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| - I work at Northlake Mall and I was excited to try a new option for lunch today since our food court is just depressing. I stopped by around 4:00 PM by myself for a late lunch break.
When I first came in, I told the hostess that I'd prefer to sit in a booth that was out of the way instead of the bar since I don't like sitting in high top chairs and didn't want to feel like I was on display eating by myself. They put me in a booth in the back by the kitchen, which was fine until I realized after I ordered that I was right by the unofficial employee hangout area and would have been more comfortable sitting at the bar.
The entire time I was there, there were at least two of them just standing there chatting, which was uncomfortable for me since who wants to face people right in front of you while you're eating a messy sub, especially when the restaurant is practically empty? I hated it, especially when a girl (not my waitress) started ranting about how she was upset another waitress who got to work after her was assigned a table first. I was close to telling her how unprofessional it was to act like that so close to customers, especially at a new restaurant, but I knew that would be inappropriate and bit my tongue.
I didn't order pizza or wings since there wasn't a lunch special for them and they are pricey to order when it's just one person. I asked the hostesses when I first came in if there were any lunch specials going on and one pointed them out on the menu, but didn't find out until I was already seated and asked my waitress that those ended at 2. That's definitely a miscommunication that needs to be cleared up with the entire staff because I wouldn't have asked to be seated if I had been correctly told that lunch specials were over. I stayed because I figured I was already there and should give this new restaurant a shot. I saw on their website later they have lunch specials from 11-2 M-F, but they are missing out on mall employees stopping by on their lunch break since many of us don't go on break until later in the day and don't want to spend $15 on lunch. If they extended it to 4 M-F or even had happy hour specials 4-6 M-F like Firebirds does, that would entice more mall employees to stop by for a quick bite.
My waitress was very sweet and the only thing she could have improved upon was to ask if I had any questions or pointed out anything I should try on the menu. It took me awhile to decide on the Ad-Rock Chicken Parmesan Sub with Chap's Chips. I was disappointed that half of my chips seemed cooked, but when you bit into them, the middle was undercooked and soggy. I flagged down another waitress to tell her since my waitress was at an employee meeting in the back (no worries about that, I know it's hard to get everyone for a meeting at the same time) and a manager came soon to talk to me about the chips. I think his name was John. He explained they try very hard to make sure the chips are cooked evenly and since that's not always possible, they put aside the undercooked ones for employees since they aren't going to hurt you. He was nice and professional and I appreciated how he brought me a fresh side of chips immediately.
The chicken parm sub was ok, but definitely not the best and I wouldn't order it again. There was a ton of sauce and cheese, which is always good, but wasn't very "chickeny", if that makes sense. From the menu description, I expected there to be thicker pieces of chicken, but that wasn't the case. It made me wish I'd ordered pizza or wings. I was also charged 50 cents for ranch dipping sauce with the chips, which I didn't expect since the appetizer of chips description states that it comes with bbq sauce, so I assumed a sauce would come with it as an entree side as well, especially since there isn't ketchup on the table. No big deal since I definitely dipped my chips in that ranch, but that should be more clear.
Several people checked on me while I was eating, including three that I presumed to be owners or managers, which is always a good sign that they are active employees instead of being managers or owners who hide at a table in the back and don't really pay attention to what is actually happening in the restaurant. My family co-owned a pizza franchise for almost 13 years and I always pay close attention to customer service and management styles. There is a family vibe about this place that will appeal to all demographics and I'd feel comfortable going back with family or friends.
I'm kicking myself for not checking in on Yelp until I could take a picture of my food because it was too late to order the free check in offer of Polo Grounds Parm Bites! Rookie mistake that I won't make again and if you're reading this, make sure you don't make the same mistake!
All in all, it's a decent new restaurant that needs to work though some hiccups, but none that will deter me from going back. I'm already planning to go with a friend soon so we can try the pizza and wings!
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