Common Grill by COLLIN'S @ 159 Hougang

Dined here on 17 Sep. The coffee shop was almost empty when we ordered our dinner for 6 adults and 2 kids. We were an excited and noisy bunch, as we took a child seat from the staff, and cleaned up the table for the little ones. We sat right in front of Common Grill. We also ordered a round of drinks after we settled in.

When the buzzer sounded, we went to collect our dinner and were shocked that the staff had packed all the entrees into takeaway boxes. The auntie staff replied very loudly, almost shouting, that we requested for takeaway.

We did not.

But she kept blaming us and was so defensive and loud. Regrettably, we engaged in a shouting match with her. At no point did she offer solutions. She kept blaming us. And she even told us she had charged us $0.60 for each takeaway box, we should have checked the receipt.

The shouting continued, until the chef came out and offered to change our orders into dine-in plates. We declined his offer and returned to our table.

As we started eating, the auntie staff CONTINUED to talk about us to other staff in the Kopitiam, still saying that we requested for takeaway. We were right in front of her stall, and she was pointing at us and talking loudly. My husband went to her and asked her to move on, and stop talking about the incident. She retorted that it was because other staff came to ask her about it. The same chef stepped out again and apologized on her behalf. We said we just want to enjoy the rest of our dinner in peace.

We had paid an extra $4.20 for takeaway which we did not request for. We did not ask for a refund. We had sat in front of the stall, in full view of the staff, cleaned up a large table, sat our kids, ordered drinks, and laid out our kids’ utensils to wait for our dinner. I don’t think we looked like we were ordering takeaway. We wished she could have clarified with us.

We did not appreciate the defensiveness and curt attitude of the auntie staff. At no point did she offer a solution or an apology. We appreciated the chef who was not supposed to be a frontline service staff, but who offered to resolve the issue and apologized.

Collins is a household name for delicious and affordable comfort food. But I will never step into this particular outlet again.

Portion size was generous, breaded fish was good too without any 'fishy' smell. However some leaves of the lettuces appears to be brownish color. Hope to see better improvement on the lettuce part.

Used to be damn good with 9 sauces for their chic chop. Now? Only basic sauce like black pepper or mushroom. But the worse part is that the chicken not even cooked properly. Not sure what is up w the management or the chefs. Maybe cut cost.will not be back. Disappointing as lorong ah Soo is in need of good food

The carbonara in the place is horrible! It cames from a paste that looks pretty old. When I ate it, its superb milky and almost like a soup. The sauce texture is powdery as well. Highly wouldnt recommend trying the pasta at all.

The way the staff handle a wrong order was extremely horrible and un-professional. Was served by an old lady at the Hougang Green outlet, placed 4 orders and one of them being a Collin's mix grill but was keyed in as the Premium mix grill. I specifically turn to the page where the Collin's mix grill is made that order and yet she rebutted saying I mentioned Premium. I asked if she can just re-fund me the difference and she answered by daying not possible, I asked why? Her nonsenscial answer was, "I already keyed in, cannot change" Then she questioned if it is because I do not take lamb, I said yes but that is not the point.

Hello.do not tell me you are not going to take the cash out of the cash register at the end of the day.

Sick and tired of arguing with her, I requested to have the lamb replaced with a piece of grilled chicken. When I returned home, there is just a piece of pork chop, a piece of grilled chicken, a sausage, pasta, corn and some dying veg, missing that replacement of grilled chicken.

I must say this is the worst service standard ever for an F&B to have been in the business for so long.

Value for money. Decent foods and reasonable prices. I really like their set of $9 chicken chop with 2 side dishes (and very generous). Unfortunately they have changed to the new menu which feels more pricey but still good.

Standard drops dramatically, servings a lot of fries and lettuces. I prefer the old menu with the wide variety of side dishes.
Lastly the COLLIN'S membership no longer can use at Common Grill outlets.

Standard dropped a lot! Used to serve delicious main with 3 side dishes (can choose yourself)! Since they changed their menu to the new one, it is no longer value for money and can’t feel their sincerity in serving good food to customer! Very disappointed with their pork ribs serves w fries and lettuce! The pork ribs is very hard and dry, the lettuce is not fresh and yellowish and the fries are overcooked! They used to serve hot soup but now they don’t even bother to heat up the mushroom soup for customer! Wont give a try again if the standards not improved!

Excellent value for money. Great taste as well, was pleasantly surprised that this stall in a kopitiam was able to serve up heart portions that tasted great. Ordered takeaway in advance due to Phase 2HA rules, 8 packs were all packed well and ready for collection by the time I arrived + still warm so I know it was freshly prepared!

Highly recommended!

Wife and I have always enjoyed a meal here! Recently we celebrated Mother’s Day and got the CG Mothers’ Day special together with a Mixed Grill. We collected food was at the specified time and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Pricing is above the normal western meals at coffee shops but the preparation, food quality is way above the norm and value for money is great! Thank you very much to the Chefs and staff in making our celebration significant but it’s always enjoyable to have a meal at Common Grill, 159 Hougang!

The ribeye steak that I ordered for my dinner.spending $26! Date: 04/04/2021, around 8pm. Please find out who cook this steak.thanks! Is the worst and the hardest steak I ever ate! I thought is pork chop but is really a steak! Is time for them to change chef and do sth about it!

Good foid and decernt prices. Service can be better. Did not have to wait long. Many tapau by various organisation food panda, grab food and deliveroo too.

Ordered their signature chicken chop
(1 Protein + 3 Sides + 1 Sauce, @ $9.50)

Great taste and great value considering the portion as well. Can easily feed 2 pax (although they have reduced their aglio olio portion).

*Although they could have added dry rice grains into their powdered cheese so it doesn't turn into clumps.

Food is good, but the only issue I have is with the side dish garlic bread. It costs 5.42$, but the standard and portion of it disappoints me alot.maybe its the pricing.

Lived nearby for 6 years but just discovered this western food in the coffee shop. Seems to be popular on a Friday evening. Reasonable price for the portion of serving. Food is tasty and so much better than Char Grill. Would recommend. So much cheaper than eating at Saturday (along upper paya lebar). Keep it up.

Didn't want to post this but standard has dropped. Salmon overcooked.iberico pork rib overcooked.fries soggy.