Runza Restaurant — Restaurant in Lincoln

Monday, Nov 13, 2023

The good: The restaurant appeared clean and stocked, despite a lunchtime rush. The counter staff members were smiling, very engaging, and attentive. The Production/Fry Cooks(?) did well. Our sandwiches were hot a fresh, and as expected for the chain. We never fail, over 30+ years, to stop at a Runza whenever we're going through Nebraska.

The bad: The pivotal problem was, an apparent kitchen Supervisor(?), or whatever their title, was having a personal argument/issue with a Cook, which all the customers in the lobby could overhear through the kitchen window. The argument negatively impacted at least 12 customers' experiences and orders; 17 if the drive-thru customers are included, there were 5 cars in the drive-thru at the time. The apparent Supervisor(?) was the obvious agitator, and they appeared to be a college-aged, Caucasian-looking, male-appearing individual with a 4-day dark brown stubble-beard and larger than average earrings. The argument was easily overheard by all the customers in the lobby and the topic was personal and identity-politics related. We, the customers, all exchanged looks of disbelief and disgust throughout the incident. We paid had paid for our orders, not a political debate.

The Super’s belligerence manifested in all the customers' orders being severely delayed. I was watching the Cook closely at that point. I could not hear anything he said, because his voice was appropriately low for the situation. He was working at full speed, despite the supervisor’s repeated disruptions and antagonism. This Supervisor’s disruption of the Cook was making a very obviously hostile work environment for the Cook, the counter staff, and the support staff. The front counter staff resorted to making awkward small-talk and constantly watching the kitchen window. It was easy to see their hands were trembling and they were embarrassed by the argument and delays.

Anyone who has repeatedly eaten at a Runza has likely come to expect their order in 10-15 minutes, 20 in a mealtime rush. Runza has well refined operations. I know I stood in front of that counter for 31 minutes waiting for my order. The other customers waited at least 30 minutes for their orders. The guy behind me volunteered that he had been there 10-minutes longer than me, and I had not asked. People were getting angry enough that they were verbally volunteering their discontent to fellow customers.

Fortunately, an apparent Assistant Manager or Manager, eventually entered the kitchen, disrupted the argument, and took over. Orders started moving again.

Our shakes were lukewarm sludge by the time we got our order.

Won’t stop at his...

To start off I wanted to get my order right and not cause a problem through the drive thru do I went in to order. I ordered 6 runzas, 4 onion rings, and 2 orders of of chicken strips. I waited about ten minutes for my order, in this time there was 4 people standing around behind the register. Only 2 people was actually doing anything the other 2 was just talking to each other and dancing to the music playing. I got my food and asked if I got the sauces I ordered because this is always something that gets forgot. She told me yes the sauces are in the bottom of the bag under everything else. (Why put the sauce cups under all the food? ) she also said she made sure everything was in the bags. I got home I live in emerald, and found out the chicken strips weren't in the bags. I called to see what could be done, I was told that I could gladly come back and get them. I told her that wasn't a good option I live 10 minutes away and all the gas I would be wasting to get there and back. She offered to send me a coupon for 1 free meal, I told her 1 wasn't good enough it should be more. She told me that thsts worth more then they didn't give me. I said $4.99 + $4.99 = $9.98 tell me what on the menu costs o most $10? And I believe I should get more then 1 coupon for their mess up. I was told that's all she will do for me. FAILED IN EVERY WAY OF...

We went to Runza on West O Street. Our order was almost $30.00. Runza had the best fries. I have never got a bad order of fries from Runza ~ until tonight! I've been coming to Runza's since the early 70s. On our way to Pioneer Park our Mother would stop at the original Runza walk up shack and pick up Runza's, Fries & Soda's. Tonight was the very first time we got refried, grease soaked, hard french fries 🍟 🤢. I suppose I shouldn't comment or complain about it, but it was very disappointing. I have always bragged about Runza's French Fries and my husband moving here from California - he's loved & bragged on Runza's crispy outside pillowy inside delicious Fries too Guess we won't be doing that anymore. Not all Runza Restaurants are ran the same totally different experience and waste of money tonight. Plus we were surprised you could not add on to your order, the young man at the window said we would have to go back around in line. I'm surprised you folks don't have a p.o.s system that allows you to add to your orders at this location. But that saved us money, because not being able to add to the order saved us from buying more terrible...