Office Depot — Local services in Panama City Beach

Another UPDATE 6/15/2021 - it's been a while since I've tried them, so I thought I'd try them again. I thought it was because of Covid (keep reading), but it looks like they've also gotten popular - it used to be there was never more than one or two cars in the drive-through, but now it's usually five or six.

So, I've tried them twice in the last month, but never got any food. Whether it's Covid, or just them not knowing how to do their jobs, but I realized last time that they are not taking orders from the next drive-through customer until they finish with the current customer. I.e., there are long lines to place an order, but never more than one vehicle waiting at the window. So, they're only waiting on drive-through customers one at a time, waiting until that customer pulls out before taking the next customer's order. No wonder the lines are long!

The first time, I pulled out of line because it was taking too long; the second time, I found out why it's taking so long. If they could get some decent management, this place would probably be a lot better!

UPDATE 1/10/2019 - I've given up on this place! They still can't seem to cook the brown rice properly, and now they are screwing up orders. I've ordered orange chicken three times over the last few months and haven't received orange chicken once! (A good lesson to ALWAYS check your drive-thru order before leaving!). I'm never going back!

Original post:

Food quality is very hit-and-miss!

I eat here only once or twice a month because I never know how good the food is going to be when I get it (I always go through the drive-thru). There are times, like last night, where the food was fantastic - the brown rice was nice and moist and the orange chicken, although it could have used more sauce, was nice and moist and not over-cooked (not hard and stringy) - but then, most of the time, the food is just not up to par - the brown rice is all dried out (almost to the point of eating raw rice), the fried rice is way too greasy, the chicken is either over-cooked, non-existent (all breading, no chicken), way too salty (especially the teriyaki chicken), or hard and stringy, and the portion sizes are very inconsistent.

It would be nice if I could rely on somewhat decent food, but it doesn't seem to be the case: 80% of the time he brown rice is dried out, at least 70% of the time the fried rice is too greasy, 50% of the time the meat is dried out and tough, and only about 10 to 15% of the time is the food actually above a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

But, there are the very few-and-far-between times when everything is really good, and it's those few times that keeps me coming back. If they could be more consistent about the quality, I'd eat here a...

Today, Friday May 17, 2019 at about 10 AM I went to return two items. I approached the counter and was asked " How can I help you?" I said "There are two items I'd like to return." I handed two items to the Employee and said "I have the receipt", to which she replied "Good Boy!" I said "I don't wish to be disrespectful, but please don't call me a boy. I'm a 65-year old, highly educated and successful retired civil engineer, and don't believe that is called for." She allowed a few moments to pass before she said "I'm sorry." I left the store. Later I called the store and spoke to a Manager. I told her what happened and her reply was "I know her, that's just her style, joking with customers." The Manager was not circumspect, nor apologetic on behalf of the employee. She continued, saying "I'll talk to her." Again the gravity of the situation seemed to escape her. I said, "I hope to God you do have a sincere and honest discussion, letting her know the seriousness of her remarks", continuing "If I had called her a pejorative term, I'm sure something would be said to me."

I next called the 800 number and received prompt, courteous, concerned and professional assurance that she would have the General Manager call me direct.

This is becoming more standard, in my opinion. We are failing to be thankful to those who patronize actual stores, and fail to treat them with respect. It is most certainly one thing to enjoy joking with someone whom you know. It is another to be openly disrespectful and fail to understand why it is...

I went in the Panama City Beach store one day after work this week. I was looking for a desk and chair for my home. After I looked and found what I wanted, I went back up to the front of the store and approached an employee who was standing behind the register. Her name was Carla Plank I believe. I had the BEST experience with her. She was so very helpful. She told me the sale would go through till Saturday and I could come home measure my area and try to visual how it would look and then come back. She said her name was Carla and she would be glad to help me. The next day, I went into the store, asked for Carla and she came right out to help me. From start to finish, she got it all set up for me and even lined up the installment guys for them to come and assemble it for me. I have been an HR and Recruiting Professional for over 35 years and Carla would be someone I'd hire in a split second. She was personable, kind, patient and just an overall good worker who truly cares about helping the customers. I hope that you are a company who rewards good help for a job well done. Good Management material one day. I thank Carla for the exceptional service she provided me. Thank...