Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa — Restaurant in Maryland

*️⃣Updated Review As Of September of 2019: I stopped in recently to revisit and revel in the joy of eating Fresh Delicious Food. I also made an On-The-Spot Decision to try their new Spicy Chicken Sandwich. It Was Terrible❗....Why? Because I Devoured This Work Of Culinary Art So Fast, Only My Tummy Had A Really Good Time....Lol. This Sandwich Is Like One Of The Best Sandwiches I've Ever Tasted In My Life❗❗🆕️🔟🤜🏼🤛🏽🏆🎊💯💙💜💌💎💝💖💘💌💙💚🎉✅. I'll Be Back....Real Soon:)My Previous Review in 2018: I visited this business for the first time today and it was an Amazing experience. After introducing myself as a Google Local Guide (GLG), I got a chance to speak with a Manager, Lianne, and she patiently answered all of my questions and she allowed me to take photos. What struck me most about Lianne was/is not only how nice she is, but how much she cares about her business and her staff. In addition, Lianne mentioned something to me that I did not ask her about and that was/is her strong belief in Teamwork and Being A Team Member. I used to work somewhere where there was No Team Anything/Team Concept even amongst the Managers and I sadly had to watch that business suffer greatly as I result. I have Always believed in the importance of Teamwork/Being a Team Member and hearing Lianne be so passionate about her beliefs regarding Teamwork/Being Part of a Team really impressed me. I observed that this resturant has a Diverse staff and they were very nice. Their customers are also Diverse, to include Occupations. I saw a member or members of the Military, as well as several Public Service Workers and Members of Law Enforcement. I ordered Online via their App. The App is great, as is their website. I ate in, and I noted how clean and comfortable this place is to include the floors and Restroom. The decor is also very nice. They have large TV Monitors in great locations around the restaurant and nice music playing too at just the right volume for diners to enjoy. I also noted that a few folks came in (one of them appeared to be in possible Heat and/or Other Distress) asking for water and the staff did nor hesitate to help them get a drink of water. Lianne also ask me if I wanted some water and I really appreciated it. Clean Drinking Water is Not Free to Anyone....Especially not to a business. The business has to bear the cost to keep the water clean, pay for the cups, etc. Not sure why, but a lot of folks wrongly believe that getting clean fresh drinking water from wherever they like is their Right and not something they should be charged for at all. But I know that what I observed today was purely Humanitarian/Kindness on the part of Lianne and her staff members. And although this is something I have experienced and/or observed before at a business, before today, it has been many, many, years since I have seen this type of Humanitarian Assistance/Kindness in a place of business. My meal was incredibly delishous and the food was hot and fresh. The food was not drowning in spices like a lot of their competitors and I personally prefer to season my own food whenever I can. I even loved the Brussels Sprouts and Carrots combo. I have Never been a fan of Carrots before I had them here today. Lianne told me to try some of their sauces and they are so good I ended up saving one to put on some lonely/dull chicken wings at my house that I have to cook soon. The Sardis sauce will help give my wings the real flavoring they need and that I crave. I very much look forward to my next visit (and meal) at this...

I’m honestly still sick thinking about this. Yesterday, I stopped at this Sarai’s location on Oxon Hill Road, my second time ever visiting this particular store. I usually go to the Temple Hills location, where I’ve always had great experiences. But I happened to be in the area and figured I’d grab my usual: chicken. Big mistake.

As soon as I bit into the chicken, I knew something was wrong. It was red at the bone. Not slightly pink, red. Within minutes, I was physically ill. I actually vomited. And I was sick for the rest of the night and into the next morning.

I tried calling the store immediately, no answer. So I got in my car and drove all the way back from DC to return the food and show them a picture of the raw chicken. I brought the entire order back, untouched after that first bite. When I showed the woman at the counter, her response wasn’t concern or even apology, it was, “Well, what do you want me to do?”

I asked for a refund. She admitted she didn’t know how to do one and had to call someone on the phone. They spoke in Spanish for 10–15 minutes while I just stood there, still queasy, still frustrated, now feeling ignored too. Eventually, she figured it out and refunded me.

So I asked, “Can I just grab a soda or some plantains? Something for the inconvenience of having to drive all the way back?” She looked at me and said, “No, I gave you your refund. That’s good enough.”

I was stunned. I’ve had situations at other restaurants where they’ve offered a small gift card or at least something for the trouble, especially when I had to drive an hour round-trip. This wasn’t that. Her tone and demeanor made it feel like she was doing me a favor by giving me back my money for the raw chicken they served me.

This was a health risk. A safety issue. I was sick. And the customer service made it feel like none of that mattered.

I will never return to this location. I’ll stick with Temple Hills, where the food is consistently good and the staff treats you like your business matters. But I truly hope someone in leadership sees this, because the way this was handled, both the food and the service, was unacceptable.

If I hadn’t spoken up, who knows how many others would’ve been served...

Terrible terrible experience here. I arrived at 7:55pm and it was very crowded. I decided that Id rather do curbside pickup. I ordered and it said my food would be ready at 8:22pm. I parked in a curbside pickup space and at 8:20pm I called the number I was instructed to call.

The number informed me that they were very busy and it could be a delay. The phone rang and rang and after 2 minutes it went to a mailbox that was full. I called again for the next 15mins.

At about 840 the store was empty so i took the opportunity to call again. I called once more after that and decided to go in. There was 1 woman in line and a man at pickup. I could hear the phone ringing and see them not answering.

I told them hey ive been calling for about 15 mins why wont yall answer the phone if you hear it ringing!? The woman cut me off saying whats your order name!!?? I told her and she said oh your food just got finished, it wasnt even ready. Im like but i have curbside and you tell us to call the number but dont answer. She told me they were so confused. Im like confused about what!?? How to answer the phone!!?? There is no reason i should have to get out my vehicle if I ordered curbside!!

And all that for food that was nasty!! It was not hot as if it had JUST been finished. The mashed potatoes were not mashed! Literally huge chucks of uncooked potatoes. The wings had no seasoning on it for it to be lemon pepper. I had to go home and use my own lemon pepper!!

You would think they took all that extra time to at least cook my food properly but no. I will driving all the way to...