Botak Jones 2010

Botak Jones 2010 - Closed
325 Clementi Avenue 5 #01-129

970A Toa Payoh North

357 Bedok Road

214 Serangoon Avenue 4

181 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5

118 Depot Lane

121 Somerset Road

412 Bedok North Avenue 2

233 Bukit Batok East Avenue 5

5 Changi Village Road

892C Woodlands Drive 50

211 Toa Payoh Lorong 8

248 Simei Street 3

https://originalbotakjones.com/

An excellent and filling meal..... Once upon a time

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 5
Ambience & Setting: 2
Food & Beverage: 5
Service: 5
Value for Money: 4
Spent about SGD $9 per person.

.....

Almost 4 years ago, Botak Jones was the granddaddy that started the trend of having "restaurant quality food at coffeeshop prices".

Back then, you could hear many of your friends raving about it... Like how it was possible to purchase a meal at Botak Jones for about the same price as any other regular fast-food chain value meal, and have them serve you a heaping plate of food, enough to last you throughout the day. It was almost like eating a mini-buffet. "So value for money!", they would say, or "Wah lau, the portion so big! Dunno how to finish... wanna share?"

Then you would hear some others compliment the quality of the food... Like how their fish was fresh and flaky, and almost melted in the mouth. Or that the cajun chicken came with nicely melted cheese that gave it a tangy twist, and the meat was neither overcooked or dry, but juicy and tender. Or that their steak was grilled just nicely, with enough char outside, yet still juicy inside. Or that their hot dogs were among the largest ever sold at the time. Or that you could customize your burger, which was a brand new novelty...

Service was almost similar to a restaurant... The staff would helpfully offer suggestions on what to order and explain what you didn't understand. All with a smile.

Of course, most people know a good deal when they see one, so queues formed at most outlets, especially the first few branches, which meant you might have to wait a good 15 minutes or more for your order to arrive. Still, many didn't seem to mind.

But, as with most things in life, change is inevitable.

The rising standard of living over the last few years have forced the chain to also raise their prices... And along with it, the quality & quantity of food at Botak Jones has dropped drastically. Portions are no longer as large as they used to be, and if you wanted the "original - large" size portions, you have to pay more for it.

Normally, this wouldn't be that big a problem... if the quality of food was still high. Sadly however, a meal at Botak Jones today is just average... Not much better than most other coffeeshop western food, which is cheaper.

As a pioneer and market-leader of the trend, competition is inevitable. Unfortunately, while many of their competitors have improved by offering better quality food and service, Botak Jones has slowly deproved, making it "just another western food stall".

Today, of course, you may not hear your friends talking about their fantastic dining experiences at Botak Jones anymore... And the long, long queues of yesteryear are all but gone.

On the plus side, at least you don't have to wait too long for your food anymore.

.....