Taco Bell — Restaurant in Hempstead

I recently visited this location and I was also denied service at the drive thru and dine in. I am a commercial truck driver, so of course I am not able to use the drive thru. I was not able to enter the lobby (while wearing a mask) for a dine in to go order because the door was locked due to covid restrictions. The manager on duty singaled for me to walk around to the drive thru window and proceeded to take my order. When I told him that I was unsure what I wanted to order because I had not seen the menu, he suggested that I go back to menu outside and wait behind 3 cars to see the menu. When I asked if he had any menus on hand he said no. I asked for his name and he refused to tell me. I asked for the address of the store and he refused to tell me. I asked for the manager and he said he is the manager. I then asked to purchase a small sierra mist with the receipt and he refused me service because he said "I was starting trouble." Worst customer service ever, I do not recommend...

Reportedly a power outage is what caused the overhead music to play twice over with a few seconds of delay. At first I thought it was an echo or weird acoustics in the men's restroom but it was confirmed to be happening in the women's as well and indeed throughout the lobby. Kind of a jarring experience. Once brought up to the staff they were quick to go fiddle with it though.

Other than that, the staff was super fast and the cashier was a delight. She actually seemed happy to be working which was a rare sight. We were just passing through on a long drive to visit family but she made us feel welcome and not just another order.

The friendliness and quickness of the staff stuck out the most to me. I will certainly consider visiting again next time I'm in the area because of them. McDonalds next door was backed up around the corner which made us second guess the option - that's the last thing we need when traveling with a toddler looking for...

Normally I don't leave reviews for tiny fast food places, but this is a special exception.

Be careful at this location they will straight up just not give you what you ordered and take your money anyway. I ordered 2 veggie power bowls, they apparently didn't have the right containers so they gave me two small containers that did not equal the size of even 1. They didn't say anything and I didn't discover it until I got home, I called back and they were totally indifferent about it as if it's totally okay to not give someone what they ordered knowingly.. not say anything.. and keep the money anyway?

Mistakes happen, supplies run low, it's all understandable.. but communicate that and definitely don't just steal or pretend like it's not happening.

Note: I did eventually get...