Taco Time NW — Restaurant in Bellingham

First off, I do not hate Taco Time NW. They were among the first fast food restaurants in the area to use compostable packaging and they serve fresh, basically nutritious and tasty food. But I have two issues with them and since the employees role their eyes and corporate cannot be bothered to respond to email, I have decided to cover them here.

First, regarding their environmentally friendly claims: compostable packaging is great - even if we don't have access to composting it will at least break down faster in the landfill, but Taco Time NW completely misses the REDUCE part of the equation. I am constantly given masses of napkins even when I ask to be given none. Paper is a renewable, but finite resource. If you use it faster than the trees can be grown to replace it that is a problem. Also the decomposing napkins contain carbon which is being released back into the atmosphere. And most of the napkins are just wasted. For goodness sake, please educate your franchisees and employees on this. Almost no one needs dozens of napkins (or even ten which I got this time after asking for none). This also drives up cost.

The second, and arguably more important thing, is Taco Time NW policies regarding their Order Ahead app. This policy seems to very from store to store. The incident happened at the Mount Vernon Taco Time on College Way in February 2020. I had been feeling poorly and was running late, so I used the Order Ahead app so the employees could begin cooking my food before I got to the store. Upon arrival, I went through the drive-thru and explained the situation. I was really feeling unwell. I was told they were NOT ALLOWED to give me my order at the drive thru. I had to park and go inside if I wanted to get the food I had already paid for on the app. I reiterated that I was ill, but was basically told tough luck. So I parked and went in - unknowingly exposing the employees and customers to Covid-19. I was angry and emailed the corporate office immediately - I have never received a response. Basic human decency should tell you that your policy is flawed, Taco Time NW. If someone indicates they are feeling sick, just hand them the food out the window. I enjoy your food....

The FOOD itself was hot, fresh, and yummy EXCEPT that the sour cream in all of our soft tacos 🌯 was placed over 3/4 down rather than being spread out. Eating a spicy menu item I need that sour cream on most of it..not all in one place. 😁 The tater tots at Taco Time are sublime with the best crunch and flavor! I also adore the soda selections because my fave Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper 🥤🥤 can only be found in that type of machine. The drive-through was backed around the corner so we decided to order inside. As I walked inside the lobby was ghostly quiet without a single customer. Someone I couldn't see threw out a "Hello" so I expected to place an order fairly quickly. I understand they were busy in the drive through but my order wasn't finally taken until about 3 minutes later. The gal who took my order was cross because I couldn't hear her questions and irritated at the request of repeating herself. Customer service is supposed to be part of any restaurant's service experience ; however, the quality of their service in the lobby experience hasn't been a positive one in my visits here. Overall if this was my first visit to this location it's doubtful I would return. It's only because I adore their food that I return but I hope there will be changes so I can eat, smile, and...

Ok Bellingham, it's time to have a little self esteem when it comes to customer service around here. We need to band together before all food servers treat us the way those zit-faced teenaged punks at any given Mcdonalds across America do. On multiple occasions at the Sammish way Taco Time, I've been looked at blankly, or with complete disregard, despite my best attempt to have a cordial and civil interaction. This morning for example, the cashier at the drive-through (a young blonde female @ 7:30 am) greeted me with zero courtesy and a hint of protest. Our conversation went something like: Me: Good morning. Cashier: ... Me: Could I please have four or five hot sauces with that? Cashier: ... Cashier: Here you go. (handing me the food) Me: Thank you. Have a good one. Cashier: ... There is a lot of good food in this town, but what has happened to the service. Any time I get treated like this again, I will write a negative review, and I recommend you do the same. Making great food is the hard part; good customer service should come easily. The problem is a lack of care and effort. I think if this issue is brought to the attention of restaurant owners by more people than just myself, we should see a change, and eating out in Bellingham will be, more often, a...