Reviews for Happy Days Buffet Restaurant

by souls
15th May 2012

its amazing how much bad feedbacks, is written about this restaurant and yet they don’t reply to any of them..! I’m so shocked but not surprised by these comment..so “Happy Days” I’m going to put this on my face book page in spread the word how bad your restaurant is ..SHAME ON YOU ..

by Evelyn
8th May 2012

Terrible food! I was disappointed with the standard of the food tonight. I went to Happy Days with my family of 6 to celebrate my daughter’s 15th birthday on Monday 7 May 2012. Food did not taste fresh. Another customer and I were talking about how the bread rolls were stale. It tasted like it had been sitting there from the weekend. The tuna pasta salad had no taste – like it wasnt fresh. Ham and roast beef and roast pork all ok. The other hot food wasnt very appetising.3-4 of the dishes all looked the same – stewed meat in gravy. The desert was terrible. The bread rolls for the soup stale. But the worst was the cheese platter. A block of cheese looked like it had been sitting there for a week. It was stale. I pointed this out to one of the kitchen hands or chefs when they came out. I asked, How long has that cheese been sitting there? He replied, since 5.30 in the evening (It was probably 7pm when i asked him). I replied ‘I don’t think so.’ and he just shrugged his shoulders. I voiced my concerns to the woman at the paycounter. How long have you guys been managing this place? I asked. More than 10 years, she said. I told her, ‘The food is not of it’s usual high standard ‘ and explained about the cheese. She wasn’t too interested in what i was saying and instead kept telling us how much we owed for our dinner. The last time I ate here was about 2 years ago – and on that occasion and many others before that – i have had no complaints about the standard of food. But tonight – the food was terrible. My family and I will not be eating there again. We were originally going to go to Buffet King down the road from Happy Days but it was fully booked. Now, I know why.

by Ambrosio
1st May 2012

One word….
BLOODY DELICIOUS!
First time dining at Happy Days Restaurant with my family for my niece’s birthday. Staff are pleasant and hard working. Used plates are cleared promptly and dishes are nice and hot.. No offence, but waaaaaay nicer than valentines by far! Haven’t come across a nicer serving of butter chicken and there battered fish was devine! You get your moneys worth plus waaay more. Can’t get over how delicious the food tasted! Did not at all taste like seconds or last nights leftovers. BEST pork crackling I have EVER tasted! Food was 10 out of 10 from me and my family! Will surely be dining again!
Well done for impressing us Happy Days! =D

by Rosa
5th March 2012

I was really disappointed. We took some guest for dinner, and because our family are regular customers to this restaurant we decided to book it a weeks notice. We were so excited to shout the family dinner and disappointed that my cousin found a dead fly in her salad and because there were 13 of us we were divided to have 2 tables. Our table was the one my cousin found the dead fly and the adult table we did not tell them about it, not only that the fly that was found in her food did contaminate the whole salad and everyone in the restaurant was eating it. Disappointing thing was we told a staff member and she said, OH… ill be back, 2mins after she came back and just said sorry. so our whole table stop eating but waited for the adults to finish eating.

We got home i told my mother about it and she rang the restaurant and no answer, so the next day she rang and she spoke with the manager and she said like it didn’t matter to him and just said he will refund only the persons money that the dead fly was found in.

Because i was working the Saturday my mother called and also Sunday we went in on Monday morning and we did not a whole refund, all we want was to see how he would handle it, so he asked what was it that we wanted? we said we wanted a whole refund just to test him out, and the so “called manager” just argued with me and said he doesn’t care because they have regular customers, who says that when a customer complains about finding a dead fly in their food and we are paying for it. My mother said to him we are here to sort this in a good respectful way then us standing up and showing the whole restaurant that in each everyone’s meal had a dead fly in it and he said why didn’t i show it to everyone, how stupid is that.. he does not count as a manager. when i said what if the person dies from your contaminated food and he said i don’t care and he thought that i didn’t hear what he said, and so covered it up, by saying he will refund the money. when i requested to see the owner and straight away he said they don’t wanna talk to us. He counts on regular customers only to make money but never considers the health issue. If only these regular customers knew, there will be no more Happy days. If i were the owners fire that Indian management and replace with a more qualified manager, who respects customers. Me and my family will never go there again.

by Alan
5th January 2012

We went to the lunch buffet here a couple of years ago and it was quite good so decided to take my parents there last night who were visiting from overseas.

Wow, we just couldn’t believe how much its gone down hill since then. A lot of the food was tasteless and seemed like left overs from the last few days and the fish and chips had a cardboard texture. All the staff looked overworked and trying to put a brave face on.

The other problem was the noise! The restaurant should impress on some of the obviously irresponsible parents there to keep their kids under control instead of letting some of them run riot around the place.

If you are looking at going out to celebrate a birthday or other special occasion, don’t come here. Consider something more upmarket like KFC or McDonalds for starters.

Happy Days Manukau is now only fit for the casual stop in shorts and jandals on the way home from the beach.

by katrina
24th December 2011

I can’t believe the level of service or lack of at Happy Days has changed over the last year or so.
You have a stupid way of maintaining customer loyalty.
The food tasted like it was left over from the day before. Whose brilliant cost saving idea was that?
The dishes were dirty and worst of all the service was pathetic.
Who wants to be served by a guy chewing gum or a chick who touches her nose every so often?
You will find that sooner or later your car park is going to be empty.
I don’t even want to give you a star.

by Rush
14th October 2011

This is the first time I tried lunch buffet there,I would say just cold food,appears to be left overs from the day before (especially pork),overall very few varities,nothing in chicken or lamb,difficult to choose what to eat.Not worth at $18.90 at all,reception staff unfriendly also.Never ever try this place,alternative go to another similar place in same road,much better services,better food quality and value for your dollar.

by Julienne
3rd October 2011

Absolutely Disgraceful !!! I was part of a family group that went to this place yesterday, to celebrate a special day … Couldnt believe my eyes on what I saw – it was like the food was the left overs from other restaurants – it felt like we were given the scraps to eat. Happy Days Management/owners – you should be ashamed of yourselves!! The only saving grace is that your serving staff, although young, were very polite and hard working. Also, the young boy waiter is the best I have ever come across… well done to him !!
I just have one question for you – would YOU eat the food that was served yesterday?? I dont think so … and my family and I will not be back either. Shame on you !

by Tracey G.
8th September 2011

Terrible Terrible never ever will I dine again at this place. how does a place like this even have the ability to open its doors. Had breakfast and my partner and i were horrified kitchen staff were in and out of kitchen making what looked like a sandwhich really when did the level of service drop to such an all time low. The coffee machine spat out black goop and the cutlery crockery and basically anything that needed wiping down was dirty… you need perspective the gaming room in great nick and i noticed this from the entrance way. Shame on me for not walking out we both were ill that day but couldnt be bothered collecting samples to get tested… Will never go back please dont go there and the ratings on this site are obviously prompted… Valentines has lost its pazzazz but are miles ahead of this place….MILES hundreds of MILES.. and i had to select a rating so envision that 1 star is really just a technical issue I rate Happy Days Manukau MINUS 100.

by Vinod l.
1st August 2011

We rang to reseve table for 4.Two of us are vegetarian and we requested for vege fried rice.The manager who took the call,named Aneet,was very rude and unhelpful.His reply was,we dont need people like you to come to my resturant.His manner was digracesful and humilating.
Definitly we will not be going to this resturant anytime soon.

by alegna o.
20th June 2011

…we celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary there…we drive from glendowie to manukau because i saw this place when i was a doing my nursing student placement in manukau super clinic…..me and my husband was so excited…upon arrival the staff were polite, the foods- heaps! but the taste ???? awful….its like day olds already !rating 1 star for polite staff and clean toilet……don’t go there !

by Penny
14th May 2011

Went for b’fst…it’s cheap and you get what you pay for. If you are a buffet expert then I wouldn’t recommend this place, but if you want simple and cheap and don’t mind eating Pam’s or Budget brand foods, then this is the place for you. Cereal was a little stale, the juices are cordial hehehe and the mushrooms look nice but it has a gravy taste to it. Just don’t expect too much, you’ll see the plastic milk on the bench and the loaf of breads still in it’s plastic wrapping hahaha.

by Minnie
18th April 2011

Been there a few times, lunchtime when I told the waitress my glass was dirty, I saw her telling the other waitress about my complaint,if your going to talk about someone, make sure they’re not looking! Breakfast, ew the spagetti meant to be the size of a worm and bland, hubby said its mixed with another brand. Dessert, how long has it been in the fridge its lost its colour and the cordial, is that coloured water? Not impressed and a family member is having lunch there shortly for an occasion, invited me and my family, but not going to waste my time and money….Ive suggested they go elsewhere…Teller is quicker to take your money and thats the only time I see them smile! Quality of food sux

by Karina I.
4th January 2011

Breakfast yesterday with my family.All of us not happy at all.Very poor service,attitude of staff,presentation and varieties of food etc.tasteless bacon,runny eggs(waited 25mins for tray to be re-filled),yukk sausages,budget spaghetti and fat drenched hashbrowns,cordials NOT juices.If you still choose to go there?you are wasting your time and money.No quality or hygiene.staff came out was wiping around the trays of food with a filthy az tea-towel which flopped into the spaghetti.oh my gosh what has happened there? 7 years ago we use to dine there and it was a joy and delight.I say “stay away”

by christine
26th August 2010

hi I’m a regular there because i know that it is better than valentines in manukau, what Ive found is the food is great,when you go for breaky lunch or dinner exactly the time of serving, its no point going 2 or 3 hours after serving cause the food would sit there for too long and not be freshly cooked straight from the oven or preparation that’s the key to people dinning out, i have no problem except the service at the front desk needs more people.esp when its a full on nights or days of bookings,the teller and bar and waitress are multitasking and cannot handle the work load this is mis management and not their fault, also with profit they make why dont they hire more staff to service and co-ordinate the restaurants their food are nice but if there was a food critic dining there they would def get a bad rating.i have seen the food as nice at times and some food are too blan,but it beats valentines in manukau,Lincoln, and pakuranga,valentines in Lincoln 3 weeks ago has dropped its quality of food i didn’t eat my moneys worth which pisses my partner cause he said i waste my money.

by Mel
21st June 2010

This restaurant hasn’t changed. My very first visit to happy days didn’t like the food. about a year later attended private function, and still the same. Sea food tasted like they were from the last two days. Roast Beef smelled funny and so did the coleslaw..Terrible, overall the tables were nice and clean staff barely have time to smile at you.
Like the name of the restaurant but got to work on food so that customer will leave Happy!!

by alison
17th December 2009

I was invited to lunch at Happy Days and I will never return and my friends will never return either.
The chicken nibbles I had were blood red,another friend would not eat the sliced pork as it had a funny taste, another friend had battered fish with no fish inside, the plates were not clean.
I have been there quite some time ago and was not impressed then, but as I was invited gave them the benefit of the doubt
a BIG mistake

by Rena
27th August 2009

Happy days!!wow…first time diner at Happy days it was yummy!!!lol went with a couple of friends and had a good time..food was great..service was a bit slow..but didn’t affect our visit..can’t believe i ate heaps..planning to have a wedding lunch there so hope to give y’all 5 stars next time…but well done think you guys are way better than Valentines and the price is not bad at all…thanks!!

by Pam
10th June 2009

We have been to Happy Days many times.

The staff are always very friendly and helpful especially as the restaurant caters for a wide cross section of the community especially families.

The food, both hot and cold, is varied and delicious enough to satisfy all tastes and the tables are kept regularly cleared.

There is plenty of off street parking and if you feel so inclined, you can also try your hand at their gaming machines after your meal!

Look forward to our next visit.

by nater
29th November 2008

i dined here with three friends, one of which was in NZ for the first time from south africa. we were sat down, and i noticed that the tables had art paper on them instead of table cloths, this seemed very poor, after waiting 15 minutes for someone to take our drink order i went to the cashier and informed her, 5 minutes later she came to take the order. the quality of food was extremly poor, absolute rubbish! i was looking foward to desert and when i saw that the fresh fruit platter had run out i asked a chef who was leading against a door chewing gum if there was anymore and he simply said “nah dont think so ay”
i will never go there again and recommend that you dont either

by Tracey
27th August 2008

I must admit that for the past 3-4 years, we’ve avoided Happy Days due to poor publicity, but last week, my daughter and I dined there one evening. There were only a few other diners there, which initially I thought a bit ominous, and admittedly the waitresses were on the quiet side, but the food was great, much improved from the last time I had been there. Also, by the time we left, the patrons had increased by at least 20, so they were late diners!. In particular I was impressed with the seafood selection, and the roast meats. I had read a previous comment about somebody wanting to compare your menu to Valentines, well I can tell you now, that your selection is far superior to theirs!, and they used to be great too. Anyway, we will be back on a regular basis. I’m keen to try the brekkies again too, as I recall they used to be nice.

Good luck, and keep climbing that ladder back up.

by Dee
2nd March 2008

“Happy Days”

Despite of what had happened in the past I can say you’ve pretty much out done yourselves with the menu, buffet and your front line staff.

My friend and I had dined twice this year at your restaurant and had found the buffet menu quite appetising. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was great, will be sure to dine here again and also recommend you to family, friends and work colleagues.

by shy pritchard
9th February 2008

To the Happy Days Team,

After dining at Happy Days on the 8th of Feb for the second time(for a 20th birthday)i must say that i was quite underwhelmed with the service that was given to us.

After we were allocated to our table we were not seen by a waitress for drink orders, my mother in law had to walk to the counter to ask for some jugs of water(which by the way she carried herself with no assistance from the waitress who followed behind with a pad and pen)..

The waitress made no attempt to sell any drinks and we were forced to yell our orders across the table, the drinks took 10mins to arrive and we noticed that a majority of our glasses were not clean.

During the night no attention was paid to our table and the plates stacked up quite fast, when someone did come to clear our table she thought it would be ok to reach over a toddlers head picking up knives and forks (not the safest thing to do) and when she was walking off she lost her balance and smashed a plate.While picking up the plate she also managed to knock a full plate of butter chicken onto the shirt of my brother in law and did not even attempt to help get him cleaned up.

There’s no question the food was great, but i think my brother would have perferred it if he had eaten his food rather than wear it…

shy PRITCHARD

by rangi
29th January 2008

To the happy days staff,my families and I were there last year one week earlier before Christmas ..a total of 15 we really had a great time enjoyed just about all the meals especially coming from a large family the island way we eat alot during the Xmas season
the service was excellent,atmosphere was good the food was too much,we even relaxed for a bit to settled our Tums,took some photos of us being there… knew a few people there..this week we are coming back for more to eat and see what my review is on the next time I pop up….those oysters,baby squids, prawns the seafood section is my favourite area along the meat area Im not to keen on desserts but overall the seafood area is the best one to tackle …thank you

by Benioni
16th January 2008

well done .. happy days are back ! keep doing what your doing . we had 12+ dinner guests for little summers 1st b day . it was all yummo & the price $21.90 for dinner that was awesome . loved the desserts the small servings o so much variety is cool & makes them like a treat which they should be . pork & crackle yum & the baked fish with asian flavours yum , butter chicken yum !!! yummo salads & that cool coffee machine thingy yummy espresso choc

by Alberta Sagala
10th January 2008

Friends of ours took us to dinner on Tuesday night.
Everything tasted beautiful.
From the Salads to the Cod baked fish raw fish was authentic and tasty.
We had been going there before but had a very disappointing menu.
congratulations happy days yours chiefs done well

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