Unlimited Indian Food = 2 Rounds Only

LSarcasticEmu on 24/09/2025 - 15:29
Last edited 24/09/2025 - 15:30

Hey OzBargainers,

Went to a local Indian restaurant after seeing their flashy “$35 Unlimited Indian Food” deal on their website/FB page. As a student, I thought I’d found a gem. Instead, it ended up being a textbook bait and switch.

What happened:

I Confirmed upfront: I asked staff if the deal was truly unlimited. They said yes.

Round 1: Got 3 small curries, rice, 2 naan, and some veggies. (Skewers + dessert advertised online never appeared.)

Round 2: Asked for more. This time only 2 curries + 1 naan.

Round 3: Was told there’s a "limit of two reloads." I pushed back. They grudgingly gave me an extra butter chicken + naan.

Round 4: Flat-out denied. The owner came over and said (quote): “No, I’m losing money. Some people just order more.”
So much for “unlimited.”

Worth noting: these weren’t big bowls of butter chicken, just small ramekin-sized portions.

The Math (Where It’s a Rip-Off)
Their everyday Student Deal ($16) includes:

2 curries, naan, rice, dessert.

What I paid for "$35 Unlimited" gave me:

~6 small curries

3 naan

1 rice

0 dessert, 0 skewers (despite being advertised)

Bonus argument with owner

If I’d simply bought 2x Student Deals ($32):

4 full curries

2 naan

2 rice

2 desserts

Cheaper and likely more food.

So not only not unlimited, but actually worse value.

Why I feel this is dodgy under Australian Consumer Law, this is a clear-cut case of false advertising. Businesses can’t claim “unlimited” while secretly capping you (unless clearly disclosed upfront).
.
TL;DR

Paid $45 (was charge $9 for a lemon-lime bitters drink) for a supposedly “unlimited” Indian food deal. Got capped after 2.5 rounds because the owner said “I’m losing money.” The $16 student meal bought twice would’ve been cheaper, more food, and less drama.

So OzBargain: What would you do? Am I over reacting? Or should I lodge a complaint, push for refund, or all of the above?

Food & Grocery Indian Cuisine

Comments

  • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 24/09/2025 - 15:33
    +47

    What’s the name of the restaurant?

  • BortBelcher on 24/09/2025 - 15:34
    +148

    Did these sound like the actions of a man who had "all he could eat"?

    • SarcasticEmu on 24/09/2025 - 15:40
      +10

      Haha, that’s exactly what was running through my head as I was walking back, felt exactly like the Simpsons episode.

      • Gunnar on 24/09/2025 - 19:17
        +4

        So what you haven’t told us is the owner told you “Please, Don’t take the steam tray. Sir”

        • serpserpserp on 25/09/2025 - 10:11
          +3

          He also ate the plastic lobsters

          • RolandWaites on 26/09/2025 - 10:34
            +2

            @serpserpserp: He then drove around town looking for another All You Can Eat restaurant, and when he couldn't find one he went fishing.

    • jv on 24/09/2025 - 19:33
      +24

      "'Tis no man! 'Tis a remorseless eating machine! Arrr!"

    • bargaino on 25/09/2025 - 14:12
      +10

      Simpsons was awesome. One of the best '90s TV shows.

      What a pity they only ever made 8 seasons.

  • JIMB0 on 24/09/2025 - 15:39
    +85

    This is the most blatant case of false advertising since the movie "The Neverending Story".

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 24/09/2025 - 17:18
      +25

      Or John Farnham's "Final Tour".

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 24/09/2025 - 17:50
        +6

        Or the film "Naked Lunch".

        • sharkyoz on 24/09/2025 - 20:01
          +2

          Watching it naked qualifies

      • MrFrugalSpend on 26/09/2025 - 07:21

        Lol - Farnsy… That's a blast from the past! - That "fan" was all angry and tried a class action with media coverage, and formal ACCC complaint… but most "fans" would surely be happy an artist they were a fan of was doing more performances! - Really that complaint was a stretch and the ACCC did not take any action despite one person's complaint and the call for a class action flopped. A lesson for OP I think - perhaps he can limit it to a bad review online and move on.

        The Farnham team's defence I believe was "The Last Time" tour was clearly named after his latest studio album at the time, "The Last Time", which was named after its main hit song "The Last Time" (The Last Time - YT) - like nearly every artist does. Further, the only statements at the time were about cutting back from full-time solo performance national arena tours, not retiring from music altogether - which he did cut back.

        Interestingly, the song lyrics which were even played with the ads, even say:

        Well this could be the last time
        This could be the last time
        Maybe the last time - I don't know

        The complaint was lodged because he was part of a subsequent national arena tour, but he didn't do it solo, it was not entirely his show - I believe it was also headlining Tom Jones from memory… Doing a few new things but mostly nostalgia greatest-hit repeats in half a show shared with another old timer to make sure your ageing fan base can still fill arenas (and boost your retirement fund) is not the same as producing new solo studio albums and systematically nationally touring them on repeat. The media fuss about false advertising probably helped promote the Tom & John tour really.

        … I think this unlimited Indian is a bit more false advertising than that… but by the same token a reasonable person will not expect literal full unlimited. However expectation should be to at least get everything advertised and likely more than OP got would not be unreasonable if he can calculate that it is no better value than other deals despite the bulk buy advertising rhetoric, a reasonable person would probably be able to expect a bit more…. but no one will care and he's not getting anywhere lamenting about it.

        • garage sale on 27/09/2025 - 03:01

          all you can eats i’ve been to only have time limits, went to an all you can east sushi session, 2 hours ate 35 pieces, went to another all you can eat and it was buffet so they couldn’t make you wait for long, but without being racist some cultures are very much into screwing people over. some places i’ve been to won’t top up the plate unless you finish everything, idea being can’t just eat the meat and leave veges and sauce in things like curries mixed rice dishes. Name and shame is the way to go, if it was an indian restaurant then they should know about karma and australia doesn’t have a caste system so you should treat people with respect, “you are eating so much i’m loosing money” he should be able to do that maths for his next offer.

    • Gunnar on 24/09/2025 - 18:16

      Beat me to it!

    • jv on 24/09/2025 - 19:34
      +10

      since the movie "The Neverending Story".

      I'm still watching it…

      No spoilers please.

  • justdigi on 24/09/2025 - 15:40
    +19

    Did you pay on card? Chargeback and never go back.

  • spackbace on 24/09/2025 - 15:41
    +38

    As a student

    Paid $45

    Apparently students these days are doing pretty ok…

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 24/09/2025 - 17:56
      +13

      $45 is the new $9.95 student meals of old

      • infinite on 25/09/2025 - 21:41
        +1

        You could afford food from the Uni cafeteria ?

    • Never Pay RRP on 25/09/2025 - 20:51
      +1

      It could be good value depending on how many meals the OP intended the buffet to replace…

    • vchar on 26/09/2025 - 11:34
      +2

      back in the uni day like 10 years ago, it took me like a whole week deciding to eat a bowl of $12 noodle.

  • Nillionaire on 24/09/2025 - 15:46
    +20

    owner said “I’m losing money.”

    This is so pathetic. Don't advertise an all you can eat if you can't comfortably afford it. I don't want to worry about costing the restaurant money while eating, that's their business. Even if they were honouring it, I would notice if it was reluctant service instead of enthusiastic which would make it awkward.

    • serpserpserp on 25/09/2025 - 10:09
      +2

      Yeah because advertising cash transactions isn't an alarm bell for the ATO/Bank

    • StalkingIbis on 26/09/2025 - 06:59

      Loss for everyone else who pays tax and has no avenue to illegally dodge tax obligations.

  • BoltThrower on 24/09/2025 - 16:08
    +12

    Just paste this as a review into Google/Yelp/Truelocal.

    • supersabroso on 25/09/2025 - 14:34
      +2

      Yep, you are clearly in the right as you didn't get what you paid for. Leave a review on as many websites as your anger lasts for, start with Google as that will reach the most people.

  • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 24/09/2025 - 16:18
    +5

    Name of the restaurant surely

  • mducpham on 24/09/2025 - 16:25
    +7

    if you are in WA, go to The Mudpot in Midland, $16 for truly unlimited meal on 1 plate for lunch (you can fill it up as many times as you like), been there so many times and the food tastes great!

  • bikboy on 24/09/2025 - 16:44
    +1

    Chargeback

    • JCrown9 on 25/09/2025 - 09:37

      was waiting for this comment :D

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 24/09/2025 - 17:51
    +4

    A small food business operator doing dodgy shit. A story as old as time.

  • Mr BoMBAStiG on 24/09/2025 - 17:53
    +6

    Going to need to see the ad mate.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 24/09/2025 - 17:57

    Was the curry good at least

  • joka on 24/09/2025 - 18:49
    +3

    Well two reloads would imply three rounds right? The first plate isn’t a reload. The second plate is the first reload and the third plate is a second reload.

  • McMaferMur on 24/09/2025 - 19:03
    +1

    wait until the other indian restaurants adverstise "pay today and eat for free tomorrow"
    but the same sign is up every single day….

  • McMaferMur on 24/09/2025 - 19:03
    +3

    bikies

    • jv on 24/09/2025 - 19:36
      -4

      🍪

  • bazingaa on 24/09/2025 - 19:51
    +2

    “$35 Unlimited Indian Food

    The international buffet at a local proper hotel would be worth much than this. Our local store has it for $37 on weekdays, and it is well-stocked.

    www.lynbrookhotel.com.au/international-buffet/

    • Antikythera on 25/09/2025 - 00:30
      +3

      yeah i wont link it because I'm associated, but at least one of our hotels do full buffet.

      $38.00 (Mon - Thu) | $42 (Fri - Sun) and cheaper for seniors, kids, and free under 3.

  • ninohax on 24/09/2025 - 21:09
    +3

    This seems to be a clear case of false advertising from what you have stated here.

  • CodeXD on 24/09/2025 - 21:33
    +4

    Any AYCE that you don't get the food yourself… you're gonna have a bad time

    • joka on 25/09/2025 - 06:01
      -1

      Unless it’s one of those Argentinian all you can eat steak houses where they come around with meat skewers and shave it on to your plate.

      • Mr BoMBAStiG on 25/09/2025 - 09:31

        Just gotta remember the prime cuts come last, when you're full.

    • Woody982 on 25/09/2025 - 09:47

      Nah, theres a japanese all you can eat place in Adelaide that you just order stuff through the app, within the time limit given.

      Some of my family and friends have eaten there a couple times and trust me, im pretty sure they lost money when we ate there lmao

      • VerticallyIntegrated on 25/09/2025 - 09:56

        Name plz?
        Love Japanese food.

        • CodeXD on 25/09/2025 - 13:14

          Okami

          • stuffandthat on 25/09/2025 - 13:29

            @CodeXD: The worst Japanese.

          • Homr on 25/09/2025 - 16:07

            @CodeXD: Okami sucks, they fill your sashimi plate with rice and you gotta eat all the rice before they allow you to order the next plate

        • axxaer on 25/09/2025 - 16:54

          They're probably referring to Nijumaru in Glenelg. We had a great meal there recently - it's surprisingly good quality and speed for all you can eat. Definitely recommend it.

        • Woody982 on 26/09/2025 - 10:01

          Yeah as axxaer said, Nijumaru. I've only been to the Prospect one.

        • VerticallyIntegrated on 26/09/2025 - 18:01

          I just did Mugen House for lunch.

          There is a time limit and penalty if you leave food uneaten, but was truly all you can eat and really good.

          Salmon, soft shell crabs, tuna, wagyu, octopus plus more.

          Order each dish from the iPad and you can see the countdown on screen before your eating session expires.

          Receipt is itemised at the per dish cost and our table of 4x easily ate over $500. Charge per head is $53.50.

  • buckerooni on 24/09/2025 - 23:14
    +1

    I would just move on, it's definitely not worth wasting any time over. having less volume, higher quality food would be a better long term plan.

    • dojomojo on 25/09/2025 - 11:43
      +3

      Leave an honest review & never go there again.

  • Dan_ on 25/09/2025 - 00:36
    +9

    Four naan Jeremy? Four? That's insane.

    • star-ggg on 26/09/2025 - 16:33

      Avoid the turkey

  • AustriaBargain on 25/09/2025 - 00:36

    The Krishna people in your city probably do all you can eat Indian food at least once a month. There'd be no meat though. And they will want you to join, but if your social life is lacking then maybe you should think bout it..?

  • Aa44 on 25/09/2025 - 04:02
    +1

    Best to leave a bad review and move on, there’s not really anything else you can do after the fact unless you wanted to lodge a chargeback under goods not as described.

    Your bank may request for evidence that you tried to resolve the issue with the merchant first so if you wanted to go this route have the receipt / photos ready

  • Your Friend on 25/09/2025 - 05:31
    +3

    Share name or close thread

  • joka on 25/09/2025 - 06:03
    +3

    Reminds me of the Indian dude who setup a shop whereby you pay whatever you feel is appropriate for your food. Ended up being done for tax fraud.

    • JIMB0 on 25/09/2025 - 07:02
      +1

      Cash only, declare what you feel like?

    • kosh52 on 25/09/2025 - 08:58
      +1

      Wasn’t that ‘mental as anything’ restaurant in Melbourne? If so, the owner was Shri lanken

      • Morggg on 25/09/2025 - 09:09
        +3

        *lentil

    • 811b11e8 on 25/09/2025 - 09:15
      +12

      Lentils as anything - sri lankan.

      Its actually a really sad story. The guy put a fortune he inherited in to the business, ran it as a non profit, got in trouble for using it for his every day expenses probably has gave away all his money. Was one of the true genuine non profits I've seen they hired people with mental health issues, let refugees volunteer helping them integrate, had food from different cultures - tibet dumplings, sri lankin, lots of different stuff.

      The pay what you feel box was genuine lots of homeless ate there nobody ever got pressured over paying, the box for money donations even went to Canberra on display.

      • pinsanity on 25/09/2025 - 20:43
        +2

        That's not sad.

        That's a life lesson in how not to run a business.

        • AlexF on 26/09/2025 - 07:21
          +2

          That's a life lesson in how not to run a business.

          Obviously, it was a charity masquerading as a business, not like IKEA which is a business masquerading as a charity.

          It wasn’t sustainable because of … greed.

    • AustriaBargain on 26/09/2025 - 02:45
      +1

      I've seen Ozark, you need to make sure you're ordering a tonne of rice and cleaning supplies and such each month, and just dump it all in the ocean. Construction is better because you can inflate costs a lot easier.

  • kalithreaver on 25/09/2025 - 08:24

    just leave a bad review and move on.

  • cktftw on 25/09/2025 - 10:00
    +3

    name and shame or it didnt happen

  • serpserpserp on 25/09/2025 - 10:04

    This is the most blatant case of false advertising since my suit against the movie The Neverending Story.

  • Brianqpr on 25/09/2025 - 11:11
    +1

    I'm just amazed you could eat that much. 6 curries and 4 naans, plus rice and veggies, how? And still want more?

    • SarcasticEmu on 25/09/2025 - 11:46
      +3

      We are talking tiny portions I ate this much, if you combine them all together you might get a large curry. Small rice serving too, not as big as the picture. But where are you getting 4 nanas when it was 3? So the student deal with two medium curries would have been more food.

      • Brianqpr on 25/09/2025 - 11:57

        Ah that explains it.

        The post says 2 naan in round one, one in round two and another in round 3.

        • SarcasticEmu on 25/09/2025 - 12:28

          You're right, post says 2 naan in round one. That's supposed to be only one naan, 3 total.

      • VerticallyIntegrated on 25/09/2025 - 12:46

        4x nana’s!!

        I find them a bit chewy.

  • DMFD on 25/09/2025 - 11:22
    +5

    A succulent Chinese meal could have been cheaper.

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