Interesting restaurant experience (or, why you should always tip well) LOL

[stepmommyof1]

Ok in my post I was talking to someone from the Thai restaurant and I want to tell you what happened exactly the way they said, it, so when I type how they said it, I am just repeating them, I'm not making fun of their English, I promise.

Hubby was gone this evening for work and I didn't feel like cooking so I asked my stepson what he wanted out and he said Thai food, which we both love. I cook a lot but we also get a lot of Thai food.

The place is very popular and busy so I was hoping we could still get our order in for dinner.

So I call them and after they took my whole order (I mean they listened to my long and rambling order for several minutes) THEN the guy says, "We are close" (closed).

And I was like, "Um...ok, so...you can't do the order, right?"

(But I was thinking WHY did you answer your phone at all and then listen to me give my whole order if you're closed?)

And he says, "This ___ right?" (our last name; the restaurant has caller ID I guess)

I said, "Yeah.."

And he was like, "Oh, no, you good customer, we take your order even though close. Give 25 minutes, then you pick up."

And I was thinking "How can you take my order if you're CLOSED?"

So I finish up and he says "Okay sign on door say close, but you pull round back and we bring your food".

So when it was time to go, we drove down the street to get it and they live above their restaurant so I guess that is how they could still make it even though theyre closed, but...that was weird.

They usually are not closed at this time, I mean they're very popular so it was odd they were closed, but the guy later told me they're changing their hours to close early on Thursdays just for this season because they're going to be doing some special thing on Fridays. (I just didn't know about the change. )

So we pull up and I tell stepson to just wait in the car and Ill go up and get it, so I get out and walk up to the back door.

Its a family business, and the little 5 yr old nephew of the owner is hanging out the window and shouting down to me because he was acting all excited that someone is coming when they are closed for the day, lol. He runs down there and shows me all the things he's carrying around in his pocket (typical little boy things, marbles etc) and he was just really cute.

Then after a few minutes they bring all the food out and they gave us these two big fancy tea cups with whipped cream on top and say:
"This extra treat for you and son,"
and they told us what kind of tea it was and everything, and I told them thank you, and then I said,
"Thats so nice of you to make us extra things and to make our food when your restaraunt's closed!"
And they said, ...lol....
"You come to us every couple weeks, Tips very good. We do extra for you."

 

[SandrA9810]

that's very sweet of them. Maybe in the near future you can do something special for them.

It's always nice when some one else treats you like family.

 

[Sparx]

I love to read about good customer service. I heard a quote once that said something like, "A happy customer will tell five people, an unhappy customer will tell five thousand people."

It sounds like that restaurant really went above and beyond and I would definitely be frequently returning. It might be nice to even send them a card (gift card maybe?) to thank them for their wonderful service.

 

[ksumn1]

Yep, it helps when you tip well. Or even if you don't tip but you're a repeat customer who's always friendly and polite. A few years ago, I managed a Subway in a strip mall. A few doors down was a Chinese place. The owner used to come in all the time and get a sandwich. And I would go get Chinese food. We became friendly, and when I was pregnant with DD and in school, I used to crave Chicken and broccoli. So much so that I ate it at least twice a week. I ate there so much that when she saw me get out of the car in the parking lot, she would place my order and have my soup waiting at "my" table when I sat down.

Later I started calling in my order. The day I switched from chicken and broccoli to LoMein noodles she not only asked if I was sick over the phone but she felt my forehead when I came in to make sure I was "All OK"

To this day, when I call and start my order she interrupts me...Yeah, Yeah, I know, lomein noodles, steamed dumplings, chicken broccoli...your husband want Hunan chicken or shrimp?

ANd my kids think it's cool that we get free stuff all the time.

Sometimes it pays to be a creature of habit.

 

[redlight]

That's sweet!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

This is why we patronize local businesses.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

That rocks! I always did little "extras" for the repeat customers that took care of me.

(I was a waitress/bartender, get your mind out of the gutter )

 

[OceanAnnie]

Cool story.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Very nice story, I'm sure they run a successful business if they take such good care of their customers.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

That's a nice story. Our local chinese place recognizes our phone number on caller ID....I'm not sure that's a good thing She comments if we change our order.

 

[Patricia]

Very cool story. Love the idea of local businesses and good customer service!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I am guilty of that as well.. I used to LOVE this burger joint inside a gas station and well was frequent enough that I couldn't get gas unless I got lunch as they started cooking my "Number 4 no spicy fry" when I pulled up...

I miss that little hole in the wall