McAlister's Deli — Restaurant in Cedar Hill

Review dated 11/16/23: As per the original review below, I figured it'd been a while... I told the lady when ordering, that I didn't know what I wanted, because the last time I'd been there it was such a bad experience, but that I decided to give them a second chance, and asked what she recommended. I went with her suggestion.

I ordered the BLT, tea, Mac and cheese to go, and agreed to the upsale of a piece of buttered Pecan cheesecake with a "yes please!!!"

I received my food approximately ten minutes later, plated on a ceramic plate. I explained that the order was to go and was missing the cheesecake.

The lady who brought me the food advised me that I hadn't ordered the cheesecake. I responded with, well she asked me, I said yes, she pushed the button and gave me the total, why even ask for an upsale if you're not going to honor it.

She returned with my food in to-go containers, and had fortunately included the cheesecake. I guess their service has improved somewhat over the last time, but I still feel like I shouldn't have to fight with you about what I ordered in order to you know, get my food and have it be correct.... This is the second time I've had issue with this store... See below. I'm not sure I would return.

Original review: Oh McAlister's Deli you really need to step up your game. I walked in for a BLTA at 6.25 pm. I ordered a tea, brookie and sandwich. I was given the tea, but no lid or straw. I have sensitive teeth so straws make it so the ice doesn't make them hurt. I sat and waited for my order. Finally I'd sipped enough tea that I needed a refill, hurting teeth and all. I had to almost trip someone to get them to help me, and asked for a refill, lid and straw. He gave me a refill, and started to walk away. I was like may I have a lid and straw please. The response: "they're over there" ok thank you, but you could have said that the FIRST time I asked instead of making me ask a second time. I sat back down and waited and waited and waited, and finally noticed that people who came in after me were getting their food. I again went to the counter and again had to almost trip someone to get help at which point I explained that I thought I'd been skipped. The response: "he's working on it now." Of course he is. So I don't go sit back down. Instead I stand at the counter and wait. I finally get my food but at this time am no longer confident that what I'm getting is what I ordered. I check it. It's missing the brookie. I ask where's the brookie. The response: "it's over there" really? Is there some sign somewhere that I missed that explains that "we'll make your food, but don't expect service OF ANY KIND beyond that!."? I'd never been there before and didn't know "the rules" but after waiting 45 minutes (7.10 pm) for a freaking BLTA I'm not going back. Ever.

Follow up to original post: Someone from corporate (I'm assuming) contacted me and offered me a coupon based on the original review above. I accepted and she said it would arrive via email in 48 hours. I verified that she had the right email and waited. I never received the email. I reached back out to them and advised them that I had not received the coupon, and was advised they would send another one. I again verified the correct email address. I again checked spam folder. No coupon. I reached out a third time, and received...

This location will not accept your debit card or credit card payment if your transaction is over a certain amount. I purchased 6 meals, a gallon of tea, and an additional specialty drink (which I did not receive). All the items totaled around $70.00 and my payment was declined multiple times using my debit card and my 2 emergency credit cards. Another family member also tried every single card she had and every single payment was declined. The last time I purchased from this location, I most likely spent $50 to $60 dollars and did not have an issue with payment.

Like many people, I do not carry cash. I especially do not carry hundreds of dollars in cash so I was unable to pay for my meal. The cashiers were patient and left my order up while I contacted my bank. After speaking to my bank and realizing the only plausible reason my cards would not work is if every single one of my cards was damaged due to each card not being in separate pockets in my wallet. Honestly, I didn’t realize cards being stacked on top of each other in my purse could cause so much damage. Luckily, I was able to go the nearest ATM to withdraw more than enough funds to pay for my meal.

I’m not sure what McAlister’s considers a large purchase but it’s definitely not $70.00 in this economic times. I’m not sure what decade McAlister’s thinks we’re living in but meals have increased in price since I was a kid. According to the Department of Labor, the minimum wage was $4.25 the year I was born. If the cost of living had not increased then there would be no reason for the minimum wage to increase. For the average person making minimum wage, I can understand how $70.00 on a single meal may seem like a large purchase but it is my norm for my family size of 6. Each meal averaged less than $10.00, plus the gallon tea, additional specialty drink (which I didn’t receive) and tax would total around $70.00. With a family of 6, food can be “expensive” so it’s not unusual for us to spend “more than the norm”.

I’m curious if I had made 2 or 3 “smaller” transactions, if I would have incurred the same issues. Again I’m not sure what the issue was, especially since I was able to go to my bank and withdraw more than enough funds to pay for the meal. It’s funny that this location wouldn’t accept my Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card but they accepted a $100 bill. I know quite a few quick service restaurants have signs up stating that their business will not accept bills over $20. I’m curious to know if Cedar Hill experiences thefts or fraud more frequently than other locations which might explain if their system is setup to automatically reject payments over a certain amount. I’ve never worked in the food industry so I wouldn’t know if setting a debit or credit card limit on purchases is even possible.

Eventhough the cashiers were more than patient with the situation, I will not return to this location because I usually do not carry cash. My recommendation would be to go to Potbelly’s. I usually spend $65 to $100 at Potbelly’s, their food is consistently delicious, they have a decent rewards program (sign up for their app), and plus I have never had an issue with payment at any of the locations that I...

I love McAlister’s Deli! Back when I worked in an office, it was my go-to spot at least once a week. My usual order? The Pick 2 with half a Reuben (light on the sauerkraut), a cup of potato soup, and a sweet tea Arnold Palmer, no ice.

Today, I was craving my favorite meal and decided to stop by McAlister’s. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm, welcoming smile from the woman at the register. The front area was spotless, and she made my visit even better with friendly small talk and laughter. She also offered me a sample of their new Caramel Apple Lemonade — and OMG, y’all, it was delicious! Not too sweet, with just the right blend of apple and lemonade. I immediately switched my drink order to this fall favorite. 10/10, highly recommend!

My food was ready before I even finished paying. The seating area was clean, tables neatly set, and the music was just the right volume. As I enjoyed my meal, two managers stopped by to check on me, and one even complimented my makeup, my eyebrows specifically! Not to mention, the woman at the front called me beautiful and even treated me to my drink on the house.

Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Reminding me of the saying; “you get more flies with honey than with vinegar” It’s always good to be nice to others. Being mean or unpleasant is like being full of vinegar. You will push more people away by acting sour or bitter.

Today, the staff at McAlister’s truly brought that kindness to life. I share all this because my day started off terribly, from an emotional morning, stressful work meeting and my car stopping on me, but this visit turned it around. I came in feeling low, and I left with a full heart, all thanks to the wonderful service.

Thank you, McAlister’s team, for making my day better with your kindness and quality service. May God bless each of you with more...