Ken C.
Yelp
First off, this was my first time at a Jollibee. I knew they existed but never felt compelled to go but recently POVHusband picked Jollibee fried chicken as the best in a blind taste test and then Joshua Weisman rated them super high as well, and both over Popeyes?!? That put them on my radar.
Today Weisman released his video of him working at a Jollibee and I was really impressed by what was happening in the kitchen and the food that was coming out and I decided it was time; I had to try it. Plus Uncle Rodger has a cameo as a customer.
This was the closest one to me but was still over 5 miles away. I had to take 2 freeways to get there. I order online and create a new account and BONUS, get a $10 of $45 coupon. I'm ordering for a family of three and want some variety so I hit $45 pretty easily. Ordered at 6:50 pm with a pick up time set at 7:30 so I'm all set.
Im in route and at 7:21 I get a text saying order is going to the kitchen and I'll get a text when it's ready. In the Weisman video he had 8 minutes to have Uncle Rodger's order ready and did it in 7 so the timing looks perfect. Sweet.
7:30 despite not getting a text saying my order was ready, I go to the counter to inquire. The kid says it's gonna be another 15 minutes because there are a ton of orders. And there were. The machine just keeps spitting out ticket after ticket. The poor kid was doing his best. Everyone was. So I say ok and sit and wait.
7:45 I go back up and ask if it's ready. Same kid tells me it'll be another 20-30 minutes, tickets still pouring out of the machine. I get a little aggravated and said 15 minutes ago you told me 15 minutes, now it's another 20-30? Ann behind the counter hears this and grabs my ticket and starts getting my order together. The kid apologizes and tells me they'll get my order right now. A few minutes later I'm out the door with my food and many more apologies for the wait.
Let me be clear: everyone was working their butts off making food and preparing orders. It just seemed like there needed to be some process refinement. The people ordering at the counter and drive thru seemed to be getting their orders timely so I'm not sure why the mobile orders were so delayed. Maybe have every working on all the orders at the same time or turn off mobile orders or have a realistic ETA of when the order will be ready. There is something not working in the procedure.
But damn it if POVHusband and Joshua Weisman weren't right: their fried chicken was amazing. So crispy and flavorful. I also got a deluxe spicy chicken sandwich and cheeseburger after seeing JW make them in his video and while they didn't look as big as the ones he made, they were pretty darn good. The hamburger steaks were REALLY good, better than the actual Angus burger so not sure what's going on there, think it's the gravy. Adobo rice and mashed potatoes were great too. Chicken tenders, meh, can take them or leave them. Pass on the peach mango pie, that's something you love because you were raised on them, I think.
If it weren't for Ann and the food being really good, this first visit might have been my last. These problems should not be hard to fix, they just have to put attention to them. Until then, order at the store, particularly during peak hours, is my suggestion.