Taco Time NW — Restaurant in Washington

From my visit 7/24/2024 at 7:30pm I am visiting from out of town and Taco Time is always a stop, multiple times, while I’m in town. I am from WA, but no longer live here and I am very familiar with this location. Unfortunately, I had my first bad experience, but it was a doozy. My friend and I walked in to place an order rather than use the drive through. The drive through was not busy, 2 cars, maybe 3. When we arrived there was a gentleman waiting at the counter for his order to be taken, and 2 other gentlemen had come in behind us to pick up a mobile order, so 5 people are now standing in the lobby. The 2 mobile order gentleman had something missing, so all of us were waiting for service but were never acknowledged. As we’re standing there, being ignored, 5 employees are servicing the 2 cars in the drive through, not even a glance was made in our direction. After standing there for a ridiculous amount of time to go unacknowledged, the first gentleman in front of us decided to throw his hands up (literally) and leave. Which prompted me to ask loudly, if anyone was working/taking orders upfront. Not one of the employees verbally acknowledged us, and eventually one employee walked up to the register, and without apology or acknowledgment of the wait, rudely asked “what do you want?”. After ordering and paying, while waiting for our food (taken Togo) two other customers came in separately and stood at the counter, waiting for assistance. At this point there is only one car in the drive through and it’s at the window. But again; not one single employee acknowledged or assisted the two people waiting. We were given our bag of food, and as we walked out, I announced to the people waiting that they would need to tell the employees loudly, that they needed assistance if they wanted to order or be helped, as ridiculous as it sounded, because of the open concept, and the fact that all employees could clearly see there were customers waiting who hadn’t been assisted. We went to our car, sat and ate our food for a moment, and then noticed that one of the customers had decided to leave, without being helped. We know this because I rolled down my window and chatted with them. They said that even after me loudly announcing that they wouldn’t receive help, they were still not acknowledged, in fact they were blatantly ignored. I’ve worked in customer service for over 20 years and the whole situation was just strange and incredibly frustrating/irritating. There was absolutely no reason for any of it, other than just flat out incompetence. The store was not busy, there were no distractions, delays (other than mental), or any reason that would warrant such terrible customer service. I’ve only ever used the drive through at this location, and it seems like this might be the only way you’ll get service. Really disappointed and irritated after my experience today, and because I now live out of state, this will be my last impression of Taco Time for quite a while.

I believe they’re franchise owned and will most definitely be calling and getting the information to...

What used to be in my 'top 3' places to grab a quick bite to eat for lunch or dinner, has unfortunately, steadily and progressively, been declining and I (reluctantly) find myself going to Taco Time, specifically this location, less and less often. I have always loved the food at Taco Time, and appreciated the fresher-type of fast service options. This location, while always seemingly well staffed (7 or more employees at once), lacks the BASIC standards of cleanliness one should expect in addition to the various necessities always being out or almost out, such as lids, silverware, napkins, ketchup and various other similar staples. Sticky counters and gross to the touch Coke freestyle machine that HAS to be touched. Since taking over this location since Burger King left, the many years following the opening were surprisingly pretty good; I can't recall ever seeing any issues with cleanliness or staff members not maintaining basic necessities and I find myself rather surprised that this location further down the road has turned into what it is. At first notice I thought it was a bad day perhaps but I've been back numerous times since the first time I noticed and it's progressively maintained or gotten worse. I've been unable to order through the drive-thru for at least 2 years as the last three separate times I went through there every single time, without a hitch, 1 or more, and at times all of the items were incorrect that I ended up with requiring a phone call to the store in addition to a return trip not to mention the condescending tone, whoever deals with incorrect orders, projects while reluctantly agreeing to fix the incorrect parts of the order. Without ever once being offered something for all of the inconveniences having to go there and back multiple times just to get the correct order causes. At times I have had to fight just for them to correct and replace one incorrect I done. I dread the day entire order of mine winds up incorrect again. I wish nothing but for the store to turn around as Taco times in the Northwest are fewer and farther between now days and the next closest location is not ideal however I almost considered driving the additional 15 miles every time I do...

I have had some very bad experiences at this location but I went in yesterday and they were very backed up. The front counter associate stacy was visibly and vocally irritated and assured the older gentleman that came up to ask if they were still backed up because he had been waiting quite sometime but never asked the people making his food about his order after people who came in after him started receiving there orders he asked the manager Jennifer about his order and let her know he had been waiting over 30 minutes she was very apologetic she got his food out to him in less then 3 minutes, while helping another customer to ensure there order was made correctly she personally brought the gentleman's food out to him got at eye level with him kneeling next to his table and again expressed how apologetic she was about his wait then gave him a complementary card for his troubles. She stopped by my table to let me know my food was almost up. Checked in with the other staff, washed dishes ran drive thru ect. Jennifer truly has people skills and management skills and helps were she sees its needed while making sure her team and customers are taken care of. She deserves a great deal of recognition for this. I hope you guys realize what a gem you...