The Elephant Chinese buffet, Durham

looby75

Yesterday a group of us and 2 small children (both just a year old) went to The Elephant restaurant in Durham for lunch. The food was ok (all you can eat Chinese buffet) but the service we received was appalling.

When we entered we were told that the 2 young children could eat for free as long as they didn't eat noodles, rice or prawn crackers, if they wanted those we had to pay for them. We thought it was a bit strange and asked for clarification and again were told they could eat anything other than noodles, rice or prawn crackers for free. The children's mums both went and got a small plate of food for the babies but didn't put any noodles rice of prawn crackers on them as we had been instructed. Half way through our meal the manager came over to our table and took the plates with the children's food away (while they were eating!) and informed us that the only things the children were allowed to eat were chicken nuggets and chips and that these had to be placed in a small bowl (the kind you get soup in in Chinese restaurant) not on a plate, at no point before this was eating out of a bowl ever mentioned. When we informed him of what we were told both when we entered the restaurant and again when we asked for clarification he loudly called us liars, in front of a restaurant full of other people. Obviously the children were a bit upset at having their dinners taken away so we opted to pay for them to eat, but the attitude of the owner was disgusting, he started shouting about how when MacDonald's started giving away free food then so would he!

Then we went to pay, there was quite a large group of us and we asked if we could pay separately, to be told that this wasn't possible and that the meal had to be paid for all in one go. As some of us were planning to pay via card and some cash this caused another problem. By the time we left the restaurant we all felt very stressed and annoyed, I doubt that we will ever go back there again and I wouldn't advise anyone with children to go there either, you are made to feel like a criminal just for getting something to eat!

gyzmo

Sounds a right dump. If they keep that up, they will soon lose business and close.

looby75

The manager said that has been the system for over 3 years, but we know that it hasn't as we had a couple of other kids with us, both of who are only just 3 and they used to eat for free quite frequently as babies. That's what confused us when they told us that the little ones could eat for free as long as they didn't have noodles rice or prawn crackers.

I think they have just recently changed the rules and that's where the confusion came from. I'm not being funny but if I had a very young child there is no way I would be willing to pay £3.99 for them to eat a couple of prawn crackers and a spoon full of rice, so I think that you are probably right about them losing business now.

rkuk

Hi looby

Disgraceful behaviour. I have been in there before, and though it was ok - I always feel something is a bit suspect when in there. I also don't like the idea of eating food that has been sat there for a long period of time (like a whole afternoon) whilst others dig in. IIRC it wasn't THAT long ago that they got shut down for food poisoning anyway.

Asides from that - you have every right to be angry. You even decided to turn a giving gesture of actually paying for the kids - and then they still insult you with the bill. Poor kids.

Next time just go to Burger King over the road - lol.

looby75

LOL I think that's what we will be doing next time! You are right about them getting closed down, I think it was a couple of years ago now though and when it was Louws buffet king (my spelling is terrible) it re opened "under new management" as the elephant shortly after. We have been in a few times since it changed to the Elephant but have never been spoken to like that before. Never again.

Becles

I've walked past there but never been in before. I'll not bother now!

Have you been in Bella Italia before? It's underneath the Pizza Hut next to Milburngate Bridge. The door isn't on the main shopping street - you have to go down a few steps next to Pizza Hut as if you were going onto the riverside path, and you'll see the entrance.

Anyway, the food in there has always been lovely and it's a really nice setting. You're away from the hustle and bustle of the street, and it doesn't feel like you're in the city. If the weather is nice there is a small terrace overlooking the river which is pleasant to sit on, and inside is just as nice. We've always had lovely food and fantastic service there, so I'd recommend it. Don't know what they do for babies though as I've never taken one! I have see children eating in there though.

mrcow

That sounds crazy. Why can't children eat noodles or rice btw?

Never heard anything like it.

I live down south, but it will deffo be on my list of restaurants to never go in.

Don't forget to give them the reviews they deserve if you know of any review sites.

Here perhaps

Try here

durham_girl

I've been in there before too, the service was terrible, the food was awful, it was the first and last time I will ever set foot in that place!!

Another nice place to eat is The Court Inn, which is up near the police station in New Elvet. The food is gorgeous, real home cooked stuff - chunky chips, proper gravy, mmmmmmmmmmmmm! 10/10

looby75

Becles yes I've been in Bella Italia and they are brilliant with kids! Nothing is too much trouble for them, the staff are just lovely and I've enjoyed every meal I've ever had in there. The only reason we went to the elephant is because we were a bit pushed for time, we had a couple of hours to eat and shop, being a buffet kind of place you can take as much or as little time as you need in there. Bella Italia's more of an leisurely experience, a place you want to linger over and enjoy IYKWIM. Have you ever tried the cafe behind waterstones, that's somewhere else that's good for quick bite to eat if the weather is good. They have a limited menu of snack kind of food and only have a few tables indoors but a really nice courtyard area for the summer time and have fantastically helpful staff.

Thanks for the link Mrcow, I will be leaving my comments on both sites I've already submitted a review on the restaurants section of pigsback but am a big believer of word of mouth (or click of tap of keyboard in my case lol)

Durham_girl, next time I'm out and about with time to spare for lunch I'll try The Court Inn, I've walked passed it a few times on my way to my dentist (depending on which bus I get) and it always looks busy but not too busy thanks for the tip

skintas_2

my local eat as much as u like dont do that, dragon king in park royal , london. my too kids eat as much as they like, but you only get charged for excess waste

Becles

looby75 wrote:

Have you ever tried the cafe behind waterstones,

Yes - I like that one, and the one upstairs half way down Silver Street, but it's up a tiny staircase and I'm not sure if there is access for pushchairs.

There's a new place opposite Pizza Hut, but I've not been in there before.

The kangaroo burgers in Walkabout are fab too, but you can't take children in there.