This viral spot in Samarinda: Besides the great photos, what else is there?
qponx
2026-03-05
Discover Samarinda's viral multi-concept spot, boasting a cafe, car wash, and barbershop under one roof. With its stunning industrial design, it's an Instagrammer's dream. But beyond the perfect photos, what's the real deal? This review explores the hit-or-miss food, from tasty snacks to disappointing mains. It also uncovers the major drawbacks: incredibly slow service and other frustrating quirks. Find out if this photogenic hotspot is truly worth your time and money before you visit.
Friends, who gets it?! I found a place in Samarinda that's so cool it's unreal—a multi-concept space with a car wash and barbershop downstairs, and a full-on cafe upstairs. That concept gets a straight-up Mantap from me! Three floors of industrial design, from the interior to the rooftop terrace, every corner seems made for photos. The vibes are immaculate. 📸
I thought I'd struck gold, thinking I could get my car washed and then come up to Nongkrong for a bit. Perfect. But after I sat down, I realized things weren't that simple…
Looks on point, flavor is hit-or-miss 🫠
To be fair, the ambiance is truly impeccable—clean, comfortable, and any random shot looks like a professional photo. The food presentation is also quite exquisite[1]; you can tell they put in the effort. I ordered the signature triple-flavor fries (FF 3 ways)[2] that a friend recommended, and they were actually pretty good. The perfect snack for binge-watching shows and chatting.
But the main courses were a bit disappointing… For example, the Nasi Kulit Daun Jeruk[3] felt a bit too oily and got heavy towards the end, and I could barely taste the promised orange leaf aroma. I also heard that the oxtail soup (Sop Iga)[4] is pretty stingy with the meat, so don't have high expectations for value for money.
The service that made me say 'thanks, but no thanks'…
OK, let's get to the main point, the thing I absolutely have to rant about—the service! Anjay, the experience was dragged down to rock bottom. 🤦♀️
From the moment I walked in, the staff had a poker face the whole time. They were unresponsive to questions, making me feel like I owed them money[5]. The worst part was the serving speed. I just can't even. I waited a full 50 minutes[6] for a simple meal. Hello, my lunch break was almost over!
A Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls, You're Welcome!
Alright, rants aside, let me give some solid tips to my friends who want to check this place out, so you don't make the same mistakes I did:
So, is this place actually worth visiting? My advice is: if you're purely going for the photo ops, or if you happen to be getting your car washed and just need a place to sit, then it's OK. But if you're going specifically for the food and service experience, I'd advise you to think twice…🤷♀️
- Ordering is a huge hassle: You can't take the menu to your table; you have to go to the second-floor cashier to order[7]. I suggest looking at their menu on IG beforehand and taking a screenshot, otherwise it's really awkward standing at the counter trying to decide for ages.
- Don't go during peak meal times: It gets insanely crowded, and the food comes out so slowly you'll start questioning your life choices. If you're going to go, pick an afternoon tea time to just Chill.
- Be cautious with large groups: The rules are very rigid; they don't let you combine tables[8]. If you're bringing a big group of people, be prepared to be split up.
- Attention WFA (Work From Anywhere) folks: There are very few power outlets[9], so if you're thinking of working here, remember to fully charge your laptop!
- Car wash, haircut, then coffee upstairs. Samarinda's only all-in-one spot[1]—a lazy person's dream!
- A 3-story industrial space where every corner is a photo op[2]. Super photogenic, you're guaranteed to get great shots!
- Get the signature FF 3 ways[3] for three flavors at once. So addictive, they're perfect for snacking while you chat
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