Jason's Deli — Restaurant in Abilene

Follow up post;

Thank you so much for your follow up, means so much because we truly love your establishment! Based on our conversation I feel confident of giving you the 5 star rating you so deserve! Thanks again and we can't wait to get back!

Original post;

My first opportunity to experience Jason's Deli was back in 2015 at this location in Abilene, since that time this restaurant has become one of my all time favorites! I am going to preface my review by saying that my heart goes out to all of us who are forced to deal with an unprecedented pandemic that has brought our amazing country to its knees. I applaud us all for our faith and strength to march forward to find some kind of normal in this time of uncertainty.

My team and I have been out there in major hotspots since the beginning of 2020 as we have been deemed mission critical/essential workers. We have spent many lonely months away from our loved ones and family as we practice social distancing as many of us are our families sole source of income.

Last night I ordered 2 salads and 1 cup of soup at 6pm and was notified that my order would be ready for pickup at 614 pm. I showed up at 615 pm and was notified after a mad scramble to find my order that there were 3 orders ahead of me. I asked why the order pick up time wasn't updated and she told me that the system does not update orders....ok. I sat and noticed the restaurant was very slow and that there was 3 tables seated and eating. A person had walked in and placed a go order as we waited and received her order ahead od us. Another family walked in for dine in. At 640 pm I asked when my order would be filled and I was informed that it normally takes 20-25 minutes to fill, good to know and I asked if I was supposed to assume this... The manager finally come out at 645 pm to explain that they had 1 person working the salad bar. I replied that I understood. I asked about the 614 pm pick up time and the advice to assume 20-25 minutes regardless of the time noted for pick up, 3 families that had been served and were eating prior to us walking in, and the person who placed the order while we were sitting there and was served before us. She said she wasn't going to charge me for the cup of soup and said she would make the salads herself. The point was an hour of my my time was worth more than sitting in front of the cash register for 45 minutes after my notification of pick up time to avoid social interaction for a free cup of soup, I would rather pay to help keep the local establishments in business.

I still love this establishment but last night left a sour taste in my mouth and suggest placing a disclaimer on your web orders to discard the...

We went to this place around 1pm or so today after not being able to hardly get in line because a huge group of ppl were blocking the way. When someone finally directed us around the chaos, we still stood in line for about 20 minutes. I wanted the turkey wrap that came with a side, the cashier asked what kind of chips I wanted, but I didn't want chips I wanted a side of soup. She said it would cost extra, which I said was fine. Then I ordered Mike's meal, 2 drinks, paid, found a place to sit and wait. She brings Mike's meal with a soup. I am like and my turkey wrap? She said she didn't charge me for a turkey wrap and I am like why not? It is what I thought ordered after having had a lengthy discussion about chips and soup and extra costs which I also thought we had squared away before I finished the order with Mike's meal. She had me double check my receipt to see that she didn't charge me for a turkey wrap and side and that's why I didn't get one. So it is my fault? OK, fine. I will just eat the soup and Mike will eat his sandwich, but then we are like really?? He got soup he didn't want and I didn't get a wrap that I did want and received very little regard as customers. So we put everything back on the tray, went to tell someone what had happened, who also again didn't seem to care so Mike asked for our money back. She said I can do that and we left the food and our drinks. We got our money back, but felt like customers we didn't matter not one bit. I guess our money wasn't good enough or the right to be treated like decent human English speaking beings, completely understandable English wasn't good enough to take our order correctly. Sorry you came here to eat and didn't get your meal, but if you notice your receipt I didn't charge you for it?? Geez, thanks, but never again. Went to the grocery store instead, which is what I should have did in the first place. Lesson learned. I had to give a star to place this post, but really I didn't want to...

Update: I have since been back twice in the evening time and ordered online, the customer service and service time has greatly improved. In comparison it is totally worth an update in the review. I do still give a little time after the expected wait time when picking up an online order, but I do that to most places in town to avoid waiting inside, and the food was waiting when I walked in. The employees are just as polite and attentive as the day staff as well. (Please note: the first review was after several weeks of consistent service as described below, it's great they are back to being on top of everything)

Highly recommended to not go during the evening time. It appears the 351 location doesn't have a manager on duty ensuring quality service during the evening hours. The staff typically are extremely attentive and caring for any and all needs for an excellent experience during the day, I can't say the same for the staff during evening hours. Also don't order online in advance and arive at the estimated time given, add another hour to it and you should have your food available so you aren't waiting around seeing people who order to go in person get their food 20+ mins ahead of you (not a small...