This 4.8-Star 'God-Tier' Shop on Google Snatches Phones for Fake Reviews?
qponx
2026-03-05
A Banjarmasin cafe with a near-perfect 4.8-star Google rating seems like a must-visit. Kordinat Cafe boasts a fantastic atmosphere and solid food, but this review uncovers a shocking secret behind its stellar reputation. Staff are allegedly taking customers’ phones, under the guise of helping with Wi-Fi, to secretly post fake five-star reviews. This article weighs the trendy spot's great vibe against its unbelievable and dishonest trickery, warning diners to be cautious.
Just arrived in Banjarmasin for a business trip and decided to check out the only mall here (Duta Mall). I found this place called Kordinat Cafe, saw it had nearly 2000 reviews on Google with a super high score of 4.8, and the photos showed an amazing atmosphere. I thought I'd hit the jackpot...
The result? Heh, the experience was really a mixed bag, especially with one shady move that almost made me pull the confused-old-man-staring-at-his-phone face.jpg 🤨
Let's start with the good: The ambiance is definitely solid
The moment you walk in, you have to admit the environment is really nice. The space is huge, with an outdoor area for smokers and a well-air-conditioned indoor section. The sofas are so soft you could sink into them, making it a perfect spot to Nongkrong with friends for an afternoon and just Chill[1]. Sometimes they even have live music at night, so they've totally nailed the atmosphere.
As for the food, the overall taste is on point, and the ingredients are pretty fresh[2]. The chances of ordering something bad are low, and a few items were a pleasant surprise:
BUT! My friend's grilled salmon actually came without the skin[3]… Anjay, chef, come out here, we need to talk. Where's the soul of the salmon—that crispy, fragrant, grilled skin? I really don't get this move.
- Tahu Bakso[4]: A must-order! It's an Indonesian fried tofu stuffed with meatballs, but their version is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Served with the sauce, it's super appetizing. Mantap!
- Piccolo[5]: An off-menu secret item. Coffee lovers can order it directly from the staff, and it's pretty good.
Now for the cons: There are quite a few things to complain about
First, the price. For a place like Banjarmasin, it's definitely on the mid-to-high end[6], so it'll hurt your wallet a bit. Also, when it gets crowded during meal times, the serving speed becomes completely random[7]. If you go there starving, you might run out of patience.
The waiters and waitresses are quite friendly[8], but! That can't cover up for the massive bombshell that's coming next!
⚠️ Major Warning: Guard your phone!
Alright, here comes the most important part of the whole review, so take notes, everyone!
The shadiest move this place pulls is: A staff member will offer to help you connect to the Wi-Fi, take your phone to the cashier, and then... secretly open your Google Maps to give themselves a five-star review![9]
What the heck, is the competition for good reviews that intense now? Although I didn't fall for it, my good impression of them dropped to zero the moment I saw someone else complaining about this in the comments. No matter how good the food or how beautiful the environment is, pulling a stunt like this is just so low, right?
So, a heads-up for all the friends planning to check this place out:
All in all, a place that could have gotten a 7 out of 10 from me completely fails in my book because of this shady review-farming trick. Have you guys been there? Or have you encountered something like this elsewhere? Let's talk about it in the comments
- 1. Never let your phone out of your sight! Ask for the Wi-Fi password yourself, don't let them do it for you.
- 2. It gets super crowded during the dinner rush[10], so I suggest going early to get a seat.
- 3. When you pay, don't forget to ask if there are any credit card discounts[11]. Every little bit saved helps.
- Tahu Bakso is a must! Crispy fried tofu stuffed with meatballs, with a zesty sauce. Pure Mantap! [1]
- Coffee lovers: ask for the secret off-menu Piccolo. Order direct from staff—their brew won't disappoint.
- Huge space, comfy sofas, and occasional live music for great vibes. Perfect for an afternoon to Nongkrong with friends and Chill out. [2]
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