I came in to Ramen Republic just past 8pm the other day to order a boba drink. I have been there before and find their ramen okaaay, but on Tuesday I only wanted to grab a drink on my way home. I quickly looked up their restaurant hours and when I saw that they closed at 9pm I knew I had more than enough time. After all, it was only 8:10 or so.
When I walked in and approached the boba menu (which is off to the side a bit), the girl at the counter said nothing to me. Not even a greeting. After making a mental selection on which flavor I wanted to get, I got in line behind a group of four friends, who I assumed were about to order since they were all standing in front of the register. I was standing for quite a few minutes minding my own business before I finally realized they weren't ordering at all! They were all chatting with the cashier who was loudly complaining to them about how customers will often stay in the restaurant past close, and how it drives her crazy because she has much more important things to do and thats she's in medical school and blah blah blah. The girl was literally ranting. At this point there is at least one other costumer who has gotten in line behind me, and two additional girls walk in and approach the boba menu. She calls over to them "The boba machine is closed." and when they asked why she said in a matter-of-fact tone, "It closes an hour before the kitchen." turns her head back to the group of guys talking to her and rolls her eyes. Why couldn't she have mentioned that to me when I walked in?! She HAD to have seen me leaning over to read the boba menu? I left, highly agitated that I wasted so much time waiting in "line" to order a drink she would have refused to prepare anyway. When a restaurant posts it's hours, I have to assume all menu items will be available unless otherwise specified, and the rule about the boba machine is not stated anywhere online or in store. In fact, I think the girl working was just lying so she didn't have to stay late to clean the machine. Either way, I was so off-put by the service that I will not be returning.