Hat Head General Store

Bought (aldi)$12 honey soy chicken kebabs just to find out when I got home that the price sticker was over the the use by date , expired by just under 4 months!!!! Loved everything about hat head except for this place, stay away. Drive the extra 20 min and go to Coles!

A word of warning - The General Store is the worst place in Hat Head.On the 24 Oct at 6pm, I went to the Hat Head General Store to purchase some food to cook for dinner. I opted for some frozen meat and a teriyaki marinade. The meat I brought was 1 little piece of frozen porterhouse steak (in its original and correct packaging) and 1 small piece of frozen chicken breast (in a plastic bag).The total of these item came to roughly $14. I wasn’t given a receipt and I paid cash.As the meat was frozen solid, I decided to pop it on the bench to defrost and have a few drinks with my partner at the Head Head Bowling Club. 1 hour had passed and we were quite hungry at this point! So off we went to cook dinner. The meat was fully defrosted. I tore the plastic off the steak and instantly could smell that it wasn’t right. I could see the meat was a funny colour with a greenish tinge - it was really obvious the steak was off. I looked at the date on the packaging, which said best before 1 Oct 2017. About 24 days past the best before date on the packaging.I then opened the plastic bag with the chicken. Had a good smell and it was also not good. The date written on the bag was 16/10/17. I didn’t know if this was the best before date or the date it was frozen however at this point I time, it was 10 days past the date written on the bag.Now I do realise the meat was frozen and usually it would be okay. However, it shouldn’t be up to the consumer to play guessing games to know if the meat is safe to eat. It clearly was off, just going by the smell alone.Annoyed and hungry (I wasn’t angry - I figured mistakes happen and it was just unlucky that both items were off) I kept the meat in the fridge for the next day to return. I felt it was fair to receive a refund for the spoiled goods. I was not prepared for what unfolded next.The following morning, I took the items back to the store. I was abruptly greeted by an old woman. I calmly explained the situation and that I had brought the meat back to show her as proof of purchase (no receipt) / proof that the items were indeed off. The old woman started to shout at me and hurl abuse that the meat wasn’t off. She then proceeded to lecture me about about how the meat was frozen and that I don’t know how frozen meat works. She said “young people these days are stupid, that’s what is wrong with you young people”. She also said I was a “stupid idiot”, a “stupid girl”, that I was “crazy” and that it was “my fault for not checking the dates”.Gobsmacked I responded by saying ‘I didn’t want to argue however clearly the meat is off and I think it’s fair to ask for a refund, please.’ The old woman the admitted that “if you put the meat in the freezer the day before it goes out of date it’s still fine to eat” and proceeded to shove he chicken in my face to smell that it was “fine to eat you stupid girl. You crazy stupid girl.” Hesitantly, she gave me a refund by slamming the money on the counter and still screaming in my face. At this point my jaw must of been on the floor. I left the meat on the count and took the money. The old woman then followed me out of the store continuing to hurl abuse and shout that I was a “stupid crazy idiot”. There were three witnesses to this, including my partner who was sitting out the front of the Mad Art Cafe drinking a coffee. My partner didn’t react kindly to the old woman following me out of the store shouting insults.It was clear speaking to the Kempsey Council and the NSW Food Authority that the Hat Head General Store was at fault here, from a legislation point of view. In no way is this incident a reflection of the wider community of Hat Head. We were always greeted with kindness, generosity and big smiles from the majority of the community. Talking to locals we befriended during our short stay, they were not surprised and it appeared to be a pattern.To anyone visiting Hat Head I recommend doing your food shopping prior to visiting the area and avoiding the Hat Head General Store at all costs.

Kitchen usually closes some time in the afternoon. They put a note on the door. Food served is burgers, fish and chips and other standard fare.

Friendly staff & cheap p*ss

Horrible rude abusive staff that sell meat products that are expired, should be shut down.

Really good steak sandwich, and even had a beautiful Corn Jack. Though sadly no lemon in the seafood dishes. Thick shake was thicc

This store shouldn’t be operating they sell expired food!

Garbage shop with garbage Old hag running the snow! She needs to listenTo people andMoveAway. Sell the shopForSomeCigarettes