Noodles and Company — Restaurant in Golden Valley

Amazing customer service. They were welcoming, kind, and patient towards our indecisiveness. However, something unexpected happened.

It all started with the LEANguini, which we knew we wanted to get due to the Rewards Deal. However, when debating what to get for the main entree, we were at a crossroads: Penne Rosa or Pesto Cavatappi. We chose Penne Rosa. And it was the biggest mistake of our lives.

After ordering, all was well. We sat comfortably in the nooks of the Noodles & Company booths. The kind and noble people then handed us our food along with a heartwarming compliment. Thank you, we said, and exited the establishment.

With hope and hunger, we peeled the clear plastic lids off the black container, revealing our LEANguini and Penne Rosa. Instinctively, our hands instantly clasped the forks, which transported the glorious noodles to our mouths. Bite by bite, we were more and more satiated. Then, all of the sudden, after taking a seemingly normal bite of Penne Rosa, something felt off. Something resisted my bite. It was stronger than the rest of my pasta. My tongue forced the foreign object swiftly out of my mouth and I spit it out. There it was, on the metal of the outside table: a dark, mysterious piece of I DON’T KNOW. It was something unrecognizable. The texture was stringy, yet hairy, and mixed with my saliva, we could not for the life of us decipher what was formerly in my mouth. However, whatever it was, it was NOT Penne Rosa.

There marked our last Noodles & Company endeavor. Forever traumatized by Penne...

I was in the restaurant industry for 7 years and I have been in customer service for over 10 years. Never have I been treated as a customer with so much disrespect. My appetizer of the pot stickers was burnt and smashed from cooking on the flat top. The picture clearly shows that they should be more 3D and fluffy. So I asked for new ones and the guy argued with me that they should look flat. He then took them back anyway with no response and the new order of pot stickers were fluffy, hot and way better. Then the mac and cheese was cold and I asked for a new one and the same guy with dreads took my food and didn’t even acknowledge me thanking him or anything. He wasn’t even apologetic. The new order of mac cheese was warm, but at least not cold. At this point, I was over the food. What I think was a manager came by, but she didn’t even introduce herself. She asked if something was wrong and I told her it’s fine. Right before we left I went to front by the cashier and kitchen. I told the 5 staff people who were in front of me who didn’t even acknowledge me that this is absolutely the worst customer service ever and how I felt disrespected for asking for new food that was hot and not burnt. The only person that acknowledged me was the cashier and she said that they are short staff...The restaurant had 3 people in it. Never again will I go to Noodles in Company. Spend your money at a business that appreciates you and give you an experience that is worth...

Ordered 2 items at 5:15 with no one in the restaurant. Just got my food at 6:18. Literally no reason for service this slow with 5 people working.

Edit: just got home and the food is cold. Thank you

Edit #2: It's now 9/13/21 - 2 months since I visited here last. The manager, Sara asked me to fill out a survey and expressed an interest in resolving this issue - wonderful. That's all I wanted to begin with. I frequented this noodles way more than I like to admit, I'm addicted to the buttered noodles with grilled chicken, and it's super unfortunate I won't ever be able to eat then ever again, out of principle. I'm not someone who complains often, and I'm incredibly patient, but I was hoping bringing this to the attention of management which could help out with sustainability. I realize the precedence these negative reviews can have (I worked at smashburger across the street for 4 years) and I don't like to complain to corporate because I know what can happen.

However, since july 14th, I've sent numerous emails and have left a voicemail or two for Sara and haven't gotten a single response. The only call I got was the day after the google review, mentioning they would resolve this admittedly miniscule inconvenience. There's better ways...