Wahlburgers — Restaurant in Atlantic City

Just ate there with my boyfriend and had an awful experience. I got a chocolate milk and a double decker burger with caramelized onions and sauteed mushrooms (paid $1 more for each of these toppings). He had a triple decker burger. We also shared a chocolate mint frappe and a side order of thin crispy onion rings.

To start off, when the hostess sat us, she said "I'll just sit you guys here," and it was in this cramped space right by the door. We were literally a foot away from the door. The person sitting next to us decided to sit on the booth (this was before we even came in), so they are next to each other instead of across. (This is one of those booths that's just really long with multiple tables and chairs on the other side.) I was sitting right next to this other customer. Because the hostess sat us here, I had to basically crawl to get into the booth to avoid touching the other person. in mind that it was before noon and there were plenty of other spaces in the restaurant. It was more than half empty.

Then the food. The food was absolutely awful. We both agreed the thin crispy onion rings had absolutely no taste. It had no seasoning whatsoever. I even Googled them after we left to see if they are suppose to have seasoning and it looks like they were suppose to, but for some reason, ours had none. Maybe it was just this "chef" that wasn't good, but I am not sure. It was absolutely disgusting, and we left more than half. The only reason we ate even close to half was because we don't like wasting food, but it was so bad we couldn't do it.

Our mint chocolate frappe was gross. Almost $8 for this, and we took maybe four sips. We love mint chocolate flavored things. However, this did not taste minty at all. It tasted fruity like lychee. I took the first sip and then asked my boyfriend to try it and asked if it tasted fruity and he said it did, and he's never had lychee before. During close to the end of us giving up on the food, I asked the waiter if the frappe had real mint leaves or something or if there was a reason it tasted fruity. He said it shouldn't because it's just made with milk, chocolate, and mint extract. I feel like when a customer complains about a food tasting funny, they should offer to replace it or just take it off the bill, but that didn't happen. I never demand things to be taken off because I consider myself a lenient customer since I've worked in food service. It was also served in a small paper cup with a plastic lid (like the ones for soda). Definitely did not seem like an $8 drink.

My boyfriend said his burger was fine, but it wasn't really good or anything. For mine, I did not like the caramelized onions or sauteed mushrooms at all. I expected the onions to be sauteed and still be a bit crispy, but they weren't. The caramelized onions and sauteed mushrooms had this weird soggy taste that weren't seasoned correctly.

The reason I gave a 2 star instead of 1 is simply because the waiter wasn't rude or anything even though I believe he could've done something about our frappe. Also, because my chocolate milk was good and my boyfriend's burger was fine. However, I did not enjoy the food at all. Maybe it was just that "chef" that didn't know how to cook the food right. I do not believe the food is actually meant to be served this poorly since pictures online look a lot better than what we were served. This was very disappointing for a meal that's over $50 after tip for two people. My boyfriend said it made him miss McDonald's, and it definitely made me miss Five Guys. The burger at Five Guys is a thousand times better and their sauteed onions and mushrooms don't cost extra. They also have much better milkshakes for about half the price, and the fries there have taste besides just being fried unlike the fried crispy onion rings at the Wahlburgers in...

I'm sharing this experience with you (that I recently had in Atlantic City) because I don't think anyone should be treated the way I was at this restaurant. I sincerely hope that I, as a customer, matter more than a tip. Do tips matter, of course, but to put me out of a restaurant to make sure someone gets tips is ridiculous, and the fact is...I only order a chicken sandwich. How long could that take for me to eat, maximum? The urgency that was used to get us out of the restaurant was unreal and felt like something more than "entertainment and tips" was afloat.

My Partner's Experience at the Wahlburgers Restaurant at the Ocean Casino

On Fri., May 3 my partner and I decided to come to Atlantic City for one night from Gwynn Oak, Maryland to unwind and enjoy a quick getaway. Around 7 p.m. we came to the Ocean Casino to play the slot machines. It was a very enjoyable night and we earned a few points on our Ocean card and decided to use them at your restaurant. For a couple of years now we've thought about stopping in your restaurant but for some reason never made it in, however we decided Friday was the night. We were hoping you served turkey burgers but, unfortunately, they were not a part of your menu. I ended up purchasing a grilled chicken sandwich to go.

I'm 62 and my partner is 71. We were both tired and hungry so we sat down in the front of the restaurant to wait for the sandwich. I was so hungry when it arrived, I decided to take a few bites right away. After the first bite I was quickly approached by a waitress who told me I had to leave; basically get out. The company's policy is that if you order out you have to go. I was highly offended, it felt like I'd broken some sort of law. After spending almost $20 for a chicken sandwich and to be treated that way was a complete turnoff. I told her to keep the sandwich and walked out but as I was leaving decided to take a few pictures to commenmorate my visit. I thought about it and asked to speak to a manager who tried to quickly get me out of the store (Gina, who refused to give me her last name). I told her no I wanted to talk about it right there and that's when she explained it was your company policy. They were expecting entertainment that night and they wanted to have the tables free in the front so the waiters/waitresses could get tips.

I can only count on one hand the number of times I have felt disrespected in a restaurant and this was one of them. Gina had no problem giving me my money back and letting me know too bad I didn't like the company policy. It felt VERY unwelcoming and as I looked around I realized my partner and I were the only black people in the restaurant. I wondered if I was so disposable because of the color of my skin, it felt that way. I let your staff know if I am not good enough after spending that much money for a sandwich my money wasn't good enough either. However I do now understand that tips for waiters took a higher priority than myself.

There were no posted signs that indicated customers "to go orders" couldn't eat in and I knew that night I would never step foot in another one of your restaurants. Yes, I'm black but my family is diverse and I will share my experience with everyone I come in contact with who remotely is thinking about going to the Ocean Casino not to stop by your restaurant where tips outweigh customers.

I would have gladly paid a surcharge if that was necessary because I was so hungry or may even that wouldn't have been good enough. It was 10:30 p.m., I hope the entertainment left plenty of tips. Here's a real tip, don't treat your customers that way, especially...

It is my greatest hope that both Paul and Mark see my post. This was my husband and my first chance to grab a burger from one of your restaurants. I must say we enjoyed the food however; I have a few things we need to share with you. First of all we were taken back when the burgers stated they have “government cheese”. We don’t quite understand that. Also, onion straws are NOT onion rings. The menu needs to reflect this correction. But I have saved this comment for last- NOT ONE EMPLOYEE SMILED, NOT ONE EMPLOYEE SEEMED TO WANT TO BE THERE. THE MOOD OF THE EMPLOYEES DEEPLY AFFECTED OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE. We met another couple who asked if we had eaten at Wahlburgers and after sharing our experience they opted NOT to eat at your establishment. You see word of mouth is the great destroyer in situations like this. We love your show on TV, we love Paul’s personality, we love Mark and the rest of the family. We know you come from a place of love, hope and wanting to make your restaurants an amazing experience. MY ADVISE IS TO GO AND SURPRISE YOUR STAFF IN ATLANTIC CITY BEFORE THEY HELP TO MAKE THE HOUSE THAT YOU BUILT CRUMBLE. I Tried to by a T- shirt and the girl that is on the front line as you walk in was miserable and ignored me. NOT ONE SMILE. NOT ONE EXPLANATION FROM THE WAITRESS WHEN WE ASKED QUESTIONS. IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF A “Secret shopper” for your restaurants I would love to assist you. (Currently unemployed). CUSTOMER SERVICE is non existent in Atlantic City at Wahlburgers We will not be returning and we hope you find a way to rectify your UNHAPPY employees. We wish you nothing but success! Yummy burgers! Tami &...