A&W Canada — Restaurant in Courtenay

What just happened? The other day I said to my Hubby...lets try a cod burger dinner at A&W Saturday night. If we are going to eat at a fast food place it's here. The food is fresh with good service. So we went in about 5pm.and noticed how empty it was. A customer ahead of us seemed upset about something saying to the server, ' Its not your fault I'm just pissed.' We were uncomfortable but obvious it was the tellers first day on a Saturday Night? We were next and the nervous young man asked 'To go or here?' Clearly I said 'for here'. We sat at a table that wasnt wiped down yet, really? The place is empty.After several minutes we noticed the new server with a to go bag of take out...for us? Before he headed our way I said, 'Ours is for here, for here', I repeated.The embarrassed server apologised and took everything out of the bag and brought it over, trayless, without the drinks . We mentioned the drinks, he said, 'What did you order?' 'Two medium rootbeer'..Im.pretty discouraged by this time...when he brings them over in take out cups not chilled glasses. The cod burgers weren't bad but the over $4 onion rings were disgusting looking..burnt very little batter..I just couldn't accept them and politely took them up in the cardboard take out pkg and said ' Sorry we can't eat these.' The same server agreed said they were ugly and reordered them.Well unbelievably seconds later he gave us more in a proper 'in here' container pretty much the SAME onion rings! Okay we are done and feel sorry for the new kid left to the wolves on a Saturday Night and who ever is cooking in the back has gotta be new too! Over $22 later we're out the door and so disappointed with our empty calories. Never again ..A&W was our daughters first job years ago and she bragged about the cleanliness and high standards and she loved the regulars she served too...Well we will never be regulars at this point...like I said,...

Well to start off the service team members seemed very confused and messed up everyones order. we saw them walking around the restaurant with our food while we were still at the front counter waiting for our food. They also forgot that we ordered a pop and coffee and said opps sorry and gave it to us. As we went to go sit down we noticed the floors were extremely Sticky and dirty with fries and dirt, so we proceeded to sit in an area but noticed it was off limits due to the roof leaking. Also noticed on their counters, they had pop spills and fries and dirt on them which is very unsanitary. The minute I saw what I saw I wondered if i should of just left instead of waiting for my order. Also saw an elderly couple that ordered food for inside and they were given a bag to go. The couple told the employee that they wanted their meal to stay and the employee responded and I quote; "oh sorry about that but it's all there" and walked away without putting their meals on a tray. The couple went to sit down then went back up to the counter saying "no we ordered it for here and you didn't give us a tray" employee: "what?" Customer: "a tray" can't help but wonder if I will get food...

This A&W has the standard A&W menu, which is pretty good. The quality of the food late at night was also fine. Cleanliness of the place was very acceptable for how snowy it was that day, there was enough staff to keep up with all the orders (and then some, on this particular night).

Compared to the McDonalds a couple minutes away, this is a way better option. The menu is great, and also allows for vegetarians to eat here, compared to the McDonalds I also gave a review), it is way better.

Staff motivation was on par with other fast food restaurants, not great but still acceptable.

Parking was a breeze, loads of parking and the one-way traffic makes it easy to make the decision where and how to park. The one-way traffic does make you go around the restaurant to get out, but that's fine.

Outdoor seats (picnic style tables) is available, but with about a foot of snow covering it, I sadly did not test...