Quizno's - what a disappointment!

This Quizno's is at I-295 & exit 59 off of I-95. I stopped in there to pick up lunch for the man'o da house after a long trip back from Charleston, SC. Quizno's menu is a "magazine-food" eater's dream! The chipolte bread, the rosemary parm on the caprese sandwhich!! HOLLA! So I go in...so into getting some grub from this place. First thing I notice, it's not all that clean looking. Signs here and there, didn't pay too much attention to them at this point, however in just a minute it would more than get my attention. I watch the clerk serve a family of 3. It literally took an excruciating 18 minutes to make their 3 sandwhiches and that is without the toasting. Why no toasting? The main crux of Quizno's biz...is NOT WORKING. So, I figure ok. Toaster not working. That's ok, I think I can handle these sandwhiches not toasted. It will be like eating at Subway. Finally, after what seemed an eterneity, it became my turn. I wanted to get 2 subs, just alike: The Honey Cured Ham on chipolte bread- and it is $5 (yep- just like Subway). As I begin to order, chipolte bread- she tells me nope- don't have any. I asked, "are you out or you just don't have it?" "I don't even know what that is" came the reply. Now I begin to get into aggravated "sigh" mode. Well, it was listed right there on the signs all over the window, but ok. I'm not eating it, the husband is..no biggie- just get white. Well, we can't toast them. Ok. I said but they are the $5 deal right? "Nope" was my answer...a woman of few words. At this point, I had to get into semi-bitch mode. Well, it says right here on this sign that it's $5. She points to a sign above her head on the lighted board that says something else--I honestly can't remember because no matter what that sign said, the one in front of me is the one I was buying. I know. Bitch. lol So she did offer up some chipolte mayo. It took another 10 min for her to pass this down to the lettuce lady. She had forgotten/didn't hear/ignored/not paying attention - that I ordered 2 identical subs. Another 10 minutes into and finally, I have 2 subs. Now for mine. The Caprese! So, of course the rosemary parm bread. The clerk grabs it from the bakery showcase and quickly cuts off each end about 1/5 of the way down. Interesting. Then, she asks me what the sign says is on it. I don't mind telling her because I am excited about this sandwhich! Tomatoes, mozzarella, chopped lettuce, Basil Pesto, Red Wine Vinaigrette...holla! Then she proceeds to tell me they have no Basil Pesto. No Basil Pesto? That is what makes this sub what it is. What do you mean? Are you out or you just don't carry it. "Oh, we are out, been out for a while- no body ever orders it" came the reply- much to my dismay. Scratch that then. If I can't have it with that, what's the point. I was done. I step to pay and they charge me full price for the 2 subs. I point out that it is $5 on the sign down at the beginning of the counter. I am waiting for an arguement, but the lady at the register was in her own brand of haze so she kept it rollin at $5 per. In all honesty though..how can they justify selling any of those at full price when you have to substitute because they don't have what's on the menu AND the toaster is NOT WORKING. Why? Because desperate people like me, who have been on the road for 4 hours will pay it just to have some food to present and not have to make another stop on the long trek back to Lillington. I request a soda as well. A large. When I step to the fountain machine- you guessed it! Out of 4 different types of soda. OH MY GOD. What a nitemare this place is. I get a refund and head out the door. No wonder they don't have business. No customer service and most importantly NO SUPPLIES!!!! Quizno's @ I-95 & I-295 exit 59? Skip it! You'll be quizing yourself later as to why you didn't if you don't!

Nonna's of Lillington

Overall, I don't have a problem with this place. The food is very reasonably priced and usually any pasta dish is spot on. The star of the pasta menu I would venture to say is the Putanesca. I know, anchovies, but do not scoff...explore the world with your taste buds, I promise if you are not deathly opposed to anchovies or are adventurous, you will definitely appreciate this journey! A+. The star of the pizza menu is the Sicilian supreme!

Now the appetizers- a different story. I think they are all frozen. The potato skins I had seriously were frozen (tasted just like the frozen Ruby Tuesday ones I make at home) but it had a half slice of American Cheese slapped on top. ewwww. They were reasonable about giving me a refund on it though.

The visit I made their just last week though was somewhat a disappointment. I got the Chicken vegetable soup and the chicken gyro. They do not offer a soup and sandwich menu, only soup and salad (oh and the salads are iceberg-minimal but the added onions and tomatoes make it a winner to me-the right light bite with the huge portions you get). The soup, which we waited 20 minutes on, while my companions had their food almost immediately, 20 min. into lunch and I was still waiting for both the soup and the gyro. Finally when it came, the soup was very bland. I'm not sure what the problem was really, as I had tasted it before when a friend ordered it and it was thick and hearty, this time it was thin and blah. The gyro- well, if it had cucumber sauce on it, I couldn't find any. And I love cucumber sauce. The chicken was ok. The meal overall was disappointing compared to everything else I'd ever had there.

I say Nonna's .....worth a visit. The pasta-never had a bad one from here and I've been working my way down the menu since they opened. Stay away from the potato skins. Oh and the Stromboli's are fabulous too! See...so many good options that totally outweigh the negatives!

It's back....

and it is as kick-ass as ever...the McDonald's McRib. Now being that I am an avid patron of McD's for the Iced Mocha and their coke (best in town)...I rarely eat their food- hashbrowns or fries only - unless I'm truly starving, but you slap a McRib down in front of me and it-is-O-V-E-R!!

Gourmet--No way..part two

Being from Charleston, SC, I have been fortunate enough to sample many different types of cuisine, from Gullah to Israeli Mediterranean. I've experienced many types of bread-and yes, even ciabatta.

A couple of weeks ago, a new eatery opened up in Lillington. I am beginning to think maybe the building is why nothing is ever good in that place. First it was Iguana's then it changed and changed and changed again until it is the establishment that is there now...West Front Street Diner or Cafe or whatever it is called. It is located at 1 West Front Street-not that it matters. My co-workers and I decided to give it a try. The menu was 4 -6 pages on notebook paper. This may turn out to be the root of their problem. Nothing they specialize in, but everything to offer.

I for one was very excited when I saw a large selection of different gourmet type sandwiches, among other things, which actually may have ended up being the downfall. I settled on a Mediterranean grilled chicken sandwich. It described the sandwich as grilled chicken, feta cheese, olives, grilled onions and sauce. I was delighted! I chose ciabatta bread because it has always been really good in my opinion, with this type of combo.

My female co-worker ordered the Alfredo pasta sans chicken with garlic bread. My male co-worker ordered the french dip with aus jus.

We were very excited about an opportunity to have something besides fast food in this 1 sidewalk town. Oh. This disappointment.

Problem 1.

The aujus. The sandwich was like a footlong sub. The dip was about a quarter teaspoon. When my co-worker asked for more, it was ignored.

Problem 2.

Fettuccine Alfredo. Served with untoasted bread, with unmelted butter. When my coworker ask that it be heated, it was served back to her burnt.

Problem 3.

The Mediterranean grilled chicken sandwich. Where do I begin? First, I was brought the salad. When I informed the waitress I asked for the sandwich, she argued with me that I ordered the salad. Finally, she took it back and came back with a sandwich and fries that were literally on a saucer. The bread was so burnt around the edges it was inedible. The fries were the best thing about the meal. The grilled chicken was cold and mushy. The sauce had wilted the cucumber and the feta cheese was practically non existent. I chose not to eat it. I thought I would be polite and not complain being that I was with my coworkers and between me and another coworker that shall remain nameless, well, we are well known in this town!

When the waitress asked if I wanted a to go box, I told her no. She asked me what the problem was and I repeated what I just wrote. She proceeded to take my debit card and charge me. She must have had second thoughts because she brought the manager over. The manager looked like she just stepped out of Trading Spouses and was going to start yelling about tainted money. Between the 2 of them they decided I needed a refund. AT this point, my coworkers have left. While they waitress and manager are collaborating on a refund which took about 14 min. too long, the "chef" came out and proceeded to speak to me in such a condescending tone that I pulled the Charleston card on him. Now please, I do not hate Lillington, but let's face it, this town is not the mecca of variety. Therefore, when he lowered his voice, put together his hands and proceeded to define ciabatta bread, I had had all I could take. I informed him that he should not speak to me as if I were from Lillington. I was from Charleston, SC and I had probably seen more gourmet food in a week than he has seen in his lifetime. He then, not taking the hint, tried to define Greek to me. Why must I revisit the insult again. I then raised my voice and informed him that I was not from Lillington, I knew what gourmet was and the crap he threw on that plate was not it.

At this point, it was his wise choice to head back to the kitchen. However, it did not stop the rest of the crew from peaking around the wall to see what "the bitch that just insulted the whole town" looked like. I had plenty of animosity for one day. I got up and went to the bar where now the owner, the manager and the waitress were collaborating on the refund. Finally after an excruciating lunch hour, I was refunded.

I rate this place a Hell No We Won't Go!! and you shouldn't either!

Customer service gripe

live in a small town. There aren't many choices when it comes to eating out. We do have a Subway which happens to be one of my family's favorite places to eat. Well until last weekend - and now again this weekend. We are regulars there, every weekend either before my daughter's football game or on Saturday before her competetions.
It's always been a bit annoying that when you go through the drive through you are not top priority. Meaning you can sit at the drive through and watch people that walked in after you got to the window and see them get served before you. I've gotten use to this, simply because I have a baby and it is not always convenient for me to take him in while getting food to go. Or to eat in because he is very impatient at his current age. Therefore, I have learned to deal with the wait for the in exchange for the convenience of not having to take myself and the baby inside.
Having said all this:
Beginning last weekend there was a new girl working the drive through. The attitude and impatience of this chick is unbelievable. Before I can finish a sentence I get the :::sighs:: and her most you are an idiot tone of voice..a question that cuts me off and is asking the same thing I am trying to tell her. For instance I say, I would like a veggie delight on....and bang, cut off to ask what kind of bread...again as soon as I can spit out the answer I get an aggravated question of toppings...and then she is highly annoyed that I ask for a list of the different types of bread.
At first I thought ok, someone must have peed in her mocha latte' this morning and she is just having a bad day. I think not. Because today I got the exact same scenario played over again only with more impatience. As she threw my change back at me I thought ya know, I think I am going to complain to her manager. I saw him in there and he is the one that brought my order to me. I said to him, you are the manager yes? Correct he answered in a very thick East Indian accent. I mention his heritage because I would like to think there was a miscommunication to my complaint and his nonchalant attitude. I said to him that I felt she was being unreasonable in her tone and service towards me. His reply was that they have people to wait on inside and don't have time to spend at the window. Well, are we not customers at the drive through? Again I said, I have grown use to waiting at the window but I don't feel that I should have to be talked down to like I am a complete idiot because I do not know your menu by heart, especially when the types of things you offer are not posted on the menu outside. His reply to that is - we are not McDonald (s) and you can't just say hey 2. What the?????
So someone please tell me why do people who are not sociable people take positions in customer service or dealing with the public and why don't the owners of these businesses seem to care that they are pissing their customers off. We won't be patronizing them again.

Feel free to post ANY customer service gripes and the places you experienced them in the comments section of this blog!!
I think, therefore I am...highly annoyed!