UPDATE- Sizzler at Central Festival Mall

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Sizzler isn't the type of restaurant in which I really want to eat in Pattaya. In fact, it wouldn't even rank in my top 100 choices. Not that there's anything wrong with it - I just stopped eating in American-style chain steakhouses many years ago and I find no reason to start again in Pattaya with its wide variety of restaurants.

However, a certain young lady I know likes it and really wanted to go there. I'd vetoed her choice of Sizzler on several earlier occasions, so I thought I could give into her for once. It wasn't a bad meal, but certainly wasn't a memorable one. It was roughly the same as I remember from the U.S. 25 years ago, although there were some clear nods to Thai preferences, both among the main dishes and at the salad bar.

 

While Sizzler originated in the U.S., the restaurants in Thailand are under the control of an Australian company. I'm not sure if the 40 branches are franchised to local operators, corporate owned or a combination of the two. There are 40 Sizzlers spread the length and breadth of Thailand. The one we ate in is on the 6th floor of the Central Festival Mall. There's also another Pattaya branch in the Royal Garden Plaza as well as in Choburi, Rayong and Sriracha.

The two young ladies with me split an order of sirloin strip with mushroom sauce:





while I had the grilled beef sirloin:



We all shared a plate of the sesame shrimp as a starter:



along with servings from the salad bar:



It tasted fine. The beef was imported from Australia and very tender. It was cooked as ordered. Mine was medium rare, the girls' beef was medium and you could see the correct difference in pinkness between the two orders.

The salad bar comes at no extra with every entre ordered. It's extensive and kept well stocked. Besides all the salad variations and ingredients you can imagine, it includes soup, pasta and fresh fruit. Because you can go back as many times as you like, the salad bar is hugely popular with the Russians. I was going to take a pic of the salad bar, but that proved impossible because of all the backs in the way. Don't stand too long in one spot at the salad bar or you're sure to get body-checked.

The main dishes weren't cheap and the portions were small. However, if for health reasons you're trying to cut down on red meat and fill up on salad, it's not a bad way to go. I forgot to note the price of each dish, but the total bill came to roughly 1,500 baht, including bottomless soft drinks. When you consider the all-you-can-eat salad bar, you can consume a lot of food for the money.

 

And if you stay away from the imported steaks, there are plenty of main dishes under 300 baht (chicken, pork, fish, chopped steak) that give great value as the salad bar is still included. There are also numerous special offers you can read about here: http://www.sizzler.co.th/en/promotion_frequency_menu.php. An even better deal is a lunch special for 175 or 199 baht that includes the salad bar.

 

 

Would I go back to Sizzler? Maybe for the lunch special, but not for dinner unless I'm with someone who really wants to eat there. In terms of steak and steak alone, there are better options (Beefeater or My Way) within a few minutes' walk of Central Festival. Normally when I eat steak I don't bother about starters and just concentrate on the beef and whatever sides come with it. But if an all-you-can-eat salad bar is a big attraction to you or someone with you, then Sizzler can fit the bill.

 

Evil

Edited April 27, 2014 by Evil Penevil

[atlas2 4,329]

I was dragged there by my son a couple of times……….He learnt the error of his ways when I dragged him to 'Momentos' and he tried their steaks.

 

'Momentos' used to be at the Cocco Resort in Jomtien. It's moved to a bigger but similar poolside location where soi 8 and soi 10 Teprasit road converge.

That's our steak place now.

 

This is a photo of the skewers. The do chicken, Beef…… Duck or a combination of the three with a choice of six sauces. Tough to finish. Ordinary steaks come in 250 or 350 g sizes.

Edited February 26, 2014 by atlas2

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I really like Sizzler, particularly if I'm with a group of Thais - there's always something for everyone. It offers a good balance of price and quality, IMHO. The branches in Thailand are run by William Heinecke's Minor Food Group - the same people who own Pizza Company and operate Swensen's. I can't speak for Pattaya, but I'm always impressed with how well the staff appear to be trained at my local restaurants - any issues are always dealt with quickly and without any fuss.

Edited February 26, 2014 by CheshireTom

[spike 236]

I like Sizzler too.

 

About 3 times a week I need a salad fix and it's the best all you can eat salad bar I've found in Pattaya. Iceberg lettuce, Ceasar's salad and all the trimmings with a couple of soups to choose from and with a bottle of water you are out of there under 200b.

 

I prefer the location at RGP as it is slower than CF.

[Kev 178]

Thanks for the excellent review Evil.

 

About 2 years ago I took a friend to Sizzlers in Korat (he had been working in Chaiyaphum as a teacher for about 5 years). There was 4 of us, myself I'm from Oz land and I have to say the steaks were very nice and the salad bar as you say has everything. One thing I liked was the wine (Aussie) was reasonably priced and nice.

 

Anyway my mate who hadn't had a decent steak for who knows how long was just drooling at the mouth with every mouthful. Our two wives loved the food as well.

 

From memory I was impressed with the price and had no qualms. I was not aware there was one in Pattaya but will check it out next holiday in April.

 

Thanks.

[bigmick 840]

Thanks for the pictures and report E.P

[Dungheap 243]

As Spike said, the salad bar alone ain't a bad deal, if you can get near the thing.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

I like Sizzlers as well. I find Thai/Chinese people like these type of restaurants as a change from their usual fare. Same as me, I'd prefer Thai food most of the time but Sizzlers is a good change now and then.

[Gabor 296]

However, if for health reasons you're trying to cut down on red meat and fill up on salad, it's not a bad way to go.

 

 

 

Exactly...when I'm hungry for the veggies, salads I go to the Sizzler...

 

 

I like Sizzler too.

 

About 3 times a week I need a salad fix and it's the best all you can eat salad bar I've found in Pattaya. Iceberg lettuce, Ceasar's salad and all the trimmings with a couple of soups to choose from and with a bottle of water you are out of there under 200b.

 

I prefer the location at RGP as it is slower than CF.

 

The only buffet + soft drink + VAT + anything else it costs over 200 baht... but worth IMO... apart ftom the ingredients you mentioned... crispy broccoli, several good salads, grated cheese, sunflower seeds and the delicious salad creams to make your salad perfect...The pasta and soup offer is really poor, but hey... I go there to eat salads and veggies....

[Wanchai Pete 29]

Yes, I'm also a fan. Lived in New York for a few years and the Sizzler restaurants there were really poorly run and eventually closed down. The Pattaya Sizzlers in both RG and Central Mall are much better

[wacmedia 277]

Yes, I'm also a fan. Lived in New York for a few years and the Sizzler restaurants there were really poorly run and eventually closed down. The Pattaya Sizzlers in both RG and Central Mall are much better

 

Hi,

 

Thats no surprise. I was shocked when I realised Pan Am and TWA were such rubbish airlines. I realised that that the US is all image and no performance.

[Fatboyfat 361]

Hi,

 

Thats no surprise. I was shocked when I realised Pan Am and TWA were such rubbish airlines. I realised that that the US is all image and no performance.

Cross threading a bit and looking at all your contributions for this session, but ......... Have you been on the "waccy baccy" ?!

[kikc69 45]

 

Hi,

 

Thats no surprise. I was shocked when I realised Pan Am and TWA were such rubbish airlines. I realised that that the US is all image and no performance.

Haven't Pan Am and TWA been out of business for 30 or 40 years? All image and no performance?

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

Sizzler is a third rate steakhouse at best in the USA. If you want a decent American meal in Pattaya, it is not bad and no worse than in the States. I ate there once and it was not dissimilar to what I would find here in California, with the exception of the local fare.

[9cisco999 107]

Thanks for another of your typically excellent posts Evil.

 

 

I'm in agreement with what you've said about Sizzler.

 

The wife and I go to the local one here in Issan about every three weeks and are always satisfied.

 

 

 

My personal choice is:

 

 

 

 

 

Along with the salad bar.

 

 

 

Certainly works for me.

[wacmedia 277]

Cross threading a bit and looking at all your contributions for this session, but ......... Have you been on the "waccy baccy" ?!

Hi,

 

No waccy baccy for wac.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrY9eHkXTa4

[Trvlr 50]

 

Hi,

 

Thats no surprise. I was shocked when I realised Pan Am and TWA were such rubbish airlines. I realised that that the US is all image and no performance.

 

Broadly speaking, American beef is the best in the world. Almost everyone I have discussed this with, of any nationality, agrees with this statement. I say this objectively ( at least I believe so), and not because of some patriotic fervour.

There are pockets of specialized beef that are better, but you can get those in the US also. But go to a grocery store, buy the regular priced beef, which most people do. and American beef outdoes everyone else dollar for dollar. I have had excellent steak in Argentina - but that quality of steak is not available at most Argentinian places. And you can get the same or better in the US, but you have to look for them (not at Sizzlers), and they will be more expensive.

That is why I avoid beef in Asia - I find it stringy, tough, and of interest to dentists only.

I will try Sizzlers next time I am there, beginning with the lunch specials, based on the reviews here. Hopefully I will change my mind about some of the beef in Asia after Sizzlers and maybe some other places mentioned above.

[SimplySam 517]

Slight TF, but a good steak is not an oxymoron in Thailand. Best spot for beef in Thailand imo is Neil's off Wireless in Bkk.

 

 

It is worth the visit.

[Fatboyfat 361]

Broadly speaking, American beef is the best in the world. Almost everyone I have discussed this with, of any nationality, agrees with this statement. I say this objectively ( at least I believe so), and not because of some patriotic fervour.

There are pockets of specialized beef that are better, but you can get those in the US also. But go to a grocery store, buy the regular priced beef, which most people do. and American beef outdoes everyone else dollar for dollar. I have had excellent steak in Argentina - but that quality of steak is not available at most Argentinian places. And you can get the same or better in the US, but you have to look for them (not at Sizzlers), and they will be more expensive.

That is why I avoid beef in Asia - I find it stringy, tough, and of interest to dentists only.

I will try Sizzlers next time I am there, beginning with the lunch specials, based on the reviews here. Hopefully I will change my mind about some of the beef in Asia after Sizzlers and maybe some other places mentioned above.

Despite all of the over-hype I find Japanese Kobe steak to be the best in the world ( That would be Asian).... and without any deliberate rhetoric intended, the most disappointing aspect (and at the time one of the most anticipated prospects) was a T-bone steak on my first US visit (Galveston). I find Aussie steaks (in Aussieland) pretty good too and even UK (When not full of Foot & Mouth

Oh yes back on topic; I am of the "Sizzler is the best place to go in Pattaya for the salad bar" persuasion. The rest is remarkably unremarkable IMHO.

[VPI78 11,491]

Slight TF, but a good steak is not an oxymoron in Thailand. Best spot for beef in Thailand imo is Neil's off Wireless in Bkk.

 

Neil'stavern-2.jpg

 

It is worth the visit.

 

Neil's is good.

 

I like the JW Marriot New York Steakhouse almost as much but Neil's is the best in Thailand for steak in my opinion also.

[Gary 4,118]

As far as I am concerned, Neil's Tavern in Bangkok has the very best steak in Thailand. Before you take a group of friends there, make sure you have a pocket full of money. It is pricey.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I don't think it's really fair to compare Sizzler to the best steak restaurants in Thailand, just as you wouldn't (I hope) compare Pizza Company to the best Italian restaurants in Thailand. But since we are making recommedndations, The Rib Room and Bar at The Landmark works for me (I've never been inclined to try Neil's for some unknown reason).

[wacmedia 277]

I don't think it's really fair to compare Sizzler to the best steak restaurants in Thailand, just as you wouldn't (I hope) compare Pizza Company to the best Italian restaurants in Thailand. But since we are making recommedndations, The Rib Room and Bar at The Landmark works for me (I've never been inclined to try Neil's for some unknown reason).

Hi,

 

Good point. Sizzlers has a wide choice and even if you are a veggie you have a wide choice of food. Granted the steak can be a bit hit and miss. I like Scottish rump stake personally. The really expensive sirloin is a bit too bland for me. I like a nice rump.

[tequilareef 43]

Excellent review as usual Evil and pretty spot on in my opinion. However, I will inject the fact they have a great All You Can Eat salad bar for only 199 baht which is well worth it during lunch. The steaks themselves are not worth it in my opinion, I prefer Beefeaters for that in Pattaya. The new El Goucho's in Bangkok has the best steak in Thailand that I have eaten in a while. I used to think the Rib Room at the Landmark Hotel near Nana plaza was the best until I tried El Goucho's which is on Soi 19 Sukhumvit.

Edited March 31, 2014 by tequilareef

[spike 236]

I prefer Beefeaters for that in Pattaya.

Beefeaters is tops in my book. Café New Orleans serves a great flank steak too.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293919-d1151736-Reviews-Beefeater-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html