Rick's Cheese Steak Shop — Restaurant in Virginia

I’m not sure what’s happened over the past year, but the quality has gone down significantly. Quantities have been cut in half... barely any meat on sandwiches, and ordering a large fry to find the box half empty. There were actually only enough to cover the bottom, about half to a third of what there was previously. I waited to change my review, because I understand, there are off days. Well, I just hit the fourth time I’ve gone there in the past year and some change, and it was the same issues all over again. Plus, they forgot part of the order, which was the second time that’s happened. I had ordered through GrubHub (the first and last time I’ll do so, the other missing order was a pickup), and couldn’t wait yet another hour, so I had to go pick it up anyway. But GrubHub wouldn’t refund the delivery fee because the mistake wasn’t the driver’s. The food still tastes good, but the value isn’t there at all anymore. I would’ve given it three stars if the $11 sandwich had any meat on it... it looks like they’re counting the slices like subway now. I would say it was roughly a third to a quarter of the meat (and toppings, too) that came in them from when they first opened. I could close the sandwich completely around the bread. Ordered a turkey sandwich for someone else and there was actually no meat on of the (cut!) quarters. Oh, and the bread is hard as a rock when it gets cold, which mine did while I went to go pick up the other half of the order I’d paid to have delivered.I guess they’re trying to cut corners, but the only thing they’ve cut out is the customer. I can no longer recommend this restaurant to anyone. The first of these four orders just seemed like maybe somebody was filling in and didn’t know what they were doing, but it’s now THREE problematic orders in a row with multiple issues. I feel this indicates a combination of laziness, incompetence, and probable cost-cutting that causes concern as far as what other areas this extends to... like hygiene and food safety. I only give them two stars because I previously rated them at five stars, but to be honest, they’d go down to one without that.

Previous review (5 stars): Always good food and fast service, the restaurant itself seems clean, friendly staff. The prices are a little higher than fast food but cheaper than chain restaurants, and the portions are larger than either. I usually order to go, and it's always ready in 15 to 20 minutes. For a few bucks more, it's a world of improvement over drive...

Menu changed, quality changed, quantity changed, less steak and still less cheese. Employees are all depressed. No positive vibes. Very disappointing. And now they are adding a tip/convenience charge….and, without asking to charge the credit card. Not the same as when it first opened. BTW those pics are pre COVID. I remember those days. Update: Will they ever stop making us wear a mask into the place? So stupid. Wear a mask in the front door/take it off when you sit down. Woke liberal mask virtue signaling run amuck. News flash…THE STATE MANDATES ENDED…but they continue inside the world of Rick’s…ridiculous! *Retried today (Oct 10, 2023) and...no change. Even got lectured by the cashier with all those piercings on her face (nose, lips, etc.). Really disappointing experience. Hardly any meat. Ordered a large...got a large roll and small meat (approx. 3-5oz maybe). Too bad...all they have to do is add an ounce or two of meat and it would work. Just trying to skimp too much. For a $14.00 sub, it's really disappointing. Looks like more when you first get it, but after one bite there is hardly any afterwards. Half of a half had no steak or cheese. See the pic. Just a tricky allusion to skimp on the steak. Last Update (April 1, 2024)…just went to Jersey Mikes just up the street off Mercury next to KFC. WOW...that's a cheesesteak!! Order the regular cheesesteak and add additional steak for +$3.50 and that is the way it should be made. The #56 for $9.95 plus extra meat...total was $13.45 + tax. A bit higher than usual, but well worth the price. I'm tempted to buy one from jersey Mike's and take it to Rick's to show them what a cheesesteak should look like, but I really don't think...

To start off, I have NEVER had a bad experience at Ricks and before today (and this courtesy Phone call with the “Front Desk Manager”) I would Tell all Family, Friends, everyone to stop bye, and Now......

I wouldn’t advise anyone to Waste your dollars or Time with the rude and complete carelessness of this business. I completely understand having new staff “we were all new at our job before” and even after getting my order read back to me (over the phone) and even after the second call I received on my way to the Business about my order, I got home about a hr later settled down after work and went to go enjoy my meal I had been talking about for TWO DAYS!!!......... Only to find that the meal was completely WRONG! Mad and upset to say the LEAST... so I decided to call back ( Attentionally to let them know about the Mix up and the Disappointment) It was in that Moment that I spoke to the “Front Desk Manager) who who mad the comment in convo “well ma’am I don’t know what you want me to do” Well ma’am the appropriate response wouldn’t of been to be so rude. To show that you cared and valued each customer (big or small) would of been the appropriate response. I live to far to travel all the way to your business during a busy time of day to get all the way home to Not have what I Paid for and on top to add a cherry with a smart remark... was very uncalled for. I never leave a bad review about anyone business but I’m so shocked about a place I loved.

Small business AND Big business still need Small and Big bills to even be a BUSINESS, EVERYONE SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE THEIR SMALL DOLLARS and Big dollars still make a different!!

Truly...