Big Rig Diner

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

This restaurant was without a doubt the most horrific experience of my dining life. The staff were sarcastic and decieved us about the price of drinks. Despite a friendly invitation on their menu, a fellow vegetarian diner was told that the restaurant had, 'No interest in catering to him,' and that he, 'Was in the wrong place.' The food took an hour and a half to arrive, during which time we were constantly badgered to buy more drinks by a waiter who made snide comments when anyone declined a drink. Diners next to us who were less 'hip' were sniggered at quite pubicly by staff, and the woman's outfit was openly mocked by the waitress. The food was passable, insofar as the hot dog tasted like one from a 7-11 and the fries were uncooked in the middle. Don't give these people your money.

Oct 24, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  5     

I went there yesterday (Thursday, 12 August 2010) at around 9:30 pm. The feeling was warm and cosy, we went straight to the booth and was being served straight away. I love the creativity on that menu. I asked for recommendations and the attendant was really helpful. I ordered a Baja Dog ($13.5) and Chili Chips ($7.5), also a bottle of Heineken ($7.5). The hot dog was really nice, I highly recommend it.

The Chili Chips are ok, the sauce is great yet the chips are kinda lumpy, guess it was because I was eating too slow (enjoying the Baja Dog too much :P). Overall was really good, I love the atmosphere there, the music that was playing, old photos hanging off the wall, open style kitchen area, old broken jukebox, very old school American steak house. I definitely will go back again to try out their burgers!

Aug 13, 2010 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  10     

I had a very enjoyable meal here. I am really surprised to see that some people did not absolutely love this place! I went with a couple of friends on a Wednesday night, a little bit later after the main dinner rush. The staff were very friendly and attentive, taking time to recommend the best on the menu. The cocktails we ordered were really tasty and the food was amazing. I recommend the Baja dog, chicken fajitas and the chilli fries.

Yes the food took a little time to come out, but the ambience and friendly service made up for it. My group especially liked the 'worst case scenarios' posted decorated in the bathroom. The place is relaxed, easy going and great to go with friends. Oh, and they gave us free tequila shots! What’s not to love, great value and delicious food!

Jul 14, 2010 

4.8 Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  4     

I can see why people wld review Big Rig unfavourably, it's pretty much an 'in' place i.e. if you know someone you get great service (which we did) and if you don't it's pot luck.

Our food took a long time (40 mins for chilli fries) we had to hail the waiter and the sangria was over priced. we did have fun though because it's so low key. It felt a bit like high school kids playing at having a business which is funny considering the owner has Ruby Rabbit as well?

Jun 28, 2010 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  3     

It's hard to look past the spectacularly awful service: it took 20 minutes to take our order, and then another 50 minutes for the food to turn up. And they'd forgotten a bunch of orders. The burger was raw in the centre, and when we complained about this and other uncooked meals the staff became very aggressive.

Apr 21, 2010 

1.3 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

Rude staff and a raw burger. Looking forward to a good diner style meal a group of us arrived to be greeted by rudeness and general disinterest. The food took an hour to arrive (a long time for short order style dishes) then some orders/drinks never arrived. Dishes were slammed on the table, portions of guac and salsa were miserly and the very uninspiring burger was raw in the middle (theres a difference between steak tartare and rare).

When we complained about the burger, we were told "its red, its chilli obviously, that's what happens when you put chilli in food..." a ridiculous excuse if ever I've heard one. So much potential but don't give these guys your money, they don't deserve it and need to take a long hard look at the way they do business. With a little courtesy and maybe some more staff, this place could be great but cut-out the lame attitude, we can always go elsewhere.

Apr 21, 2010 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  3     

I'm going to chime in here and say the service was really horrible. We were tutted when only 1 person ordered an alcoholic drink, and then watched all the staff proceed to get drunk with some other patrons at the bar. I've never seen such arrogance when taking an order. Food took ages to arrive, and was basically dumped on the table. A real shame such a promising place is let down by such horrible service.

Mar 10, 2010 

3.5 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  4     

If they were handing out free champagne and lobster, I would not return due to the horrific attitude of the staff. The food was a huge disappointment as well.

Mar 08, 2010 

3.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  2     

Big Rig Diner looks like a cool little place when walking past. Sadly though it doesn't live up to its initial appeal. The music is way too loud for such a small restaurant, we were having to shout at each other to be heard.

Despite ordering a simple burger and hot dog the food took well over an hour to be served, and strangely people that came in 20-30 minutes after us got their food first. This wasn't helped by the chef being preoccupied with flirting with the two girls at the bar. There was no acknowledgement or apology for the delay in the food.

When it eventually arrived my friend said the hot dog was good, but my other friend wasn't happy at all with his burger as it was rather plain. I ordered the Cherry Pie, which I've been obsessed with since having on a holiday in the states. However, at $10 a slice was very over priced, disappointing and not very pie like. At $30 a pop the tiny jug of sangria was laughable.

The whole experience was quite poor and we won't be going back. Its not very good value for a diner.

Mar 04, 2010 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

Hipster Hell-Hole with Devastatingly Bad Service. While the senior staff sweated to keep the place happy, the pretty waitress read a paper-back novel at the bar, and the in-plain-view chef muttered about customers.

After an hour waiting for food, and after two other tables who came in after us were served their meals, we politely asked the manager if our food was on its way.
The manager said yes, and apologised for the delay, explaining the homemade hot dog took fifteen minutes to cook, and was nearly ready. I then heard the surly kitchen staff say, 'You better not be giving me any of those looks', which I didn't understand.

Then he said, to no one in particular, 'We've got some people here who think they're the only ones in the restaurant!' Not willing to stick around to hand over cash to the roid-rager, we left without paying. A rude, desperate dump. I wouldn't go again. I have no idea if the food is good. But it sure comes with a large side of hipster-tude.

Feb 24, 2010