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| - I was at the market with my family and had (admittedly, very stupidly) boasted about this place without ever trying it, based solely on the reviews.
We won't ever try "De Luxe" again or recommend friends here. The man behind the counter belongs at a bar, not a crepe stand. He was rude, very unfriendly and unhelpful. You would think he could direct some traffic or tell us where to stand as there is no organization whatsoever - with the coffee stand right next door, the merging three-pronged lines facing every direction, and costumers asking, "I'm sorry, you're in line? For coffee or crepes?" I didn't realize there was a difference! He doesn't even look up to register customers as they stop by, and barely acknowledges your order with a grunt. Doesn't thank you for your business. Doesn't tell you how long it's going to be. Doesn't answer questions without an annoyed tilt in his voice. How do people keep coming back?
In addition, he has one burly hand ungloved to accept dirty cash, then quickly swats his fingers together with alcohol to 'sanitize.' Before medical school, I worked in the food service industry - and I can tell you, with experience from BOTH places, that this is not an effective sanitation method if you're dealing with filthy cash and fresh fruit.
Poor, questionable service aside, I was excited for the crepes, and I'm forced to pose the question: what is all this fuss! There is nothing exciting or experimental about the menu. "De Luxe" serves run-of-the-mill nutella & banana variations. Our bananas were not ripe despite the stand's (literal) two-minute distance from fresh fruit at the market next door. The batter, once cooked, reeked of eggs.
I've had better. MUCH, much better, both in terms of service and product. Maybe the guy was off his game. Maybe I just have higher standards for a simple dish. Maybe I shouldn't be comparing New York or Beirut to Cleveland. Frankly, if this place wasn't in Cleveland, - where it is the only place to get 'good crepes' within a fifteen mile radius - I doubt it'd still be in business.
Never again.
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