By JG

April 29, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

My husband and I visited a Mexican restaurant (chain) for lunch. The salsa tasted like warm dishwater and the food had a ‘tinny’ taste, definitely not fresh. We tried to flag down the waitress many times, but to no avail. When she finally graced us with her presence to deliver our bill, she asked how our food was. I told her it was horrible! She said ‘OK’. That was it! Needless to say, this Mexican restaurant that starts with the letter ‘P’ is no longer a part of our vocabulary.

By Ronda

April 29, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Yes and I refuse to pay for food cooked by a person that has the nerve to call themself a chef. No, they won’t get the hint. Obviously you have never watched Kitchen Nightmares. The chefs think their food is amazing and that people absolutely love it. Its obvious from the tv that the food isn’t appealing.

Sounded like they needed Gordon Ramsay.

By MADMOMMY

April 29, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

My friends and I love Mexican food and we always have enjoyed the food at one place, but service and food is just so hit and miss that is really isn’t worth it to go at all. Just this past week my girlfriends and I went and had dinner and it was great. Super service and great food. Really wanted to have the same dish again on Sunday, and it was horrible. Service was Ok, but order came out all wrong and had to keep asking for items that they should have just brought out, like chips and salsa.
When going out to eat you expect great food and service since you are spending hard earned money, but I just don’t think many restaurants get it. Most of the time it’s not worth it and we just stay in and cook at home.
Next time that happens, well if there is a next time.

By Chewy

April 29, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

Took two friends out for their birthdays to a longstanding local restaurant - ordered the bison steak and it was so tough it was inedible. My friends’ food arrived at room temperature. When I told the waitress that I couldn’t eat the meat I was served because it was too tough, she said “oh, that’s too bad, it’s usually pretty good” and just walked away with no further acknowledgement. Haven’t been back there since and have told the story to many others who now go elsewhere. On another occasion, had a friend find a sheetrock screw in his gumbo at a local Cajun style restaurant - it closed soon afterward.

By KC

April 29, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

When I lived in Brookhaven, I was a regular at Jocks and Jills, and the food was always good. I recently visited the Norcross location, and ordered a Surf/Turf. The steak arrived covered in white goo, and the salmon covered in a red syrup. The Gorgonzola mac and cheese - please tell me why? I will never, never go back.

By One

April 29, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Thanks KC, for “shouting out” that restaurant and location. This is one way to demand better food and service……..spread the word!! When we have blogs like this, please give the names and locations so that we can all spread the word (or more).

Did anyone speak to the manager before leaving? One thing I always advise, is to complain after you have decided NOT to eat the food (or to send it back). I would NOT, NOT complain (overly) and have them cook me something else………..no telling what you may end up eating!

By Edward

April 29, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

I took my visiting parents to Mary Macs for lunch, thinking they would enjoy the “homestyle” food and service. What a disappointment! We had to beg for someone to wait our table, many of the items we ordered were never brought even after asking for them again. Our entrees were cold or lukewarm, the bread was obviously a day old and stale. My Mom thought perhaps the “made from scratch” banana pudding would be the saving grace but evidently it had been left out overnight because it was sour/spoiled and couldn’t be eaten. When we complained to the waitress she just smiled and made a condescending remark about “y’all ain’t from around here, huh?”. I live just a few blocks from this restaurant and can’t for the life of me understand why so many people say it is great. I’ll never go back.

By Stan

April 29, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

The food/service has to be really bad for me to complain. Then I ask for the manager, the wait staff too often just doesn’t know what to do when the customer complains. They are trained (sometimes) to service the customer, but not how to handle a problem. Take it politly to the manager.

I agree with One, don’t ask for replacement food.

By Speak Up

April 29, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

I agree, let us know what restaurants suck so they can either improve or get out of the way. If the food is not to my expectation, I send it back. The golden rule is never accept something less than you would offer to someone else. Most of the time, they will fix it or the mgr will come out, apologize and comp it. If a restaurant of no significance messes up, we don’t go back. If it is a regular for us, like Longhorn on one occasion, they fixed the problem and compensated us for the aggravation. We will be back as they have been consistent so many times. Be careful of some of the highly touted places in Atlanta as they think their press standings will keep them afloat. The lesser known restaurants are always a nice surprise. That applies in any city. Our most recent mishap was at a place in Hilton Head called Captains Seafood. The food was awful and mgmt did nothing to make it better. The waitress had to take ownership. They now have a bad rating on tripadvisor.com. We all work too hard for our money and to get bad food and service is not acceptable. There are too many great places that want our business.

By JJ

April 29, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

I send e-mails to corporate offices when I have a bad experience. Not just restaruants either. I fired off a nasty e-mail to Publix about three weeks ago, over a deli sandwich. You get great results with e-mails. The Manager of Publix personally called me and we discussed the incident. He offered to refund my money, but I told him that was not the purpose of my e-mail…….

I was reverse discriminated at Kroger in Peachtree Corners. I fired off a nasty e-mail to corporate. Within 2 hours, the manager of Kroger was calling me. They ended up sending me a $25 gift card…….

It is not my intent to receive free items with e-mails. It is my intent to let the management know of my dissatisfaction!!!

And if I have to, I will work my way up the corporate ladder. Thank you Clark Howard!!!

By Brian O'Shea

April 29, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

If you want skinny on a restaurant, our restaurant guide includes a place for user ratings and comments. You can see what other diners say and add your own review.

For example, to see what folks are saying about Mary Mac’s , click the link.

Find more restaurants from our Dining Out page.

Brian O’Shea, Evening Edge web guy

By Ed

April 29, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Sounds like the “Italian” Restaurant she dined at was Coliseum in Roswell. Terrible food there.

By rerservoirDAWG

April 29, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I am going to a concert downtown this week and am looking for suggestions. We want to go to a place that is casual, but with good food and service.

By JJ

April 29, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

rerservoirDAWG Gordon-Birsch is one of the better restaurants down by the Fox Theater. I have dined there several times, and just love it (we actually discovered it in Seattle, and found there was a location right here in ATL). It’s a little pricey, but the food, and atmosphere is wonderful, and the service is excellent. They have their own brewery too.

I suggest the Fish & Chips…….

By DAG

April 29, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

I’ve had an experience with a local chain regarding their VISA swipe machines. For some reason all charges within (I’m a regular there)a month’s period were not actually charging customers but then the next month the customer got charged all back to back all in one day. When I brought in my statement one day to the manager she explained to me what the problem was but assured me that it had been solved. But I was pretty certain that I had not been in there that many times that I was charged for. She gave to me a couple of coupons to make up the difference that she thought was. But I wasn’t satisfied and e-mailed the CEO of the company. Make it shorter, he sent the complaint to the franchize owner which in return sent to me a gift card which totally satisfied my taste. But I make sure I don’t ever use my VISA again at this restaurant.

By Tommy

April 29, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

…anyone been to The Highlander?…enough said.

By Joe

April 29, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Tommy, I’ve been to the Highlander literally hundreds of times and I’ve almost never had any type of problem there. If you’re going to mention a restaurant then you should be specific about your issue. Just mentioning the name is not “enough said”.

By Anne

April 29, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

I will definitely email or call managers or corporate offices if I have bad food or service. There is one restaurant downtown that in all the times I’ve been there, the service and food is NEVER consistent and it’s a high priced restaurant (big, round building, revolving restaurant on top.) I’ve been there where the service and the food are top notch….but I’ve been there more times when both literally made me ask for the manager. Awful, awful!!!

By One

April 29, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Anne, I’ve only been to The Sundial (you can say the name, no one is going to be waiting outside your office building to beat you up!) once, several years ago (I treated a few family members for my birthday!), and the service was great. The food was so-so, but that was mostly due to the lack of seasonings (I hate bland food, no matter how fresh). We haven’t been back however. It’s birthday time again (next month), and I’m looking for some place really good!! Any suggestions? Oh, and we LOVE fresh seafood………..thx

By Anne

April 29, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

One, LOL….I hope not! I’ve not eaten at some of Atlanta’s finest, but hope to soon. But one of my favorite places to go is Osteria del Figo off Howell Mill. I think their food is amazing, priced right and you get really good service because the tips are pooled and split at the end of the night. I’ve never had a bad meal or bad service at that little place. I also really liked Maggiano’s in Buckhead. I’ve eaten there a couple of times. I like Two Urban Licks as well.

By Jim

April 29, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

I live in downtown Atlanta and Mary Mac’s used to be one of my very favorites. It’s now and has been for awhile the pits! The vegs are, more often than not, sour, especially the peas and corn! On several occasions we got food to go and invariable they always leave something out! It’s a shame because in Mary Lupo’s days you couldn’t find better southern-style food anywhere. Too bad we’re losing another Atlanta institution.

By One

April 29, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Anne, I’ve heard about Two Urban Licks, I may check their website out.

One of my cousins from Miami used to LOVE Mary Mac’s. He would not leave Atlanta without eating there at least once a trip. He would probably turn over in his grave to hear how bad it has become. Wow…..

By Tracy

April 29, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

ONE You need to give Nino’s a try off of Cheshire Bridge. It’s the best Italian in ATL and you get treated like family there. It’s outstanding.

By Jim

April 29, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Another place you’ll want to avoid unless you have the day off is Jalapeno Charleys across the street from Hard Rock Cafe. A colleague of mine and I went there for lunch and after 1 1/2 hour we left! Needless to say we won’t grace their doorways again. The worst or “no service” of any restaurant I’ve been to!

By Jim

April 29, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Another place you’ll want to avoid unless you have the day off is Jalapeno Charleys across the street from Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Atlanta. A colleague of mine and I went there for lunch and after 1 1/2 hour we left! Needless to say we won’t grace their doorways again. The worst or “no service” of any restaurant I’ve been to!

By cade

April 29, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Any one near Snellville/lawrenceville should try Urban Flatbread at The Avenue at Webb Gin Road. I’ve eaten there many times, and have taken out of town friends there as well. Always good food, attentive staff, and the manager meets and greets everyone and makes sure everything is as it should be. Just a great place!

By Benton

April 29, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Anne and One, Before Two Urban Licks, try One Midtown Kitchen. I’ve always been disappointed by Two Urban Licks, but have always had great food and great service at One. When you go, make sure you ask for Bob Bost, the host with the most. Most likely, though, he’ll find you.

By Rodney

April 29, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Back to topic - I have very high expectations of the restos that I visit. I don’t do chains (if I can help it) and I tend to eat either very VERY ethnic (read, Buford hwy) or high-end.

Now before some of you start getting all grouchy and complaining about the cleanliness of Buford highway restos let me stop you right there - I don’t care. The food is great and I don’t care if they dragged it through the sewer to get it to taste like that.

That said, when something DOES go wrong I always make mention of it. But I do have some rules - if it is food related, I don’t eat anything else. At all, for that meal. I’ve had too many friends in the past who were servers (both low and high end) and I know how they react to something not being right. No, they don’t/didn’t cook it but they know that now that you’re not happy, the tip is either done away with or greatly reduced.

Rule the 2nd. If it isn’t a food-related issue, I wait until after the meal and speak to either the manager at that time, or if that isn’t possible I send a letter or mainly, e-mail.

And rule #3. If it is server-related I never, EVER give any personal information. I’ll even set up a new, non-specific e-mail account to do it from.

It is, after all, something you are paying for - service - and I expect at least a modicum of it.

Tracy - I agree about Nino’s - I love it. And Tommy, not sure what your beef is with The Highlander (if you mean the one in Midtown) but I love it. Any place that is comfortable enough with itself to know it can serve a bucket of tater tots is a place I want to eat!

By Marie

April 29, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

One: Just thought I would send you some tips for where to go… My fav. new place is Kevin Rathbuns Steak. Same price point as Two Urban but the food is the best I have ever had. Delicious on a special occasion, also if you are feeling adventurous try Imperial Fez on Peachtree for a truly unique experience. I am very picky when I eat out and have found the following rest. not up to par with what you pay for the meal.. Raja on P’tree, Chops & Lobster bar (steaks are never quite right for me there), and Alfredos on Cheshire Bridge (very chain like food).

By Jane

April 29, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Fogo de Chow or Sal Grosso - WONDERFUL FOOD and SERVICE! Brazilian style cuisine at its finest. Lots of food and an extremely pleasant atmosphere. Hoping to go back to Sal Grosso for our anniversary this year.

By One

April 29, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Tracy, thanks!

Benton, One Midtown Kitchen, got it! Thanks! I checked out both websites, and they are owned by the same company…….

Marie, thanks! I’ve not been to the Lobster Bar, but it has been on my list for awhile. I don’t eat beef, so steaks don’t interest me, but we love seafood, and I was hoping that once I did go to the Lobster Bar, I’d love it. How’s their seafood?

By One

April 29, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Oh, and I’ve done Imperial Fez, it was good.

So far I’ve noted The Lobster Bar (seafood sounds great!!), and Sal Grosso (thanks Jane). I know my daughter would love either. Any more?

By KC

April 29, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

I agree whole-heartedly about Mary Mac’s. Coasting on its reputation for years & should be removed from all ATL guidebooks & sued for fraud.

On a positive note - Violette (French restaurant 85/Clairmont) - always wonderful food, excellent service, & reasonable prices. Unfortunately, they recently removed the crabcakes from the lunch menu, but they will make them for you if you ask (although at the dinner price). Try the pear tart for dessert & sit on the patio if weather permits.

By imatapper

April 29, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

We were once taken to Pricci’s (in Buckhead?) After a long wait between ordering and getting the food, my husband’s salmon was served FROZEN, ice included, in the center. It was sent back twice and only got heated enough to make the center lukewarm. My husband ended up eating nothing for dinner as everyone else had finished their mealsby the time he got his cold fish for the last time. The manager apologized, but didn’t take the meal off the bill!

By One

April 29, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

imatapper, they would have had no choice. I refuse to pay for something inedible!! And I would have complained to corporate!

By Brian O'Shea

April 29, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

ReservoirDAWG:

Advice on where to eat depends on where the concert is. If it’s near Centennial Park, there are quite a few restaurants within an easy walk, and the restaurants near Peachtree Center are easy to get to as well.

Near Centennial Park, one of the newest restaurants is Peasant Bistro, and it’s gotten some good marks from users. Stats is a sport-themed restaurant near the World Congress Center. Over near Oakland Cemetery is a restaurant called Stella Neighborhood Trattoria that had a favorable review. (It’s linked from the Dining Out page).

Here are some links from our database that may help. I did it two ways, searching for restaurants in Downtown that have a 4- or 5-star rating from users.

Here’s a list of restaurants based on proximity to Centennial Olympic Park.

I got both of these by going the Dining Out page and clicking on Advanced Search. Here’s a map of new restaurants (not clickable, unfortunately).

I hope that helps. There are some other great suggestions in this thread already.

By VoiceOfReason

April 29, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Okay, okay, I never mention the name of the restaurant (that’s what writing reviews are for) however this time I simply can’t resist because other’s have brought them up.

Yes, Jocks & Jills at the CNN Center absolutely suck, even for standard bar food.

Yes, Mary Mac’s suck and I agree, I just can’t figure out why people are saying this is good food.

And finally, the problem at had at Ted’s was when they ran out of the apple dessert on Thanksgiving and the chef “constructed” a couple for us out of the remnants. It was so unbelievable, the waiter was even shocked at his behavior. They gave me another pie instead which was just fine.

Okay, that’s all. Sorry for breaking the rules. :(

By reservoirDAWG

April 29, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

You should have insisted they take it off the bill.

By WestSider

April 29, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

I went to American Road House one time and they served me a Chicken sandwich that was half-raw. I asked the waiter to send it back and it took them 20 more minutes to bring it back to my table, at which point it was cooked to a char. I guess they didn’t want any more complaints about it being undercooked…

The manager did not take it off the bill…haven’t set foot in there since.

By scammed

April 29, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Last year we read a pleasing review of a local Italian/Pizza place that had just opened a 2nd location. Fini’s Pizza, L’ville Suwanee/ Hwy 120 location. We went in, very few people inside. We ordered 2 chicken meals, both involving “fresh breaded chicken breasts.” We eat our salads, not bad. Chicken dishes arrive and one bite each told both of us that the chicken was once frozen and badly freezer burned. Got the waiter’s attention and his first question was “is it still frozen?”

Owner comes over and we complain, he responds with “I sell hundreds of these a day” (not according to your lack of patrons). I ask if I can order something else, he refuses, tells us to pay for our drinks and salads and to leave.

I protest, saying I’d like to eat dinner, but he insists he’s had enough of us and now we have to pay the full bill (2 bites were taken out of 2 entrees) and he was calling the police…and he DID!!

The owner’s wife said she knew of us and we must be the ones going around Lawrenceville eating most of ordered meals, complaining and getting comps. Again, 2 bites out of 2 entrees were eaten!! We argue about having to pay for meals that were inedible and wait for the police. Sadly, the officer told us the restaurant only had the responsibility to serve us what we ordered, not that it should be edible. We paid $35 for ok salads and 2 drinks. DON’T GO TO FINI’S PIZZA, NOT @ L’VILLE SUWANEE AND 120 OR ON OLD P’TREE. The owners are JERKS!!

By Bill

April 29, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

East Atlanta Thai and Sushi—The sushi was very good but the service was sooooo horrible that I will never go back. Pretentious, lazy waiter that just did not care at all. We left 10% as we cannot tip any less-usually tip 20 to 50% for good service.

By abc

April 29, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

One must take care in sending food back to the kitchen, adulteration of the food is most likely to result.

If the food is that bad, simply refuse to pay and walk. If you accept it, you allow it.

By ESR

April 29, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

You would think with a fairly popular chain you’d get the same food at each one. Nope, not always. The On the Border near my work place will hand you what should be sizzling hot fajitas so cold you can touch the little skillet they bring them to you on and not get burned. The tortillas are old and stale and never warm, always they same way. However, at the one near my home, total opposite; they’re hot and fresh. I have complained but the Manager just looks at me like ..” Do you know what kind of day I am having..? ” I simply refuse to go back to the location near my work place.

By former waiter

April 29, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

I never complain about food in a restaurant. If the food/experience is that bad, I choose never to go back.

By Melissa

April 29, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

We’ve been to Texas Roadhouse in Snellville a few times. The service can be very hit or miss. On one MISS occasion, our server put in our drink and appetizer order, but forgot our entrees! When he realized what he had done, he sent the manager to the table. The server, Brent, had spent half the time dilly-dallying and socializing with the other servers which probably explains the lapse in service. The manager had the nerve to say, “Well, you know Brent.” We said, “What? No, we don’t know Brent and this isn’t acceptable.” What an idiot. That’s not our only incident at TRH. On our first dining experience, the service was horrible so I wrote the corporate office and said they needed to focus their training on customer service instead of line dancing in the middle of the restaurant. We received a gift certificate for a free meal in the mail and never used it.

By Melissa

April 29, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

One more thing, my husband and I have what we call “the list” with respect to restaurants. If a restaurant ends up on the list we never go back - EVER. There are too many options out there to subject yourself to crappy food a second time!

By Foodie Girl

April 29, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

One of the worst experiences I’ve ever had was at Thaicoon in Sage Hill Shopping Center. I had been there dozens of times before, with no problems. We ordered sushi, which the Japanese waitress delivered to us with an added bonus — a long, straight black hair sitting neatly on top. I complained to the manager, and she actually argued with me, insisting that the sushi chef did not have long hair and was wearing a hat(true, but the waitress had shoulder length hair and was not)! As my companion and I are both blondes with short hair, her argument was not exactly convincing. She basically said “Sorry,” and walked away. I had to raise hell at the register to get them to take the sushi off the bill. Haven’t been back since.

By Foodie Girl

April 29, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Another horrible place is Wingnuts, on Briarcliff Road. I ordered delivery wings, and they completely screwed up my order. I called back, and the girl who answered the phone said that I would have to use my $3.75 gas to bring the delivery order back to the restaurant, and they would remake the order. She refused to have the driver redeliver what I ordered, and paid for, and was a snot about the whole thing. This place could care less about customer satisfaction, and there are plenty of other, better places that deliver. Wingnuts is the WORST — don’t get ripped off like I did!!

By Becky

April 29, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

One, for wonderful seafood, go to Atlanta Fish Market. We have eaten there several times and it is always fresh and delicious. Good service, too. I have never had a horrendous experience eating out in Atlanta so I guess I’m lucky.

By One

April 29, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Becky, I’ll add that one to the prospect list. I like the idea of a “hell to the naw” list, Melissa, although I have a mental one, I may start a written one!

Goodnight all…..

By The Truth

April 29, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

Hey AJC, Your writers suck.

By deegee

April 29, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

I can generally get a sense of what’s to come in about the first 10 - 12 minutes. I’ll give the place 25 - 30 to either confirm or deny my suspicions. If the service is unacceptable, I walk out. It’s not difficult to do.

By Roger

April 29, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Two months ago we decided to go to a famous chain of American food at Snellville. After 45 minutes the waitress came to tell us that we had to wait a little more. It was Saturday night, and we didn’t want to adventure to find another place. We asked to talk to the manager, and she sent us chips and salsa, and later arrived with many excuses. We were leaving, but after more thatn one hour we decided to stay a little longer.

Food arrived cold and raw. We complaint to the manager, and she decided to reduce one dish of the bill. At the end we stayed there for more than two hours, and we couldn’t eat the food. Many people left, and other experienced the same.

I recognized that we had to leave that restaurant when the service was taking too long. We never returned to that one, we have never returned to any one of that famous chain.

By MCM

April 29, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

I love the food at Figo, and you can’t beat the price, but the service is hit or miss. I’ve had a few bad experiences with the waitstaff basically completely ignoring us or taking absolutely forever when there was hardly anyone else there.

The Atlanta Fish Market has always been a great experience - food, service, everything. The Oceanaire is the same - top notch (but then, you’re paying for it too).

I actually had the worst service at Panos and Paul’s. First, the waiter looked at us as though we had spit on him when we turned down the wine list and said we wouldn’t be ordering any wine (only one of the three of us was even able to have alcohol). Then I asked if they had anything vegetarian (everything on the menu was meat of some sort) and he sniffed at me and said “well, I guess we can throw some vegetables on a place.” He was incredibly rude, and I’m sorry, if I’m paying those prices, I expect better than that. We just walked out and I will never, ever go back.

By Mike

April 29, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

I agree that Osteria del Figo is great - for high-end dining I love La Grotta and JCT.

The strangest bad experience I ever had was at a famous and long-established restaurant in Buckhead. We went on a New Year’s Eve, before going to a black-tie party that started late. The previous year we’d gone and everything was perfect. The second year they apparently decided that they needed to make their staff more “friendly” and chatty. Near the end of the meal, the waiter asked if we were going somewhere else after dinner. When we said yes, he said “oh, are you the entertainment?” Like we wouldn’t be invited to a black tie function without having to perform? Obviously, never been back.

By Tim

April 29, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Regarding the ‘P’ mexican restaurant review above, it is my favorite mexican restaurant in Atlanta when I want a little upscale mexican food. The ‘warm as dishwater salsa’ is suppose to be warm! Its my favorite. The restaurant is a little pricey and sometimes service is a bit slow but I always have good food there. The Papasitos Grill (oops, did I give their name away?) is one of my favorite meals in any restaurant.

By Scholar

April 29, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

I won’t mention the restaurant’s name, but it rhymes with crappleknees. I had a dinner that was so bad that I refused to eat it and had the manager come over. He sampled it and agreed that it was not up to par. He confessed that the vegetables were microwaved. While I was pleased with how they handled the problem, I have not been back. I can microwave veggies at home.

By Aurora

April 30, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

This is why we VERY RARELY eat out in restaurants…..

By woody

April 30, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

The ATLANTA dining experience is always like this wherever I go in this un-educated, fake of a city.

By Noelle

April 30, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Nine times out of ten, you can tell what a restaurant visit will be like the moment you walk through the door. If the place is really, really busy, then your service will probably be slow and your food may be imperfectly prepared, even if the staff is pleasant and competent. If you aren’t willing to make accommodations in a case like that, go elsewhere.

On the other hand, if the hostess is surly, you have to flag down your server just to get menus or order drinks, or the free bread is slow to arrive and turns out burned (as in the original post), the kitchen service is likely to be just as bad. Again — go elsewhere.

If you DO have a problem, be polite and reasonable. It’s not reasonable to expect a replacment meal because you just didn’t like the first one (assuming it was as advertised), or after eating most of it. Plus, as another commenter noted, requesting re-cooked/replacement food can be hairy, but if you’re nice and reasonable about it (your steak was rare but you ordered well-done), you should be fine.

I’ve never actually had a truly bad restaurant experience. I’ve had some glitches here and there, but rarely to the point that I couldn’t eat the food. Pointing out problems politely has gotten them fixed quickly and pleasantly, or the items comped off the bill.

By Old School Al

April 30, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

I had a forgettable experience this weekend at Mellow Mushroom on Monroe. A group of 10 of us went after participating in the Walk for Lupus @ Piedmont Park. We were seated by the hostess immediately, but when our actual waitress came, we did not get as much as a hello. We waited over 30 minutes for our orders (we all ordered “signature” pizzas or salads — no one created their own.) When the food finally arrived, there was not enough room to put the food on the table - we only had two 4 toppers and a 2 topper joined together for a table. We asked if there was a tray holder that we could put the pizzas on so we could eat, and we got a very stern NO! Having no other choice, we stacked pizza on a single small plate and asked her to take the pan. She left it and I placed it on the floor. I asked to see her manager, and the lady who came (I am still not sure if she was really a manager) simply said we don’t have enough room and walked off, leaving the pan in the middle of the floor. Of course, because of the group size, the gratuity was already included, so there was absolutely no attempt by the waitress to try to be pleasant. It took another 25-30 minutes to get our check. Although this was my first visit to Mellow Mushroom, most of my colleagues had eaten at other locations and were simply appalled by the caliber of service. I am the type that will fire off an email, but when I went to the website, there was no comment page.

By Jables

April 30, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

I know this is a blog about bad service, BUT I want to give props to my favorite place in the world: Taste of Thai in Douglasville. It’s on Chapel Hill, next door to Cold Stone Creamery. Order the Bangkok Chicken and spring rolls. Your mouth will thank you.

By tom

April 30, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

I tried going to Finis once while up in Lville. It was a sunday and I think it was about 755. They were crowded and said they close at 8 and would not serve us. Bums, for a newer establishment to turn away business 5 minutes before they close is impressive.

All the people who work at taqueria del sol are unfriendly, but they have good cheap food.

The original flying biscuit is as overrated as any establishment in atlanta. I dont see why anyone waits for there food, especially when the hostess seats his buddies immediately when they arrive. Give me thumbs up or crescent moon any day.

By Marie

May 1, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

One: My fav seafood place in Atl is Kyma on piedmont. They have the fish flown in daily and the food is excellent. I am not usually a fan of octopus but they have a smoked version that is devine. They are a little pricey so it is usually a special occasion kind of deal but man is it worth it. They will cook the fish whole for you and then filet table side Worth a shot, owned by the same group as ATL fish market but the chef is a lot more creative.

By FCM

May 14, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

IF you have an issue with your meal the server should bring it to the managers attention and they should stop by your table.

One well known southern style place that I still frequent had more than an ‘off’ day…The milk was curled, the eggs came out stone cold, the flatware was filthy. The server was completely apologetic and did everything possible to make it better, except get the manager. The lady behind the cash register was rude. I called the home office, the manager of the store called me within an hour…we’ve become good friends since then.

Another breakfast chain had horrible food. It just tasted nasty. I told the server who said, oh I am sorry to hear that most people like it. She left. Never saw her again….except when she brought me my change. I went to the front and asked for a manager…I let him know in detail why I would not be back nor encourage anyone to dine there.

By BullGirl

July 18, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

Sal Grosso is awesome! For those of you who like it, or want to try it, here is a 1/2 priced link for Sal Grosso:

http://wgst-cc.atlanta-discountdeals.com/

Yummmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyy!