148 Chinese take away... the worst customer service I've received

[Steven.S]

We have order  take aways as a family from here for around 5 years, now and especially if friends are visiting, it's been fantastic and convenient to order a meal from 148. Last week, again we had family visiting for the summer and placed a sizeable order but were unfortunately somewhat disappointed with the complete lack of chicken content in the Chicken Chow Mein - between ourselves we joked that it was hunt the chicken and on this occasion, simply left it at that!

On Sunday night, our guests has gone and we again decided to order from 148, on our menu we had included the Chicken Chow Mein but once again were very disappointed to find tiny strands of chicken, almost to the point of being non-existent. We called to explain that we were not happy and were pretty much told by the manager, that he had personally watched the Chef put the chicken into our Chow Mein personally. 

Rather than continue to argue, we politely requested an exchange and that they could collect the initial order as proof, there simply was no chicken... to which the manager response was to Go Fu?? Yourselves...

Charming - i guess anyone can make a mistake but is this the way to treat your long-term, faithful customers.

[Sue]

Their website says they are closed from 5 to 13 August, so maybe they were using up the last few bits of chicken ....

[Alec1]

Maybe the delivery person got peckish!  Whatever the reason, very rude. 

[malumbu]

Put something short on Google review, it generally scores five stars but a few had experiences like yours 

[KalamityKel]

Have you made a complaint since your unpleasant exchange (on their side) of words?

I know it might be a headache but there are some establishments (not meaning any in particular) that think operating in this way is ok and will continue to do so until properly challenged.

It would be interesting to see if they have an appropriate  "make things right" attitude or not.

[Sue]

When did it become 148?

Many years ago we ate here, and I can't remember exactly what was wrong with the meal, but we were told by the manager that the chef was drunk 🤣

[KittyPurry]

Ordered take away from 148 a few years back and it was tasteless and very disappointing. We have never ordered again and never will, especially now that I’ve read the comments about how others have been treated! I’d sooner get a supermarket ready meal than give my money to them. Tse’s near Forest Hill is our go to for tasty Chinese and pleasant customer service. 

[SpringTime]

Eat a cat. Plenty of them on this forum x

[NewWave]

Agree with @KittyPurry that Tse on London road Forest Hill is excellent.

They've been there years and I think its family run, We have never been dissapointed

[Sue]

On 09/08/2024 at 20:58, malumbu said:

Put something short on Google review, it generally scores five stars but a few had experiences like yours 

I just had a look at its reviews.

It's  strange that it seems to be so inconsistent, with some (most) people raving about the excellent food and service, and others saying the food is awful/tastes of nothing and the service is terrible.

Wondering: Is it due to different chefs/waiting staff/duty managers at different times?

Is it due to some people having very low expectations/little experience of Chinese food, and therefore thinking rubbish food is very good?

Is it due to some people having very high expectations/wide experience of Chinese food and therefore thinking run of the mill or mediocre food is dreadful?

Is it because some of the reviews aren't  genuine?

I'm almost tempted to go and try it for myself, but I think that's probably a very bad idea 🤣

 

[Spartacus]

I used to have deliveries from the now defunct Yeh Wa on Barry Road, always excellent, and since they shut down many years ago when the landlord first wanted to develop the site, I've been using 148 

Having spent time in China, whilst they have westernised the menu, it is far from poor or mediocre, so it could simply be that ordering on an extremely busy night, just before they close for their summer holidays didn't result in the best experience. 

As said, there are better, more authentic Chinese resturants where ducks tongue is served, but locally I would say 148 does a damn fine job, always quick to deliver, uses their own drivers (not pay a massive cut to justuber ) and are normally very helpful, nice staff. 

So rather than everyone jump on one person's poor review and try and bury them, why not as Sue says, give them a go when they are back and maybe you will be pleasantly surprised. . 

Edited August 12, 2024 by Spartacus

[Woodo]

I really rate 148 (as someone who was brought up in the Far East) for the food and also service. You clearly had a different experience and more than once, which is a pity. Hopefully a one/two off...admittedly we've only ever eaten in. Please give it the benefit of the doubt, others!

[E.d.se22.london]

148 is our go to, has been for 5+ years. Food consistently good (for us) and love the staff who take the orders & delivery drivers, very quick & friendly. We have tried a few others on Deliveroo / Just Eat but didn’t find them as good. Went back to 148. 

[malumbu]

I like reviews that vary widely, comes across as authentic and it's good to have very different opinions.  That said I don't eat meat or fish so most Chinese places aren't great for me.  I used to stop off after Friday beers when I worked in town at the takeaway South end of rye Lane, mushroom foo Yung and chips hardly adventurous.

In the past at Ma Bo in Liverpool's china town heaven knows what I was eating.  Stopped sort of chicken feet but if you eat meat then eat it all!

Recommendations of Chinese veggy options always appreciated 

[Dr De Soto]

Have never had an issue with No.148.  But I do wish they hadn't chosen such a bland name for the restaurant.  I still call it 'Mr Liu'.

[redjam]

I also feel moved to put in a good word for 148 - I've always found them to be friendly and the food good (with plenty of chicken! 😀). Not to negate the OP's experience but wouldn't want people to think it's always terrible service as I've never found that to be the case in the many years I've eaten there.