Let's talk restaurants.. (St. Louis, Springfield, Independence: Home Depot, buy, live in)

[8 SNAKE]

My wife and I went to South Avenue Pizza over the weekend with several other couples. If I had to summarize the experience in one word, it would be TERRIBLE. From the service to the food, there was absolutely nothing impressive about the place. The pizza had almost no sauce on it, and was pretty light on flavor. Our waitress acted like she was doing us a favor by visiting the table a couple of times during the meal and didn't have much of a cheerful attitude. In addition, one guy at our table didn't even get his pizza until everyone else had finished their meals.

I might be more kind, but I had been to South Avenue once before and had a similarly bad experience. That time, we ordered as part of a group of approximately six couples. Everyone at the table got their order except us. We literally sat there, waiting on our pizza, until everyone else at the table was finished eating. When our food still wasn't there, we cancelled our order and left. Those who did get their food seemed to agree that it wasn't anything particularly pleasing.

Given the choice, I would not eat at South Avenue Pizza. There are too many great places to get a meal downtown.

[SouthernerInSeattle]

Originally Posted by Lake Junkie

The only one I still like is on National...and folks need to understand it's not in any way authentic Mexican food. It's very Americanized...which is not a bad thing unless you're not expecting it!

Well the reason it's not "Authentic Mexican" is because it was established as a Tex-Mex restaurant by the guy who founded it. He went to Texas and loved the food, came back to Springfield and started Mexican Villa. It's on the back of the menu, read it while the wife was deciding on her first Villa meal.

[christina0001]

I went to Logan's yesterday; I'm sure it's a chain but not one I am familiar with. Anyway, my friend ordered a sirloin, and while it tasted good, to describe it as chewy would be a gross understatement. They could sell it as steak flavored bubblegum; it was difficult to eat. My meal was fairly good but I won't be going again.

[mrsgenealogy]

Originally Posted by christina0001

I went to Logan's yesterday; I'm sure it's a chain but not one I am familiar with. Anyway, my friend ordered a sirloin, and while it tasted good, to describe it as chewy would be a gross understatement. They could sell it as steak flavored bubblegum; it was difficult to eat. My meal was fairly good but I won't be going again.

That's a bummer, Christina! I hate it when that happens, especially when it was your friend who was suffering through it. Did you let the waiter/waitress know it was too tough/chewy? We have been to Logan's several times and have always been happy with the steaks. I should tell you that we order our steaks medium rare and that may make a difference.

I have a theory about restaurants...

If you go once and the meal is bad, you'll likely never return. If you go two or three times and you get a "bad meal", you'll most likely give them another chance. My first experience at Mexican Villa was so bad I'll never give them my money again... and if I had a free meal coupon, I'd give it away. However, if I were to go back to Logan's and get a bad meal, I'd probably tell them and see if they'd make it up to me, either on that ticket or on a return coupon. We don't go out to dinner very often, especially in Springfield, so I haven't been there in months. Having said that, my future attendance would partly depend on their customer service and reaction to my complaint. So, what do you think of my theory?

Btw, we went to the Texas Roadhouse with our friends once. The steaks were great...probably better than Logans, according to my husband...but the noise level was higher and we couldn't relax. We wouldn't have a problem going there again but we probably won't do it unless our friends suggest it.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by mrsgenealogy

I have a theory about restaurants...

If you go once and the meal is bad, you'll likely never return. If you go two or three times and you get a "bad meal", you'll most likely give them another chance. My first experience at Mexican Villa was so bad I'll never give them my money again... and if I had a free meal coupon, I'd give it away. However, if I were to go back to Logan's and get a bad meal, I'd probably tell them and see if they'd make it up to me, either on that ticket or on a return coupon. We don't go out to dinner very often, especially in Springfield, so I haven't been there in months. Having said that, my future attendance would partly depend on their customer service and reaction to my complaint. So, what do you think of my theory?

I'd say that your theory is spot on, Mrs. G! Funny how the human psyche works, isn't it?

BTW, I assume that Mexican Villa's reaction to your bad experience played a role in your refusal to return? I might be willing to give a restaurant a second chance if the staff makes a sincere effort to remedy whatever problem I was facing.

[mrsgenealogy]

Good call, snake!

But...ahem...no...we didn't complain. It was just baaaad.
Nothing they could fix...without changing the way they cook
so I must confess...we just walked quietly away.

[8 SNAKE]

In that case, I'd have done the same thing that you did. A poorly prepared meal is something that can possibly be fixed, while bad food is just bad food.

[mrsgenealogy]

Awwww, thanks, Snake!

Hahahaaa! That sounds sooo funneee! I've never had a friend named SNAKE before!!!

Sounds like a big biker dude with tattoos! That's not YOU, is it?

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by mrsgenealogy

Awwww, thanks, Snake!

Hahahaaa! That sounds sooo funneee! I've never had a friend named SNAKE before!!!

Sounds like a big biker dude with tattoos! That's not YOU, is it?

If you met me, you'd laugh VERY hard at that one Mrs. G!

I'm a pretty clean-cut, white collar type of guy. You couldn't run fast enough to stick a tat on my body (no offense to those who have them, just not my thing) and I'm an average-sized guy.

I know that my screen name has been the subject of questions, so if the users don't mind I will explain it here. (Mods, feel free to move/delete if needed). The first forum that I joined was a Corvette forum back in '01 when the new Z06 Vette came out. That car was a very good rival for Dodge's mighty Viper, and I was a fan of the new Vette. Since the Viper was referred to as a snake, I chose the screen name 8 SNAKE as a tribute to the new Z06's performance. I've just kept the handle ever since.

[mrsgenealogy]

Aaaasooo! I seeee!

Well, whew! I am laughing VERY hard at what I wrote now! And I'm soooo glad you're not that guy! Hahahaaa! But it's still funny to say I've got a friend named "Snake"! Hahahahahaaaaa!

Thanks for the explanation...and the laugh. Hope I made YOU laugh, too!