This Indonesian food is 4.9 stars on Google, but what the server did completely baffled me…
qponx
2026-03-06
Pak Tjomot boasts a near-perfect 4.9-star rating, but is it worth the hype? This review explores the Indonesian restaurant's god-tier food, highlighting must-try dishes like the tender Nasi Goreng Iga Bakar. While the clean, retro ambiance is perfect for gatherings, the experience is complicated by some truly bizarre service quirks. Get the full scoop on the delicious food and the baffling staff behavior that might leave you scratching your head.
Honestly, before coming to Makassar, this place, Pak Tjomot, had been on my list for a long time. With nearly 4,000 reviews on Google and a high score of 4.9[1], I thought it was another one of those places you could go to without a second thought. But as it turns out… the food is genuinely delicious, but with some of the weird service moves, I was honestly a bit Anjay... 😂
God-tier Flavor, Perfect Ambiance
The vibe was right as soon as I walked in; the place is spacious and clean, with a bit of a retro touch to the decor, and the atmosphere is very Chill. It's not at all like those greasy, hole-in-the-wall eateries[2]. Bringing family or friends here to Nongkrong would definitely make you look good.
There were a lot of us, so we ordered a whole table of food. I have to rave about the Nasi Goreng Iga Bakar[3]! The grilled ribs were stewed until they were super tender, falling off the bone at the slightest touch of a fork, rich with juices, and paired with fried rice that had that amazing 'wok hei' flavor, it was absolutely Mantap! The signature Ayam Penyet[4] didn't disappoint either; the chicken was tender and flavorful, and the accompanying sambal was on the sweeter side, which went perfectly with the rice.
The portions were very generous, and our whole table ate to our heart's content[5]. Overall, the flavors are very authentic and consistent; it's the kind of family-style restaurant you go to when you don't know what to eat but want a guaranteed good meal[6].
But! Here Come the Complaints…
OK, now let's talk about the parts that confused me.
There were ten of us in our group, and the waiter actually tried to squeeze us onto a four-person table, while a large table right next to us clearly only had two people. I was like, what?! 🤷♀️.
What was even more ridiculous was the bill. Our total was over 680,000, and the waiter insisted that we pay 650,000 via QR code scan, and the remaining 30,000-plus in cash[7]. What kind of new-fangled system is this? I didn't get it, and I didn't dare to ask, so we just did as we were told. While it wasn't a huge deal, an experience like this really sours the mood a bit.
Editor's Key Takeaways 📝
- Who should come? The top choice for family dinners and friend gatherings[8]. Both the ambiance and the food are impressive enough, making it a safe bet for treating elders or friends.
- Must-order dishes: Nasi Goreng Iga Bakar (grilled rib fried rice) and Ayam Penyet (smashed fried chicken). If you're not a fan of sweet flavors, you can try other things, but these two are the signature dishes.
- Heads-up: The service quality is a bit like opening a blind box; whether it's good or not is purely up to luck. During peak hours, you might find that some dishes are sold out or face unreasonable seating arrangements[9], so just stay calm, because the food is genuinely amazing.
- Bonus points: The restrooms and prayer room are kept super clean, which is a rare find in Indonesian restaurants[10]. You can ask to pack up any leftovers to go[11], no wasting food
- Nasi Goreng Iga Bakar: Fall-off-the-bone ribs in a rich gravy with smoky "wok hei" fried rice. One bite is pure Mantap! [1]
- Spacious, clean, with retro decor for a Chill vibe. The perfect spot to impress your friends when treating them to a meal. [2]
- A family canteen where you can't go wrong. When you can't decide what to eat, this is your go-to for authentic, consistent flavor. [3]
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