Worst Cafe 2007

[BUBBLE]

My vote goes to the Rangitaiki Cafe, bout 20km from Taupo heading towards Napier. Terrible service, any body else experienced this. New owners in the last 12 months and walked away feeling really unimpressed. We (3 adults, 3 kids) purchased $22 worth of hot chips, wedges, coffee, and cold drinks and we were rudely informed that our purchase only entitled 2 of us to use the restroom, 1 person used the restroom and the door was promptly locked again. We were there for almost an hour, a couple games of pool, hot food and drinks. We noticed several people in the same scenario, many unimpressed customers that I would not imagine stopping there again.
I've been calling in there for several years, spent hundreds of dollars in the past, including a group of us on bikes staying at their bunkhouse, drinking at the bar many times, eating meals, etc. The old owners could not have been more friendly or helpful, they were great, even locked our bikes up in their shed overnight for safety.
But the new owners SUCK, will not be going back!!!

[NotaGoth]

Not being able to use the restroom is just abosolute bullshit....

Maybe there are that hard up from their lack of "hospitality" and customer service that they can't afford toilet paper anymore so they have to limit usage..?

As a paying customer I don't understand what their game is..

I thought restroom facilities have to be provided when running particular establishments like cafes and bars etc etc ..?

Who writes out the licences for people to sell food in cafes, i thought you have to have paperwork signed by the district council..? Might pay to ring up and find out wether they have a right to do that to customers..

I worked for BP and I know that LEGALLY they have to provide restrooms there.... They have no choice..

[Chisanga]

Should have just gone for a piss outside their main entrance then :)

[BUBBLE]

Not being able to use the restroom is just abosolute bullshit....

Maybe there are that hard up from their lack of "hospitality" and customer service that they can't afford toilet paper anymore so they have to limit usage..?

As a paying customer I don't understand what their game is..

I thought restroom facilities have to be provided when running particular establishments like cafes and bars etc etc ..?

Who writes out the licences for people to sell food in cafes, i thought you have to have paperwork signed by the district council..? Might pay to ring up and find out wether they have a right to do that to customers..

I worked for BP and I know that LEGALLY they have to provide restrooms there.... They have no choice..
Yeah, would be interesting to see what the health department would have to say about it. Our kids were aged 4, 6 & 8, pretty hard to explain to them that they had to hold on till we got back to Napier, 1 hour away thru windy roads.


Should have just gone for a piss outside their main entrance then :)
LOL, lets just say...there were many suggestions made when we were there but we left without causing a fuss.

[Karma]

my votes go for;

Nandos - Queen St, Auckland - Dark and dingy and way too much salt
Oporto - Queen St, Auckland - Only ever seem to have some dumb asian chick serving, and therefore takes about 3 days to get your order.

[skidMark]

not a cafe but redline performance car parts those guys are pricks honestly.

a good bakery is the little one by the shell gas station on lunn ave (mt wellington)

by the wendys excellent service everytime and excellent food

sorry no bad experiance but pays to know where the gooduns are

[dogsnbikes]

My vote goes to the Rangitaiki Cafe, bout 20km from Taupo heading towards Napier. Terrible service, any body else experienced this. New owners in the last 12 months and walked away feeling really unimpressed. We (3 adults, 3 kids) purchased $22 worth of hot chips, wedges, coffee, and cold drinks and we were rudely informed that our purchase only entitled 2 of us to use the restroom, 1 person used the restroom and the door was promptly locked again. We were there for almost an hour, a couple games of pool, hot food and drinks. We noticed several people in the same scenario, many unimpressed customers that I would not imagine stopping there again.
I've been calling in there for several years, spent hundreds of dollars in the past, including a group of us on bikes staying at their bunkhouse, drinking at the bar many times, eating meals, etc. The old owners could not have been more friendly or helpful, they were great, even locked our bikes up in their shed overnight for safety.
But the new owners SUCK, will not be going back!!!


Think I may pay them a visit :Punk: and rip the place apart since Im in the industry it will be fun lots of fun:innocent:

[ZeroIndex]

My vote goes to the Rangitaiki Cafe, bout 20km from Taupo heading towards Napier. Terrible service, any body else experienced this. New owners in the last 12 months and walked away feeling really unimpressed. We (3 adults, 3 kids) purchased $22 worth of hot chips, wedges, coffee, and cold drinks and we were rudely informed that our purchase only entitled 2 of us to use the restroom, 1 person used the restroom and the door was promptly locked again. We were there for almost an hour, a couple games of pool, hot food and drinks. We noticed several people in the same scenario, many unimpressed customers that I would not imagine stopping there again.
I've been calling in there for several years, spent hundreds of dollars in the past, including a group of us on bikes staying at their bunkhouse, drinking at the bar many times, eating meals, etc. The old owners could not have been more friendly or helpful, they were great, even locked our bikes up in their shed overnight for safety.
But the new owners SUCK, will not be going back!!!

that is absolute bullshit... you shoulda pissed on the bathroom door if they didn't wanna open it...

[ZeroIndex]

my votes go for;

Nandos - Queen St, Auckland - Dark and dingy and way too much salt
Oporto - Queen St, Auckland - Only ever seem to have some dumb asian chick serving, and therefore takes about 3 days to get your order.
I don't think it was actually a vote for the worst cafe... I think it's just a catchy line to say how bad that crappy place is...

[Big Dave]

You Kiwis are too polite for your own good sometimes.
I would have created a right scene if someone told me I hadn't spent enough money for a....

[trumpy]

Used to be group of us would go to the Rangiteiki Cafe regularly when riding our dirt bikes out there but no more. Previous owners were brilliant. Used to allow us to leave our cars and trailers in their carpark and in return we would ALWAYS stop for a chat and spend some money in the cafe. Apart from being nice people it was also good business sense on their part.
First time I went after the new owners took over I was told I hadn't eaten enough of a meal to be able to use the toilet!! Told them what I thought, let the dog crap on their lawn, and haven't been back since, nor have any of the others I used to ride with either. Problem is the guy who owns the pub around the corner is just as flipping grumpy! And these are the very people who will constantly moan about how bad business conditions are at the moment.........

[Trudes]

Should have just gone for a piss outside their main entrance then :)

Exactly what I was thinking!! Imagine if you'd gone out and taken a dump on the doorstep!

[chanceyy]

Think I may pay them a visit :Punk: and rip the place apart since Im in the industry it will be fun lots of fun:innocent:

Now that may be worth a visit to watch LOL .. :yes:

[Sniper]

Oporto - Queen St, Auckland - Only ever seem to have some dumb asian chick serving, and therefore takes about 3 days to get your order.

Sounds very much like the Shirley Pizza Hut here. They quite happily stand and joke and then looked really pissed when you stand there waiting to be served. On one occasion I saw a customer refuse to pay before receiving the pizza and afterwards he told me that they often take the order and then go back to talking and you can end up waiting for 45 mins.

[MSTRS]

My vote goes to the Rangitaiki Cafe,....

That the one on the left, just by the little bridge before the incline? Have not been there for a while, and doesn't sound like we will anytime soon, if so.

[WRT]

Havent been to the Rangitaiki Cafe myself, other than to park there while riding in the forest. However, I know someone riding his Rocket III over the Napier-Taupo with his missus on the back, they stopped there for a bite to eat and a "comfort stop" and got told the same thing about the restrooms. Again, they are customers that a) wont be coming back; and b) are telling others not to go there either.

[Highlander]

Good service you tell two friends, and then another two, and then another two.

Bad service you tell two friends, they tell two friends, and they post it on the interweb.

Good reputation is much more important in business and harder to get.

Couple of places I won't go back to too. I try not to bad mouth them, but if I'm with someone and it is suggested we go there I'll tell them why not.

[Dooly]

Its probably going to take a lot of people over time pissing on their lawn outside the door for them to wake up.
But then again, as alluded to no one will go back anyway.

Shame really as it was always a good pitstop over the years when we used to head up to the drags at Meremere or the Puke swap meet.

[James Deuce]

Anywhere that serves Illy or Supreme "coffee". I'd rather drink Nescafe Fine Blend and that stuff makes me vomit.

[Hitcher]

I'll agree that Illy is crap. Have yet to quaf a good one of those. I am astounded that people feel compelled to import this stuff from wherever when Wellington has four of the world's best roasters and blenders. But I have had more positive experiences with Supreme -- the house blend at the Fush and the Mainstreet Deli in Greytown! The house blend at Chez Hitcher is L'Affare's Primo.

[MSTRS]

And in true KB fashion, the thread segues seamlessly from a terrible cafe with locked toilets to Hitcher's house blend coffee....'tis forever a wondrous thing

[James Deuce]

Supreme is always salty and oily. I've never had a good coffee from the fush.

[Kickaha]

And in true KB fashion, the thread segues seamlessly from a terrible cafe with locked toilets to Hitcher's house blend coffee....'tis forever a wondrous thing

perhaps he should be infracted for taking the thread off topic? :lol:

[vifferman]

The house blend at Chez Hitcher is L'Affare's Primo.
My last boss used to have their coffee couriered to him in D'Auckland! He'd order it one day, they'd roast it, and he'd have it the next day. Even with the courier fee, it was only about $30 (IIRC) for a kilo.
Then he got all super-technical, bought a commercial espresso machine, a roaster, and four different types of green beans, and roasts his own.
I've thought about getting my onw roaster too, but I can't be bothered, as Altura (http://www.alturacoffee.co.nz/index.html) is within sniffing distance of work, so I just walk around at lunchtime and buy a bag.

[Hitcher]

And in true KB fashion, the thread segues seamlessly from a terrible cafe with locked toilets to Hitcher's house blend coffee....'tis forever a wondrous thing

And the toilets (all four of them) are rarely locked at Chez Hitcher, apart from the one in the basement that is currently suffering from Belva fatigue.

[bert_is_evil]

WTF?? Surely that breaches health and safety regulations? You should write a letter to Helen

[Krusti]

My vote goes to the Rangitaiki Cafe, bout 20km from Taupo heading towards Napier. Terrible service, any body else experienced this. New owners in the last 12 months and walked away feeling really unimpressed. We (3 adults, 3 kids) purchased $22 worth of hot chips, wedges, coffee, and cold drinks and we were rudely informed that our purchase only entitled 2 of us to use the restroom, 1 person used the restroom and the door was promptly locked again. We were there for almost an hour, a couple games of pool, hot food and drinks. We noticed several people in the same scenario, many unimpressed customers that I would not imagine stopping there again.
I've been calling in there for several years, spent hundreds of dollars in the past, including a group of us on bikes staying at their bunkhouse, drinking at the bar many times, eating meals, etc. The old owners could not have been more friendly or helpful, they were great, even locked our bikes up in their shed overnight for safety.
But the new owners SUCK, will not be going back!!!

I KNOW.... Called in there on the way to Cold Duck. Could not believe how many different notes on the walls explaining what you could or could not do!

Last time there for sure...:yes:

[Winter]

My vote goes to the Rangitaiki Cafe, bout 20km from Taupo heading towards Napier. Terrible service, any body else experienced this. New owners in the last 12 months and walked away feeling really unimpressed. We (3 adults, 3 kids) purchased $22 worth of hot chips, wedges, coffee, and cold drinks and we were rudely informed that our purchase only entitled 2 of us to use the restroom, 1 person used the restroom and the door was promptly locked again. We were there for almost an hour, a couple games of pool, hot food and drinks. We noticed several people in the same scenario, many unimpressed customers that I would not imagine stopping there again.
I've been calling in there for several years, spent hundreds of dollars in the past, including a group of us on bikes staying at their bunkhouse, drinking at the bar many times, eating meals, etc. The old owners could not have been more friendly or helpful, they were great, even locked our bikes up in their shed overnight for safety.
But the new owners SUCK, will not be going back!!!

Yeah, I had that exact same experience. It was pouring with rain when I came through, from Napier towards taupo, so after 100k solid rain riding, i stopped to warm up.

There were two types of sasuage, veil and pork - the veil was more expensive. She asked which type I had chosen, I told her pork, I don't like deer. She said it looks like a veil sausage so she will charge me for that..

There were signs up everywhere explaining the toilet situation - basically said that because the laws that were around when the place was built meant they didn't need toilets for punters, they didn't have any, and that if you disagreed with this, you could find another place to eat/piss.

The lady was grumpy when a bunch of other bikers huddled round the fire trying to dry their gloves etc, say they were hogging all the heat and so on.

AND, to make matters worse, that place has BY FAR, the worst coffee I have ever had. No joke. it was terrible!

If i stop there again on my way to Napier , It'll be to piss on their door.

[Lissa]

I cant believe that Bubble... thats just rude and very stupid of them. I will make sure I never go there... or actually I might just to see what they say when I need to use their toilets, but Iam not buying anything!!! Is it the Rangitaiki Lodge & Ranch? I googled it, they have email address. :innocent:

[Beemer]

That's pretty appalling for a place off the main drag. Not allowing people to use the restrooms because they don't feel they have spent enough is not on.

We stopped in Taupo on the way back from Auckland recently and noticed all the cafes we entered (trying to find hot food that looked appealing) had notices saying their toilets were for the use of staff only. Had to end up paying 40c (doubled in price since last time!) to use the superloos - but at least they were clean, had plenty of toilet paper, soap and paper towels.

Some cafes have no idea of customer service. We visited the one near the Mobil in Foxton after the new owners took over and weren't impressed. Extremely slow service - one guy bought a filled roll from the cabinet but didn't get it for about 15 minutes - and his drink order came even later! We ordered iced coffees and had to wait close to half an hour for them. I got mine first and after tasting it I said it tasted like chocolate and was very sweet. Andy tried it and agreed it wasn't coffee so I called the waitress over and said we may have been given the wrong order. She took it back to the kitchen and the owner came out, very indignant. "That IS an iced coffee, I make very good ones and I put orange rind in them to make them special." I said there was no taste of coffee but she was adamant that was what it was. Andy's was the same - it tasted like chocolate syrup and had this bitter orange aftertaste but not a hint of coffee. She shot herself in the foot because we won't bother returning. Orange in an iced coffee? Ugh, trust me, those are two flavours that don't really go together!

[Krusti]

Yeah, I had that exact same experience. It was pouring with rain when I came through, from Napier towards taupo, so after 100k solid rain riding, i stopped to warm up.

There were two types of sasuage, veil and pork - the veil was more expensive. She asked which type I had chosen, I told her pork, I don't like deer. She said it looks like a veil sausage so she will charge me for that..

There were signs up everywhere explaining the toilet situation - basically said that because the laws that were around when the place was built meant they didn't need toilets for punters, they didn't have any, and that if you disagreed with this, you could find another place to eat/piss.

The lady was grumpy when a bunch of other bikers huddled round the fire trying to dry their gloves etc, say they were hogging all the heat and so on.

AND, to make matters worse, that place has BY FAR, the worst coffee I have ever had. No joke. it was terrible!

If i stop there again on my way to Napier , It'll be to piss on their door.

Hahahahaha... that was us. Did you have a good run through? We got even wetter heading toward Napier!

That couple certainly didn't look too impressed with us did they?

[Winter]

You were the lot with the trike? that think looked mint!

[Krusti]

Yeah that was us. Was my daughters first big trip riding it. Was nice to meet ya. :yes:

[Winter]

Yeah that was us. Was my daughters first big trip riding it. Was nice to meet ya. :yes:

Indeed - pity I wasn't interested in staying to chat, another cafe maybe.

I don't think I'll be doing that run again for sometime anyho, I have no business in Napier.

[MSTRS]

I don't think I'll be doing that run again for sometime anyho, I have no business in Napier.

That's a shame - we'd love to meet you, we have wonderful riding roads, and a good reputation cafe-wise...

[Winter]

That's a shame - we'd love to meet you, we have wonderful riding roads, and a good reputation cafe-wise...

oh allright fine.. I have a friend staying at the farmhouse lodge out in fernhill, and another friend in havlock north..

I guess I could pop down again one weekend.

[MSTRS]

There you go then...you do have business round these parts. Gie-us a shout an' we'll leave the door open for ya.

[Hitcher]

There were two types of sasuage, veil and pork - the veil was more expensive. She asked which type I had chosen, I told her pork, I don't like deer. She said it looks like a veil sausage so she will charge me for that.

Presumably you're talking about veal sausages. Veal comes from young cattle, not deer. It is a form of beef, not venison (venison is a term used to describe deer meat). I'd hate to think you were missing out on a rewarding protein experience because of some Bambi fetish.

[Winter]

Venison, they were venison sausages.

Didn't like the sound of eating bambi, so I've yet to try it.

Plus at at cruel $4 a pop or something they were far too expensive.

[The Pastor]

sounds like this guy has enough money to be an asswipe, power to him.


If he wants the bussiness to be a success however, he must be more retarded than I am. I have a low IQ but I know a thing or two about basic customer service. Its simple (like me :) ) don't piss the customers off, paying or otherwise.

[Swoop]

This place really sounds like it needs a length of chain padlocked across the entranceway. They obviously do not require customers.

[tri boy]

Sounds like this cafe has a major waste water storage issue. Probably on small holding tanks, and costing heaps for regular disposal.
No excuse for them to take it out on joe public.
:nono:

[GurlRacer]

Oooo I remember the Rangitaiki place... Dad stopped in there once coz I was absolutely busting!! Like, there was no way I could hold on any longer. We got in there and there was no one to be seen in there but a few locals at the bar drinking. Dad asked where the toilet was, and one of them replied "You may have to buy some peanuts so you'll be allowed, he's a real idiot when it comes to using the toilet" - then the owner came out. I was dancing by this point, and he said, "I don't allow anyone to use the toilet unless they purchase something" to which Dad replied, "We have toilet paper in the car if you want her to use that" :laugh: I gave him the best lil puppy dog look I could, and he gave in, but muttered "not again" ... so we have never been back!! Stuff it!

[MSTRS]

I'd still like to know which side of the road this place is...there is a cafe on the left (coming from Taupo) and nearish is a Tui pub/cafe on the right.

[Winter]

Coming from taupo its on the left.. IIRC.

[MSTRS]

OK...had a suspicion it was that one...just didn't realise it was licensed, with all the posts about locals at the bar etc.
EDIT - in a case like this, where there is some ambiguity, it pays to be accurate since the 'other' business could suffer through no fault of their own. And we like to be fair, don't we???

[Winter]

Has a cafe part and round the corner there is a dinky little bar. Can't say thatd be my choice of place to spend a friday night.

[Lias]

Venison, they were venison sausages.

Didn't like the sound of eating bambi, so I've yet to try it.

Plus at at cruel $4 a pop or something they were far too expensive.

Venison is the shizzle. Especially bush venison, just tastes so much nicer than farmed venison.

Someone send me some :-( My source dried up.

[McJim]

oh allright fine.. I have a friend staying at the farmhouse lodge out in fernhill, and another friend in havlock north..

I guess I could pop down again one weekend.


There you go then...you do have business round these parts. Gie-us a shout an' we'll leave the door open for ya.

Hey Winter,

Well worth popping in to see these fellas - salt of the earth and all that.

MSTRS - see and make sure you look after this wee fella if he's brave enough to stick his head through your door. He's so quiet you can't even hear his bike! :rofl:

[Winter]

Hey Winter,

Well worth popping in to see these fellas - salt of the earth and all that.

MSTRS - see and make sure you look after this wee fella if he's brave enough to stick his head through your door. He's so quiet you can't even hear his bike! :rofl:
Hey you stop that.

I'm on my way over to cycletreads now to pickup a new brake lever and

If you can't hear my bike yours must be far too loud :P

[MSTRS]

Hey Winter,

Well worth popping in to see these fellas - salt of the earth and all that.

MSTRS - see and make sure you look after this wee fella if he's brave enough to stick his head through your door. He's so quiet you can't even hear his bike! :rofl:

Here you - settle down - you're embarassing us.....

[trumpy]

........ Problem is the guy who owns the pub around the corner is just as flipping grumpy!.........

Belay that, apparently the Rangiteiki pub has new owners (or so I'm told), may be worth calling in there instead.

[BUBBLE]

That the one on the left, just by the little bridge before the incline? Have not been there for a while, and doesn't sound like we will anytime soon, if so.
Definately the one on the leftwhen heading to Napier, just before the bridge.

[BUBBLE]

I cant believe that Bubble... thats just rude and very stupid of them. I will make sure I never go there... or actually I might just to see what they say when I need to use their toilets, but Iam not buying anything!!! Is it the Rangitaiki Lodge & Ranch? I googled it, they have email address. :innocent:
I think you're right, they might have changed the name from Rangitaiki Cafe to the Rangitaiki Lodge & Ranch. I'm just looking for their email address now, help would be appreciated and I will forward them this link.

[BUBBLE]

sounds like this guy has enough money to be an asswipe, power to him.


If he wants the bussiness to be a success however, he must be more retarded than I am. I have a low IQ but I know a thing or two about basic customer service. Its simple (like me :) ) don't piss the customers off, paying or otherwise.
Pretty sure its a woman owns/runs the place.

[Toaster]

I googled it, they have email address. :innocent:

I get a sniff of a certain someone being up to trouble...........

[The Pastor]

Pretty sure its a woman owns/runs the place.

explains ALOT! Who let them out of the kitchen? What? They can vote now? Absurd!

[Toaster]

I'll just send them a bubble wrapped cat-poo in the mail.

[Lissa]

I get a sniff of a certain someone being up to trouble...........
No I was just curious... Ive been in Customer Service, I know how customers should be treated, and I know that if anything can kill a business its word of mouth. I saw it on the web with an email address to contact them, just incase Bubble wanted to mention something to them :) And the fact that its friggin disgusting to refuse to let someone use the toilet....

Ok... will get you the address to send your special parcel Toaster :D

[Toaster]

Ok... will get you the address to send your special parcel Toaster :D

Excrement!!!!

[Winter]

explains ALOT! Who let them out of the kitchen? What? They can vote now? Absurd!

:rofl: :rofl:

[ynot slow]

i'd fuck em,if i couldn't use the crapper i'd damn well empty my colostomy bag on the front door,and hope like hell i'd been drinking the night before,any nurses here will understand lol.nurses are great,mine were anyway,mind you with my sense of humour they needed to be.:Punk:

[scracha]

But the new owners SUCK, will not be going back!!!

You're joking? You didn't completely go off on one. I'd have decorated their walls with my leftovers (chips...not no 2's) that's for sure. Far too polite kiwi's.

[McJim]

Aye, they're restrained for the most part - don't have short fuses like youse Firth of Forth types eh?:rofl:

[NotaGoth]

There were signs up everywhere explaining the toilet situation - basically said that because the laws that were around when the place was built meant they didn't need toilets for punters, they didn't have any, and that if you disagreed with this, you could find another place to eat/piss.



That is absolute fucking bollocks and someone needs to write in and lay a formal complaint about it..

If they provide places for you to sit down and eat, and have tables out etc etc because it is "eat in" not "take away" they legally have to provide toilets...

There was apparently something like this on the telly just a couple of weeks back because of similar situations arising..

There are laws that were in play when the place was built.. And that was then.. This is now.... There are laws were you are rightfully meant to be supplied with a toilet access... Not some crapola of "you haven't spent enough"

I'd write a complaint

[trumpy]

Friends used the Rangitaiki Pub (on the right a couple of k's further down the road towards Napier) and found the new owners to to great. Happy to have them park their cars and trailers in their carpark and were very helpful with the kids.
Sounds like this place could be the go instead, particularly if you are (as they were) riding your bikes in the area.

[Skyryder]

Should have just gone for a piss outside their main entrance then :)

Why go outside. A piss or dump in the bar or resteraunt might change their policy.

Skyryder

[Patrick]

...we were rudely informed that our purchase only entitled 2 of us to use the restroom, 1 person used the restroom and the door was promptly locked again.

My kids would piss on the carpet if we said they could, probably lay a Mr Whippy too... that'll learn em...

[Patrick]

Ok... will get you the address to send your special parcel Toaster :D

Let us all know... our cat has the worst case of the shits at the mo, peels paper from the walls, melts your sinuses and sense of smell sort of shite thing...

The perfect brew for a place like this....

But, like others (kitty? etc) have said, they must provide a toilet(s) for a cafe/restaurant setting. It may not have been the case when it was built, but for renewals of Council permit thingies for the type of business, they would need to update any missing dunnies I'm sure....

[Krusti]

Funny thing is....pay your money, wooohoooo I can use the dunny!

Go ask for door to be unlocked, wooohooo!

Then read the 5 or more notices stuck all around toilet walls explaining rules for using said toilet.

I kid you not. Thought there must be something special about it, but no just another crapper!

Someone has a toilet phobia for sure down there.