Rice & Spice Thai Cuisine — Restaurant in Springfield

I'm specifically rating the dine-in experience.

The prices and food are fine, but the customer service/relations stand out as poor. The people seem nice enough, but the general deficiency of English fluency really hurts them. I've been here many times before, and two things really stand out: you can ask for napkins again and again, and they just won't bring them; and the wait staff has a strong metro/gay vibe.

I suspect many of them just don't know the word, 'napkin.' They won't say 'no,' they just never bring the napkins. I ask every time, and usually twice. I get a runny nose from some foods, and I sit there, every time, and tear the one napkin you do get into a million pieces so I can keep wiping my nose, and they do not treat that like it's a problem. I understand if they prefer to conserve supplies, but if the customer ASKS, and clearly needs something, you give it. I've been here maybe 6 or more times, and they've never provided them.

As for the gay vibe, it just feels intentional, and that's the problem. Whether telling their staff to exude that vibe, or just hiring for those characteristics, it creates a weird atmosphere for a lone, male patron.

Lastly, they recently failed to serve what I ordered. I ordered two items very plainly, and they only brought the first one. Three people approached me about it afterward. The server just said he was sorry, and the other two just said 'everything okay?' It was just annoying. No attempt to make up for wasting my time. I blame the language barrier. Nothing against them as people, but they're just not sufficiently competent at serving the general public. That's not an insult, it's just an assessment.

I'll probably order from here in the future for delivery or pickup, but I'm honestly too annoyed to...

DO NOT ORDER ONLINE OR YOU WILL BE SCAMMED OUT OF YOUR MONEY!!!! My mother placed a large online order with a confirmation number. Unbeknownst to me, my mother already paid for the bill. When I arrived at the restaurant, I was informed that the order needed to be paid. Although my mother ordered and sent a confirmation number via text, I had no knowledge that she paid until I got home later that evening. Once we figured out both of us were incorrectly charged… we made numerous phone calls trying to explain the issue and we’re met with no pickup each time we dialed. We were told they were busy and would call us back in ten minutes. We received one abrupt call from Rice & Spice abruptly telling us “They have no history of our order” then immediately HUNG UP. Unfortunately, we never received any calls the rest of the night, a refund, or an apology or some resolution through them to solve the issue. This is not how you conduct business and my family has ate at this restaurant for over four years and was always a local favorite in Alexandria. However, due to the insincerity and unbelievable unprofessional behavior displayed— we will no longer be eating at an overpriced restaurant that steals people’s hard working money. We had to dispute the charge through our bank. DO NOT ORDER ONLINE THROUGH RICE & SPICE OR YOU WILL GET SCAMMED OUT...

This is just an update I hope you look at these Natalie. It’s Robin (Michaela and Nicks mom and Rob’s ex wife). I have never once had a bad dinner ever, in fact I think the food is better than ever. I only get carry out these days but I wanted to say how great everything is STILL after ALL these years. Your staff is so wonderful to me. I can’t remember the managers name but she is so good to me and it makes me feel so special. I can’t say enough great things about Rice and Spice. Please don’t ever close. Lol I have been going to this restaurant since the first week they opened I would say about 18 or so years ago. The owner is a wonderful lady and I love love their food. The manager is also so sweet and always so nice to me. She knows what I usually order and always takes such great care of me. All the food there is fantastic and I love their tai coffee and tea. You can not go wrong eating here, my favorites are the Panang ( beef and chicken ), the Larb salad and I really like the Kapow on...