Dairy Queen — Restaurant in Tucson

It was just supposed to be a quick stop at Dairy Queen. I wasn’t looking for anything special honestly, I was just trying to get through the day. Life had been heavy. I felt invisible, like I was carrying things no one could see. I ordered quietly, barely making eye contact, just wanting to eat and go. But then I met Joel.

Joel was working behind the counter a young Mexican guy with a kind face and an energy that didn’t match the exhaustion I saw in his eyes. Still, he smiled at everyone, treated each customer with real patience and respect, and when it was my turn, he did the same for me.

There was a mistake with my order. Normally, I wouldn’t have said anything it didn’t feel worth it. But Joel noticed. Before I even opened my mouth, he said, “Hold on let me fix that for you.” He took the time to get it right, cleaned the space, remade everything carefully, and never made me feel like I was a burden. Then he handed me an extra cone, smiled, and said, “No charge. I hope your day gets better.”

That did it. I felt my eyes well up, right there by the counter.

It wasn’t about the food. It was about being seen. Being treated like I mattered, even by someone who didn’t know me. Joel didn’t just do his job he gave me something I hadn’t felt in a while: kindness without condition.

I left Dairy Queen that day with more than a snack. I left with hope — that good people still exist, that a small act of care can break through the darkness, that maybe I wasn’t as alone as I felt. Joel didn’t just serve ice cream. He changed my perspective. He reminded me of the power we all have to lift someone up.

He absolutely deserves a raise. But more than that, he deserves to be recognized for the kind of quiet, powerful difference he’s making one customer, one moment, one act of...

After being a loyal customer there since this store has opened I have never been so disappointed. Disappointed at the fact the customer service has gotten so bad!! I have been in the military for nearly 22 years, been to IRAQ, deployed over 13 times to defend our way of life here at home only to be treated like I annoyed the host for simply asking for a military discount. I went in to buy an ice cream cake for my spouse and kindly asked if I could get "Happy Birthday" written on it only to be told "no". I even had to bag up my own cake after being thrown a bag after asking to have it bagged. The customer service that I have received from "Bianca" was so unprofessional and it was seriously disrespectful. She truly brings your team down and makes this store look like a bunch of incompetent people! How could you hire people that have such terrible work ethics and despicable customer service? I will be spreading the word out to every military affiliated organization to stay away from this store. You have truly lost my business from here on out. I hope one day you start hiring people that actually...

I went in tonight to get ice cream for my family and found not only was the new employee struggling but other employees that are to be helping him out are ignoring him do you really need 5 people working the drive thru and 1 new employee working the lobby and not only are the more senior employees ignoring the fact that he doesn't know the ropes yet they dont even ask if he needs help or if he has got it yet. I have worked at Dairy Queen in my past and this by far is the worst one in Tucson I would be embarrassed and ashamed if I was the manager because you are responsible for teaching your employees the values and goals Dairy Queen has ,but also trying to be an outstanding ice cream shop in the Midvale area. As a franchise owner I would be down right embarrassed and ashamed of even mentioning that this is my establishment and my employees. I get it its just Dairy Queen but every company has morals,...