Sqirl — Restaurant in Los Angeles

This review is about two of Sqirl's staff mistreatment of delivery drivers like myself:

Picked up a delivery here earlier today and there was a female server I encountered that was rude af. There is also another rude lady who's usually behind the register but was not there today, thank goodness, but I guess she got replaced by a clone.

Both RUDE. AS F. I reduced taking jobs here because of the reguster lady and even avoid driving by there so I don't ruin my day even though I live less than a mile away. The PTSD lordddd have mercy. Whatever.

This server (pic) however got to me because, after our brief interaction, she appeared to go inside and toy with a tablet /iPad that might have had my info/driver profile. She looked over at me as if to study me or something. We made eye contact. It was awkward. But my concern is that she may have blocked me or somehow rated me lower, etc. Which was not fair because all I did as you will see below is ask her to help me with my order.

And if I do find that out, just understand that I will work my damnest to fight it. Please believe that!

I'm a proud union actor and I'm working my butt off to survive this strike. Rude and nasty people like this server deserve to be put on blast!

So.

I have picked up orders from Sqirl before, perhaps 6-8 or more times. I live about a mile away and I'm familiar with the place and know that our pick up is inside, but today the gentleman in white (and a very professional and kind one at that - thank you to him as well as another sweet, sweet guy who usually wears his long dark hair in a ponytail) was on the phone and I didn't want to crowd the entry area (as someone was delivering items), so I waited outside where this server happened to be. I heard her say something to the effect of "do you need any help?" and so I turned, asked if she worked there (because I wasnt sure if she was talking to me or others walking around and staff doesnt seem to wear uniform). She said yes, so I pulled my phone up to her and said, "yeah I'm pick-" and before I could finish my sentence, she interrupted, pointed to counter area and said with the crudest, nastiest tone "pick up inside" so I said "well, you were asking if I needed help. I was just asking" I walked inside and got my stuff and as I was leaving I see her on the iPad.

But I write this not to be a tattle tail, but to remind businesses that even though I am a mere disposable delivery driver, the more I and my fellow service providers get mistreated the less drivers will want to do this job and eventually businesses will have to go the expensive route to fulfill orders.

And not to mention that I have to now completely decline orders from here if I'm not blocked - with this place because I don't want to this type of tension. And of course I will never recommend a place like this ever to try it for the food or for pickups to my driver friends.

This gig is so stressful as it is. Trying to find parking w/out getting tickets and driving safely in the jungle that is L.A., is challenging, but to show up w/all the enthusiasm only to be talked down to is just so sad...

A place for very expensive sandwiches with a remarkable slice of unforgettable Comte cheese.

Mine was $23 after a 25 % tax added to it. On the Xmas eve why not make capitalism nice again.

It was a rainy day. Miserable as any Xmas eve has been for me for nearly a decade. I was going to sit on the extreme fringe of the outside seating area but the rain ruined that plan. So I stood outside waiting for a table to open. A nice server with a watchful eye helped me find a seat. She gave me several options but I picked the worst. It paired well with the day. It was awful but near a window. Kind of like life many times. Pick a window seat and you can let your eyes sooth you into forgetting life. I sat with the edge of my table jabbing into my belly and a trash receptacle behind me. It was cramped and I had to suffer the Xmas music I’ve been avoiding all day. Maybe the rain all over me would have been better.

Anecdote of the month: a guy with a grinch costume was in line ordering food. I didn’t see a mask so was a bit disappointed.

The sandwich had amazing bread. It’s soft and pretty to the eyes. It’s toasted to perfection. The crust is perfect. Crusty but not too crusty. The turkey was soft and not too tasty but it was good anyway. The bacon was obnoxiously hard to bite through so it’s a fail for a sandwich. Plus the bacon wasn’t tasty at all. The mustard was pretty good. A Dijon type of mustard but with a distinct fresh flavor. The cheese!

I learned today that Comte is a Swiss cheese type of cheese. It’s better than Swiss. It made the sandwich leap out of mediocrity regardless of the bacon fiasco. I can’t speak enough about how the cheese was exceptional. It made my day liveable.

Apparently this place is known for its bowls. I wasn’t in the mood for a bowl. I don’t think I’ll be back though.

I ordered water which never came. That’s because the table behind me had a water spout and metal cups for water. The water was reminiscent of public school water fountains.

The restroom has an amusing picture. The narrow hallway to the bathroom has a big picture of some random old dude. I saw a framed award thing from James Beard. I wondered if the old dude was James Beard but google told me no. I left wondering who the old dude is and hope not to have obsessive nightmares about it. Don’t judge me for not knowing what James beard looks like. It’s actually a good thing to not know.

The staff here are upbeat and look out for their customers. The cheese saved the day for Sqirl. Without the cheese this place is a 4 star place.

Meter...

This place is overrated. I don't understand people that get off on a brick of dry toast that sometimes has burned edges, a schmear, and some jam. Talk about the Emperor's New Clothes! I've tried this place twice and was totally open to it in spite of the toast hype. I appreciate the menu but both times there was nothing I really wanted. There are a few gluten-free options but it's kind of a torture to be there if you like baked goods but can't eat them. The first time I ordered the gnocchi, which was a standalone item (meaning nothing else was similar). To be honest it was good but close enough to something I could make at home. Maybe it's an unfair advantage being a great cook but I can't lower my standards due to that. It was rather pricey for a smallish portion. But it was very rich, so it was filling. My friend got the damn toast, which arrived plain. She had ordered it with the crême fraiche and jam but, alas, no go. Which brings me to the service. Both times I've been service has been unnecessarily chaotic. Example: ̶C̶y̶c̶l̶i̶s̶t̶ Server brings out one bowl, leaves. Returns with one small plate, leaves. After a pause, returns with one set of silverware (there are three of us, all have ordered food), leaves. Rinse, repeat. We get it, you like to ride bikes (I do too!) and you're not really into this service thing, and you are a bit like a bull in the china shop but ya gotta make a living somehow. This place slips from laissez-faire to ain't got no care. Anyhoo, also ordered the poached egg on brown rice with stuff. Also tasty but something I make at home enough. Tip: If you are going to charge $14 for a one egg dish, cook the egg properly. My companion was seriously bummed at her clear part of egg white and underdone yolk. Mine wasn't any better. All coffees got high marks along with the yummy chicory drink. Lastly I had a slice of mixed berry pie that was okay. As my friend said "Ya gotta put the crême fraiche on!" but I felt a pie from a place that boasts its baked goods should be able to stand on its own. It was okay. Absolutely nothing stood out: the crust, the fruit (could have used some brightening, lemon), the topping. Oh and the line is a mess with servers trying to navigate through waiting patrons. Sorry...