Diplomat Deli — Restaurant in Vestavia Hills

First let me begin by saying I absolutely love the diplomat! That being said, my experience last night was the worst ever!!!

I pulled up around 5 o'clock and honestly thought the place was closed. There were no cars in the parking lot and the restaurant was completely empty - then I noticed a person sitting at a table inside. I pulled up out front and a young man rushed to meet me at a table outside - he was visually offended that the automatic headlights on my car had not yet gone off (45 seconds).

Mask in hand, I was prepared to go in, order my food and sit down and have a drink while I waited. For whatever reason, it was clear that I was not welcome inside. He asked me if I was placing a to go order and if so he would just take my order from the table outside - in the cold. After placing my order I asked if I could go inside and get a drink while I waited, to which he responded, "well, you could but these are cold sandwiches and by the time you decide what to drink, your sandwiches will be ready".

Sadly, I gave the young man his wish and went on my way. I have never been treated so poorly at any establishment and certainly did not expect that from The Diplomat.

By the looks of recent reviews, others have been “greeted” by this young man as well. I hope the management will address this quickly as this type of service/reviews has the potential to ruin even a...

Food is good. Atmosphere quaint. Service couldn’t even be considered terrible. Downright disrespectful is more the tone. When I arrived, part of my group was already there. Some had ordered inside so we went to do that for an add on. Nope. Got snapped at that it had to be done at the table. The previous order had been at the register so that was a bit confusing.

We were happily sat outside because the courtyard is great, but it started to rain. So we, and several tables around us, put up the umbrellas at each table. Nope. They came out and put them down on us while we were eating. Said it was because of wind. I can understand this, but currently the rain was more of an issue. Wind is dead with the occasional 10mph “gust”. Being told it was about wind was only after we pointed out it was raining. Someone berries walked up to our table and just started putting it down. When we said it was raining they rolled their eyes and just walked away.

We went inside and there were no tables. This would have been fine except for being told to come inside and they would find us seats.

I have worked in F&B and/healthcare for Ty e last two decades and have never been treated nor treated a customer/patient in such a way. I will never come back and will shout how we were treated from...

Never been in this establishment before walked in and was just buying 2 20 ounce power ades. I was on the phone with a family member and very quietly on the phone NOT on speakerphone stated that wow I can’t believe that 2 20 ounce Powerades are six dollars Some gentleman who I assumed was just a cashier, made a comment and said we’re not a fing gas station bud I come from a background of strong restaurant management, customer service skills for over 20 years, and I’ve also owned my own business. As I was speaking with my relative, who was also perplexed as to why in a customer service oriented position, somebody would be talking to a customer that way. Both of us could not believe it. I called the diplomat deli back and asked to speak to a manager instead of that I couldn’t believe the way I was talked to by one of your cashiers, come to find out it’s the man that owns the place! If I were a customer, I would never visit this establishment under any circumstances unless it were the apocalypse and they’re the only ones that had water. It was one of the worst customer service experiences I’ve ever had in my entire life and not only that he was rude on...