Mamak

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  7     

We have been here several times and food and service has consistently been top notch! The mere fact that there are at least 2 other Malaysian restaurants in its vicinity, but customers queue up in front of this narrow hole-in-the-wall place, often for over an hour even while the other 2 are somewhat empty, is a testimony of its quality. Mind you, the other places are equally priced, if not cheaper, and have a better ambience than Mamak.

Even a friend of mine from Singapore has rated the taste of the curries and rotis over here as better, and, perhaps, even more authentic than that in restaurants in Singapore! Having said this, I'm still not a fan of the deep fried Chicken.

The interiors are well lit and modestly decorated. However, they have tried to make the most in terms of seating, and, therefore, the place is quite cramped and sometimes even quite hot inside.

They have a very peculiar way of serving where there is no single waiter assigned to your table. You can keep ordering food from any waiter who is walking past! Perhaps, that is what works for them, and makes their service extremely prompt and efficient.

The food is a touch pricey, but given the quality and service, I will keep going to this place over n over again!

Jan 30, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  7     

Excellent food makes this place worth the wait. Once you finally get inside, the service is almost superhumanly efficient: I saw the people at next table get served food literally within 90 seconds of ordering - do the staff have a "hive mind"?!

Prices were fine for me relative to quality and cleanliness of the place: Of course Mamak is more expensive than a grotty hole-in-the-wall or food court storefront, but it's very reasonable against a standard sit-down restaurant. If you wanted $5-per-head then go elsewhere and shorten the queue for me!

Jan 23, 2012 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

I've been here many times and been to the Chatswood branch a few times. It does get crazy busy between 6-9pm so best to avoid unless you want to queue up for most of an hour. We tend to go for supper on the weekend. Our favourite dish is the satay, marinated sweet just like in Malaysia, char grilled and small bits of chicken on it, not huge chunks like many places like to do. The sauce isn't quite right though, a bit too sweet but acceptable. They also provide red onion and cucumber but no rice cake.

The roti themselves are ok, not great. Maybe its the ghee that's not present. Not sure but we always ask for extra crispy otherwise they tend to come out undercooked on the edges which doesn't taste good at all. The curries are pretty good, the fish curry has huge chunks of fish and I like the maggi goreng. These are fried instant noodles and expensive considering the ingredients but tastes great. Another hit is the fried chicken.

The ambience inside is busy even after midnight and the service tends to be rather rushed but the chap at the counter is always friendly.

Jan 15, 2012 

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  3     

Food not so excellent. The waiter not helpful. I have been waiting for the foods for 30 minutes. Not good experience.

Jan 14, 2012 

7.3 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  7     

This small establishment with long queues daily is a must try for any Sydney-sider. Although it may be tight and somewhat squishy, the food makes up for it. Service and ambience was ok. Now onto the food.

Started off with the roti canai with 2 curry dips. Roti was nice and fluffy inside and crispy on the outside. This really complememnted the 2 curry dips and sambal. The beef satay was to die for especially with the mouth-watering peanut sauce. The sambal udang was ok but it was too spicy and wasn't vibrant enough.

Onto drinks and dessert. Teh tarik was lovely and had the foamy bubbles on top. Roti tisu was awesome. Thin and crisp the roti had sugar spread across it making it indulging and the scoop of icecream was a great accompliment. Overall a very enjoyable meal.

Dec 21, 2011 

6.3 Average

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  5     

I was lucky enough to get in line early for a seat. I was told I "have" to try Mamaks before I left Sydney.

I agree with a lot of the posts here, food is good, but not worth the wait or for that matter the price. Malay/Indonesian food should never be this expensive, you can get just as good in other restaurants for much cheaper.

On another point, I was stared at by the waiters for eatings with my hands, I didn't appreciate this as I was eating Indian style cuisine with is supposed to be eating with the hands. Other than that I enjoyed my meal.

Nov 29, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  8     

Great malaysian food. Simple. I don't like waiting in the queue but the food is very good. I like my curries and this place serves great curry. If the queues were not so long I would eat here more often as it is very well priced.

Nov 23, 2011 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  5     

The roti and sauces are very nice, although price is quite steep.

Nov 11, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  4     

Too overrated restaurant. The queue is always long and I think that is how they attracts alot of the new customer. It is one of the restaurant you try and never come back. It is always crowded but really don't know what the fuss is all about.

Oct 26, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Roti canai, satay chicken skewers and sweet roti with banana slices every single time, delicious! Although, the queues really kill the experience.

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Oct 21, 2011