Pickle Barrel — Restaurant in Waterloo

I had been craving a proper deli sandwich for ages and thought that PB, a chain I have eaten at in Toronto for 40 years might be my best option in Waterloo. We had been by here many times but never eaten in this location. We were pleased by the appearance but worried a little by the lack of customers when we got there. Initially there was one large table and a couple of smaller tables including ourselves. Our server, Sheyla, was prompt, friendly, helpful, and accommodating. We ordered our drinks, sandwiches, and an onion soup. No substitutions or special orders other than ordering the fries well done and with a side of gravy. All good so far.

Then my wife went to use the tiny single stall washroom and discovered the toilet wouldn't flush.

Our soup, which was tasty arrived soon afterwards. We then waited a very long time for our meals which after more than 25 minutes showed up soggy and cold. We ultimately sent it back and while Sheyla was apologetic and got us fresh fries and sandwiches, when the manager brought them back, all we got was "well let's try that again." While the food was now hot and fairly tasty, the sandwiches were quite small.

The manager never apologized for the service or food quality, did not check in with us when we went to pay, and no compensation was offered. The gravy we ordered was not with our replacement order but this was offset by getting a full sandwich to replace my half remaining (I was too hungry to wait. My wife sent all of hers back).

In the meantime, the restaurant quickly became swamped with guests including a new table for 10. So with about 40 people at about a dozen tables there were two servers and no bartender.

Had the food been hot to start with, I would have given them 4 stars for food. Had the kitchen service and manager been as good as our server, they would have received 5 stars for service and had the bathroom been properly maintained a 5 for atmosphere. So my overall 3 star review would have been a 4 or 5.

Pickle Barrel is clearly capable of better. The manager just needs to be more on top of service, food quality, and...

Ok well here we go. I called and made reservations for 630pm today and was asked if there was any special Instructions. I informed person On phone not to be seated in a booth or back of restaurant or in a corner. We arrived at 620pm and told girl our name that res was booked under and she never even looked us up and proceeded to seat us in a booth at back of restaurant which I spoke to her and she moved us to a table near bar. Second, bartender came over to take our order and my daughter wanted to order a hamburger. Was shocked and thrown back that he informed us that they had absolutely no burger meat. How is that possible when you are a chain restaurant and how the heck do you run outta hamburger meat. Bizarre . Next after we ordered it took from 630pm to 715 just toget appetizers again I get some wait timw but for a Ceasars salad and a French onion soup it shouldn't take that long. 745pm our meal arrived again way way too long to wait. My wife's order of pie Aya was way under cooked , carrots were raw shrimp was raw and by that time we had had enough . My wife did not eat meal rice was watered down and was super sticky. Asked for bill 8pm finally got bill. Paid and left.

I'll be honest I was out to celebrate my daughter's birthday. Had been before but this was the most terrible food and service I have ever experienced. Honestly took the cake.

And I will be honest slow service mixed with under cooked food. Equal not returning and no tip for waiter.

Advice to management. In this day and age you would think k to hire better kitchen staff and better waiters . I mean I do tip normally and tip well. But when your wait staff(ryan) and bartender don't work for there tips and make sure kitchen does there part , doesn't looked good on your restaurant.

I have been before to your restaurant and did have great service. But not sure what happened tonight. 1hrs and 35 mins there and could not wait to get outta your...

Nice decor and lighting. Was greeted at the door by a smiling, friendly young lady who showed us to our table. She actually asked if we preferred chairs or booths. We chose a table with both. Gave us menus and said our server will be by shortly. Our server (Emily) came by and asked if we would like some assorted pickles and gave us the run down of all the specials. Asked a few questions, and we laughed a bit at being first-timers to The Pickle Barrel. She was great at answering all our questions. Took our drink orders and gave us time to look over the menu. We needed more pickles already. lol they went fast. We love pickles. Ordered the surf and turf and the salmon and shrimp. Both were fantastic. The steak was cooked perfectly and seasoned absolutely gorgeously. That comes from a person who adds salt and pepper and usually ketchup to everything before actually tasting it. The mashed potatoes were real potatoes with the skins still on, oh so yummy! The salmon melted like butter and was absolutely delicious. The shrimp was also scrumptious. The manager visited our table as well, and we got to tell him that the chef/cook was amazing. We have been to other restaurants where we have paid more and have been disappointed with what was served to us, definitely not the case here. So impressed with the ENTIRE experience. Will definitely be returning here again soon. Emily was so nice and very friendly. I do hope that when we go back she is or server again. Made us feel like we were visiting friends for dinner instead of a restaurant. Can't say anything about dessert because we were so full from the delicious entrées that we had no room left. If looking for a night out this is your place to go. It is affordable not crazy priced like some places. Great value for the portions you receive and it is delicious. Thank you for a wonderful spur of the...