We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Ratings and reviews

There aren't enough food, service, value or atmosphere ratings for Commercial Hotel Ballan, Australia yet. Be one of the first to write a review!

Details

CUISINES
Australian, Bar, Pub
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Table Service
Reviews (17)
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Filter reviews
17 results
Traveller rating
7
4
1
1
4
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
7
4
1
1
4
See what travellers are saying:
Sort and selected filters
Sort FilterEnglish
Updating list...
Reviewed 13 March 2022

I went there last night with my partner ( 12 March 2022) and spent $250 on the worst meal either of us have ever had. The hostess was incredibly rude - apparently as we are not “regulars” we do not count- well after last night...honey - no chance. Despite being the first people to order it was over an hour before we received entree. The Regulars to out left came in after us, ordered after us, ate before us, left as we received our entree. Excuse me but is not living in Ballan a dining crime? So the entree was $40 per dozen oysters kilpatrick, excuse me chef do you know the definition of this dish?? Because I assure it is not grilled to a pebble oysters dipped in solidified bbq sauce. That’s no cheese onion or bacon. If you are obtuse as they obviously are. Next was my $40 rump steak (price/quality theme??? Possibly..) Even after waiting an hour while drinking I could not eat this steak. It was that bad. I chewed and I chewed …. And I chewed… but I could not swallow - because my jaw hurt so much. All I could do was spit it out and ask for a doggy bag, for my actual dog, because that’s all it was worthy of. The owner was not worried that I could not eat my meal- happily bagged it up at full price. The chips were soggy and saggy- no joy there either My partner went the sticky ribs option- surprise this the same 300 x cooked commercial “master foods” bbq sauce the oysters were crucified in For reasons above we opted out of the dessert option Any good will eliminated when the hostess slammed our bottle of wine onto the table growling THAT’s $40 on top of the dreadful food was the dreadful attitude Go anywhere else in Ballan but hereMore

Date of visit: March 2022
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 January 2022

Booked a table outside no table reserved for me. Meals took forever when we were one of the first to order. Waitress walking around with meals and not knowing what table they belong too and when our meal come the chips were cold. Very anorgaised.

Date of visit: January 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 December 2021 via mobile

Walking in knowing what we wanted and didn’t have a booking on a public holiday so we’re pleased to get a table. Chicken Parma was super fresh and meals were very adequately sized! Short on staff unfortunately our meals Took a while to get to...us but we’re still really good! Pepper sauce was absolutely amazing, please don’t change the recipe! This will be our new go to for a last minute lunch. Thank you to the staff especially the young waitress dashing around although super busy she was still very friendly and welcoming.More

Date of visit: December 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 16 March 2021 via mobile

The food is always good, service is excellent. Recommend booking as it does get booked out. A hit with the locals, very well priced. I have had hundreds of meals here without fault. The steak is exceptional, Thursday night parmas are huge. The mushroom sauce...is a must order with any meal.More

Date of visit: March 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 21 February 2021 via mobile

True story. Walked into the pub and it was about a quarter full. Young woman asked if we were there for a meal, to which we replied yes. She then told us they were too busy to cook us a meal! What a pathetic experience....Probably a good thing we didn’t eat there as the menu looked boring. Will never go back.More

Date of visit: February 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 February 2020

Sadly this place needs a make over as its the worst, and those poor girls that work behind the bar, the language from some of the patrons is disgusting, we could not even sit the and have a drink. Appalling

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 1 September 2019

Visited with family,Pub very busy not a vacant seat in the house.Food was great,service exceptional and prices not bad either.The most impressive of the lot was the efficiency of the kitchen and wait staff.Will be back we all enjoyed the experience.

Date of visit: September 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 9 May 2019 via mobile

Stopped in after work for some grub, my god. So good. Parma night on thursday, 15 bucks. I ordered the Mexican Parma. Added bacon. It was bloody beautiful, staff were very friendly. Would definitely stop here again

Date of visit: May 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 13 February 2019 via mobile

The service is table service which is great to see in country pubs nowadays. The meals are your typical pub grub. A little bit expensive for a ribeye but it is nice.

Date of visit: February 2019
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 January 2019

We found the Commercial Hotel, Ballan for dinner while travelling to Melbourne and it was a delight. The dining room is not fancy but well decorated. Service was excellent and table service offered (not ordering at the bar). Meals were delicious and well priced. i...had steak but apart from being maybe too big, it was perfectly cooked. Recommended.More

Date of visit: January 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 7 January 2019 via mobile

I’ve been in a couple times for drinks and meals with either my family or friends. Every time I have gone in the staff is amazing. Bar staff Joc and Dave are wonderful, Always up for a laugh and fun on some nights. The bar...meals are great and amazing for the value of price you’re paying, all the stuff are friendly full of smiles. I’ve dined in a few times and never once had any issues or problems. Price is very good for the portion size you get. The $15 Parma night is one of my favourites 5 different options to try. Will defiantly be coming back here, will highly recommend, but I’d say make a booking as from some nights looks like it gets busy.More

Date of visit: September 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 16 December 2018 via mobile

This used to be a great place for a Sunday lunch. But something has changed! The menu is boring re the main meals. Over priced for the serving you get. Then the Seniors menu has very little choice!Lemon Lime& Bitters from bottles😮what happened to making...it? Won't be back!More

Date of visit: December 2018
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 30 October 2018 via mobile

Good pub fare. Great friendly welcoming staff. Relaxed environment. Children liked the kids menu. Good prices. Clean and light filled restaurant space.

Date of visit: October 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 10 July 2018 via mobile

Popped in the other night to try out the new menu after a new kitchen had been installed. Hubby considered having the salmon, and I was considering the pork belly, however we settled on sharing the platter for 2. We started with yummy cheese &...bacon Turkish bread for entree. Then came the platter which is a brand new menu item. A cheese kranksy, beautifully moist good-sized crumbed chicken drumstick, a couple of large lamb ribs, generous serve of brisket, and pork ribs soaked in an amazing homemade bourbon marinade sitting atop potato wedges. There was a side of coleslaw and bowls of sour cream for the wedges and more of the yummy bourbon marinade for dipping. We were both very disappointed to finish but very satisfied. Other recommendations here are the salt’n’pepper calamari, Parma’s (Thursday night is $15 Parma’s with a range of toppings available), the mixed grill, and chef cooks a great steak. Continues to be a local favMore

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 29 June 2018

Stayed in Ballan overnight and was told good food was available for dinner at this venue. Felt like a parmigiana so ordered. Pleasantly surprised by the generous portion. Beer was on tap and service was excellent. I will return.

Date of visit: June 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
View more reviews
Best nearby
Best nearby hotelsSee all
Ballarat Budget Motel
16 reviews
26.98 km away
Lake House
548 reviews
28.89 km away
Daylesford Art Motel
63 reviews
29.45 km away
Hotel Frangos
333 reviews
29.52 km away
Best nearby restaurantsSee all
The Tin Plate Cafe
68 reviews
.18 km away
Zest Cafe
69 reviews
.20 km away
Great Western Hotel Ballan
19 reviews
.34 km away
Best nearby attractionsSee all
Ballan Farmers Market
10 reviews
.52 km away
Wild Trout Downunde Gordon Hat Shoppe
11 reviews
8.86 km away
St Anne's Winery
33 reviews
9.00 km away
Werribee Gorge State Park
63 reviews
14.12 km away
Questions & Answers
Ask a question
claire040776
5 November 2018|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from keithkez | Reviewed this property |
Yes it is open 7 nights a week for meals
0
Votes
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing

COMMERCIAL HOTEL BALLAN - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor