DiBella's Subs — Restaurant in Columbus

Two weeks ago my family and I excitedly showed up to Dibella's for a yummy meal. My children have had it before at another location and loved it, and I used to live by the one in Dublin so I would frequent it. It was wonderful! As we approached the front of the store there was a sign that said "no internet". We went in and the staff informed us that they couldn't even do cash transactions because their entire system was down. Not their fault, I get it. So we decided to leave and come back again a week later.

We arrived the following Sunday. The restaurant wasn't very busy which was perfect. Upon getting near where you order we noticed the "no fountain drinks" sign... another hiccup I guess caused by a new location. Okay, well we had some water with us, no biggie. We proceeded to order. The young lady at the cash register was very polite but had a lot of difficulty getting our order inputted correctly. She had to redo it a couple times, had to ask for help, and the whole process took at least seven or eight minutes. Again, I try to be understanding - new staff, new everything. So we go sit down.

Fast forward a bit later. My wife and I are hungry, the kids are "dying". I think to myself man, I keep seeing all these people who have come in after us getting their food... and of course there's a litany of DoorDash and Uber Eats orders coming and going. And what number are they on? #26?? We're #16! I checked the time on the receipt and it had been TWENTY FIVE MINUTES. I walked up to the counter and politely explained the situation to the woman hurriedly prepping food. She said "sorry sir we're just busy" and I was firm and explained how I've been seeing order after order come and go, and that we were in there before every single person in the restaurant. This caught her attention. She asked for my order number. She went away for a minute or two, then came back. Then she asked for my actual receipt. Then I could tell she was kind of panicking. Then she got another woman and they kind of bickered for a second. I sat down. A few minutes later she motioned for me, so I approached the counter. She handed me my receipt and said "I'm sorry sir, we'll get that made for you right away". I was pretty irked, but I was happy that at least our food was being prioritized.

Within about two minutes the food came out... and it was clear that this food had definitely NOT been just made. My best guess is that somehow our food was placed somewhere it wasn't supposed to have been. My wife ordered a Turkey sandwich. The turkey was warm and slimy as though it had been sitting out for, oh, I don't know, around 35 minutes now. There had also been bacon added to it which she didn't order. She split this with one child. The other got a meatball sub which was alright. I got a buffalo chicken sandwich which had potential... but here's the thing - All of the sandwiches shared a singular characteristic: All of the ingredients on each sandwich were like, crammed to one side. So half of my sandwich had toppings, the other was just onions and sauce. Same for my wife's, same for my child's. Just no love put into the sandwiches. And quite possibly the WORST part of all of this? This "experience" cost my family and I $49.85! Are you kidding!? I don't know if we'd ever give this location a shot again. Not worth it...

The store can't seem to get their act together. The one cashier we had took about 5-6 minutes to place an order for 2 subs (dine-in), asking wayyyyy too many questions about how the sub is to be made. This process needs to be streamlined.

When the line got to 20+ people, they THOUGHT about opening a second register, and when someone asked the manager if it was open/ready, they say "no" both walk away and stand in the back to do absolutely nothing, when in reality the register should've been getting set up to help with the massive line going out the door on a THURSDAY at 5!!

At least half the staff were not doing anything, and the ones that were seemed confused how to assemble sandwiches, taking 20 minutes for TWO SUBS for DINE-IN!!! Not to mention the other people in line were FURIOUS and some walked out the door.

The food itself was alright (hence the 2 stars instead of 1), but this place needs the following for improvement: A streamlined checkout from the cashiers More than one register open when it gets busy Not having EVERYTHING made-to-order from scratch Non-rude employees who look like they're ready to retire. Really kills the vibe with the customers. I match energy, and I...

Very disappointed! I've been a loyal diner at Dibellas for well over ten years. But now I am done. Shrinkflation has hit the New Albany location and it is insulting to charge full price and receive so little meat on my cheeststeak and Ham and Turkey subs. It was literally like eating bread sandwiches. Please don't reply to me with a link. If you're from corporate, THIS is my feedback so pass it on. For the third straight visit (one in Columbus and two in New Albany) where the meat portion was grossly under what any sub shop should be doing to their customers. I am done with Dibellas as you want loyal customers yet where's your loyalty to us?

Updated one month later: I am glad to read so many others have experienced the same problem! I would like the store manager to reply to this review personally telling me they stopped their shrinkflation meat portions and returned to normal else I will be eating elsewhere. There's too many options in our area and your new location will never make it with your stingy and...