Is it just me?

As you know, the food industry is one that is greatly service oriented. I try to do what I can whenever I receive good service, even tipping for take out orders. Some might classify that as an unnecessary  expenditure, but I realize that the good folks that work there don’t really make much money, and rely on tips to get by.

Unfortunately, along with those that work hard to make your dining experience a memorably pleasant one, there are those that don’t. I remember going to a Jamaican restaurant back in 2002, and the service was not so good. A friend of mine suggested that we put our tip money in a pile in the middle of the table, and every time we experienced bad service, we took back some of the money! By the end of the meal, there wasn’t much left. After everyone had left, I crept back in and left the poor waitress some money – it wasn’t that the service was bad, but she was juggling too many tables, which reflects badly upon her management, rather than the waitress herself.

Personally speaking, my problems have been with my local Chilis restaurant. Other than one person, every time I order food to go, I don’t even receive so much as a smile, or even a thank you. This, despite the fact that I always tip – always! At least a couple of dollars!

Now I’m sure that you are maybe thinking “so what?”  Or that maybe it’s all in my mind. I’m way ahead of you!

I took my friend Mike there one night, to pick up some food, and he got to see it firsthand. He was surprised, to say the least.

Oh, and if you think that I am complaining about the lack of a smile or a thank you – that’s not all. In addition to that, the number of times that my food order is messed up is unbelievable.

For example, I ordered some ribs, and as my sides, I ordered french fries and corn on the cob. When I got to the restaurant, the waiter checked my order, and then I paid for it. I went home, looking forward to my dinner, and guess what I had when I opened the box? An order of ribs, and a small baggie containing stewed apples. Now in what plane of existence does that resemble what I ordered? Don’t know? Me neither!

I usually order the same thing – and I’ve been given rice instead of fries, a sandwich instead of ribs – and the number of times that I’ve gone back, I’ve only been apologized to once.

The only saving grace of that place is the fact that one of the waitresses actually asked me how to pronounce my name, and remembered me when I went back. That does make me feel a little bit better.

Now why a post like this? Well, my latest disappointment has been McDonalds. You would think that a small order at McDonalds would be simple – wrong! I’ve been having breakfast there over the last week, and they’ve messed up my order – twice today in fact. How wrong you ask? Well, consider this. I order two burritos, and they give me a mcmuffin and a bagel. Does that sound bad? Not enough? Well two days ago I order a quarter pounder with cheese meal, and they forget to give me my french fries. Still not enough? Today was the icing on the cake. I went in and ordered two mcskillet burritos with a medium coffee. I get home and start eating my burrito, and get half way through before I realize that something is missing – the meat! I open it up, and nope, there is no meat there. I unwrap the second one, and guess what – no meat!! Now this McSkillet comes with sausage, but I paid extra for “steak” – so I’m doubly pissed by this point. So I drive back to the store, and explain to them – they apologize profusely, and fix my order. When the lady hands it to me, I asked her – “this is the one with steak right?”

She says “yes, yes – steak”

So now you know what I found when I got back home.

Yes.

Sausage

I couldn’t eat them. I took a couple of bites and then threw them away.

I guess I’m done with McDonalds for a while.

Song for the day – “The World” by Earlimart