Mark Twain Diner & Restaurant — Restaurant in Union

BAD REVIEW! MUST READ: When dining-in, be aware of the new policy that states that, “If a customer does not like a meal or if they feel that the meal was not made right (appetizer or entree), only substitutions can be made or 50% will be taken off that specific item.” I had an altercation today where I did not like the appetizer of pierogies. The menu stated that the dish had a potato and cheese filling and that it comes with applesauce and sour cream. I never received the applesauce and the filling was completely bland. It tasted like plain mashed potatoes and I did not like it. I had my guest try it and she did not like it either. After complaining AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (the head manager claimed that we waited, however we complained before they gave us our entree…it’s on camera I’m sure)…..they told us okay they would take it off, however when we asked for the check it said 50% off. This is not proper business etiquette at all. It was very unprofessional, especially when I asked if they could give us something else and the manager walked off and brought two jumbo cookies covered in sprinkles. This became disrespectful to us as they didn’t even bother to ask what we even wanted….at least give a choice. I ended up arguing with some other man who gave instructions to the head manger to make a one time exception and I was confused because they said the owner was not in, however this man was giving orders to the head manager. This man said they’ve never had a problem with their pierogies and that they made the dish properly. He then says “You waited until the last minute to say something. Look how many you ate…there was only 3 left.” There was only 6 and they are pretty small. I barely ate the 2nd one that I tried. My guest ate 1 after I told her that something was off. This was completely irrelevant as I called the waiter immediately before our main food even came. This man needs to take his feelings out of the business that he is running and be professional. The head manager said, “ We can’t take off an appetizer or meal for everybody because we need to make money. We can’t waste ingredients.” This is where I lost it because that was just a stupid remark as the other man butted in and said, “I’ll put the appetizer back on if you keep it up.” Now, I felt even more DISRESPECTED AS HE THREATENED TO CHARGE US AGAIN AFTER HE ALREADY TOLD THE HEAD MANAGER TO TAKE IT OFF OUR BILL and my guest was in awe. I simply told him to do it and you’ll have to call the police. It is crazy to me because the head manager privately told me that they do make exceptions in some cases where if someone doesn’t like their dish they would remove it. As if my reasoning wasn’t logical….how weird. If you made the dish correctly or TASTY, then you wouldn’t have to worry about wasting ingredients. My thing is most of their food is frozen anyways. The only thing they truly take pride in is their desserts and their cream of chicken/turkey soup that they now only serve on Sundays. I am seeing that there is a trend with smaller businesses where they do not want to remove dishes or drinks anymore if someone does not like it. This is unacceptable and the better business bureau needs to get on it. I am seeing this pattern in North New Jersey, mostly. Some owners seem to get offended when a customer has a detailed issue. If you cannot deal with constructive criticism and you are running a food business….you need to get out that industry....

Unfortunately I have to post a negative review..Myself, Wife an 10 year young Daughter had breakfast this day..The server was Sweet,Prompt an Accommodating.. The food was ok as well.. The atmosphere was tense..I watched a shorter older lady (manger) Berate an employee, verbally abuse while in an aggressive stance while pointing in the waiters face ..This is Unprofessional,Disrespectful an should have never took place in any work place.. The waiter messed up a order an a customer made a complaint..I believe the customer didn't think her complaint would of triggered such abrasive action. Being a waiter is got to be stressful within its self..There under paid,on there feet an have to deal with multiple personalities.. Most are single moms, Collage kids or/an retired individuals..None of these categories should be treated any less.. Unfortunately my 10 year young Daughter had to witness this inappropriate exchange to the point she brang it to my attention..If a 10 year young child can comprehend what's going on then you would think (Management) would have common sense.. After asking the cashier who the Chubby,Short Spanish Older Lady was.. I was informed she an her husband are the owners..This irritated my soul..To think a owner would speak to any employee or human for that matter in this fashion an Tone is bewildering.. I Myself am a business owner this is inexcusable..You dont raise your voice, flare your hands at anyone..Lead by example..especially on the floor while customers are eating..When issues arise such as you retrain or at the least pull the employee off the floor an have a private conversation..How dare you think because some one works for you...You see it fit to think you are more important or your status in life makes you better..Remember these individuals servicing Customers help your business stay afloat.. I was also told this type of behavior is an everyday occurrence at the employees expense.. After 25 years as a loyal customer I see myself not wanting to have to support a establishment that doesn't support our Collage Students, Single Moms or our Retirees with Dignity ..I ask that we all reading this let your voice be heard an NOT support this establishment until they value there employees an State A Apology.. Dad's with little girls can only Pray there little girl doesn't have to deal with unappreciated, unprofessional, inappropriate individuals such as the owners of MARK TWAIN..This should be screenshot an printed to be posted in Dorms at Kean University as Well Social media...The only way to get individuals with these characteristics to understand we are all equal an deserve the same respect is to Hit them in...

Sadly,I have to say this was the worst diner experience I have had in New Jersey. The waitress was sweet, and the hostess gracious, but that it's where the good stuff ends. I ordered a steak dinner, which comes with a choice of soup or salad. I chose the salad with blue cheese dressing. I asked for my steak,a ribeye, rare. The menu offers a potato and vegetable, but I declined the potato and was offered two vegetables instead. I chose broccoli and carrots.

As the waitress left to begin work on my order,I noticed the flies. A lot of them. I was checking email on my phone, and at one point had three flies on my phone at once. It was remarkable and disturbing.

After about ten minutes, I saw a busboy headed in my direction with a salad with blue cheese dressing, but he sat down at the table next to me and proceeded to eat it. I thought it was coincidental, but another ten minutes went by when the waitress arrived with my meal instead of the salad I expected. I quickly thought it through and imagined the waitress handing the salad to the busboy and asking him to deliver it to me, and perhaps his limited English caused a misunderstanding and he thought she said, "go sit down and eat this." I don't know. I really didn't feel I needed the salad, and I didn't want to get the busboy in trouble, so I let it go.

The broccoli was nicely cooked. The carrots were so over-cooked they disintegrated at the touch of my fork. Worse yet, my steak was beyond well done. Ordered rare, cooked well done, and then cooked some more. I can only take that to be an intentional act of aggression. This was more than a simple mistake. My first thought, of course, was to send it back, but then I thought better of it. I was truly afraid of what might be done to my steak if I complained.

The bottom line is I was to be served four food items--one was eaten in front of me by the busboy, another was cooked into mush, another was cooked into char, and one was nicely prepared. $19.95 was a lot to pay for broccoli. Sorry, Mark Twain, I won't risk a...