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RUINED MOTHERS DAY

Posted Mon May 12, 2008 8:00 am, by EDWARD E. written to Chili's

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THIS IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT FOOD QUALITY AS IT IS ABOUT PORTION SIZES.I AM TALKING ABOUT THE CHILI'S AT THE JERSEY GARDENS OUTLET IN ELIZABETH NJ.MY WIFE REALLY ENJOYS CHILI'S BABY BACK RIBS,SO FOR MOTHERS DAY I TOOK MY WIFE MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND 2 YEAR OLD SON.NOW GINA MY DAUGHTER EATS LIKE A BIRD AS IT IS SO MY ADVISE TO HER WAS DON'T ORDER ANYTHING CHILI'S AS I REMEMBERED GAVE HUGE PORTIONS,I THEN ORDERED THE SHRIMP BASKET (KEY WORD HERE IS BASKET)FOR MYSELF.MUCH TO MY DISMAY THE BABY BACK RIBS WERE EMBARRESSING IN THERE SIZE,NOT NEARLY ENOUGH FOR JUST MY WIFE WHO WEIGHS ONLY 110 LBS.SO NO SHARING THERE.NOW ONTO MY ENTREE MY "BASKET OF SHRIMP" 5 PCS OF SHRIMP AND A HANDFUL OF HOME STYE FRIES NOW I AM THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF MY PETITE WIFE BEING 6'2" 225 I FLOSS MORE FOOD FROM BETWEEN MY TEETH THEN WHAT I RECEIVED.SO NEEDLESS TO SAY WE LEFT CHILI'S AFTER PAYING OUR $50 TAB AND WENT ACROSS THE MALL TO JOHNNY ROCKETS WHERE I THEN HAD TO BUY 3 MORE MEALS FOR MY FAMILY.CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME WHEN CHILI'S BECAME SO FRUGAL AND DISSAPOINTING THIS IS NOT THE CHILI'S I REMEMBERED.ON A SIDE NOTE MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS FORCED TO SIT ON MY LAP FOR CLOSE TO 15 MINUTES WHILE THE STAFF TRIED TO FIND A HIGH CHAIR FOR HIM, ONCE THEY DID THEY GAVE HIM 2 CRAYONS AND A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER I THINK THEY GOT FROM THERE FAX MACHINE.MAYBE IT IS ME BUT ANYTIME YOU HAVE TO LEAVE A RESTAURANT AFTER EATING AND GO TO ANOTHER RESTAURANT TO EAT AGAIN,THINGS ARE NOT GOING YOUR WAY.ANOTHER SIDE NOTE JOHNNY ROCKETS AFTER HEARING ABOUT OUR "MEAL" AT CHILI'S TOOK MY WIFES CHILI FRIES OFF THE BILL.KUDOS TO JOHNNY ROCKETS.
'

I DON'T EXPECT CHILI'S TO DO ANYTHING I REALIZE IT IS BUYER BEWARE.I WILL NO LONGER PATRONIZE CHILI'S.


Reply



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by C H. Posted Thu May 22, 2008 @ 3:09 PM

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)



Reply

by mariam67 Posted Mon May 19, 2008 @ 12:20 AM

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?

Reply
by Buddy Posted Sun May 18, 2008 @ 5:43 PM

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

Reply


Me either by HurricaneCentral Wed May 28, 2008 @ 3:15 AM


by Norma Rae Posted Fri May 16, 2008 @ 3:21 PM

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?

Reply
by p d. Posted Thu May 15, 2008 @ 4:32 PM

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

Poor baby.

Reply

by MA Cunningham Posted Thu May 15, 2008 @ 10:31 AM

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

Reply

by Evil N Posted Wed May 14, 2008 @ 6:57 PM

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

Reply


Re: RUINED MOTHERS DAY by RedheadwGlasses Tue May 13, 2008 @ 1:40 PM


ruined by SuzieCat Wed May 14, 2008 @ 12:20 AM


I, too, object to words by Harleycat (aka Usual Suspect #2) Wed May 14, 2008 @ 10:27 AM


thank you, harleycat by SuzieCat Wed May 14, 2008 @ 11:50 AM


I feel for both of you by RedheadwGlasses Wed May 14, 2008 @ 12:40 PM


thanks, Red by SuzieCat Wed May 14, 2008 @ 2:16 PM


My sister's case was a little different.. by Harleycat (aka Usual Suspect #2) Wed May 14, 2008 @ 3:48 PM

by SuzieCat Posted Thu May 15, 2008 @ 11:00 AM

Wow, Harley, I am so sorry. It sounds like your sister did everything
she could to help herself.

I wish there was something else we could do to treat severe
depression. No one should have to go through such mental pain.

Reply


Thanks Red.. by Harleycat (aka Usual Suspect #2) Wed May 14, 2008 @ 3:50 PM

Amen... by C A. Wed May 14, 2008 @ 11:41 AM
by YouAreKiddingMe Posted Tue May 13, 2008 @ 10:00 AM

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.

Reply


by SiotehCat Posted Tue May 13, 2008 @ 8:42 AM

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?

Reply


Excellent point. n/t by RedheadwGlasses Tue May 13, 2008 @ 8:44 AM
by T. C. Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 9:58 PM

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

Reply


It was a son, not a daughter. And what will switching to another restaurant do to improve the next Chili's customer's experience? by Donno Tue May 13, 2008 @ 2:26 AM


Plus.... by All About the Branding Tue May 13, 2008 @ 6:49 AM


Donno by MA Cunningham Thu May 15, 2008 @ 10:34 AM


My response by Donno Sun May 18, 2008 @ 1:43 PM


Donno... by Just Brenda Mon May 19, 2008 @ 11:50 AM

by Chris M Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 9:05 PM

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

Reply


You put that just right by RedheadwGlasses Mon May 12, 2008 @ 11:21 PM

by Peregrina Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 7:17 PM

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?

Reply


I haven't noticed either of those things by ♪♪Venice♪♪ Tue May 13, 2008 @ 4:52 AM

At the local Chili's... by Peregrina Tue May 13, 2008 @ 2:21 PM


I'll let you know by ♪♪Venice♪♪ Wed May 14, 2008 @ 4:41 AM

by Donno Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 6:40 PM

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.

Reply
by Richard S. Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 4:23 PM

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.

Reply


by SuzieCat Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 4:08 PM

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.

Reply

by RedheadwGlasses Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 1:14 PM

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.

Reply

by Becks Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 11:30 AM

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!

Reply


by ~Fiナ-la-ネea~ Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 10:41 AM

Portion size might be uncomfortable to complain about for some people.

Reply

Not in this case by TWIZ Mon May 12, 2008 @ 10:52 AM


You have me chuckling by ~Fiナ-la-ネea~ Mon May 12, 2008 @ 11:07 AM


Ah! by All About the Branding Mon May 12, 2008 @ 11:28 AM

by The PlanetFeedback Team Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 10:21 AM

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

Thanks for using PlanetFeedback!

Reply

by dulynoted Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 10:19 AM

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.


Reply

respecting the day by TWIZ Mon May 12, 2008 @ 10:43 AM


by All About the Branding Posted Mon May 12, 2008 @ 8:12 AM

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.

Reply

Ruined Mothers Day. by TWIZ Mon May 12, 2008 @ 8:32 AM

you have a point, but the last line in your reply by dottiejean28 Mon May 12, 2008 @ 8:45 AM

apologies by TWIZ Mon May 12, 2008 @ 8:49 AM


No offense, dottiejean by LadyMac Mon May 12, 2008 @ 11:48 AM

Who said you have to whine? You have a legitimate question by Steve-OH Mon May 12, 2008 @ 9:59 AM

Point taken by TWIZ Mon May 12, 2008 @ 10:09 AM

The problem with not asking by dawniedawn67 Mon May 12, 2008 @ 10:35 AM


Actually by The PlanetFeedback Team Mon May 12, 2008 @ 11:47 AM


One by ~Fiナ-la-ネea~ Wed May 14, 2008 @ 6:22 PM


Response by All About the Branding Mon May 12, 2008 @ 11:26 AM

Ok.. by Angelic Princess:) Mon May 12, 2008 @ 5:40 PM




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