RUINED MOTHERS DAY

Fifty bucks for ribs and a shrimp basket?
Ribs 14.00
Shrimp basket 10.00
drinks for 4- 8.00-12.00
tax- 3.00
I get about 38.00
Did you leave a 12.00 tip? Pretty generous, but they clearly deserved
it for going out of their way to find the high chair, fax paper, and
crayons.

:o)

EDWARD E. wins the award for most unreadable letter of the year!
Congratulations, Edward! The winning letter was a combination of caps
lock, unbroken block of text, and bad grammar. I think it was about
Chili's or something?

I could not make it through the whole letter. I'm sure there's a
complaint in there somewhere....

Your wife sounds like me and I'm a pretty good feeder according to my
hubby! Haven't tried their ribs. Did they taste good at least?

I don't know how you'll go on with your life.

Poor baby.

At least your kids didn't want waffles with strawberries!

I cannot STAND WHEN PEOPLE WRITE IN ALL CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This letter is still on my mind because of the word "Ruined." Was the
"holiday" really ruined? I've been reading the blog of a Minnesota
man whose wife died 7 weeks ago today, a day after giving bith to
their first child. Sunday was really hard on him, but he accepted the
day for what it was, and never said it was "ruined." Of course, he's
thinking bigger picture but...

Just really tired of people claiming some day or event was "ruined" by
minor hiccups in life.

You must be kidding me. You didn't order entrees for everyone and you
were surprised that there wasn't enough food? Please.

If you thought there weren't enough shrimp in your meal, and it sounds
like there weren't, you should've spoken to a manager then. It's the
right thing to do. It's remarkably easy and often yields desirable
results.

On Mothers' Day you had to wait for a high chair? Gee, what a
surprise. Get over it.

And, perhaps they were out of their usual kids crayons and such.
Again, it was Mothers' Day. Was your two year old disappointed?
Probably not. A couple crayons and some paper are great, great fun.

And, caps lock ... learn to turn it off. It's really not that hard.

I fail to see how this is Chilis problem. From the letter we are told
that they only ordered two entrees. Assuming that the 2 yr old didnt
eat anything, they split two entrees between three people?And one of
those was a big man? No wonder they were hungry afterwards. So
instead of ordering enough entrees for everyone at the table, Chilis
should just serve extra?

Next time give The Melting Pot a try. They are excellent on quality
and quantity and your wife and daughter will love it.

I'll have to pay attention the next time I am at Chili's to see if
it's the same by me now. I don't go there much because I don't find a
lot on their menu that I like anymore. I don't not like it, just
usually have a few other places I would rather go to than there.

It was refreshing to get to the end and not see you demanding all
sorts of things. My only suggestion for the future would be to skip
the caps lock. It's one thing for it to be a pain for people like us,
since we don't matter honestly, but for the customer service agent at
Chili's, it might be hard for them to read too.

Good luck.

Chris

I've noticed over the last few years that Chili's has reduced their
portions while rising their prices at the same time. :( I used to be a
fan, but not so much any more. I don't really mind the higher prices,
but when the portions are *obviously* smaller, that just adds insult
to injury, yknow?

I read many of the comments below, and a few of the OP's.

I see where there is conversation over whether a manager should have
been summoned. I think so. The reason is, the portions were
evidently so small the whole family was still hungry. That seems just
so wrong. If as I was leaving, I realized that we would be headed to
another establishment, I would summon my best patience and go back in
to complain. Any manager in his/her right mind would issue a coupon
or credit on the spot.

As far as the paper and crayons, I don't know what Chili's normally
provides for children, but what was summoned up should have kept a 2
year old entertained.

I hope Chili's gets back to you and finds a way to compensate you.
Good luck.

ps This didn't really ruin your Mother's Day, did it? It sounds like
the next place treated you well, and I assume you had a nice day
otherwise, what with a 2 year old running around.

When you go out to eat you expect to leave full. Your experience was
very disappointing especially if you have to go to another restuarnt
for a second meal.

I disagree with others who have said you should have spoken to a
manager. I am sure the manager would have given you a response but I
am sure he would have said all the meals come pre-portioned or are set
by the company. While that would have been an appropriate response, it
would not have provided Chili's with the feedback they actualy need.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Edward, I like how you knew yourself and your temper well enough to
realize it would NOT be a good idea to address this issue at the point
of sale. Normally, I feel very strongly that issues with food should
be addressed at the time they happen, however, there are always
exceptions.

Hopefully, Chili's will invite you and you family to give them another
shot.

While I think it'd be nice/appropriate for CHili's to contact you and
perhaps even offer you a gift card to invite you back... Mostly, I
appreciate that you didn't turn your letter into a demand for free
food.

Wow, you had to go eat somewhere else because the portions were that
small? What a ripoff.

I agree, you have a right to complain. However, I agree with other
posters that you really should have brought it up to the management to
see if things could have been handled better. That is what managers
are supposed to do.

Well, I guess I know what your new favorite restaurant is!

The problem, as I think I understand it, is that you have temper
issues. Therefore, you have the inability to politely ask a
question?

Not trying to pick on you, but it seems like you believe that every
encounter will turn into you "losing it."

If that's the case, may I (respecfully) suggest that you check out
Rage-a-holics Anonymous or a similar group to help manage your anger?

This is just the kind of feedback Chilis needs to hear.

Thanks for using PlanetFeedback!

As previous posters have written...you could have spoken with the
manager and explained that the reason your family enjoy's Chili's is
because the portions are larger and the food is good. He/she would
have probably accomodated you and you would have not left feeling
hungry and disappointed and angry because you spent $50 for nothing.

But this was your own choice to leave without mentioning anything. So
other than just getting this off your chest and being $100 less in
your wallet I hope you have released some of your anger and will now
use small case when typing.

To waitperson: "May I speak to the manager? (No, it's nothing you
did)"

To manager: "These portions are smaller than what's usually served
here. Has there been a reduction in portion sizes?"

As for the highchair wait (I say this as a parent of a toddler), these
things happen. Especially on Mother's Day. 15 minutes is a long
wait. Which is why, in these cases, I bring in the stroller. Or, I
enjoy the fact that I get to sit, with my bundle of joy, on my lap.

As for the coloring paper: sounds like they entertained your kid. My
2 year old would love to have a blank piece of paper and two crayons.