Over the months about blogging about Sakae Sushi, many of my experiences I dined in at were pretty positive. But yesterday experience at Sakae Sushi in Heartland Mall was different. It was supposedly Fathers’ Day. So I kind of expect to have to queue to get a table. Moreover it was a Sunday. Ironically on a Fathers’ Day, I was out only with my mom to eat since my dad was at work. My mom was craving for Sakae’s Salad. I told her to order whatever she wanted to eat as the meal was on me. Before ordering, the supervisor did inform us that because it was Fathers’ Day, no credit card promotion is applicable. That is fine because I know I would be using my vouchers or even my Sakae Dollar in my Sakae Card.

Shortly later our food started to arrive. I was eagerly waiting for my salmon sashimi. When it arrived, I was kind of disappointed to see the sliced portion being small and the salmon was kind of like, not in a single slice. That is, a slice of salmon can be broken into half even. So that was the first disappointment.

Next major disappointment was when the Toko Yaki came. Thankfully I was not the one who took the first bite. But my mom did and immediately spat it out. The taste was sour, like the feeling of overnight food. Immediately told the supervisor and they offered to change another plate. Then just behind us, another table, and the family was also complaining about the curry rice being sour too. Then after much debate, I heard that there was no more rice to cook the dish, instead they used sushi rice. When the second serving of Toko Yaki came, it was fine. So in the first place, why that batch of ingredients was so bad? Overnight food?

We continued our dinner. Strangely my mom’s favourite Sakae Salad came as the very last dish. Strange because it is a dish that does not require any cooking, yet last? :( Thankfully she still enjoyed the salad. The taste was still not too bad.

Disappointment was not over it seems. When I paying the bill, the supervisor told me that my vouchers cannot be use. At the point of time I did not want to debate so I agreed to deduct the entire bill of over $50 from my Sakae Card, thankfully I had enough Sakae Dollar. The supervisor claimed because it was Fathers’ Day. But when I got home and think about it, what is so special about Fathers’ Day that my voucher cannot be use? I did not order any special Fathers’ Day promotion. It is not a public holiday. And the terms and conditions behind the voucher did not state anything about not being allowed to use on such days (and again, it is NOT a public holiday).

So end of the day, I am very disappointed with this experience at Sakae Sushi. My mom had to agree with my aunt who commented before that it seems like Sakae Sushi standards varies from places. Like if you dine in at town branch like Sakae Sushi Wisma branch compared to a branch in heartland, it seems like worlds apart. Doesn’t Sakae have some kind of quality control over the food? Being a avid fan of Sakae, dinning in at so many places before, I have to agree this time that the standards are different in different places.

And about the voucher not being allowed to use with no such terms and conditions? Disappointing. Over $50 spent yesterday was not justifiable based on the quality of food and service towards customers. Bearing in mind it did not seem like I was the only one complaining at that time I was there.

Disappointed customer this time round. :(

Related posts:

1. Sakae Sushi with Louis & Derrick
2. Lunch with Louis at Sakae Sushi
3. Sakae Sushi has a New Menu
4. Final Sakae Sushi Meal for 2009
5. Well Done Sakae Sushi