First off, thank you for all of the birthday wishes. You all made my day that much better. It was a pretty off the hook 30th.
Paul and I have this thing...
If you have really good food, you can have kinda poor service and get away with it.
If you have average food, you have to have really good customer service to make up for the average food.
If you have neither...you are just plain screwed.
Let me tell you about me least favorite restaurant.
The Mayan.
Our most recent experience was two weekends ago. We always plan something fun as a family on Saturday, it was Van's turn to plan. She really wanted to go to The Mayan. I hated the food the time we went before, but I did tell her that she could plan...so we went with it.
I arrived earlier than Paul with the kids, and told him I would get seated. The hostess asked if we were okay with stairs, and we were. Off we ventured up to the very top of the restaurant. She says to me "Is this table okay?" Ya know, like most places do. I say "No."
(I am usually not picky, but you go to The Mayan so that you can actually see the divers, right? Well, we couldn't see them. I knew Van would not sit down and eat if she couldn't see the show.)
I ask the hostess if we can have the next empty table over, and she says that it will be occupied shortly. Okay...sooo, I wasn't happy with the table, but we sit. I wait for Paul, and as soon as he sits down he immediately thinks the same thing..."Can Van even see the show?" We wait awhile, waiter comes, I complain again...he says he can't do anything about it. Paul finally goes to another person, and complains for the 3rd time. They tell us we have to go back down to the lobby and wait for another table if we want to change.
By this point...we were super frustrated. We start heading down to the lobby, they tell us it will be another 10-15 minute wait. We were okay with this, because it was that important for us to see the divers. We get all the way down the stairs, and guess what they say "Sell, Party of 4." Are you kidding me? Were they just trying to make this extremely inconvenient!! It worked, and that is when I promptly walked out of The Mayan, and walked across the street to Spaghetti Mama's!
Here is a list of other places we could think of right away that we will never go back to...
Crazy Buffet in West Valley City
Q4U BBQ in Kearns
Fortune Chinese in Provo
Taqueria El Rey De Oros in Murray
Wanna play along? Ask your question here.
11 comments:
I do not like The Mayan. The food is crappy and overpriced. You are a better mom than I!
Good question and a restaurant I wouldn't go back to. Probably Joe's Crab Shack for one. Overpriced and less than good food (IMO). Applebee's is another one. I do NOT like their food and the service is usually bad as well. That's all I can think of off the top of my head!
I'm with Em about Joe's Crab Shack. I've been once and won't go back.
I will say, I think the Mayan has improved on their food, but I've only been a few times.
oh yes! i want to hear what all your readers say...the places they would never go back to as well.
this is so silly of the mayan, they have empty tables EVERYWHERE gah. Did you get a chance to even open the menu? it is sad and they have raised the prices.
let's see where would I not go back...the chilis by my house, swirly girls bakery, cocoa buzz ha ha, marc anthonys italian, marc anthonys mexician...and a couple sub shops around here too!
Dude.
I feel your pain. Kev and I took my little sister Machelle there a few weeks ago. I hated their food every other time I've been there but I've heard radio ads that they changed the menu. Um wrong.
Our food came out and Kevin immediately asked, "what's that smell!?" It smelled like the worst poop ever.
Turns out IT WAS HIS FOOD.
I was so grossed out I couldn't eat mine (which was just a bean burrito. My sister ate part of it and admitted even it was a little off). Never again!
This is going to sound crazy but I had a TERRIBLE experience at Cheesecake Factory! I really don't think we'll ever go back. Everyone swears my bad trip was a one time thing but the price makes me afraid to ever go again.. Maybe, but no guaranteeing it! I'm sorry the Mayan was bad. Ugh, I've been there once and would never ever go again.
I used to not mind The Mayan. My kids love it there (as kids do). Then they changed the menu- and by changed I mean cut out 2/3 of it (all the good options)- then raised the prices. They ALWAYS put families w/ kids away from the edge where they can see- then put couples or single people there instead. So, I could have made this shorter by saying that I totally agree with you :).
I think they Mayan should just become a diving show....
I know there are quite a few places that I feel this way towards, but I can not for the life of me remember any. Good for them, eh?
But for sure any Betos. Gross. And any chinese buffet. Golden Coral is close on the list.
Johnny Carinos--overpriced for food I can make better at home!
Great post. Great topic. Everyone hates one restaurant or another. Not one person I have ever met said they liked the Mayan - thus the comments above, thus I and my wife have never gone. Never will.
Applebees is among my top, too. I have NEVER been served quickly. Ever. I've been several times with friends and family for different occasions (thinking the next time might redeem the previous debacles...nope). One time, we were one of MAYBE five tables with patrons and it took more than 30 minutes to get our food (among other issues like proper waitress service).
On the other end of the spectrum, is Texas Roadhouse in Murray. Never a bad experience. They have had their errors, people are people, but they make up for it EVERY time. Great restaurant.
For something faster than sit down...Smashburger. Awesome people. Awesome product. Awesome service. The more I go, the more I appreciate them.
p.S. I saw your blog trough Emily - ITRML. Glad I did.
The Mayan... I totally agree. Great asmosphere... but they need new help and a better cook! Gag! And, trust me, I am a Mexican food lover! I know good Mexican food. That is not good Mexican food!!!
Post a Comment