Morning Squeeze — Restaurant in Tempe

So, after trying to make it here for the last 8 months I was finally able to meetup with my friend and come to the Morning Squeeze for breakfast. First impressions are everything and that is especially true when dining out. The way the hostess seats you, the way your waiter/waitress serves you, and how the drinks and food are presented is what makes or break a dining establishment. Making good on promises and making up for errors. I say all that as my experience today at the Morning Squeeze was a huge disappointment. Here is how it happened...

We arrive to the restaurant and it looks nice. It's spacious, has a variety of different types of seating, and is pet friendly. We brought our service dog, Wrangler, and were greeted with smiles and kind comments by the hostess before being seated at our requested booth.. okay, so far so good. It was clean, the tables were very nice, and the vibe felt good. Our waitress arrived and delivered us two waters, which we were grateful for (we didn't ask for them, but I do like the service as I would have asked for a water anyways, kudos for that), and immediately, as per my habitual need to inspect, I look at my drink, after plopping in my straw.... and I find bugs... alive and squirming. Instantly I was turned off, disappointed, and grossed out. I had lost my appetite and trust with this establishment. BUT! I Decided to let them take the drink away and waited to see what they would do to remedy this situation... they brought me another water and nothing else was said or done... In my opinion that was the wrong thing to do. They should have given me a new water AND offered us a complimentary free breakfast for atleast myself for being served bugs... We debated for a few minutes before we decided that even though we had been waiting and trying to eat here for many months, well it was no longer an interest of ours and neither one of us wanted to eat or drink anything here. My friend wanted to leave, and after she said that, I agreed (I was on the fence, but knew a review was going to happen and she had wanted to eat here for nearly a year. I was thankful she too felt the same as me and wanted to leave, but sad for her as it ruined our morning and expectations). So, we kindly let the waitress know that we would be dining elsewhere and we left.

I did not take a picture, but to be exact: I was served a water and within my water was 1-2 ants and 1 other smaller bug, I don't know what kind. I know I wasn't gonna drink anything there though and felt like the food may be tainted as well.

Here are the main concerns with this situation: They have bugs in their drinks. If they have bugs in their drinks, then who's to say they are not in the food as well? They did not offer to remedy the situation beyond replacing the water... You don't serve people bugs and then just dismiss it.

This happened on: Thursday, July 14, 2022 @ 0900-0915

Thank you for reading, have a great breakfast! We just arrived at Harlow's Cafe now, wish us luck!

Phillip Parry TQA|QuizziuQ

Edit: Response to Owners Post VVV Hello, Yes I understand bugs do exist, that seems backhanded. The waitress should inspect the drinks before delivering them, that would seem the obvious thing to mention, not the obvious fact that bugs exist. Moving on. Yes it would have still been gross, however the "effort made" is what is important. Why would I stay through the entire order for a "possible" (Unknown to me) comp? We chose to leave as we no longer felt comfortable at your establishment. Had someone offered a comp at the initial onset of the situation then we would have given the place a chance all the way through, but we did not receive anything beyond a half-handed apology. A simple issue that could have been avoided by having the waiter/waitress simply look at what they are serving from the start. Image is important and without diligence you risk tarnishing that image.

If you wish to remedy the situation and have my review re-evaluated please feel free to suggest a positive solution without negative...

We were a party of 3 plus a baby. Asked if we could use sperate gift cards since we all had separate checks because the back of it said 1 per table so I wanted to be sure before we sat down. We were told sure, no problem since it's going to be 3 checks and were seated. All 3 of us heard this and sat down. Upon payment the manager refused to honor them flat out and insisted no one from her staff ever told us we could apply 1 to each check and threatened to call the police even though our credit cards were on the table and we never refused to pay... If there was miscommunication with a customer, admit it, apologize and move on. Don't deny it completely, call the customer a liar threaten to call the cops. STAY AWAY from this place. Their ethics stink.

Edited to add:

The person clearly said 'Oh separate checks, no problem'. I asked 'Even if we sit on the same table?' She said 'Yes'. 3 of us remember her saying this. We only proceeded to sit down after having this confirmation.

We were brought out one check. We asked for 3 separate ones. When we were brought the 3 we placed our cards on them and asked why the $9 weren't taken off. The server said she will go back and check.

Our credit cards are still on the table.

When the manager asked us to indentify who it was we couldn't see her. There were 3 girls at the hostess stand talking to each other when we entered. The one who spoke to us wasn't in sight when the manager asked us to point her out. At this point my brother was in the restroom. As soon as he came out I asked if he could see her, we both agreed she was the one standing by the kitchen window. Baseball t-shirt with Morning Squeeze logo and her hair tied back.

Our credit cards are still on the table.

We point her out, she comes over and the manager says 'She never said it.' I asked if they had camera so we could point out to who we spoke to. She said they didn't and even if they did they'd need audio evidence. AUDIO EVIDENCE?! She's incriminating us in her mind already.

We were just shocked at the denial. At this point my baby was crying hysterically and I was fed up so I said just charge us so we can leave. The manager says we may split one gift card on the 3 checks. Our server comes back to say we can't.

EDUCATE YOUR STAFF BEFORE RUNNING PROMOTIONS.

I tell her to just do it whatever way she can and get it over and done with.

ALL YOU NEEDED TO DO WAS APOLOGIZE FOR MISCOMMUNICATION. We read your menu, knew exactly how much it would cost without the gift cards and honestly didn't care about a few dollars. But this is NOT HOW YOU TREAT A CUSTOMER.

The manager never once said sorry for what happened and instead told us we were lying and threatened to call the cops even though our cards WERE RIGHT THERE and we NEVER refused to pay.

The server Mercedes, apologized for what happened and said it could have easily been honored but shurgged and said it's not really her...

Morning Squeeze is an absolute culinary gem that never fails to impress! 🌞🍳 I recently had the pleasure of trying their Squeeze Tacos, Omelets, and Lox & Bagel, and let me tell you, each dish was a mouthwatering delight that left me craving for more!

The Squeeze Tacos were a burst of flavor in every bite. The combination of tender and perfectly seasoned meat, fresh vegetables, and zesty sauces created a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Each taco was a mini masterpiece that showcased the creativity and skill of the chefs. 🌮🌮

The omelets at Morning Squeeze are truly a breakfast dream come true. Fluffy, light, and filled with a variety of delicious ingredients, they are a perfect way to start the day. The omelets are customizable, allowing you to choose your favorite fillings, from savory meats to vibrant veggies. Every bite was a delightful explosion of flavors that left me satisfied and eager to try more. 🍳😋

Now, let's talk about the Lox & Bagel. This classic combination of smoked salmon, cream cheese, and a toasted bagel was executed to perfection at Morning Squeeze. The bagel was perfectly toasted, providing a satisfying crunch, while the luscious cream cheese and savory salmon added a richness that was simply irresistible. It was a dish that transported me to culinary heaven with every bite. 🥯🥓

Aside from the incredible food, the service at Morning Squeeze is exceptional. The staff is friendly, attentive, and always ready to provide recommendations or accommodate any dietary preferences. They create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere that enhances the overall dining experience. 👏🏼🌟

Whether you're a breakfast aficionado or simply looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, Morning Squeeze is a must-visit. With their mouthwatering Squeeze Tacos, tantalizing omelets, and scrumptious Lox & Bagel, they have something to satisfy every craving. Prepare yourself for a culinary adventure that will leave you wanting to come back for...