PDQ Tampa: South Tampa — Restaurant in Tampa

For the record this is our first time at PDQ, I have no affiliation or even know someone that works there. We drove 45 minutes to try it out since we heard good things and one is opening in our area shortly. It was worth the drive. Upon pulling in we observed there is a fast food lane and an outdoor eating area like you might see at Wing House. They had water misting the area to keep it cool for outside patrons. The parking lot was spotless and the landscaping neatly done.

As we walked in there was a multi-person hand washing station which I thought was out of place but after using it to clean up before eating I realized how convenient it was not have to go into the restroom. It was a touchless station that was also neat and well kept. Maybe everyone should wash up before entering. The kitchen area is open so you can see a lot of what is going on. The manager was present and clearly in charge. The decor is excellent. It is upscale, with natural light from high windows, wooden ceiling, great curves in the design and an effcient use of space.

I was a little surprised at the limited menu at first. If you don't want chicken, don't eat here. The menu is small and focused. It reminds me of the Five Guys menu which is a few items done very well. There were 3 of us eating and we had two chicken sandwich dinners and 1 chicken salad for under $24. We placed our order and went for drinks. The soda machines were the new style multi-mix it yourself kind which was nice. The ketchup dispenser was a built in unit under pressure probably feeding from a 5 gallon bucket. It pumped quickly and was an excellent flavor. Again the area was super clean and well kept.

We received our food in about 5 minutes and it was fresh and hot. The picture of the chicken sandwich shows there is little comparison to Chick-Fil-A (CFA) sandwich. The chicken itself was 35% larger than a CFA patty. It was nice to have more than 1 pickle, fresh lettuce, tomato and mayo already on my sandwich. I often leave CFA and am still hungry. That was not the case at PDQ. The sandwich was simply bigger and better than any other fast food chicken sandwich I've ever had. As a side note they will bring your food to you at your table if they have a minute between customers.

The french fries were a toss up with CFA. The fries were thin cut, not skinny cut like Steak and Shake but not larger cut like Five Guys. I like thicker fries since I think they retain heat longer and they are easier to eat one at a time. Thin fries require messy fingers or a fork and who wants to eat fries with a fork. The flavor was excellent and there were fresh and very hot. CFA also has really good fries when you get them fresh and not as well.

We finished the meal with a few milkshakes, not included in the original $24. We ordered 1 chocolate and 1 vanilla to try both. The chocolate was more flavorful and was tasted like it was made with Hershey syrup. The chocolate was the best I've had in a long time. The vanilla was good but had less flavor. The best milkshakes are chocolate made with vanilla ice cream, not chocolate ice cream. The consistency was excellent and you didn't get the feeling it would not melt if left in the hot sun like a McDonald's milkshake.

As you can tell I was really impressed; I'd have to be to write this review. If you like chicken sandwiches or chicken tenders this is a great choice. If you want chicken on Sunday you now have a great option. PDQ is between a true fast food restaurant and a sit down place. It is one of the cleanest restaurants I've been in lately as well as one of the best laid out and designed. I am looking forward to the new location opening in Wesley Chapel and I know it will be a great success, it is...

Date of Incident: 4/26/2024

I want to share my recent experience at PDQ, which unfortunately left me feeling not only disappointed but also concerned for the health and safety practices at this establishment.

My fiancé and I visited PDQ to pick up some food for a picnic, hoping to enjoy a tasty meal together. Initially, everything seemed promising as the food appeared hot and fresh upon receiving our order. However, our excitement quickly turned to disappointment when we discovered that after just three chicken tenders, the remainder were cold and unappetizing.

Understandably worried about the implications of consuming improperly stored or reheated food, especially since my fiancé and I are expecting, I called the local restaurant to address the issue. I spoke with a staff member named Shawn and explained the situation, emphasizing the health and safety concerns it raised for us.

To my dismay, Shawn's response was lackluster and indifferent. There was no apology, acknowledgment of the seriousness of the situation, or display of sympathy for our concerns. Instead, Shawn simply offered to replace the cold food with a new order, implying that the next one would be on the house.

While the gesture of replacing the food is appreciated, it does little to address the underlying issue of food safety and proper preparation. It is concerning that PDQ would prioritize offering free replacements over ensuring that their food is served safely and properly in the first place.

Food that is not prepared and stored correctly can have far-reaching consequences beyond just the physical quality of the meal. The psychological damage caused by the fear of consuming potentially unsafe food is significant and cannot be overlooked. Some experiences cannot be recreated or forgotten, and it is disheartening to see PDQ fail to recognize the gravity of the situation.

In conclusion, I hope that PDQ takes this feedback seriously and implements stricter protocols to ensure the safety and satisfaction of their customers. Without proper attention to food safety, the reputation and trustworthiness of the establishment are at risk, and loyal customers like myself may be forced to reconsider...

Eye Rolls and Bad Attitudes. Walking in, there is no greeting just a fake smile and a "Here or To-Go" when we acknowledge the girl with a "Hey How Are You" same response just a little more attitude, "Here or To-Go". As the food was decent (The Three Stars), the customer service just did not seem to be there. As the time spent in the lobby continues more customers arrive and stress begins to apparently sink in. As the small lunch time rush deteriorates and a quick chit chat is interrupted by another customer a loud "WHEN DOES THE NEXT PERSON COME IN, MY GOD!" Fills the front counter as a nice lady was picking up a huge order that was not ready. BUT, this show that the lobbyist (cashier) put on for all the customer was a 360° attitude when one of her very own coworkers approached the counter to place their food order. Smiles, Laughs, and Above and Beyond service for them was what the customers were needing all along. Customer Service is a LOST ART that people in all industries need to regain control of. One, because you never know who is watching you. And Two, it makes for a better experience with the customers who take the time and choose your establishment to spend their money at when they can go anywhere else in the attempt to get just a little...