John F.
Yelp
To even give this establishment a star after what I experienced today is generous.
First, let me say that we need to really start holding customer-service businesses accountable for their utter and complete lack of customer service since covid. These businesses are not hiring enough staff to run their establishments properly or thoughtfully, nevermind professionally.
Second, businesses need to be paying and treating their staff well so that they are motivated to work wih pride and care.
Today, I paid almost 70 dollars for pancakes, an egg sandwich, avacodo toast w poached eggs on top. I included a 20 percent gratuity at the time of paying while ordering.
What ensued after that payment was a disgrace.
First, the tables(all outside) were dirty.
Second it was windy and cold and zero... let me repeat... zero heaters were hooked up or working. And when I asked for them to be, not just for me but for all customers, they had no gas to do so and could not use the electric plug ins.
Third, our order took over 40 minutes. All the other tables as well were waiting about the same time, even longer. I politely asked how our food was going at the 35 minute mark... I was told they were working on it.
Fourth, when the food arrived it was really bad. My side of bacon looked like it had been cooked days ago. My avocado toast had brown guacomole spread on it and hardboiled(lol) poached eggs(no joke). The pancakes were under cooked. Luckily my friends sandwich was edible(with good bacon too). I went and asked for new bacon. Let's just say the second plate of two pieces for $3.50 was grosser than the first. The server even agreed. I demanded a refund on the avocado toast and the bacon. It was given to me. I apologized to the serving staff; it wasnt their fault; it was the managment and owners!
Fifth, there was NO manager on duty the entire hour plus we were there. None. And when I asked to speak to the manager, I was told that they were not there.
Sixth, the excuse for the insanely poor food and quality of experience was blamed on there only being two people working in the kitchen... and while they clearly were working to the best of their abilities...the food they cooked was, to put it bluntly, LOUSY.
I live in the neighborhood and get a coffee and pastry often at this establishment, so to try their breakfast and have such a bad experience was really disappointing, as well as angering.
You can't charge the prices they are if you cannot deliver on the quality of food or setvice experience that accompanies such a price point! Period. Too many other restaurants in the area can! And do! I was planing on going to Breakfast Republic on samo blvd... and should have stuck with my gut!!Their service, quality of food, and pride in providing both is always evident ... not to mention the price would have beem less for the same. !!
Worse, the amount of hostility and stress the servers has to endure from me and truly almost everyone else there was not okay! Management and owners really need to take stock of how badly they are running this place!! They would have served their business better by remaining closed today instead of alienating all the guests who were willing to eat there. Now, none of us will neither be retruning most likely nor spreading any kind of postivie word-of-mouth on the joint.
Anyway...
Needless to say, 2023 started off rough for me today at this place haha... hope it isn't an omen of what is to come in customer service for the year...