Economy And Restaurant Tricks Restaurant Rants

Economy and Restaurant Tricks

notyourmomma 15 years ago

Yep, I get mad at the tricks they pull to lure you in the door in the advertisements.
And then feeding you inferior product.

Have at it Ang! YOu're up.

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mrtnzangel8 15 years ago said:

I was on my way to look for it and it magically appeared at the top. Thanx Tina. :)

Give me a few to write it out. I've got a lot to say! Imagine that....lol

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notyourmomma 15 years ago said:

Love you gal, happy to oblige....HUGS!

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mrtnzangel8 15 years ago said:

So after taxes came back, we decided to forgo the St. Louis trip this year and keep enough money in the account to go out when we wanted instead. Spread it out instead of all at once. Going out to eat is probably the main time we all get around the table together and enjoy a meal. Everyone is so busy with extra stuff and extra hours it just doesn't happen at our house every night. Here lately every one of the girls is either in a play, or has something going on somewhere so we have enjoyed a meal out after.

Last night was my oldest's orchestra concert and my middle one's first singing solo at the school program. So we went to Applebee's. Went there a month or so ago and found the best waitress. So we tried again last nite.

Instead of the usual thing I order...riblets, I thought I would order something that seems to be all the rage these days. Mini burgers! Now I haven't had a slider since White Castle years ago. And as much as some might think those are gross...you should have seen what they served me! I got these 2 little buns (they were the best part of it by the way) with 1/4'rd pieces of a regular sized hamburger. Huge chunks of onions that were just about the size of the 'burger'. The sauce was, it seems, an afterthought....just barely there. Very disappointing.

I said something to the waitress and she looked like she was upset. And I guess she should be. I wouldn't have served it to my customer. (The best waitress thing kinda went out the window.) She said maybe they ran out of the little ones.... Wha? Don't they patty them up by hand? As far as I can tell it was laziness from the staff. The manager did come over before we left and asked about it. I showed him, and he said I was right. They were wrong. Did he offer a comp of anything? NO. Was I interested in making a stink? Not really. I get tired of having to make a fuss just to be served a good meal.

I'll just put it this way, I won't go back.

So for economy and restaurant tricks...they might work for a minute........but will hurt in the long run. Won't be getting any more of my enonomy any time soon.

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foodie4eva 15 years ago said:

Sorry for your experience, mrtnz....but this is just one more reason to boycott ALL chains, and stick to the local restaurants. It doesn't take much effort to know which locals are good and which are not....with a few minutes online, you can get some great reviews of the locals, so it isn't so much of a shot in the dark.
I would love to see a concerted movement away from chains (and fast-food, of course--that goes without saying), and back to the restaurants that HAVE to be accountable! Chains can absorb a percentage of "ne'er do well" restaurants that have their name on it, and still make a killing just because of name recongition. Local restaurants have to be better or they will go under rather quickly! I hope your next experience makes up for this one!

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sparow64 15 years ago said:

Hey Ang...I just hate when that happens! Those sliders are just not appealing to me in any restaurant...never have ordered one. I am so bad to get the "same old thing" when we go somewhere like that...I want to branch out, but, that's exactly why I don't...the "new" things I try are never as good as the old standbys! lol

Can't believe the manager didn't give it to you free, or, at least give you a free dessert...that used to be standard when there was a problem like that!!

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mrtnzangel8 15 years ago said:

I totally agree with you foodie4eva. I would love to find a nice little family friendly place that is local. There was a place down the street we really liked. Last time we tried to go there was a sign on the door. They have stopped serving to the public and now only do catering and private parties. We were pretty disappointed. As a matter of fact that was the first night we went to Applebee's and found our 'great' waitress.

I have such a hard time choosing from the menus anymore. And the portions are OUTRAGEOUS! I usually end up bringing half of it home, while the dad will clean his plate. Worried about that, he's always been a big eater. When I cook at home I try to cook as healthy as I can. I've cut a lot of salt and butter out. Just last week I made just enough burgers so he could only have one. LOL So the big meals out now and then.....a little ok, I guess.

We tried another place recently. Houlihan's, not sure if that is a chain. But knowing this town-college and convention area-it probably is. We have a ton of chains. Anyway, it was the best glass of tea I've had in a long time. The waitress couldn't even tell me what brand they used. I was amazed.

It's been a long time since I've had my socks knocked off by any restaurant. But I don't want to give up looking for that great night out.

Sparow, I hear you on the same old thing. Like I said, usually to get the riblet plate. But wanted something different. And we had an appetizer, didn't want a huge burger. Thought the little one's would be a good idea. Thought about getting fish. But then I was scared of where that might have come from. LOL

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pleclare 15 years ago said:

Angel! Houlihan's is a chain. Used to like them but lost ours quite a while back!

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wynnebaer 15 years ago said:

Although I'm in support of local places, some of the best food I've ever had eating out was from a local joint, I think it's a little harsh to say "boycott" chains....The reason these "chains" are "chains" is because they had somrthing going on to begin with.....Granted, alot have slid in the quality of food they serve but I know of several "chains" that serve good fare and should not be "boycotted"...Just my opinion.

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mrtnzangel8 15 years ago said:

thanx Pat, I knew it had to be....I wish we had more local places.....

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