Culver’s — Restaurant in Carbondale

This is in regard to the Carbondale, Illinois Culver's:

Since I have had errors made in filling my drive through orders, today I checked my order before I left the parking lot. My order was for two two piece cod dinners, one dinner with potatoes and gravy, one dinner with french fries, both with coleslaw and both with tartar sauce. As I have made this order many times before I knew the price should be $25.12. The order given to me only had 1 coleslaw serving, as has happened before. I left my car and went back inside the restaurant, taking my receipt and the bag with only one slaw inside. The manager refused to consider my request to give me the coleslaw I had already paid for. When I tried to explain my situation, (the fact that I paid $25.12 and this was the usual charge, but I had no coleslaw) he rudely insisted that I had not paid for the coleslaw and the only way to get coleslaw was for me to pay an ADDITIONAL $3. Even though I was correct and extremely frustrated, I paid Culver's the additional $3 and he seemingly grudgingly produced the slaw, which he retrieved from a cooler (already prepared, making me wonder if the "we always make it fresh for you" advertising is actually true.) My response was to let him and the surrounding customers know I would never return.

I had been a regular customer for the past 8 years and this is in spite of the fact that the drive through service is sometimes inaccurate and disinterested. In spite of this, my wife likes their Cod Dinners and in 2024 I spent $665 at Culver's, nearly all on 2 piece North Atlantic Cod dinners.

I should know better. In spite of this, I consider myself to be a good customer at every store or service provider whom I patronize, and one who has complained only at Culver's (that being today) in spite of their numerous errors in filling drive through orders which I discovered only when I returned home. As most of you would know, when you discover a drive through order error at home, your only recourse is to make another round trip to the restaurant...which is inconvenient, and of course results in the food you ultimately receive being cold.

I should have known better than to give Culver's as much business as I have. My only remedy is to write this review, and to assure the reader that if it was possible to give Culver's zero stars, I would have, and that I will never return to their establishment. And, Culver's assertion that they will "make something fresh for you today" insults one's...

I gave a good review of the Culvers in Marion, because it was run well and had good food. Twice I have tried to get food at the Carbondale location. The first time I was in line behind a lady who was being waited on, when she was done I stepped up. the worker went to get an ice cream something for her. ...never came back to his station. I waited while many others lined up and got items from the other end. I started to walk away and someone came to close down the register. I told them and asked them why I was left hanging....they said I can get in the other line...I left. So now today....I saw the commercial for the custard and said why not give them another shot....but alas, I walked in wearing my bright red shirt and yet as I approached the only register open, the kid walked away to check on something....I waited... he came back, but not for me to talk to someone in the kitchen named John, ...I was thinking "wrong John". so still I waited as they talked.... A family came in and the small group "none of them wearing red like me( so bright and noticeable) , but the kid stepped right up to wait on them, I cleared my throat and as he glance over from them to me ... ..I raised my hands and was about ready to call him on his lack of attention so he asked if I wanted something....duh! .... I said well I have been here for awhile, it looks like you want to wait on them first....so why don't you just do that and I will take walk....so again I left without my custard ...and no, with so many restaurants trying to make it in Carbondale....I will not be back....and for all Culvers well unless I am shopping in Marion.... because let's face it...the food is great and probably so is...

I must send a special shout-out to Manager De’Ante at the Culver's in Carbondale, IL. I rarely eat out, but my money goes to Culver’s butter burger when I crave fast food. If you have never had one, you are missing a mouth full of YUM! Last night, I went through the drive-thru and ordered my meal with special instructions. When I got home, I realized the order wasn't correct. I ate the fries and ice cream and counted it as a loss. Well, as I was returning from a trip this afternoon, I went by Culver's again. I was still needing that butter-burger itch scratched. Unfortunately, my order was made incorrect again. This time, I saved the burger, and after a brief nap, I drove back to Carbondale, determined to get my burger. As soon as I walked into the door, I was greeted by Manager De’Ante. I explained what had happened and asked for a replacement meal. I didn't want to go another day without that delicious burger. De’Ante repeated my order to ensure it would be done correctly, then told his team to begin the preparation of my meal. I am happy to report that the Culver's team got it right this time! We all have bad days, so I try to grant grace when something goes awry, and I love it when a restaurant is responsive and willing to correct its mistakes. Not only did I get my food hot and fresh, but unlike when I went through the drive-thru, I could see how beautiful the restaurant was inside. I was impressed with the accessibility and cleanliness as well. As you can see from the attached photos, the restaurant and lot are clean, well-lit, and extremely inviting. I recommend you go to Culver's for a delicious meal. When you stop in, tell them Kindra...