PF Chang's Unbelievable

[yippie]

I just love this place, however, I called to place a to go order. Get this.....

I was told WE DON'T TAKE TO GO ORDERS!

I didn't understand that because I placed a to go order last week with no problem, and I have placed to do orders in every PF Chang's in the cities that I frequent.

The manager came to the phone and told me that they have staffing problems, so they are not taking to go orders!

I called the home office and they instructed me to go into the restaurant, sit at the bar and place the order. So, I drove across town and did that.

I was told, WE DO NOT TAKE TO GO ORDERS!

So, I left. I could have ordered food, let them bring it to me, dirty the dishes and ask them to pack it up after all that, but I felt that was being to much of a *****.

As much as I like this restaurant, I will think twice before I spend my money there. There are a lot of choices out there.....

What's your take on this?

[scooterbug44]

I guess I'd ask what part of "we don't take to-go orders" was unclear. ;-)

On the other hand, I don't understand what "staffing problems" could make a restaurant that is open and serving food unable to do a to-go order, since they'd done it a week before, but who knows. :idontno:

[elgordoboy]

Maybe cut them a little slack for being new and the manager at least was up front about staffing issues. If they treated you rudely on the phone thats a different story. It might be all they can do to get the orders out as it is. I was in Sunday and it was a 2 and a half hour wait! Peeps started piling in Monday at 5:45. My food came out timely and the service was friendly. Leaps and bounds beyond Cantina Laredo's service when they first opened (and as recently as a month ago). I am glad it was you and not me though, I'd be po'd :floor:. Hopefully they'll get it together soon and we can get takeout. I've been pacified by the Mongolian Beef earlier today.

[yippie]

Well, I could understand it if there were any customers in the restaurant, however, there were three people, including me in the entire place. It was 4:15 in the afternoon. I purposely called at a time when most restaurants were not busy.....

There were at least 5 staff members standing in the reception area doing nothing. The other two customers in the restaurant were at the bar.

:idontno:

[Donna]

The restaurant has barely been open a week. Most restaurant reviewers won't even go in until several weeks have passed and all the operations and wait staff snafus have been worked out. PF Chang is a quality Asian restaurant and not like the standard Chinese take-out joints, anyway. Part of the pleasure of dining there is the excellent service, the quality ingredients, and the beautiful surroundings.

I had dinner there with my family on Sunday night and they could not have been more accommodating. In fact, I had an extra person show up for my reservation (not their fault) and they arranged the table accordingly and even brought several complimentary appetizers because they didn't have a larger booth for us. After our meal, the waiter offered to package leftovers (there wasn't much left because so yummy) and even asked if we wanted a complimentary dessert. The food was right up to par with their rep and the service couldn't have been more responsive and pleasant. Give them a second chance and I guarantee this will be one of your favorite eateries.

[yippie]

The restaurant has barely been open a week. Most restaurant reviewers won't even go in until several weeks have passed and all the operations and wait staff snafus have been worked out. PF Chang is a quality Asian restaurant and not like the standard Chinese take-out joints, anyway. Part of the pleasure of dining there is the excellent service, the quality ingredients, and the beautiful surroundings.

I had dinner there with my family on Sunday night and they could not have been more accommodating. In fact, I had an extra person show up for my reservation (not their fault) and they arranged the table accordingly and even brought several complimentary appetizers because they didn't have a larger booth for us. After our meal, the waiter offered to package leftovers (there wasn't much left because so yummy) and even asked if we wanted a complimentary dessert. The food was right up to par with their rep and the service couldn't have been more responsive and pleasant. Give them a second chance and I guarantee this will be one of your favorite eateries.

I am quite familiar with PF Changs. Thanks for your comments. The food is very good.

[ShallowsNole]

I'm sure once the novelty wears off, takeout will be offered. And, even if it wasn't busy, it's not good to give you takeout but then cut it off again when it gets busy. (It would be good for you, but not for customer relations in general!)

Both times I have tried to go to PFC at lunch, you couldn't get within 50 parking spaces of the place and my colleagues grumbled. I am thinking about making another attempt Friday evening.

[goofer44]

They take reservations.

[yippie]

They take reservations.

I have had no problem getting in for lunch. We have gone early, around 11:15, then sat at the bar. During lunch the place is packed.

I wonder if they take reservations at lunch?

[Miss Kitty]

They take reservations.

Wow! The one near us in Dallas never has taken reservations. That place (located at Northpark Mall) has been packed since the day it opened, over seven years ago. I do think you can call ahead and get your name on the list.

[John R]

wow, what a trainwreck. the manager admitting that he has staffing problems?? the swings in quality of service, all within their two week opening period? looks like corporate should have a little more opening team backup in place. i think i'll wait a bit before heading over.

[joho]

I realize you probably wanted to try the "New" place but for a quick fix I recently tried JB's Chinese in Freeport. I thought it was quite good.
They have "Taky Outy"........

[Bob]

Any place that has a nice horse statue must have good food

[beachmouse]

Also, if anyone's heading Ft. Walton ways, it looks like Bombay Masala on Eglin Pkwy is finally open.

Rumor mill says it's Joe and Kimi's (late of Nim's in Destin) place, and if they're the ones entirely running the show, they shouldn't have the quality control problems Nim's had at times.

[seaside2]

Wow! The one near us in Dallas never has taken reservations. That place (located at Northpark Mall) has been packed since the day it opened, over seven years ago. I do think you can call ahead and get your name on the list.

MK,

Brings back lots of memories. Are you old enough to remeber these?

Tiche Gottenger
Little Meramid Deli at Neiman Marcus
ElChico between TG and Penny's

sorry about the trhead drift!:idontno:

[elgordoboy]

wow, what a trainwreck. the manager admitting that he has staffing problems?? the swings in quality of service, all within their two week opening period? looks like corporate should have a little more opening team backup in place. i think i'll wait a bit before heading over.
Was there a post about service not being good that I missed? I've been there a couple of times and service and food both have been excellent.

[elgordoboy]

Any place that has a nice horse statue must have good food
When I saw that horse going up during construction I was worried it was going to be silly enough to keep me from being able to eat at the restaurant. Luckily I overcame.

[Johnrudy]

There are a lot of choices out there.....



:wave:

[kathydwells]

I realize you probably wanted to try the "New" place but for a quick fix I recently tried JB's Chinese in Freeport. I thought it was quite good.

They have "Taky Outy"........

You come 10 minute. :biggrin: sorry, couldn't resist.

[jdarg]

I find it unbelievable that people will wait 2 hours for food.:floor: Sitting on a bench or standing around in a lobby, milling about like cattle on a feed lot.

But that is what these places are counting on.:lol:

(I do like Chang's- for takeout only unless I can be seated immediately)

[Miss Kitty]

MK,

Brings back lots of memories. Are you old enough to remeber these?

Tiche Gottenger
Little Meramid Deli at Neiman Marcus
ElChico between TG and Penny's

sorry about the trhead drift!:idontno:

Tangent Alert....yes, I am older than dirt. :wave:

I worked at Titche's in college for a semester. Imagine what I called it. :biggrin:
Mermaid Cafe is alive and serving! sarafunn and I still enjoy it!
El Chico is gone and the mall is larger after a huge add on. The movie theaters were dozed down and Nordstroms built there, along with 100 new stores and new theaters and restaurants. It is still one of the best looking malls I have ever seen...especially all the art.

[scooterbug44]

Waiting for a short time when a place is crowded is one thing, 2 hours is just stupid!

I can't think of any food I would wait 2 hours just to be seated for - I'd just go somewhere else and try again another time.

[grace]

Waiting for a short time when a place is crowded is one thing, 2 hours is just stupid!

I can't think of any food I would wait 2 hours just to be seated for - I'd just go somewhere else and try again another time.
Tell that to the tourons who wait up to 3 hours at the Red Bar during the summer for some mashed taters and crab cakes.

[scooterbug44]

Tourons

That says it all! :funn:

Now I want crab cakes! Do they still only have them on the weekends?

[SHELLY]

Tell that to the tourons who wait up to 3 hours at the Red Bar during the summer for some mashed taters and crab cakes.

When I was in Savannah last month I saw the looooonnnngggg line (broiling in the hot GA sun) outside of the Paula Deen's Lady & Sons.....:roll: Standing in line for hours for a fried chickin n' biskut buffet???? :blink:


.

[grace]

That says it all! :funn:

Now I want crab cakes! Do they still only have them on the weekends?
Friday & Saturdays. Yummy.

[scooterbug44]

I think these are the same type of people who will wait in line for hours or days to see a movie opening night.

[seaside2]

Tangent Alert....yes, I am older than dirt. :wave:

I worked at Titche's in college for a semester. Imagine what I called it. :biggrin:
Mermaid Cafe is alive and serving! sarafunn and I still enjoy it!
El Chico is gone and the mall is larger after a huge add on. The movie theaters were dozed down and Nordstroms built there, along with 100 new stores and new theaters and restaurants. It is still one of the best looking malls I have ever seen...especially all the art.


OMG, Are we old or what?

Learned to love chili Mac and poppy seed salad dressing there.

[sowalgayboi]

Tell that to the tourons who wait up to 3 hours at the Red Bar during the summer for some mashed taters and crab cakes.

Yeah, when you can just walk in the side at the bar and sit in a booth. :cool:

[grace]

Yeah, when you can just walk in the side at the bar and sit in a booth. :cool:
That always makes Rebekah happy.

[Minnie]

Tangent Alert....yes, I am older than dirt. :wave:

I worked at Titche's in college for a semester. Imagine what I called it. :biggrin:
Mermaid Cafe is alive and serving! sarafunn and I still enjoy it!
El Chico is gone and the mall is larger after a huge add on. The movie theaters were dozed down and Nordstroms built there, along with 100 new stores and new theaters and restaurants. It is still one of the best looking malls I have ever seen...especially all the art.

We still have an El Chico near me here in Memphis, has been going strong in the same location near the U. of M. for over 38 years. So Miss K. if you ever get up this way, my treat.

[Ocean Lover]

Tell that to the tourons who wait up to 3 hours at the Red Bar during the summer for some mashed taters and crab cakes.

I haven't waited that long..well actually I've probably waited 350 odd days...anyway, no where else compares for the wait...Grayton beach..hellooo

I think these are the same type of people who will wait in line for hours or days to see a movie opening night.

No, please don't compare me to those geeks. :lol: The only time I waited in line for a really long time was for Garth Brooks tickets...he kept selling out and then he added more shows until all fans got tickets. I think I was there 7 hours.

[AliKat]

I am sure that eventually they will be offering take out because they have a take out door with a register located on the side of the building. You can also see it if you walk to the bathrooms. I also heard the manager tell a caller that they will not be taking take out orders for the first month. As far as plenty of options in the area, I think PF Changs has the market cornered on good chinese food in this area. Good luck finding mongolian beef as delicious as theirs. :D

[NoHall]

I am sure that eventually they will be offering take out because they have a take out door with a register located on the side of the building. You can also see it if you walk to the bathrooms. I also heard the manager tell a caller that they will not be taking take out orders for the first month. As far as plenty of options in the area, I think PF Changs has the market cornered on good chinese food in this area. Good luck finding mongolian beef as delicious as theirs. :D

My gullfriends and I ran away from their husbands and kids tonight and went to PF Chang's here...yum! I love me some good mongolian beef, and their calamari is the only calamari I've ever really liked. :drool:

[yippie]

HA! They are now accepting take out orders. I ordered, picked up my food and was in heaven as I ate it.

I have never had a complaint about their food, it is delicious.

I was wrong in critcizing them so quickly. The employment situation is frustrating in this area and I am a bit short tempered. My problem, not theirs.

Sorry if I offended anyone.

[sowalgayboi]

Ate there last night, waited for an hour an half while people who came in after us (no they didn't have reservaions) were seated ahead of us. :drink2: When the drunk couple who had been there maybe 10 minutes came up with the line of, "the pager was going off before we got back up here" and the hostesses were trying to find them a table, we complained and finally got seated. :pissed: The best part was when we were asked if outside was ok. We had very clearly stated an hour and a half earlier that first available would be fine. :bang: The service was okay and the food was great, but the overall experience was horrid.

[SGB]

We were successful at ordering food to go tonight. It was great! There is a separate door on the side to pick up to go orders. It was pretty early and they were already busy. I could see how they could get in a staffing crunch and not have enough people to handle the take out orders, but they were happily handling them tonight! They do take reservations and encourage them. I was told there was a 2 hour wait last night.

[yippie]

We were successful at ordering food to go tonight. It was great! There is a separate door on the side to pick up to go orders. It was pretty early and they were already busy. I could see how they could get in a staffing crunch and not have enough people to handle the take out orders, but they were happily handling them tonight! They do take reservations and encourage them. I was told there was a 2 hour wait last night.

It was very early the other day, between 4:30 - 5 when I ordered. There were five other people picking up orders that early!

[DD]

All this PFC talk made me have to go to the one here. It was fabulous as always. Fortunately, not real crowded since Grapevine and Southlake (High Schools) were playing that night--everyone was at the game!! :clap:

[NOLA TRANSPLANT]

Hey Now thats Paula Dean, For the Love Of Butter's sake!!!!

[NOLA TRANSPLANT]

[quote=SHELLY;309752]When I was in Savannah last month I saw the looooonnnngggg line (broiling in the hot GA sun) outside of the Paula Deen's Lady & Sons.....:roll: Standing in line for hours for a fried chickin n' biskut buffet???? :blink:

Hey Now...... Thats Paula Deen!!!!!!!
For the Love of Butter Man!!!!!:yikes:

[Camp Creek Kid]

We went to PF Chang's for lunch today. We will not be going back. The food was fine, but the service was horrible. We got there at 11:30 with no line and plenty of empty tables. Did not get our food until 12:40. No Chinese food is worth that wait.

[30A Skunkape]

We went to PF Chang's for lunch today. We will not be going back. The food was fine, but the service was horrible. We got there at 11:30 with no line and plenty of empty tables. Did not get our food until 12:40. No Chinese food is worth that wait.

Great Chinese food is worth that wait, but you know what, after today's performance:

PFCB (Common Stock)
Exchange NASDAQ (US Dollar)
Price $28.63
Change (%) 0.78 (2.80%)
Volume 643,756
Data as of 11/12/07 2:45 p.m. ET
Do you think Paul Fleming really gives a hoot? :bang: Big chainers, dine at your own risk!

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Whenever possible, Just say no....to chain restaurants.

[Ocean Lover]

We went to PF Chang's for lunch today. We will not be going back. The food was fine, but the service was horrible. We got there at 11:30 with no line and plenty of empty tables. Did not get our food until 12:40. No Chinese food is worth that wait.

Not when' it's "10 minute" everywhere else.;-)

[Cinci Kid]

Why does anyone eat at chain restaurants like PF Changs? Support the Indy restaurants. 99% of chain restaurants suck anyway!! I think people go to the chains because they feel safe. They get boring food at a percieved value that isn't any less expensive than an independant restaurant. Chains are lame!!!

[beachmouse]

I'm all for supporting local businesses when I've got the chance, but I'm not big on the assumption that the local places are always preferable to the chains. There are a fair number of local places who seem to succeed by running their businesses like an Applebee's and skating by on location.

And then there are the decent chains as well. Our go-to place for a couple quick sandwiches in Destin is Zoe's. Small chain out of Alabama that does Greek-influenced sandwiches and salads. The local franchise is owned by a nice couple in their late 20s/early 30s. We've been eating there since they opened, and I know how hard they worked to get their businesses off the gorund. There were a couple of years there where it seemed like they were working 70 hour work weeks doing everything including a fair amount of the cooking because they didn't seem to be in the position to hire counter staff at the time. Good customer service, and it's always pleasant to eat there.

I'm glad they seem to have made it, chain or no, and I'm actually glad when I go there and don't see them in the restuarant because they deserve to be able to cut back to a 40 hour work week running their business.