by Ken Peters » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:28 pm
OK, I guess it's my turn to add what happened on Saturday-March 29, 2008.
I have a passion for MEATLOAF. Whenever Wifey and I go out to a new restaurant, or one that we like to frequent, and there is MEATLOAF on the menu, then you can rest assured that is what I’ll be ordering. I’ve always said to Wifey, that you can tell how good a restaurant is by the quality of their MEATLOAF. If they make a good one, we’ll be back; if they screw it up, then it’ll be a cold day in H*LL before I return there.
For over four months, we had endured traffic congestion in the Oxmoor Mall parking lot caused by the destruction/construction lay-down area at the restaurant. Wifey and I had already decided to visit “B.J.’s” after they had been open for a little time; allowing enough time to pass to have the “kinks” worked out by the staff. So it was with anticipation that we visited them.
We arrived at approximately 11:30 AM, and were seated immediately; there were only a half-dozen other patron tables in use. Our server welcomed us with the usual bantering greeting, and gave us the menus to peruse through.
After conferring with each other over the selections, we had made our decisions. Mine was easy—MEATLOAF sandwich. Wifey was more circumspect and asked about how the roast beef sandwich was prepared and presented. Our server stated that the sandwich was NOT eligible for the soup/salad-n-sandwich combo, even though this was specifically identified on their menu as being available. Wifey pointed this out to her; she went and checked; and yes, it was available. OK; chalk it up to unfamiliarity due to the newness of the wait-staff and menu.
Wifey requested the full roast beef sandwich, after deciding against the roast beef dip version. We both ordered the house salad with creamy garlic dressing.
While eating the salad, our server returned and asked Wifey if she wanted the roast beef dip, or the roast beef sandwich. Hmm, now why was that question asked ?
Warning, Will Robinson. Warning !!!!!
So, take a guess as to what sandwich showed up for Wifey ? If you guessed “roast beef dip”, go to the head of the class. Wifey expressed her dissatisfaction as to this, and stated that she had ordered the roast beef sandwich; not the roast beef dip sandwich.
My order was presented to me and looked appetizing. I looked over the sandwich which had cheese on it, and served with fries on the side, along with extra dipping sauce. Hmm; more later.
During the time that Wifey’s sandwich was being returned to the kitchen, she requested Management to visit our table. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the order and Management stated that the restaurant would not charge us for her order. Management stated that as “B.J.’s” was competing with many other fine eating establishments in the Louisville area, that they had decided to concentrate upon “American fare”, instead of the more culinary cuisines at other restaurants.
During this exchange, I tasted my served meal, and I found it to be satisfactory; but nothing outstanding—it was “pub grub”, and filling. Quite similar to Cheesecake Factory, at which we have eaten before.
When Wifey’s roast beef sandwich (the proper order) was presented; to borrow a phrase, we were “Shocked, Shocked I say”, to see what the order looked like. It was served on UNTOASTED WHITE BREAD, fully-dressed (lettuce, tomato, cheese), served with ordinary mayonnaise, and was a cold sandwich (not at all heated). Wifey requested Management again, and stated that this was not an acceptable sandwich, and that she wished that she had now kept the first (improperly presented—roast beef dip sandwich); and that Arby’s had better a better looking roast beef sandwich. OUCH !!!!!!!! Wifey ate only one-half of the sandwich, only the meat portion, minus the bread, and rest of toppings; and left the rest on her plate.
During this entire back-n-forthing with Management, our server, and the kitchen, I finished my presented order. Again, I must state that the sandwich was tasty; only thing (and you might have guessed it by now), the sandwich that was presented was the meatBALL sandwich, and NOT the MEATLOAF sandwich which I had ordered.
Both Wifey and myself had become so fixated, bumfoozled, and flustrated with what had transpired, that we both missed that my order was also INCORRECT. What should have given it away, had I retained my presence of mind, was that the MEATLOAF sandwich would have been presented with mashed potatoes, veggies, and topped with shoe-string onions. The meatBALL sandwich, topped with melted provolone cheese came on a hoagie roll, and was served with seasoned fries.
I only noticed this MISTAKE (and I must admit culpability for not noticing this before) when I was presented with the bill for the meal. It stated a meatBALL sandwich, and not a MEATLOAF sandwich.
So in the final end, BOTH of our meal orders were INCORRECTLY recorded and presented to us. Upon leaving the restaurant, Wifey again stated our displeasure with Management and to our server. All I can say to our server is that waitressing/order taking/food serving is NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. Maybe you need to find another profession that is less taxing on the brain-power; something like neurosurgery ?
Well, there you have it. The “first impression” of “B.J.’s Brewhouse” that was made upon us.
Diner Beware (or whatever the Latin version of this phrase is) !!!!!
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." — Mark Twain
