Wendy's — Restaurant in Chicago

This place looks like it's never open because I usually don't see cars outside and the winows are dark tinted. I happened to be going by and decided to go in to try out the Takis meal. They force you to order at the kiosk which provides no receipt. The kiosk says they would provide receipt when your order is handed to you, but I received nothing. Manager handed me my stuff in a bag when I selected dine-in then when they peeped the order screen, they noticed the mistake and threw the bag in the garbage. They also noticed they forgot the sandwich and grabbed me one without me having to tell them. I went over to the Coca-Cola freestyle machine and the first one was turned off. The second one was out of a lot of flavors including Coca-Cola which has to be some sort of violation. Someone complained that not only was the Minute-Maid lemonade coming out as mostly water, but the coke was out. Someone came out and reloaded the syrup for the lemonade, but I didn't see any coke refills.

This Wendy's actually puts all of the toppings on the Takis chicken sandwich. I guess it's supposed to be similar to elote, but it looks messy and doesn't come anywhere near the taste. It's not a good sandwich, but not horrible either. It's just meh. The fries are the best part. The Takis fuego seasoning for the fries is like crack with it's mixture of spicy and sour lime flavor. It's a shame the fries only come in one size which is apparently small so you have to order multiples in-order to get a good helping. The shaker bag with the perforations is an accident waiting to happen. I went to put the fries in my backpack and immediately thought about the seasoning and the holes from the perforations. Not wanting a backpack full of seasoning I doubled up on bags to stop it from falling out. By the time I got where I needed to be, the sweat from the fries had pretty much turned the seasoning into a marinade which soaked into the fries.

Overall the place is clean and the prices cheap even though they are relatively close to downtown. As far as the massive amounts of negative reviews I do see some valid points. The staff was nice to me although the forgetfulness and lack of customer service was apparent. Some older guy came in and started waiting at the empty registers. I assume he was trying to place an order, but staff refused to acknowledge him. To be fair there's a huge sign posted on the entrance and signs posted at the registers as well as pick-up area which the guy totally ignored. As a business owner myself, I know it's annoying when people don't bother reading things (most people don't) so I have no problem with treating them appropriately when that happens. In this case letting a guy sit there at the registers looking stupid for ten minutes is overkill. Either point to the signs or politely tell them they need to order...

I recently visited the Wendy’s store on North Ashland, and I must say, it was one of the best fast-food experiences I’ve had in a long time. From the moment I stepped in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, but what truly stood out was the exceptional customer service provided by an employee named Cash.

Efficiency and Professionalism What impressed me the most was how seamlessly Cash managed the entire process, from taking my order to ensuring that everything was prepared correctly and on time. They displayed a high level of professionalism while maintaining an approachable demeanor. Even when juggling multiple tasks and customers, Cash never seemed flustered.

Attention to Detail When my meal was ready, Cash double-checked the order to make sure everything was accurate. They even took the extra step to ask if I needed additional condiments or napkins, which may seem like a small gesture but reflects a level of attentiveness often missing in fast-food service.

Cleanliness and Ambiance The store itself was clean and well-maintained. Tables were promptly cleared, and the soda station was spotless—a testament to a team that values organization and customer comfort. Cash’s efforts seemed to go beyond their immediate responsibilities, as I noticed them stepping in to tidy up a nearby area when they had a free moment.

Overall Experience Cash truly breezed through the entire customer interaction, making it look effortless. Their positive attitude, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple responsibilities with ease made a significant difference. It’s employees like Cash who elevate a typical fast-food experience to something memorable.

If you’re looking for a quick meal with exceptional service, I highly recommend visiting Wendy’s North Ashland and hope you get the pleasure of being served by Cash. Their dedication to excellent customer service is a shining example of what every dining experience should...

SO frustrated right now! Took a bus out here for a frostie and a burger later at night (around 11 PM) and apparently "it's store policy that people walking cannot be served after 10 PM" - even though the proper hours are until 3 AM!

The cashier, after opening up the store window and talking to me, still insisted (quite ridiculously, because if I had been a vagabond she shouldn't have even opened the window) that it was a safety issue and she couldn't take my order. I even offered to walk back and order at the speaker phone properly like a car and keep my distance for her comfort (which I would have done anyways) Nope. Apparently I, a young college-age female of whom she had already spoken face to face, would pose too much of a danger. No apologies or anything.

I'm just feeling embarrassed and even mildly ashamed. That's just not the way you treat people. Horrid experience really tarnished...