Bad Business

[lvdkeyes]

This morning we went to Coco's at 0930 for breakfast. When we got there there were three other tables occupied. One table had their food. The other two tables were a table of 6 and one was a table of two. When we were ordering the waitress told my bf that the food would take a very very long time. Needless to say, we didn't wait around and would really hesitate to return again. BTW, no owner or manager were on premises, only Thai staff.

[Trongpai]

I've been to Coco's 5 or 6 times for breakfast and never had a problem. Richard was there each time that might have been the reason. I found the food very good but the service was so-so. I've found out you have to speak clear and slow when ordering and it helps to speak Lao. They don't repeat the order and just look off at some distant point in a blank stare.

I'll tolerate bad service to a point if the food is really good.

In this case it would behoove Richard to investigate and respond with an explanation. Perhaps it something like the stove was broken and they were waiting for the repairman.

[christianpfc]

...and it helps to speak Lao.

Some Farang speak Thai, but Lao is a bit too much. As I can judge from their website, they try to attract guests from all over the world, so English-speaking staff is a must. Alternatively, numbering the items in the menu is an option, so the waiter writes down the numbers the customer indicates.

(But then you have customers like Black Woman who don't look at the menu, just ask if a meal is available and how exactly it is prepared and if it is available with a bit less of X and a bit more of Y instead.)

http://www.cocospattaya.com/

[Trongpai]

They are numbered but then there's other options, juice, toast white or dark, and how you want your eggs cooked etc.. Omit one of the options and they will choose for you.

One to ten in Thai are the same in Lao.

[lvdkeyes]

The problem was NOT a language barrier. My bf speaks Thai, Lana, Issan, Southern Thai and more. The problem, as I see it, was the kitchen staff not being able to cope with the job.

[Gaybutton]

I've been to Coco's 5 or 6 times for breakfast and never had a problem. Richard was there each time that might have been the reason.

I think that's exactly the reason. I too had a bad breakfast experience there and it was on Richard's day off. I've decided if I want to eat at Coco's, if Richard is there I know they'll get it right or Richard will make it right. But quite frankly, if Richard is not there I'm out the door whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Again, Richard is not the owner and again he doesn't always get to do things the way he wants. I truly believe if the restaurant would do exactly what Richard says, every time he says, the restaurant would be far more successful.

[2lz2p]

Tuesday is Richard's day off. Also, on days he is there, he comes in around 10am as I recall. Since I like to go there for breakfast, I am usually in and out before Richard arrives unless I'm running later than usual.

I have had only 2 bad experiences - both times with the sausage gravy (my usual order is biscuits & gravy) - all the other times it has been good. Once I sent it back as it was an inedible thick slush (they said they couldn't make any more as they had used the last of one of the ingredients - they didn't say which one and I didn't ask). So I ordered something else. I did mention it to Richard at another time as I know he likes to know if anyone has a problem.

The second incident was about a week ago which was the last time I was there. This time the gravy was thicker than usual and so salty I couldn't eat it. The waitress took it back and after a bit, brought me another order that was fine.

I have also had lunch and dinner there several times with no problems, but usually Richard or Phil or both are there. If I like the food at a particular place, I don't let a few isolated bad experiences keep me from going back - unless it becomes the rule rather than the exception.

[Richardcocos]

First I would like to thank you all for your constructive comments.

With regards to the biscuits and gravy I have reviewed, again, the recipe with the kitchen and it should come out correctly in the future. I apologize for the problem.
On December 17 we had 2 cooks who didn't show up for work in the morning (sick??) so thing were going to come out of the kitchen slower than usual. I have told my staff that when such situations arise they should advise customers when they arrive, so that the customer can decide whether to stay and wait a bit longer or take the option the you did lvdkeyes and come back another day. I think this is better than not warning the customer and having them be upset at a longer wait for their food.

I do like to get feedback as this is how I can see what problems arise and work on correcting them. You can also contact me direct at my email, [email protected]. I don't always have time to check the boards

Some of my staff have fair English but some are still very weak. If any of you know of waiters or waitresses with good English who will work for 9,000.00 per month, plus tips (we don't have service charge) meals, uniform and Thai Social Security and Medical, please send them to me.

[Gaybutton]

I do like to get feedback as this is how I can see what problems arise and work on correcting them.

Ok, since you ask it - my bad experience was a breakfast experience. You were not there that morning, so I do believe if you were there you never would have let things happen the way they did for me.

I tried the 99 baht breakfast special. Anywhere else I've had a similar breakfast in Pattaya, similarly priced, the usual fare is two eggs, at least two slices of toast, at least two strips of bacon or 2 pieces of sausage, butter, jelly, and a choice of tea or coffee. I've even gotten that with 69 baht breakfasts. It says right on the Coco's menu 1 strip of bacon. One strip of bacon? My goodness, is the owner sure he can spare it?

At Coco's I opted for the "Jimmy Dean" style sausage. A friend had eaten the same breakfast recently and ordered the bacon. He told me it's true. He really was served one small strip of bacon. What's the excuse for that when virtually every other restaurant in town that serves breakfast gives you at least two strips of bacon, and often more than that - even when it's a breakfast special?

I was not asked how I wanted my eggs cooked. I ended up with two fried eggs - very over-cooked, 1 slice of bread that had been cut in half and the waiter telling me that's two slices of bread. I had to ask for butter and had to wait for it. That morning there was only one other customer in the restaurant while I was there. I don't remember whether jelly was served. The "Jimmy Dean" style sausage wasn't sausage at all. It was simply a ground pork patty with no sausage flavoring whatsoever. It was also the size of a US 50 cent piece. One bite and it was gone.

In other words, my breakfast that morning was one of the lousiest I've ever had. I'm sorry, but that's what I got. As I said, I truly believe if you were there, that wouldn't have happened. The problem is without knowing whether you will be there and without knowing what the staff is going to serve if you're not there - well, what can I say? Coco's is not exactly the only restaurant in town that serves breakfast.

[catawampuscat]

Never seen a worse review. Cocos too far from my usual haunts to waste time after such poor reports.