Sydney's Taylor Made Cuisine — Restaurant in Town of Southampton

As someone with over a decade of experience in hospitality, I was absolutely mortified by my visit to Sydney's Taylor Made Cuisine. I witnessed what I can only assume was the owner berating her young staff—who appeared to be no older than 20—right in front of customers. The atmosphere was wildly uncomfortable, and it's clear from other reviews that this abuse is an ongoing issue. Employers are meant to lead by example and set their young staff up for success, not public humiliate them.

On top of the unprofessional behavior, my $23 wrap was inedible. In the middle of peak tomato season, with beautiful tomatoes everywhere, this "gourmet" shop was using a pile of rotting, practically fermented tomatoes for their sandwiches. A few bites in, the taste was absolutely revolting, and I had to throw the entire thing out. To pay that much for a spoiled ingredient is pure absurdity. Yes I should have said something, but I am sure I spared myself from being yelled at as well.

I see that the owner has responded to many negative reviews, apologizing over and over - asking people to give the shop a second chance. However, based on my experience, and the clear pattern of inappropriate behavior mentioned in poor reviews over the years, this goes far beyond a simple mistake. It's an issue of basic respect for staff and customers. Do yourself a favor and support small businesses that value kindness and professionalism.

** the young staff were kind and hospitable and...

If you’re looking for an overpriced lunch with a massive side order of nastiness, then Sydney’s is your place. Here, if you have a legitimate question about the prepared foods, the owner will bark her answer at you with annoyance. If you don’t close the front door behind you when you arrive, she gets even more belligerent (advice: invest in a simple hinge that makes the door close on its own.) All of her young employees have the vacant, tortured look of a prison chain gang. Five minutes in her store explains why. She orders them around with ridicule and condescension, thus further adding to the stressful ambiance. The food is not worth having to endure this palpable hostility. On the first two visits, I chalked up her crackling crabbiness to just her having a tough day. But now after the owner recently completed a troubling trifecta of toxicity, I’ve sworn the place off. There are too many good places on Main Street in WHB these days where they still subscribe to the quaint notion that the customer is always right. At Sydney’s, the customer is always wrong.

To answer your question, I was in once in late June, once in July and once in August. All three days...

The food was amazing! However, my stomach was turned by the owner who rudely greets her customers by saying "CLOSE THAT DOOR BEHIND YOU"! I went to lunch today with two of my colleagues (one that happens to be my 22 year old daughter). The owner stood at the cheese counter across from her employee's and barked unnecessary directions at them. Her young employees politely obliged in spite of her nastiness. I had a difficult time maintaining my composure as I observed this abuse. It was tantamount to a modern day sweatshop in the food service industry. We got our sandwiches and chose a seat out on the lawn as far away as we could from her barrage of negativity. I looked through the reviews prior to writing my own, and thought "Well, bad press is better then no press"..."I guess that's what this owner is going for"! Parents, if your young adults are working for this women, please guide them in a different direction. Positive work environments mean everything, especially when many times we spend more of our waking hours at work than anywhere else. SYDNEYS~Your food is good, but its not THAT good!...