The Gladiator - Arundel

This is a small food outlet, not a fancy High Street restaurant, run by an older couple who are doing their best in a tough economy. It's unfair to judge their... read more This is a small food outlet, not a fancy High Street restaurant, run by an older couple who are doing their best in a tough economy. It's unfair to judge their character, as they are new to Australia and trying to provide a service. Where else can you find a breakfast of 2 eggs, 2 toast, 2 bacon, tomato, a slice of sausage, and juice for only $6? They also offer Eggs Benedict for $12.95. The coffee may not be the best, but it's hot and only $3. As a family on a budget, we are grateful that there are still places offering such affordable prices. Thank you.

I visited once but don't have any plans to return, as there was nothing exceptional to make it worth a second visit. The food was decent, but the inexpensive br... read more I visited once but don't have any plans to return, as there was nothing exceptional to make it worth a second visit. The food was decent, but the inexpensive breakfast option was just that - cheap. The coffee was average.

Upon placing my order, I realized I had chosen the wrong cafe. The owner was unfriendly and unresponsive to my request for well-cooked eggs due to my pregnancy.... read more Upon placing my order, I realized I had chosen the wrong cafe. The owner was unfriendly and unresponsive to my request for well-cooked eggs due to my pregnancy. Despite my request, the eggs still arrived runny. The sausage advertised with the breakfast was actually just a slice, not a whole sausage, which I found strange. The cafe is run by an Asian couple, which was surprising given the advertised Italian cuisine. The prices are inexpensive, but I have never felt so unwelcome at a restaurant before. We left feeling dissatisfied and have no plans to return.

We have been regular customers of The Gladiator Cafe since its opening, and have enjoyed countless meals there. Damiano and the Giammatteo family, the original... read more We have been regular customers of The Gladiator Cafe since its opening, and have enjoyed countless meals there. Damiano and the Giammatteo family, the original owners, have always made us feel welcome and accorded us with pleasant and polite service; even at their busiest times. The food served by them was always good and prices very reasonable. Hence we had every reason to return to dine there.However... the cafe was sold to new owners... and, as we discovered to our disappointment, it went 'south' quick-smart. We were not greeted or treated in a friendly manner. To put it plainly, the staff (a bloke) behind the counter was rude. We ordered our lunches and requested ordinary tap water. However our request for water was rejected outright and was refused to us. This shocked us greatly and we felt very unwelcome.(Note: This was never a problem with the original owners. In fact, tap water was typically served.) This discourtesy occurred when the cafe was virtually empty and not busy.Strangely though, we noticed the same staff serving another customer at the next table later, with a glass and bottle of tap water. Precisely what we requested. He walked right by our table and did not offer us any water. So if that wasn't a snub, we don't know what is?!We accept - and expect - some teething problems when new owners take over a business; for example, taking longer to serve meals, orders mixed up, etc, particularly at peak times. But is there any excuse for rudeness and treating customers with discourtesy, especially in a service industry? We used to be regular customers of the cafe.... but after this, we will not be going back... period. If I can rate this restaurant and its service at zero stars, I would have. Alas, the lowest rating is 1 star, so that's what it gets.

Used to be owned by an Italian couple but now taken over by an Asian couple. Very rude owner taking orders. Huffing and puffing as though you are inconveniencin... read more Used to be owned by an Italian couple but now taken over by an Asian couple. Very rude owner taking orders. Huffing and puffing as though you are inconveniencing him and often getting the order wrong. Prices charged differ to those advertised. Breakfast includes a sausage which is actually a slice of a sausage (imagine a sausage cut lengthways into quarters and you get one piece). Given it 2 visits since new owners - food really poor and because of the rude service - won't be returning.