Noodles and Company — Restaurant in Cary

I have been going to this location for years and always appreciated their fast and welcoming service. That was until yesterday! I ordered my usual but for the 1st time I requested curbside because I had my dog in the car. I let them know that I arrived and I waited. I ordered something from the Chipotle across the parking lot and picked it up right away. 30 minutes later, I realized that I had seen people walk in and come out with their orders so I went in. The app said my order was ready so I went inside. My bag was sitting in the pick up section. I was amazed so I asked the young lady behind the counter if they even had curbside. She said, " you have to let us know that you are here" I showed her my phone with the details including the make/model of my car. She just looked at me blankly. Silence for at least 30 seconds....I said, "well?". She said sorry in question form as if she was asking me if that is what I wanted to hear. It didn't help that there was a young child behind the counter with her. My food was cold by this time. I am appalled at the lack of empathy. This wait made me late for my appointment. This used to be one of my favorite places because I work 5...

Terrible visit. First when trying to order the cashier ignored us for several minutes while he counted his drawer, while there was a line. Then when the food arrived, the Japanese noodles were half the size of the Pad Thai, also neither bowl had hardly any vegetables in it so I asked the server about it. He proceeded to argue with me for several minutes. He said it always is that way because the Japanese noodles are thicker and heavier. When I told him I ordered it several times and it is never like that, then he tried to say that every other time I have ordered it they made it wrong. When I asked to speak to a manager he got mad at me. Then when I tried to talk to the manager he repeated the same thing, and then said well I can remake it, but it will be the same way. So then I said what is the point of wasting food if you just said you are going to make it the same way? I just think they should train there staff to be consistent, they should not argue with customers, or get angry, and that if they are busy they should at least acknowledge the customer and say they will be right with them. His response was, well I'm sorry your not happy, but I need to go...

I got the Spicy Korean Beef Noodles (large) and a small order of the potstickers. Even though I was dining in (as confirmed on the receipt) and solo, the dishes came out in covered plastic to-go containers, in a bag with a bunch of napkins and two plastic forks--as if I ordered takeout. I'm not sure if this is standard practice all day or just when it's getting close to closing time, but it is wasteful. (There's also no signage indicating which parts of their packaging--if any--can be recycled on your way out.)

As for the food itself: The potstickers were decent--nothing to write home about. The noodle dish, though--from an establishment built around noodles--was a disappointment. The noodles themselves were limp with no texture, and drowning in sauce that tasted merely okay. If there was cabbage or spinach in there (as listed on the menu), I did not notice it. Even the fresh garnishes (cucumber, cilantro and scallions) were not enough to contrast the mushy slop and make the dish pop. The portion size was also just okay.

Atmosphere was alright, but could have used more prominent...