Why are public restrooms typically closed in the city of Phoenix? (Tucson: live in, food)

[john3232]

Originally Posted by ChandlerDobson

I've been in Phoenix now for almost 2 years. It will be 2 years in January. I've noticed that in the city of Phoenix, public restrooms are so hard to find. I do DoorDash often and if I need to go, I always end up going to 2-4 gas stations only to find their restrooms are closed off. Either they will tell you or you will see a mop bucket with tape on the restroom doors. In some stores too, they are closed off, such as at Staples in Midtown. In the past, if you wanted to go at McDonald's or at a fast food place, you would have to make a purchase to get the code. Now at food places, I'm noticing they are all closed to customers. In Mesa, I had to walk to a Basha's, then return to Subway to eat my food just to wash my hands and use the restroom. Isn't illegal to close restrooms like that to customers? Recently in Glendale, I was at a shopping center, and all the food places had all their restrooms closed off. I noticed now and days, only QT's and big box stores like Walmart have them open to customers. I've traveled to many other cities and have never noticed this issue. Is it a city ordinance to have restrooms closed to customers? In the suburbs, you rarely have this issue. It's just in the city of Phoenix itself mainly. I've been to a CVS once where they had no restrooms either.

I know it sounds like a stupid question to ask, but I've never seen this issue in other cities.

I suffer from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and have at times made a quick pit stop at Home Depot, Target, Lowes, Frys and the like.

If I'm going to be driving for hours or flying I take Imodium.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by john3232

I suffer from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and have at times made a quick pit stop at Home Depot, Target, Lowes, Frys and the like.

If I'm going to be driving for hours or flying I take Imodium.

I know that routine.

[wilberry]

to keep out the transients who also make a restroom unuseable one you get into the nicer areas out side of the older grittier areas all the restrooms are open

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by asufan

Best bathrooms are at QT in my opinion. Although I like Fluffys idea of buying a vehicle specifically to have a private toilet wherever you go

LOL. My bladder voted for the toilet-on-wheels.

[Bondurant]

Originally Posted by PhoenixInCentralArizona

I went to a Burger King in Mesa yesterday, and the restrooms were closed. I've never seen anything like this anywhere else in the country. You only see this in Phoenix. I showed this picture to my friends and they said that they don't see restrooms closed like this where they live. I think it's a Phoenix thing. I had to take my food to go, and the customer service was so terrible.

Jacoby's in Detroit has a sign on the entrance door: NO PUBLIC RESTROOM. Not a Phoenix thing.

[john3232]

As someone who suffers from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) where's what I've done. Walk into a restaurant and start looking around. Pretend to be talking on the phone. Then tell an employee you're waiting for someone to arrive and ask where's the bathroom? After leaving the bathroom stand by the front door again and pretend to be on the phone. Makes it appear the person you are waiting for isn't coming. Then walk out.

Works every time.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by john3232

As someone who suffers from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) where's what I've done. Walk into a restaurant and start looking around. Pretend to be talking on the phone. Then tell an employee you're waiting for someone to arrive and ask where's the bathroom? After leaving the bathroom stand by the front door again and pretend to be on the phone. Makes it appear the person you are waiting for isn't coming. Then walk out.

Works every time.

You probably could just walk straight to the restroom without the theatrics.

[john3232]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

You probably could just walk straight to the restroom without the theatrics.

Probably but this way I’m sure they say yes

[asufan]

Originally Posted by john3232

As someone who suffers from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) where's what I've done. Walk into a restaurant and start looking around. Pretend to be talking on the phone. Then tell an employee you're waiting for someone to arrive and ask where's the bathroom? After leaving the bathroom stand by the front door again and pretend to be on the phone. Makes it appear the person you are waiting for isn't coming. Then walk out.

Works every time.

Do you put on a disguise and accent like Fletch?

[john3232]

Originally Posted by asufan

Do you put on a disguise and accent like Fletch?

I'll not only put on a disguise and accent like Fletch... I'll do a tap dance as well if it gets me to the bathroom in time.