Alter Ego — Restaurant in Tempe

I use to LOVE + Crave the Katsu Chicken Sandwich so much that I would rave about it to anyone headed to Tempe for a meal. My 1st visit to PHX + the Canopy Tempe transpired in January '21 to which I was WOWED beyond words by my dynamic dining experience, extraordinary interaction with the chefs, my colossal, piping hot + mouthwatering Katsu Chicken Sandwich joined by some of the best fries I've ever eaten! My daughter + I enJOYed this experience twice more before departing PHX. We returned in July '21 + a repeat performance was gifted to us - WOWED Again!! After relocating to PHX in August '21, I treated some friends to my raved about Katsu Chicken Sandwich = everyONE was WOWED! Onward to my September '21 visit where my prized delight had diminished in size, new unfriendly chefs were visible + my familiar servers had departed. I discussed my disappointment with my server + was gifted with my usual fare. Onward, I'd visit monthly throughout '21 + experience the switch + bate size game. I'd watch other patrons receive the Katsu Chicken Sandwich in varying sizes, which I found perplexing. Why should I constantly remind my server about the portion variances + request continuously my proper portion? Why have my sandwiches depleted in stature vs. the grand-looking sandwich pictured on your website? Maybe I was dining consistently to much at Alter Ego, so I scaled back after December '21. On 7.12.22, my daughter + I were in Tempe for a meeting + decided to try the Katsu Chicken Sandwich again. The $16 sandwich was served hot + flavorful, yet the chicken was dismal in size - 1 deflated thin piece (didn't peak outside of the bun as illustrated) of chicken accompanied by a basket of broken (bits + pieces) fries. My daughter was famished + time didn't allow us to reverse the order - honestly, I SHOULD...

Horrible service Came here for a friend’s birthday dinner (a party of 10 people) server came up and said she was dealing with a pinched nerve. We felt bad for her and were more upset at management for not stepping in and helping her out more or sending her home. Took 30-45 to get drinks out - server forgot some of our drinks still - food orders took over an hour to get out (understandable if everything came out all at once … but no took another hour to get ALL food out, and server still forgot food orders - another 30min to get forgotten orders out) . I work in the service industry and completely would understand this service if the restaurant was packed and low staff .. THERE WAS NO ONE, it was dead!! Maybe 4-5 other people in the restaurant and I saw a total of 5 staff members, they had ZERO urgency, they were moving around like zombies. We called ahead and made a reservation for our large party - they were aware we were coming. This place has high prices and classifies itself as a high establishment but is disgracefully unprofessional . Would also like to add that when our first guest arrived they saw our server who was “hurt” SITTING ON THE BAR just chatting with 2 other customers?!?! Lastly if you need anything from your server - refill, additional items, boxes, the check .. expect to spend all day there and to run around the restaurant to find an employee to actually help you. As a “high establishment” do better train your employees to be proactive and vigilant of their tables needs and management that knows how to actually run...

This restaurant is inside the lobby of Canopy by Hilton - there are no signs to guide you but we asked the bartender. We also asked the bartender to check in for our reservation since there is no host stand or host - odd beginning to our restaurant experience.

Service is ok - she was kind and tried to find solutions but nothing better.

Drinks are great! 👍🏻 good amount of alcohol and there are a couple of non alcoholic drinks that are also great!

Water was full of mini debris and we asked for different cups and water and even the new ones still had little brown specks.

Food is just sub par. The margherita flatbread is ok but the topping are two inches in from the edge leaving excess crust. And I watched the cook pour oil on top of it right before serving it.

The steak in the salad is chewy and not flavorful. The Thai noodle salad also is not as peanuty as I thought it would be. The main dressing is a classic vinaigrette. It’s also spicy. 🌶️ which was not known.

Ordered a side of sticky rice and it was spicy…? Asked the server if we could just get plain rice. She comes back with rice without the spicy seasoning but it was COVERED in salt and pepper. The salt was actually disgusting to try to swallow.

Items ordered: Margherita flatbread, sweet pear salad, Thai peanut noodle salad with steak, side of...