Google's 4.8-Star Pork Rib Rice: The taste is Mantap, but the toilet is Anjay… An indescribable experience.
qponx
2026-03-05
This 4.8-star Solo rib joint is a true mixed bag. The article raves about the incredible, fall-off-the-bone honey grilled ribs and generous meat portions, perfect for a group feast in its retro Javanese setting. However, it also serves a heavy dose of reality. Be prepared for excruciatingly long waits, comically small rice portions, and a restroom experience you won't forget. This review helps you decide if the delicious ribs are worth the frustrating service.
Every time I pass by the main road in Solo, I'm drawn to this place called WARUNG IGA CAK ERWAN. It's always packed to the brim, with a 4.8-star rating and 2000+ reviews on Google, so I thought, this one's gotta be a sure thing! Today, I finally met up with a friend to check it out, and the result… my emotions were on a rollercoaster 🎢.
A Paradise for Meat Lovers, the Taste is Undeniably Good!
The moment I walked in, I was totally captivated by the retro Javanese mansion-style decor. The space is huge, perfect for family gatherings or for a big group of friends to Nongkrong. We got straight to the point and ordered all their signature dishes:
They're really generous with the meat portions, definitely enough to satisfy any meat lover. But… the rice portion was ridiculously tiny, wasn't it? It felt like they were kidding me. For my friends with big appetites, remember to just order two portions right away[1].
- Honey Grilled Ribs (Iga Bakar Madu)[2]: The best of the night! The meat was stewed until it was fall-off-the-bone tender, and the rich, sweet-and-savory sauce completely soaked through. I could devour three bowls of rice with this! 🤤
- Ribs Curry Soup (Tongseng Iga)[3]: The broth was super rich and full of spices. One sip warms you up from head to toe, and they were super generous with the ribs inside.
- Spicy Fried Ribs (Iga Goreng Penyet)[4]: This one's for those who love intense flavors! The ribs were fried to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, paired with that fire-breathing sambal sauce, Anjay! So intense!
BUT… With Deep Love Comes Some Necessary Complaints!
Honestly, if the food wasn't decent, I might have stormed out on the spot. The serving speed is really a game of chance. We waited for almost an hour for all our food to arrive[5], watching as the table next to us, who arrived later, finished their meal before we even got all our food. Half my good mood just vanished.
The absolute worst part was the restroom! Promise me, if you're a clean freak or particular about your surroundings, just hold it in! It was wet, dirty, and had a mysterious smell[6]. I went in for one second and made a light-speed exit… That experience just sent me straight to rock bottom. And according to my friend, the quality control was inconsistent on his last visit; the satay he ordered was actually undercooked[7]…
A Heartfelt Guide, a Must-Read Before You Go!
- Go during off-peak hours! Off-peak! Off-peak! Important things must be said three times. Definitely don't go during meal times or on weekends, or you'll be waiting forever, and the signature dishes might even be sold out[8].
- Don't miss the freebies: After you sit down, they give you a complimentary welcome drink and fried crackers[9]. You can snack on these while you're waiting in despair.
- About the rice: Don't hesitate, just order extra!
- Who is this for: If you're a big group of friends looking for a lively atmosphere and huge portions of meat, and you don't really care about service speed or the restroom situation, then this place is okay. If you're looking for a more refined experience for a date, I'd advise you to think twice.
- Honey-glazed BBQ Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone tender meat. The sweet & savory sauce over rice is so addictive. A true meat lover's dream[1]!
- Spacious, retro Javanese mansion perfect for family dinners or to Nongkrong with friends. The vibes are absolutely on point.
- Spicy Fried Ribs: Crispy outside, tender inside, served with a fiery sambal. Spice lovers will be screaming Anjay[2]
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