This had been my 3rd visit to Sunrise; every time a different branch. On my first 2 visits (previous visits were to T21 and Silom branch) I managed to get food poisoning from the sub-mediocre (mediocre is just not enough of a description) food that was served. Coupled with surly and inattentive waiting staff in both branches, I had determined that my double bout of garlic distress was enough to ensure I stayed absent.
But while back in Bangkok for a visit, a friend managed to persuade me that "things had changed." The food was better, the staff friendlier and the whole experience had been moved up several notches from 'basement cuisine.' Oh how wrong he was...
Initial impressions were better; the staff who welcomed us (a group of 4) were friendly and chatty and took our drinks order while we perused the menu.
We ordered a pitcher of mango Margarita; big mistake as they seemed to follow the Thai tradition of loading it with syrup. Far too sweet to the point of almost being sickly.
The pitcher was quickly discarded in favour of a safer beer option.
We decided to order starters so chose 2 portions of tacos, a nacho cheese supreme and a portion of 8 chicken wings.
The wings were fairly reasonable; not the best by a long shot. Sort of the Robin Thicke version of nachos the same night the Rolling Stones are in town.
But the nachos? Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear. Soggy and limper than Pele's erectile dysfunction problem, these were a pale imitation of what nachos should be like and around 60% of the plate was left untouched.
The tacos were the high point of the starters, and indeed of the entire meal. Still not world beating but definitely value for money, and the mango salsa was tasty indeed.
And so onto mains. Now when several people eat out, you sometimes expect less than 100% satisfaction. Unfortunately tonight only hit the 25% mark. Even more unfortunately I was not the 1 in 4 who enjoyed their main.
My girlfriend had the steak fajitas and her only opinion was that they must be sourcing the beef from a water buffalo retirement home somewhere in Isaan. Chewy, fatty and as grizzled as Keith Richards after a 3 day bender.
My friend went for the Enchiladas Suizas, and while he was not ready to say they were the worst ever, he was prepared to say that they were well below average and lacking in any taste.
His wife chose the California Chicken Crunch Supreme, and her only comment was that the breaded chicken was like something KFC would send back to the kitchen. the sour cream appeared slightly off (a charge refuted by the now growling, formerly friendly waiter) and the guacamole looked like it had been made by an autistic 8 year old.
I had decided to go for one of the specials, though I now think they were referring to the special needs of the person who prepared the dish. They describe the beef as 'juicy and lean', but to be frank I have seen deserts with more juice in them, and if you could describe Vanessa Feltz as lean, then the description was also apt here.
Overall another poor experience from Sunrise Tacos who now have the distinction of being the only restaurant/chain I have ever visited again after 2 poor experiences.
Well done Sunrise! A hat trick of mediocre cooking, presentation and staff who are about as friendly as a Syrian Jihadist with an AK47
Adios amigos forever. I wont make that mistake again..
