself, I asked them to not make it spicy. I couldn’t eat it because it was too spicy the first time and my stomach was upset all night. We came back here tonight and I thought maybe I would really stress the no spice issue and try it again. I did and it’s still just as hot! Couldn’t eat it. We call back and the manager says she can’t do anything but give ten percent off for next time. What’s that gonna do when I can’t eat my over 20 dollar meal this time. They could of given me my money back! Or even offered me to come pick a different meal for free. Then the manager says that someone should of explained to me that it still has to have some spice to it because it’s red curry. Well no one explained this to me on the phone while I was placing the order so why is that my problem? On top of that while I was there they didn’t want to accept a ten dollar bill because the little corner was ripped because “the bank wouldn’t take it”. I’m sure someone who works there could of exchanged it for ones if they really cared. They made me go back and get a different ten dollar bill. They also made me break a dollar for a penny which is ridiculous. I get they are busy and good looking establishment with good food but their lack of customer care is ridiculous. They could of done a better job explaining the meal to me and cared more when I was unhappy. Think twice if you’re sensitive to spicy food before...