Gerald's Donuts — Restaurant in Louisiana

My husband goes to Gerald's Donuts approximately 5:00a.m. in the morning on average one to two times a month to get 2 Gerald's dozen of the HOT glaze donuts for his coworkers and himself. Every time he goes to Gerald's for donuts he pays $30 for the two dozen, plus a $5 tip for an order total of $35. On the morning of 09/18 he went to pick up his usual order and when he returned home he was disappointed with the donuts he received. The donuts were cold, they weren't freshly cooked like they're supposed to be when Hot Glaze is ordered, they were stale and some were mushed up. We live 3 minutes from Gerald's so it was apparent that he was given the old donuts that were sitting out for a long time and not what he ordered. Unfortunately, he would've been late for work if he went to have them replaced so he called and the lady that answered had terrible phone etiquette. She didn't state her name, all she said was "Gerald's", he explained the situation and she abruptly said "bring them back and we'll replace them". My husband said ok, but she quickly ended the call before he had a chance to ask her name and inform her he would bring them back the next morning 09/19 untouched. On the morning of 09/19 at 5:00a.m. I called the restaurant in an attempt to let them know I was on my way to have my order replaced and the phone, like on many other occasions just rang several times before I hung up the call. I entered the drive thru, handed the lady my receipt, explained everything and i was trying to hand her the untouched order through the window, but she said "hold on", closed the drive thru window and walked to the back with my receipt. A few moments later a man who I assume was a cook in the back approached the window with my receipt and I had to repeat the situation again. He asked me for the name of the person that my husband spoke with and I told him we don't know the name of the person. I was given an attitude from the workers and was treated as if I was trying to get over the restaurant with my request. I had my receipt of purchase, both dozen of donuts 24 total to be exact, it was the next morning and my request was for them to replace the bad quality food we were given for the same exact thing. I was made to feel like it was an inconvenience that they got our order wrong, i felt like he acted as if I was returning a half eaten order, asking for a refund and the food to be replaced. Eventually, he took the order from me, opened the boxes and saw it was all there and closed the drive thru window without saying anything. He returned with two new dozen of Hot Glaze and when he handed me the order he asked for the name of the person my husband spoke with again and I told him I don't know. He then stated that normally we need a name to do anything with the order and I explained that I tried calling this morning, but couldn't get through and he said I know I was waiting on a waitress to come in. He closed the window and our interaction ended without an apology for the wrong order, sorry for the inconvenience or no thank you and have a good day. I was made to feel like I inconvenienced them from having to do their job correctly and how dare I ask for my money's worth of good quality food. Customer service is dead nowadays. I understand some customers have and do take advantage of the "Customer's always right motto" from years ago, but this situation wasn't one of them. I'm very polite, always tip and treat everyone with kindness even though I was wronged in this situation. Needless to say we will no longer spend our hard earned money at Gerald's Donuts and I wouldn't recommend anyone to do so if you want good quality...

I came to this location around 4ish am…August 24th… I pull up, the lady and I make eye contact I smile, and she gives a cold blank stare… awkward*.. she turns to the customer which I brush off cause maybe he was there first..right? Whatever. Just for her to finish his transaction, and doesn’t come to the window, to even see what I wanted or hey hun give me sec.. something! No she still completely ignores me!!!! And decides to stand and hold a conversation with a customer who was already taken care of!!!!! The poor old man kept looking at me like 😐 and I’m just like…🤷🏻‍♀️Then she LEAVES and goes outside… maybe she thought I would leave? Which why?? I’m a customer?….. when she finally decides to come in she opens the window and says… Myy bad.. 😑like no you KNOW what you were doing being rude af, all that waiting and the donuts she gave me were DISGUSTING you can tell the oil wasn’t changed or maybe that’s just how they are? Idk but it left the worst after taste in my mouth, and now my stomach has been hurting!! Great way start the morning! I wouldn’t eat here or any location even if it was the last thing on earth. I didn’t encounter anybody else so idk if all the staff is like this? But she needs to be addressed or something!! I would be absolutely embarrassed as owner. It’s 2023 you treat EVERYONE with respect and...

I just left this location, and I have to say—it was the most underwhelming experience I’ve ever had here.

Before I get into today’s visit, I want to say that the only reason I gave two stars is because the donuts are genuinely good, and I’ve never had an issue with them. That said, today was my first—and definitely last—time trying their prepared food.

I ordered the chicken and waffles, which was listed for $15.99. Based on the photo on the menu, I expected a thick, fluffy waffle and three chicken wings. What I actually received was one flat waffle and a small, overcooked chicken breast. The waffle was mediocre at best, and the chicken was so dry and rubbery it was inedible. After just a few bites, I found myself in the bathroom throwing up because the chicken was so tough it got stuck in my throat—it literally wouldn’t break down.

When I told my server about the poor quality of the food and my overall experience, I got a simple “oh, I’m sorry” and then the full bill. I paid it and still left an 18% tip, because none of this was the server’s fault. But if the owner reads this—whoever was in the kitchen today should not be cooking. That was a disgrace of a meal, especially for the price.

I’ll keep coming back for the donuts, but never again for any prepared food. I left hungry, disappointed, and $20 poorer....