Krystal — Restaurant in Tuscaloosa

I know some of you like positive stories. 😉 So here goes. For most of my life there has been a Krystal's at the corner of McFarland Blvd and Jug Factory Rd. My earliest memories go back to the late 1970s in 5th and 6th grade when I had first joined Scouts - and we would head out from the house early on Saturday mornings to be dropped off at the Scout Hut for weekend campouts. Well Krystal was the only place open where you could buy hamburgers at that hour of the morning - and at that time Krystal also had regular- sized hamburgers - so Krystal provided the sack lunch for many of us. Through the years - Krystal at McFarland and Jug Factory would mark the passage of time - early mornings and late nights! She never closed. Sadly time was not a friend to Krystal's -- they demolished the old building a few years ago. They built some fresh new modern digs - but the quality of the food and service still suffered. I had just about written Krystal off permanently - until last night. I guess it was that craving for a little piece of goodness which sent me that direction. I wasn't holding out much hope - the last ten years had mostly consisted of being handed a bag with a cold hamburger patty on a hard, stale bun.

Well - let me tell you - there's evidently a new sheriff in town at the McFarland Krystal's - and he cares enough to post his name, cell phone number and email address on the window! That was the first thing that caught my attention at the drive thru! A manager who actually "wants" to hear from customers and puts his number up is a HUGE positive sign! The next shoe to drop was when I immediately pulled out one of those little boxes from the bag and inserted my fingers down inside and pulled out one of the softest buns you've ever wrapped your hands around - it almost melted in my mouth when I took a bite! The meat was nice and hot - and the kick of that mustard was classic! The famous Krystal's "may" be back - there is hope!!

Today - I decided to drop back in - and see if lightening could strike twice - and if so - copy down the manager's number - and call and give him a report.

Well - it was just as good! - and I decided to call "Mike" - he was on cloud nine. Told me he had only been the manager for 3 months - and was trying to "change the culture." Sales have increased 185% !! since he took over. He drives daily from Birmingham - and actually was in the middle of going to another store and getting food to transfer because it has been hard to have enough inventory. Mike spent a few minutes explaining the often heard difficulties of running a restaurant in this "day and time" - the challenges of training the "modern generation," etc. I love to listen and learn in cases like this - everybody has a story to tell. I'm not sure where it is all headed - but the future is gonna be interesting for sure.

So - if you have not been to Krystal's in a while - give our friend at McFarland and Jug Factory another try. Be patient if they may be out of something - they are trying to get inventory adjusted to the...

A short time ago I was traveling through Alabama in a 1 ton dually pulling a 35 ft cargo trailer. I had stopped at a Burger King and a taco Bell neither of which I could get my truck in the Drive-Thru and tried calling but no one would just walk the food out to the parking lot. I drove another hundred plus miles and when I came through Tuscaloosa I saw where there was a Krystals and I decided to see if I had any luck there. Once I got into the parking lot I saw I really had no way out until the traffic cleared. The drive-thru was backed up very busy but I had been driving for over 400 MI and spent 6 hours loading my trailer so I was hungry. When the drive-thru let up some I managed to get my truck and trailer turned around behind the restaurant next door and was about to leave. I had tried calling once or twice but had no luck but decided to try one more time and a young lady answered and I told her my situation she seemed unsure of what to do so she the handed the phone off to a young man named Ronnie and Ronnie proceeded to take my order and walked my food out to my truck. I was very grateful because I was very hungry and being that I had no luck at the two previous stops to get somebody to walk out my food. It made me appreciate Ronnie's understanding that much more. Since this virus mess has begun I have gotten use to being told no we can't help you if you can't come through the drive-thru which on a few occasions I have walked through a drive-thru but that seems ridiculous at the risk of some idiot running me over. I'm sure Ronnie didn't have to do what he did and it may actually be against policy but you can damn sure bet I will never forget that and he deserves all the praise in the world for that one simple act of kindness. Ronnie you're the man and thanks again from...

I'm not gonna emphasize my experience at this location any more clearer. Terrible service from the jump. I pulled up to the drive thru after driving for 8 hours straight and they never acknowledged me for a few minutes, so I decided to go inside to make my order. Big mistake. I walked in and waited to make an order and the employee made me wait and decided to have a personal convo with a another customer who just got their order. I was standing there with extreme patience after the long drive and all I got was ignored by the employee, so I left and came back later to make an order. Tried the drive thru and a different employee said I was unhappy at the window and hoped I'd have a better day. How would he know if I had a bad day unless the employee I first encountered defamed me by spreading a lie. If the first employee had done her job by serving a waiting customer instead of having a dialog with another customer who received their food, I'd be happy and not so hungry. Of course, she was all in her feelings when I walked in and now she defamed a complete stranger who happened to be very hungry. I was only there for the food. When I worked for a fast food restaurant when I was young, I could never "AND I MEAN NEVER" keep a customer waiting for any reason. Even a small convo can be the most disrespectful thing an employee can have while a customer is waiting. I eat white castle burgers as well and I never experienced the disrespect she exhibited against me for no reason. This can effect your business financial by treating customers in a evil manner. Don't let a few bad apples ruin the whole bunch. You can only correct the ailments by addressing the issue head on. Have a blessed day and I hope your employee has a better blessed day since her prejudice is a major deterrent...