As alot of eateries around Auckland was closed on the Anniversary Day, me and my partner decided to check Gloria Jean's out for a late brunch/early lunch.
We came during an afternoon lull (the place was maybe half full at most). We immediately noticed that...neither of the two staff seemed particularly busy, yet all the empty tables were uncleaned, filled with used plates cups and cutlery. Birds were flying around the place eating half-finished food off of the dirty tables. Granted this is not uncommon in New Zealand, but neither of the two employees on duty made any attempt to clean the tables or even shoo the birds away the entire time we were there.
As there were no table menus we immediately went to place our orders at the counter. Both of the two young staffers on duty were standing directly in front of us yet made no attempt to acknowledge us before several minutes had passed. They were both seemingly bored, killing time and making smalltalk amongst themselves while they had two customers RIGHT in front of them! The young man finally took my partner's order without a single "hello", "please" or "thank you".
After taking my partner's order both staff kept doing their own thing without taking mine. After a further couple minutes had passed the young girl finally acknowledged me. I asked if the kitchen had closed and she clearly said yes. I asked if their only option was the cabinet food and she again said yes. The cabinets were almost cleared out by this point but I placed my order and we sat down. Atleast she smiled while interacting with me, which is more than can be said for her colleague.
The food and drinks we got were almost impressively average; so flavourless and boring the only thing really worth mentioning about it is how the halloumi baos had been ludicrously overheated. A problem I imagine is attributable to the microwave I see mentioned in several other reviews here.
Here's the icing on the cake, though: While we were eating our "meals" another customer walked to the counter and started ordering things from the menu - aka, things which would need to be cooked in the kitchen - and they took her order no problem! WHY would they tell some customers that the kitchen is closed, while happily taking kitchen orders from other customers?! We promptly got up and left.
All in all, this place damages the image of NZ hospitality as a whole and the level of training it gives its staff seems to be an absolute disgrace. In short, DON'T GO HERE.More