Eddie Rocket's Takeaway Arklow

Disappointed that this is the third time I’ve visited this Eddie Rockets to find out they’re either unexpectedly closed or not taking customers.

We have been refused service due to what I could only assume is understaffing due to it being “too busy” yet many tables and booths seemed to be free.

We have been previously disappointed by the abrupt change in closing times, which I find unusual to say the least - I feel that closing at 7PM every day other than Fridays and Saturdays makes no sense. Especially with the lack of food establishments in Arklow. Since Eddie Rockets changed their closing times, there are really no places to sit down and eat a substantial meal on this side of the town in the evenings.

Now we have been refused service due to “electrical problems”, while other customers eat inside, music is playing and lights are on. I suspect this is due to another understaffing issue as I only was able to see one young girl working.

It’s disappointing to say the least, as someone who generally enjoys visiting Eddie Rockets, I would visit more often if these problems didn’t arise and leave us hungry and searching for a new spot to eat (of which there are none, unless you fancy a sandwich for dinner from Starbucks or Dunnes).

I also have had issues with their lack of acceptance of One4All gift cards. The One4All website states that Eddie Rocket accepts their gift cards, however while attempting to pay with this in the past, their card machine would not accept either of my two gift cards leaving me to pay out of my pocket. My One4All cards then worked at other establishments, so I am sure that they had the correct balance and enough to pay.

Every time I’ve visited, the food has been tasty, the service quick and the staff have been polite with good service, so it is a shame to see it being let down by disorganised management. I hope to see positive changes in the future.

Young guy who served us was friendly, efficient and did everything he was supposed to do. 2 of the staff were on work experience, 1 who was only half dressed, the chef and male waiter seemed to be the only uniforms on the floor. The manager and the 2 work experience staff just stood at the counter gossiping while the manager was eating her lunch from behind the counter which meant that a customer who.was waiting to pay had to come look for a staff member to take money. No check back was done, no attempt to up sell dessert or coffee after our meal and various small things could have been sorted by the work experience staff while it was so quiet, e.g. topping up ketchup, salts changing blown light bulbs, cleaning outside windows. It won't stop me from going back but consistency should be seen throughout all the franchises.

We were seated quickly, our orders were taken just as quick and the drinks arrived promptly. The food took longer than expected to arrive but maybe that's because there were five of us.

We all enjoyed our meals and three of the group had brownies and ice cream, which they all thoroughly enjoyed.