Taco Bell — Restaurant in Meriden

TL;DR Bill single handedly salvaged my experience with a smile on his face, while simultaneously taking advantage of a bad situation by properly training employees, as a result further instilling trust in this location.

I would normally leave a 1 star and be infuriated that my food was messed up twice, but this location had a beacon of light named Bill who earned those stars back. I came through the drive through and ordered a steak quesadilla, 3 doritos locos just meat cheese and rice extra meat and cheese, and a large Baja blast. When I got to the menu I was immediately greeted by the overly kind welcoming voice of bill. When I got to the window I heard bill remark to the kitchen about portion sizes on the extra meat and cheese I spent money on and reinforced to the employee the importance of proper portioning which I appreciated immensely because the order is expensive and sometimes other locations cheap out on the portion size even though I spend the money for the extra. I cant begin to explain as a customer how important this moment was in my total experience he didn't know I had seen or heard him, but he did it out of care for the customer and brand and shows me how much he takes pride in his work. My order was filled quickly and I pulled into a parking spot to eat my food when the issue arised. I realized they made the tacos with the regular toppings instead of just meat cheese and rice. Call me picky but paying nearly $30 I want my food made correctly. I came back through and the piller of light that was Bill immediately apologized, and quickly had the food remade (I could hear him calling to the kitchen when the car in front of me was at the window to make sure my food was made in timely fashion.) When I got to the window he was apologetic, didn't take the food back through the window when offered (and they shouldn't according to the dpt of health) and even gave me a coupon for a free taco. He didn't mention it but it appeared he was working with someone new or inexperienced and may have even been training them while working the window at the same time, (assuming this is true this again shows how important taking pride in this job and showing the employee the proper way earlier really was and instills faith in me as a customer that someone at this location cares and is training employees properly.) I pulled around to eat and again realized my food was messed up again. Again I paid nearly $30 call me picky but im not picking things off when I pay that price, so back around again we go. Bill was again very apologetic, without being asked I showed him a taco so he could see the issue. When he told the kitchen again exactly how it was supposed to be made (again just doritos locos taco shell with extra meat, extra cheese, and rice) he went to the kitchen himself to make sure it was done correctly. When the kitchen employee tried to argue it was right the last time he showed him the taco I had given him and explained again exactly where the issue was and how to make it and stood up for me as a customer and insisted it be remade correctly and corrected him as he was making it to make sure it was right. I saw him print a receipt from the register and take a photo, (working in the industry im assuming to report the free food as a some kind of remake or loss which is the responsible thing to do and again shows the care.) The third time it was exactly right and I left satisfied. Again normally this would be a 1 star review, normally I would be angry but my experience was totaly salvaged by the divine intervention of Bill. This location is extremely lucky to have him as a member of the team, and I hope bill and his boss both see this and both come to the conclusion that this man...

Decided to stop by, seeing only one car at the pickup window. When I arrived at the menu the person taking orders said there are no refried beans. Also stated he just made nacho fries. I then placed my order two cheesy roll ups and an order of nacho fries. I asked what was in another burrito the person told me the ingredients and said he could substitute black beans if I wanted. I said no thank you never mind on that burrito. I was never shown or repeated back my order… it came to $9 thought it was expensive for two cheese roll ups and nacho fries. I get to the window gave the cashier my card and looked at my receipt saw that I was charged for a burrito I don’t want. I didn’t say anything figured it would be a hastle to take it off the order now. They shut their window and kept me in the drive through for 20 mins!!!! When the guy opened the window he was shocked to see me! He had my order by the cold window the ENTIRE TIME ….. he then repeated the order and handed it to me, I checked the bag so my hands were all over the food that was handed to me. He then said “pull the fries out and give me back the bag”…. Okkk so I did the fries were ICE cold and I was handed another bag. He said no no this is your order. So again I check it and all the food was cold except the burrito I didn’t want. I no longer had time to wait and make them re do the order so I had to leave. When I bit into it the warm burrito there were no beans at all! I thought to myself what a waste of time and money, such aggravation just to grab a “quick” not so quick lunch. If I could give a negative star review I would ! Never go to this location! Since this place was established I have only had one positive experience! Going to surrounding Taco Bell’s or somewhere else is more worth the aggravation! Terrible terrible experience,...

I placed my order through the app about 10 minutes before arriving, expecting it to be ready by the time I got there. When I pulled up to the speaker, the person taking my order was hard to hear and came across as annoyed, like I was bothering them. I let that go, but after confirming my order, I waited behind just one car for about 5 minutes. Once that car left — with what looked like a small order — I expected mine to be ready shortly.

Instead, I waited another 8 minutes before finally receiving my food. When I got it, everything was cold and the hard shells were soggy. What made it more frustrating was that an employee who appeared to be clocking out was casually chatting with staff at the pickup window, while my order seemed to be getting ignored.

I didn’t go back to ask for a fix because, based on how things were handled, it didn’t seem like the staff were particularly concerned. And after already waiting so long, I didn’t want to go through another round of delays just to get what I should’ve received the first time.

I don’t usually complain, but if I order ahead, I expect to pick up my food quickly and have it be fresh — not end up feeling like...