IHOP — Restaurant in Mesquite

Placed a to go order this morning, which I was shocked the phone even rang. For the last year a so , the staff would leave the phone on the console. Which would cause all call to get a busy tone. Anyways I knew there where going to be an issue which it ALWAYS is because the ENTIRE staff is incompetent. So the young lady taking my order just could get it right. After dealing with that she tell me my price which was $14+ and a 15 minute wait time. I arrived maybe 20-25 minutes afterwards to discover my price is now $16+ and it was gonna take 15 more minutes. They ran my card before information me and I wasn't going to wait 15 minutes more for pancakes and omelet. So I asked the host to cancel my order. She walked to the kitchen and was going for 6-7 minutes, then came back and said 5 more minutes. I insisted again in a refund. She goes back to the kitchen again for 3-5 more minutes. Then her and and manager returns. The manager didn't acknowledge me at all, instead just picked up the phone to handle another customer complaint that I was overheard while stand there the entire time. Who was complaining about their meal and was also requesting a reward but was denied by the manager. She offered a few complimentary free meals, with was all she could do🤦. So finally she decides to double task with refunding me after again standing there all this time. Trying me BEST to be patient and unruly. So instead of just refunding me with cash. She cancel the order out the system and tells me it will reverse back to my card at midnight. I asked her for a receipt, she couldn't produce one. I just walked out! I was crowded and I don't like making a seen but it took every fiber in me to keep it together. The staffing is incompetent be on measures, they're either too young or to old and aren't equipped to handle such a simple job. I've had 2 major encounters with management there and sadly to say. It seems like that position is give to the least educated and experienced individuals. I've said it atleast 3 times I'll never come back to this place again but after today. I'm DO NE! They should simply close this place down. You can continue to renovate it as much as u want but the staffing is horrific...

Dirty.

I asked for an unsweetened tea and received the sweetest tea I've ever tasted. We did not complain just asked for an unsweetened tea. We ordered our food. I don't know how they did it, but the fries were burnt and frozen. Still didn't complain.

While eating we got to hear all the gossip about the location from the three waitresses huddled up to tables away. Let me tell you, if half of what they say is true not only is it a hostile work environment there could be lawsuits filed. Didn't complain.

Went to the front to pay, and the waitress took my card and went to the back of the restaurant. When she returned, I asked her why she did that. She informed me because they don't run credit cards at the front register. The card machine is broken and the owner decided not to fix it. Now, I complained.

May I speak to the manager...that's her over there. I turn around and there is a woman sitting in the waiting area playing on her phone. I ask why someone would take my card to another part of the store without telling me why. I said I didn't think k it was professional. The manager the tellse that's the policy. I can call the owner if you want to talk to her. I reply OK. She dials a number and proceeds to say, " Some guy is here and he wants to talk about why the front card machine doesn't work." I wait for about 20 seconds and the manager says, "I already told this dude it was the policy."

I take my Q, realizing no one cares about my concern. I tell the manager I will handle it through someone who may actually care about customer identity safety.

I'm...

IHOP was one of my favorite places during the government lockdown. I grew quite fond of their omelets, and ordered them often. So today, finding myself quite hungry, and with an IHOP nearby, I stopped in. It was a Saturday, late afternoon - I think I was the only guest inside. A young lady named Maria was my server, fresh out of training. Service was friendly and prompt - as you would expect. Food came quickly and was as I remembered. I ordered the Colorado - their "Keto" omelet, not the state, with hash browns on the side. The latter adds nothing. I need to stop ordering it, or find something different. The omelet was great as always. Not sure who provides the music, but it was a mixture that included many 80s tunes - Duran Duran, "New Moon On Monday" Modern English, "I Melt With You" were two I noted. Plenty of more recent songs mixed in during my visit. I enjoyed the food and music, each song bringing back memories of people and events from the past. Maria continued to make sure I was content, and my glass was full. She was attentive without being annoying. And that can be difficult, especially for someone just starting out. Can this level of service and quality of food be maintained during much busier times? That is the only question I cannot answer. My experience was quite good.

I gave the visit 4 stars as there is always room for improvement. And something needs to be done with those darn hash browns. Or possibly provide a few more alternatives besides pancakes and toast. I don't recall if fruit was an option, or even mashed potatoes in place of the...