Humble Pie — Restaurant in Phoenix

TL;DR #1 worst experience I've had in a business. I asked for my money back because of rude service, though the woman who did the refund was extremely kind and helpful. Food so bad the bartneder didnt even recommend it (straight up told me not to order my first choice meal) and overpriced even for an airport.

I was sat at the bar, I ordered a sandwich and fries, paid in cash and closed my tab before I got my food. The bartender then informed me he put my food in a to go box "Just in case." He then asked the woman next to me who had finished eating to move from the bar to the long counter-height table directly behind us so he could seat new customers.

Having worked in the service industry for many years, I understand the need for efficiency and quick turn over, so when I received my food I spun around and sat at the seat directly behind where I was sitting (where the bartender had asked the other woman to sit after she was finished) to free up that seat at the bar for someone who was going sit and have a few drinks. Before I could even open my to go box, I was rudely kicked out by the host because I was in a dine in area. I told him I had in fact ordered my food for dine in, but received it in a to go box. He wouldn't listen and made me leave. I walked around and looked for public tables in the airport, but there were none. I sat down at my gate, took one bite of the sandwich, and decided that experience was not worth $18.50 (not including tip)

I tried one more time to explain to the host that I JUST wanted a table to sit at, and had in fact ordered my food dine in, but again he refused to listed and wouldn't let me enter.

I went to the to go window to ask for a refund and the employees from there on out were very kind and helpful.

So I basically paid $5 (the tip) to be kicked out of the restaurant. They did offer to let me keep the food but it was not very good and I was in it less for the food and more for the experience of eating at a table.

So even if it's 9 pm and only a few other places are open go ANYWHERE but here. Grab a bag of chips to hold yourself over to your next stop.

*edited to add that I'm pretty sure the host was by himself, both serving and hosting. I honestly understand why he was stressed. It's not his fault they're under staffed. But it is his fault how extremely...

Food was.... barely edible. They got busy and apparently the solution to that in the kitchen is to start under-firing the pizzas. I got a completely undercooked pie with a still partially cold pile of slimy onions on it that were not remotely “caramel iced”. I didn’t complain because I knew they were slammed, but this is not the solution to dinner rush (having worked many of them at a pizza joint I can say this is a recipe for remakes and further disaster).

Bartender acted like I was a huge hassle the whole time, but especially when I asked to separate the alcohol from the food on the bill, which is a totally normal request for an AIRPORT, and said she would have to get a manager. Seems like really bad establishment policy given the location in a freaking airport? Not her fault if restaurant policy, but then I heard her threaten to report another disgruntled customer to TSA because he was upset about the speed in which he received his bill after I heard him ask for it no less than three times. The guy was so scared by what she said that he didn’t say another word to her in response - this is not customer service, it’s a threat.

I know we’re all airport captives at these places, but I will just walk farther away next time to avoid the blond tyrant. Fix your register policies and your bartender’s attitude with it. Shorter brunette bartender with glasses was lovely and actually nice to her customers, wish I could have scored her! I would never have dreamed of saying something like that to a customer when I was serving, but I guess it’s a wild world out...

The food was great. The service was horrible. The waiter (Sam) was very rude and condescending. I pride myself on being a great tipper, For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel a tip was deserving. Seemed a bit prejudice. I’m not one to play the race card but he was very nice to all those around with the exception of me. He offered me a drink, i asked for water he then proceeded to put the glass down on a dirty counter. I asked if he could swipe the counter. Per Sam “ It;s Dirty because you sat there without it being cleaned first. “ Well Sir, why would you offer me a drink first”. (SMH) . That wasn’t the only thing. Then when my food was up it sat there for awhile, he had his back turned so I assumed he just didn’t hear the cooks when they called him for the order ( let alone they put the dirty receipt on top of your pie and not under to let the servers know who it belong too (YUK). I understand that it was a little busy but no where near as busy from when I first arrived. I watched as they put my food up. I waited and waited for him to acknowledge the cooks that my order was ready. All those around me that came after me had gotten their orders. However, when I got his attention to let him know my food was sitting. He basically told me , its busy and your not the only one waiting “ But again SIR everyone around me got there orders and ordered after me”. SMH… SAM was so rude !!!!!!!! I WILL NEVER EAT THERE AGAIN!!! I don’t care how long of a layover I have. Sincerely...