Hog's Breath Cafe

We were looking forward to our favourite, slow-cooked prime rib steaks for dinner, like what we were served at Hogsbreath Knox before the COVID lockdowns, but unfortunately we were deeply disappointed. Upon arrival, we were told that there would be a 10-15 minute wait time for a table. This was perfectly reasonable, and we were seated within that time. However, when we sat down we found that the table was sticky and the seats were hard. We asked for the table to be cleaned, and the staff happily obliged, but even after they wiped it again, they left parts of the table still dirty. We went to order the signature 18 hr slow cooked prime rib, but were told that none was available. It would have been better if they mentioned this before we took the time to wait for a table. Instead, we then ordered 2 rump steaks and a pork-out plate. The staff also said they would bring us water. They forgot to bring us the water, but after 5-10 minutes came back to tell us that the pork was unavailable. Why couldn't they have told us which items were available before we ordered? We ordered a sirloin steak instead. After a while, sitting on the hard seats, we asked to change table to one of the booths with cushions. The staff happily obliged, but once we moved we found the seats weren't much better and this table, and the seats with it, were also dirty. Once the food arrived, we found that 1. The serving of sides was smaller than it used to be at Hogs, 2. The rump and sirloin steaks looked the exact same, and 3. The two rump steaks were supposed to be medium well, and the sirloin medium rare, but one of the rump steaks looked as rare as the so-called 'sirloin'. The staff member who didn't bring us water said that she would bring cutlery now. We think she forgot again, because she never brought it. We eventually asked a different member of staff for water and cutlery, and she apologised and got both for us. We also asked for the 'medium well' steak (the one that looks rare in the photos) to be cooked more. Once it came back, we found it was now over cooked, as shown in the photos that look 'well done' and quite burnt. Finally, at payment they overcharged us, to my shock. When I told them that I didn't think the price was right for 2 rump steaks and 1 sirloin steak, they showed me a receipt for 3 rump steaks and a pork-out plate. Just as well that I checked what they were charging me for, so it could be corrected! Overall, the staff members were polite, but otherwise, the service was poor with items forgotten and an incorrect order, the food was either unavailable or not cooked well, the tables were dirty and the seats were uncomfortable. Just to top it off, despite us being lifetime members, Hogs no longer honours the 20% loyalty discount. All of these little disappointments put together mean that this may be our last visit to Hogsbreath. This is not the hogspitality that we used to know, nor the tasty steaks that we used to boast about to friends.

If I could give a zero I would. To say disappointment is such an understatement. My wife and I went here for our anniversary dinner before the movies. I will stop here and say we didn’t eat. When my first steak was brought out I had a quick taste and believe the meat was rancid. My wife’s wasn’t rancid but had a strange taste as well. I returned my steak and when I got my replacement steak it too had a rancid flavour. I thought well at least I might just try to eat the fries. But after eating just a few I noticed a large black hair. ( I am bald and my wife has blond hair). Instant turn off. I took the plates up and let the staff know I would not be paying for the meals. I paid for my coke and wife’s beer and we left. Utter waste of time and money. This place has gone so far backwards it isn’t funny. It has been over 12 years since we were here last. So from then to now they have lost their way. I have also attached a picture of the plate with the hair. Final point I also ordered macaroni and cheese. I don’t know exactly what it was on my plate. But the square thing on the bottom left is it.

My friend and I had a delicious lunch here last week. We ordered off the lunch menu and got the steak burger and grilled chicken burger. Really good burgers and the fries they came with were crispy and seasoned well. The food was hot and our server was attentive and had a lovely demeanor. The only downside was they seated us right next to another occupied table, even though there were plenty of spare tables to space us out. I know there are no restrictions anymore, but I think if possible, spacing between patrons should happen.