Review Best Posts in Thread: coco amigos, worst service on planet earth

I am sure Jack they are making money there based on how long they have been there. My point was it could be such a great place (a Dumaguete "must do") instead of a take it or leave it place. There are too few places to go at night here and have an enjoyable, safe environment. Three or four changes and it would be the star attraction at night on the blvd. JMHO

 

I beg to disagree with our esteemed reviewer. Whilst Coco's could do a lot to improve service this is by far not the worst review of an establishment I have read about. I would like to indulge readers with a sorry story I heard aboard a dive vessel off Aqaba Jordan some 8 years ago...

A guest on board checked into one of the local Premier Hotels paying approx $340 per night. He was kept waiting for 3 hours as "the room is not ready sir". Said guest was forced to wait in the desert heat outside "as it is policy sir, no uninvited people are allowed on premises. You have not checked in".

3 hours later and 'escorted' by the bell hop to his room the said bell hop handed over the room key and legged it as fast as he could leaving said guest struggling outside his room with his luggage. Upon gaining entry he found that his "premier"room had no furniture. That's right his bed, sofa, wall table and anything else had disappeared. So our intrepid guest returns to the check in desk..."ahh sorry sir, we have obviously made a mistake here, we are pleased to show you to your new room...". The same bell hop 'escorts' this guest to his room in a similar fashion, ie, you carry your own bags I'll struggle with my very heavy room key.

Upon entering his new room our guest is assailed by a terrible smell. The previous occupant has left what can only be described as "a deposit" in the sink (heaven knows why, but it takes all sorts doesn't it?) By now our guest has just about had enough and so returns to the check in desk. Raising the issue with the duty check in clerk the clerk says "one minute sir, all will be well, please wait here" and scoots off. The clerk returns 5 minutes later...with (roll of drums....tish!)...... an air freshener aerosol. Talk about a Basil Fawlty moment

Of course, by now our dive guest is livid and demands to see the manager. The manager arrives and our guest pours out his litany of complaints, doing his best to keep his temper. After all, a long tiring journey to be kept waiting as the room is not ready outside in the heat, missing furniture and finally unusual sewage disposal methods, anyone would have had enough at $340 per night. And the managers response? "You can't complain. You are only a guest."

I kid you not, this really happened. So whilst all might not be so well in the Phils service department (and I have really seen some lax, crazy service here) it is not as bad as all that. Most folks when you draw their attention here to things not going well usually respond with a smile and an apology. At least they don't insult us to boot.

 

Opinions are like eyes and a#@holes, (we all have 1 or 2). I quit going there after several less than acceptable experiences over the years. I expect good service from a 4ner owned establishment. Service, cleanliness and quality of food are paramount too getting hold of my entertainment money. The staff have been there for years and most days (busy or not) one has to stand, wave or go to the inside for their attention at which point they seem disinterested in whether or not you are enjoying the place.
With proper management, a staff who puts in an effort for their pay (makes for good tips) this place could be the most successful venue on the blvd. With so few places left on the bvld to spend a few hours I think it's a shame this real estate is wasted in it's current use...

 

I suppose I am different because that does not work for me. If I want to eat or drink something I will get up and walk to the girl at the bar, just inside the door, and say: Can I order blah blah or can I get my bill. I mean people who are hungry or thirsty and sit there waiting for the Philippines to change and then walk out still hungry or thirsty are only hurting themselves. You think the waitress or the management cares?

 

Because of the brownout we went to Coco Amigo's on Sunday night, i was not keen on going after what i had read here but it was the only place with lights still on that we could get a table without waiting.
The service was good and the food was also good, my wife had fish tinola and i had pepper steak, both faultless, the only thing i would warn anyone about regarding the steak is to get the pepper sauce separate as i did so you can add it yourself.
I say this because it was way too spicy for my taste and anyway i like steak to taste of steak and not the sauce.
It was a guy who waited on us and not one of the girls so i don't know if that made a difference to the service

 

The key points. Generally you just need to learn to deal with frustration. But if the food isn't worth it, then you put up with less.

There are restaurants here which have such bad service during certain times of the day that I'll order food straight from the cooks and drinks straight from the bar. Then when I pay, I get up and search for the waitress. But I like the food at these places so much that I'm willing to do that.

I like what Wrye83 said about having things to do. I plan plenty of time to kick back and enjoy the meal and the venue if I know that service is bad. If I'm really in a hurry, then I plan accordingly.

I don't think complaining will work. If the food is great, then just go with it. If the service is awesome, then vote with your pesos. Eventually the owners of these other restaurants will see what all the fuss is about and might try to copy the better restaurants. Possibly customer service might be one of the things which gets copied.

 

Wife and I use to be regular diners there. We haven't been there in over 6 months.
Got tired of having to get up and hunt down staff to order meal, get a second drink, get bill, etc. But, they do provide you with a menu quickly - as soon as you sit. But, then, you the customer often has to do the leg work from that point on. The food and drinks are OK, though.

 

I agree, I got decent service but IMO only because my SO called out for assistance. The food was OK only IMO at least the Texmex stuff I got because the SO doesnt like the food so only I ate. In the future I will either go to Taco Tayo or up to Valencia for my Mexican food fix as IMO both were better food. Especially in Valencia at (forgot name). Sorry! Maybe it was Pecos Petes???