IHOP — Restaurant in Mesa

I am an honorably discharged white combat veteran (I only mention my race to note that I do not look like a terrorist or a disgruntled Shoe-Bomber). I served my country proudly for many years. I still keep my hair military short and I am clean shaven. My wife are in our mid 50's and look like normal Arizonians. We have been coming to this IHOP for over 4 years. It was one of our favorite places to eat breakfast on the weekend.

This last Sunday, we went IHOP to eat late that afternoon. As always, the food was great and our server was excellent. As we were finishing eating, the management turned up the heat a little too high for us, but we did not complain as we were finished and ready to leave

When I got up to pay the bill, it was so warm, I had to remove my jacket. As I reached the cashier/manager Joan, she asked me how our visit was and I told her it was excellent as always, she smiled and let me pay the bill. As I turned to go, she noticed I was wearing a sidearm in a hip holster.

She went pale as a ghost and loudly said "Sir, you can not have a gun in here!!" I told her softly and calmly I had a permit and it was completely legal. I put my jacket back on and my weapon was no longer visible to anyone. She again, loudly, almost yelling said, "Sir, No Guns In IHOP Are Allowed" I told her that I did not know that and I was getting my wife and we were leaving. I told her she needed to put up a sign. She told me there was a small one near the door and they were trying to get a bigger sign.

This "lady" followed me back to my table like I had just shot Abe Lincoln, telling me that I needed to leave RIGHT NOW. She made a very embarrassing scene that was in no way warranted or required. It was so unprofessional, I could not believe it.

I will never go to that IHOP again, or to any IHOP until they change their weapon policy. I guarantee you, the people in the restaurant were much safer when I was in there than they were after I left. In all the years I came there, I never caused a problem, never scared anyone. NO ONE knew I carried a weapon except my wife. However comma, if there ever were a problem, I would be one of the first to stand up and defend ALL the people in the restaurant, or anywhere else.

Military personnel take an oath to protect and defend this country. The oath does not stop when we put away our uniforms. Shame on you Joan for being unprofessional and rude. Shame on IHOP for a stupid policy and for posting signs so small they cant be seen.

I hope the Arizona "Carry" groups see this and Boycott IHOP until they change their weapon policy. I doubt IHOP will post this, however, I have made copies and will be posting them myself.

Leslie C....

Yay, I, was a weekly regular, for anything, on the 'HOPPY-HOUR", Menu, until, I, realized, that, even, though, most, customers, don't, enter, the restaurant, wearing a 😷, which, is a choice, but, when, 3 out of 4, 'servers' + the cook, isn't wearing a mask, it 'freaks' me out, &, therefore, prompts me to 'boycott', that, particular "IHOP", @ Higley Rd. & Brown Rd...+ They don't separate/isolate, the patrons, like they should, or, conscientious of, or, not...+, now, I, hadn't been there, in months, but, went there the other day (8/6/22). &, was guna order a BLT, off the 'Hoppy-Hour', menu, &, realized, 'they', 'changed-up', their menu/format/items/prices, jus like every other restaurant, in town...So, basically, Itz the 'original'-menu, 're-made', basic-lookin', but, with the noticibly, higher prices...I, mean, it was 'kool', with, the 'Hoppy-Hour', 'gig'/offer, and, like, myself, it attracted a lot, of, 'Seniors', bcuz, it was a good 'deal'/value, but, also, others, who, were regulars, of, the 'Hoppy-Hour', menu/offer/specl., in which, an individual, can, get, a decent sized meal + $1 drink, &, get out of, there, for under $10, incl. tip! but, whn, I, went there, the other day, with, my Son, & Granddaughter, I, noticed, the 'new'-'revamt'-'repriced', menu, ,&, no 'Hoppy-Hour', menu... Evrything was so high, I, ended-up, just ordering off the 55+menu, &, still got the BLT/fries + $3, iced-tea, &, 1-breakfast combo, 4 my Son, &, a breakfast-plate, off, the 'kids'-menu, + 2 iced-tea...O, yay, all the orders were 'skimpy', &, on my 55+ BLT, the menu, it didn't mention, that, the sandwich, was only a half-sandwich, with, a sml. portion, of, fries!..I'm a senior, that's lookin' for 'deal', not, a 'diet'!..So, after, all said n done, the, total/incl.-tax=$44.37+$5-tip=$49.37!...So, I, left, still hungry, &, broke, the rest of the week!..I, myself, will be 'boycotting' all 'IHOP'S... P.S.-One, of, the 'Best Deal's in Town', is "Angie's Lobster Truck",...

Came in and was not acknowledged by host. When she did acknowledge us the host couldn't count and only noticed 3 of the 4 of us and said party of 3. She seated us without asking where we wanted to be seated. When asked to be seated elsewhere employee got rude and offended. Once we were seated asked for coffee and they didn't even ask i wanted creamer. They dropped off only 2 sets of silverware at a 4 person table. After we ordered I had to ask for creamer. I didn't get the creamer until the food was delivered. Once the food was delivered the eggs were runny and it looked like it was slopped together by an inebriated individual. I asked to have it removed from the bill and they removed it which was the only good part about the visit. No warm syrup was brought out for our kids who were very excited for the pancakes. They did not apologize. They brought the check way too early right as we got our food. The kids were so excited for unlimited pancakes but they have now taken over 30 minutes for the kids second serving of unlimited pancakes. I will not be returning and neither will our party of four. ALL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE HERE ON 2.24.19 NEED TO BE RELEASED FROM...