Lava Burger

My partner and I have attempted to try Lava Burger three times after they dropped multiple flyers in our mailbox, advertising free delivery.
The first time we tried them we were unimpressed. We ordered the classic burgers with cheese. We figured that any burger place should be able to make a decent cheeseburger. Sadly, their burgers were not even as good as those of any local fish and chip shop. They were oily and soggy, and the patties could have been cooked more.
Their fries were much the same. We ordered the cheese and garlic fries. They were so soggy that they were effectively just mashed potatoes covered in a garlic mayo. We could have cooked better at home and spent far less money.
To top it all off, the woman had to put us on hold for five minutes to talk to somebody to see if free delivery was still available. After a while she came back and confirmed it was but made it seem like it was a favour to us, even though it is advertised all over their website and flyers. What we didn’t know is it was only available if you were paying cash. They didn’t have the ability to take credit card over the phone. The free delivery was the whole reason we had decided to try them that night.
At the beginning of this review, I mentioned we had attempted to try them three times. Months after that first appalling experience, we had a friend over who wanted to try their food (despite our review). Knowing the hassle of getting them to deliver, we walked to the café. It was lunch time and they appeared to be open (including an open sign). We tried to open the door to go in but it was locked and the lady inside shooed us away.
Three nights later, we thought maybe we had been too hard on them so we decided to give them one more try. We called their number and the only answer was the sound of a fax machine. Once again they weren’t open, at 7pm on a Tuesday night. We only found this out by calling their mobile number (which we thought was strange to have on a menu) when the woman told us the staff had forgotten to turn on the after hours message.
For an establishment competing in an industry built on quality food and service, Lava Burger provides neither.

Sorry have but the Experience wasn’t the greatest. The customer service was good but the food let you down. The buffalo wings was rubbery and looked a bit under cooked, and the burger was dry and a little bland. Sorry to say that I won’t be going back unless I hear the food has improved.

Simple, comfortable interiors make you feel welcome from the moment you step inside. It’s modern but not intimidatingly hip. The barista is very friendly and makes exceptional coffee whilst engaging you in pleasant conversation. A detour through Café Lava will ensure a great start to the day

Nice and simple, Café Lava is located at the top of Parnell Road and offers a selection of pre-​made wraps, sandwiches, and associated coffee treats (ginger slice, muffins, biscotti, etc…).
In addition to the ready-​made options they offer your normal breakfast fare as well as lunch options. The food I have been served has always been well-​prepared and served quickly.
Of particular note, Café Lava is primarily staffed by the owner who is a darn good barista. Café Lava is the only location in Parnell that serves Altezano beans, which is my favourite roasters in New Zealand. So the big props at Café Lava go to good coffee that is well-​made!