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| - My first visit to Pappadeaux didn't start off well. I decided to grab a quick dinner to avoid rush hour traffic back from Phoenix to Chandler, and Pappadeaux looked good. I waited almost 10 minutes for someone to even acknowledge me, in spite of a half dozen servers standing nearby talking about their various life dramas. (It was 115 degrees that day, and ice water was definitel at the top of my list of "must haves," seconded by a glass of wine.)
As I started to leave, determined to find a restaurant that actually welcomed its customers, an astute server -- Johnnie -- realized I was ready to bail and proceeded to treat me like a queen for the next 45 minutes.
I was sitting next to the dessert tray and he said, since I'd waited to be served, the restaurant would treat me to a dessert. I don't eat dessert, but I tried to be gracious in light of his offer, so I said thank you. Johnnie realized it wasn't going to be my thing. I ordered the filet topped with crabmeat and a wonderful sauce. It was perfectly cooked according to my request, and certainly didn't need anything extra to enhance its flavor. Johnnie talked to his manager and, after his talk, I was comp'd my meal (less my two glasses of excellent wine). I told his manager that Johnnie had saved the day. The manager said the person who was working my area of the restaurant hadn't shown up for work that day. I didn't really appreciate the excuse. A half dozen servers were within 8 feet of me and could have seen I wasn't been served. But Johnnie did -- and took responsibility. Good for him!
The food was excellent. (I'm not a big seafood eater, but the sauce for the steak accompanied by the crab was perfectly seasoned.) Johnny earned a handsome tip because of his attentiveness, and the restaurant earned a second chance in the future.
But I think I'll ask for Johnny as my server.
Cheryl
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