Bazza’s Steak Out

Fantastic but make sure you book a table as this place is popular. Best steak ever…,

I arrived on a cold and windy night, from the outside Bazza’s looked warm and inviting and quiet. It was not until I got inside the door that I realised I should have made a reservation. But seriously — who does that in Pukekohe? This isn’t anywhere close to the city where it’s pretty much expected now.
Luckily we were able to be seated right away — but It was directly opposite the door and whenever it was opened and closed a big gust of cold wind came past us. Not to be ungrateful because I would have to say at least five groups of people were turned away, who like me thought they could just turn up and expect a table. Clearly a very popular place to come!
Our waitress was warm and welcoming and was easily able to provide us with recommendations for what to get depending on our appetite. I decided to stick with a classic steak, with onion crisps and béarnaise sauce washed down with a nice glass of red wine! I was told it was pretty decent and not to worry about getting an entrée.
When the main arrived, I was not left disappointed by not ordering the entrée, the main itself is a whole meal.
I found the steak to be cooked quite nicely, medium rare. The béarnaise sauce suited the steak excellently… the only let down was the onion crisps, I say crisps because according to their menu it’s suppose to be onion rings… but these were cooked well past that stage.
Some tasted nice other tasted like burnt crisps you get at the bottom of a roast. Not entirely a bad thing!
Even though the place was obviously busy it didn’t feel like we were being pressured to hurry up and leave so they could turn the table over for the next group. The wait for our food was fairly average for the size and for the crowd, a busy place means a busy kitchen 35 mins — 45min.
There are three places in Pukekohe that now specialise in Steaks. I’m having a really hard time to differentiate them. Each have their own sense of style and do the basics well, which is all a steak lover really wants. For this reason. I’m calling it a tie for the time being.
I am happy to rate them as follows;
Food ⁴⁄₅ — Shame about the over done onion crisps (rings)
Service ⁴⁄₅ — Warm, friendly and accommodating
Price $ 33.00 — In line for what you get compared to other places
Atmosphere ⁴⁄₅ — Popular by nature
Overall — ⁴⁄₅ — Book early and avoid the table by the door!

Have eaten here a few times now, always friendly staff. Generous portions, great steak.