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| - I first visited this Spicy Pickle location shortly after they opened, and experienced a VERY long wait time (10 minutes) for a simple panini that wasn't nearly toasted enough and a side of pasta salad. Assuming that this was merely because the staff was new and there was a big lunch rush there, I figured it would be worth another chance. Based on my second experience, I don't think I will be giving them a third chance.
The dining area only had a few patrons, and there was no line when I got to the counter. I ordered a combo with a half Basque panini and a green chili corn bisque soup (about $8) and stepped aside to wait for my order. FIFTEEN minutes later, after several other orders were brought to tables or given to other take-out patrons, the employee who was expediting food asked me, "Are you Lisa?" No, I'm not Lisa. He shuffled through a few tickets (where he obviously didn't find mine), asked me what I had ordered, and then asked the gal making sandwiches where my order was. She said gruffly, "I don't have anything for Amy." Great. Instead of apologizing for making me wait needlessly, they slapped together a sandwich that was 50% apple, 25% mustard, 24% spinach and 1% ham and then put it on the panini press for about 10 seconds. I will say the soup was delicious, but all they had to do was ladle that into a cup. I not only waited while nearly every other patron dining in and taking out received their orders before me but I was then rewarded by receiving a half-assed sandwich assembled by ambivalent staff. The ratio of ingredients made for a very weird flavor. A mustard-coated granny smith apple sandwich is not what I ordered.
Lunch rush sandwich places are a dime a dozen, and I am lucky to have quite a few options close to my office. It's great to have something a little more special than the Subway across the street, but with so many dining choices, customer service is key. I'm disappointed that the inordinately long wait times and poor customer service I experienced when they opened weren't just growing pains.
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