Caffe Primo

Pretty ordinary food and can be busy. Think it is still in business thanks to the movie theatre.
Food is average and almost mass produced tasting. The staff are ok and can get quite busy which flows on to a wait time on the food.

I honestly don’t know why Caffe Primo bothers to stay in business. It’s become the butt of all jokes amongst those in the hospitality industry, and it’s not even taken seriously by the general public. Even the «Nine Ninety» ad campaign was both disastrously and unintentionally hilarious. The same could be said about the food. I know it sounds harsh, but there’s just no other way to put it.
The ONLY reason I have ever eaten here was before heading into a movie where a) money was tight; or b) we didn’t have time to go anywhere else. But now that they raised their prices, there’s even less reason to eat here. I’ve tried a couple of things on the menu, but the most memorable one was the spaghetti bolognaise — it looked like it had just come straight out of a can, and tasted pretty similar too. The only acceptable thing about Caffe Primo is that they can make semi-​decent coffee — basically anything that doesn’t require cooking.
And pardon my language, but what the fuck is the point of the free pancake desert? There’s nothing on it; it’s a plain goddamn pancake! Last time I checked, that doesn’t constitute desert.

After a disastrous first experience with Caffe Primo at another of their locations, I decided it wasn’t fair of me to write them off completely without trying another store.
Well, now I feel I more than comfortable doing so.
It seems my bad experience wasn’t a fluke. I got the same virtually inedible pizza, paired with the same mediocre service. The pizza was at least cooked properly this time, but that unfortunately didn’t improve the taste at all.
I don’t think I will be back.

I come here a lot when I’m waiting for my movie to start, as it is in the Hoyts Cinema complex. I’m sure a lot of others do the same.
I have to say, this place hasn’t really ever been that nice in terms of cuisine, and probably only serves its purpose as a «waiting room» for movie goers.
I have had the chicken burger and a couple of pasta dishes here before. The burger bread was dry, as was the chicken. The fries were soggy, which is one of my pet hates. The pasta was okay, but not great.
The only highlights would have to be the free pancakes with every main meal, and the fact that their garlic bread looks like pancakes.

You’d know the ad, ‘Primo quality. Primo price’. It used to be the home of the $ 9.90 meals, but it’s gone up a bit since then.
It really is one of those place that works on a high turnover of patrons with either unsophisticated palates or those that don’t care. Don’t get my wrong. I’ve eaten here myself plenty of times and I’m generally not too disappointed, but I think that’s because my expectations are low before the food arrives. And, hey, it’s cheap and they bring the food to your table. What more can you expect?
The best think about the Norwood store is the new takeaway gelati station opposite the Hoyts cinema. That would be it’s one saving grace and a welcome alternative to those who don’t like choc tops.