Sizler Restaurant in Pattaya's Central Festival

[TotallyOz]

I usually don't write a review if I don't like the place. I tend to keep my mouth shut. But.....

 

First, there was a wait on a Tuesday night. So, we sat near the door. Next our drinks were never delivered until after all the food came and we asked again. Next the food came one by one (similar to most Thai places) but usually at most Sizlers in Thailand they are brought together. Next, they messed up a few of the orders. Last, the 700 baht steak I had was HORRENDOUS. So, much so I refused to eat it. I ate my potato and ate some of my BF's dish.

 

Then, we went to pay the bill, over 2,000 baht for 4 people, and I gave them my Credit Card. She said, "can you pay cash?" I said No. She then went to process my card via telephone. This took 10 minutes as they had no swipe machine.

 

I think this is one of the few places I have ever eaten at where I left no tip. Normally, I tip over the customary rate. Here, not one penny. Bad service and bad food combined with a feeling of being hungry when I left, simply left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience there. I have eaten there several times and never encountered what you did. I do think the prices are a bit high, however.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Sorry you had a bad time. Have eaten there many times...several with my bf who really likes the food and salad bar...and have had good service and food. They do have a problem with the credit cards..a problem they have had for years.

[KhorTose]

We have two Sizzlers in Chiang Mai. One is very good and the other will just do. The fact that they are so different means they are probably not overseen by a general manager or a Franchise inspector. I guess it is the luck of the draw. I would give them another chance. Both Sizzlers in Chiang Mai accept credit cards

[Guest painai]

I've found that the Sizzler's at Royal Garden Plaza to be better than Central. They are not so busy, so you get much better service.

[Guest]

OK. You guys have convinced me to give this a try again! We ate at Sizzler in Chiang Mai often and loved it.

[Guest voldemar]

 

 

Then, we went to pay the bill, over 2,000 baht for 4 people, and I gave them my Credit Card.

I am surprised that you are using credit cards in Thailand. I was under general impression that it is very unsafe and use it only if it is absolutely necessary (like in hotels when they want to precharge them for misc. expenses).

[Guest]

I have never had a problem with CC in Thailand. However, most of the time I pay cash. This time however, the BF was headed out to go bowling with friends and I had to make sue he had enough for the night so I wanted to give him my cash and use my CC at Sizler.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o5NweFWjAw

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I am surprised that you are using credit cards in Thailand. I was under general impression that it is very unsafe and use it only if it is absolutely necessary (like in hotels when they want to precharge them for misc. expenses).

 

I have used credit cards regularly for four years in Thailand with no problems with any fraud. I watch my charges often on the web, to be sure that no charges are being made that I didn't approve.

 

I also use credit cards from my Thai bank accounts..no problem.

[Guest voldemar]

I have used credit cards regularly for four years in Thailand with no problems with any fraud. I watch my charges often on the web, to be sure that no charges are being made that I didn't approve.

 

I also use credit cards from my Thai bank accounts..no problem.

May be I need to reconsider this issue. I had two problems in US quite recently and I have to say I never had a problem outside US. I mentioned that HSBC Premier account offers some privileges including a possibility of having credit card with every offshore account. The idea to get frudulent charge on, say, Maltese credit card looked rather scary though.

On the other hand, using US cards everywhere becomes more and more inconvenient not only

because of foreign charge fees but also because US banks keep blocking their cards especially if one travels through several countries...

[Guest RichLB]

I urge people to use credit cards as infrequently as possible. I have been stung 4 (yes, that's not a typo, 4) times. The method appears to be a hand held device which will copy the black strip on the back of your card. That is sold to a mafia dealer who will then manufacture a plastic card in the name of the purchaser, but afix the black strip copied from your card on the back. The poor merchant has no way of knowing the card is false as the name on the front will match the thief's. Luckily, when I have been hit, the cards were used in a variety of countries outside of Thailand so I could prove the charges were not mine. Apparently, this is a major problem for credit card companies and not just in Thailand.

[Guest jomtien]

I urge people to use credit cards as infrequently as possible. I have been stung 4 (yes, that's not a typo, 4) times. The method appears to be a hand held device which will copy the black strip on the back of your card. That is sold to a mafia dealer who will then manufacture a plastic card in the name of the purchaser, but afix the black strip copied from your card on the back. The poor merchant has no way of knowing the card is false as the name on the front will match the thief's. Luckily, when I have been hit, the cards were used in a variety of countries outside of Thailand so I could prove the charges were not mine. Apparently, this is a major problem for credit card companies and not just in Thailand.

 

I use my credit card often here, and in 6 years only had one problem that they quickly fixed.

 

Regarding Sizzler (the actual topic here) extra butter and sour cream on the baked potato helps a lot

[Jason1988]

Although I don't often eat american food while in Thailand, the Sizzler in Royal Garden Plaza has always been ok.

The service has always been good.

With all the other better choices in the area I would put Sizzler closer to the bottom of my list of places to eat.

[Guest]

There is a great chinese place across the mall from Sizler called The Canton House. Give it a try. Also the Japanese place where you pick the food off the rollers is also good.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

GB put me onto Red Kimchi next to Burger King at Royal Garden Plaza. It is well worth a visit.

[Guest beachlover]

I urge people to use credit cards as infrequently as possible. I have been stung 4 (yes, that's not a typo, 4) times. The method appears to be a hand held device which will copy the black strip on the back of your card. That is sold to a mafia dealer who will then manufacture a plastic card in the name of the purchaser, but afix the black strip copied from your card on the back. The poor merchant has no way of knowing the card is false as the name on the front will match the thief's. Luckily, when I have been hit, the cards were used in a variety of countries outside of Thailand so I could prove the charges were not mine. Apparently, this is a major problem for credit card companies and not just in Thailand.

 

Once the card details have been copied, the usual practice is to 'verify' its validity with a small test transaction. This might be for as little as $2 or for as much as $50.

 

Once this is done, they will often put a big transaction on it, or sell it to someone else (now that it has been verified) to do that. This big transaction can be for $500 or $1,000 or more. If it succeeds, they may keep going until its maxed out. If it fails (i.e. immediately blocked by bank because it exceeds limit OR is suspicious) they'll usually attempt a smaller transaction of say, $100.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

My HSBC card will often not accept a charge from Thailand of any amount. They will require a call, and once there is verification, will honor my charge. However, a few days later the same thing will happen. I guess it is for my own protection, but is a little bothersome. I have learned to keep them on speed dial on my cell.

[Guest beachlover]

Really? What if you inform them you will be in Thailand for a certain period? That's what I do when traveling.

 

It's just as much for the bank's protection as it is for your protection.

 

If something happens, you suffer the inconvenience of having the card canceled and re-issued. The bank has to spend time sorting everything out and may lose any money fraudulently taken.

 

I think (I may be wrong) the merchant who accepts the fraudulent transaction has the most to lose because the transaction is canceled and if they have already 'provided the goods'... then they've lost out.