Endolyne Joe's disappointment

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  • #611729

    Greystreet
    Participant

    **I formally notified the manager from the CHOW restaurant group website via email after my experience last evening**

    My best friend and I are local to Arbor Heights and try to patronize Endolyne Joe’s every couple of months whenever their menus rotate. I find it to be a neat concept and always enjoy what they are able to conjure up. Last evening I was excited to see that New Mexico was the theme upon walking in and we pulled up at the rail to avoid waiting for a table. The gentleman bartending, whom I will let remain nameless, greeted us with nothing less than an attitude and not even a smirk. He sharply asked if we needed menus and then grabbed us the wine we requested. I specifically ordered off of the special menu and even pointed to the board to indicate I wanted to start with a cup of the soup. My friend and I both commented on how the feeling in the restaurant last evening just felt cold, none of the waitstaff or even the guests seemed to be enjoying themselves. When the bartender served my friend his salad and no soup for me, I knew that he did not put it in so I kindly reminded him and I was met with disdain and attitude, again. My empty wine glass was never addressed until I received the wrong entree and made to feel like it was my fault the order was entered wrong. All told we were ignored throughout our meal and never once we were given any sort of service recovery or visited by management. It is really unfortunate because it is close to home and it’s usually a great place to go, however if I visit again (which won’t be for a while) if said bartender is working the bar I will turn around and leave. I have never been made to feel like I made the mistake on entering my own food order at a restaurant before. I sent a very detailed email to the manager in the hopes that feedback is given. I did tip the bartender and thanked him when I left and the feeling was still cold and full of attitude. I hope they are able to remedy whatever caused such an undesirable dining experience.

    #809954

    wakeflood
    Participant

    Restaurants live on such small margins, they can’t afford to turn patrons away like that. I used to go more frequently to the bar and eat when they had some really friendly barkeeps. Seems less so, now.

    I DID have a very upbeat and helpful female waiter in the main section just a few days back. Which will keep me going.

    Hopefully they get this sorted asap.

    #809955

    datamuse
    Participant

    I’ll be interested to know what you hear back, if anything. I used to really like this place but lately I’ve been sorta meh on it.

    #809956

    Greystreet
    Participant

    Interestingly enough I just got off of the phone with the manager of the restaurant, Rich Gantner, and he was nothing but apologetic and professional. It was genuine and he is sending a gift card, which I didn’t even request. His timely follow-up and understanding speaks volumes. I will go back for sure and see if anything changed. Rant turned into a Rave for follow-up customer service :)

    #809957

    pattilea
    Participant

    Greystreet, I am curious why you tipped for poor service?

    #809958

    Greystreet
    Participant

    Pattilea, I did food service for many years and I am from Pennsylvania. Servers there make 2.83/hr + tips, I worked for every tip be it good or bad and I have this cosmic connection that doesn’t allow me to NOT tip. While I was upset with the service I was not aware what the bartender had going on in his personal life or any conversations he had prior to starting his shift. Not tipping employees who rely on tips doesn’t make us any better than the poor service we received. Does it mean one tips 20%? Absolutely not, but I still tip in this scenarios as a personal pay it forward in the hopes it changes behavior.

    #809959

    miws
    Participant

    Greystreet, glad to hear this disappointment has apparently turned positive.

    I’ve never been to Joe’s, so can’t relate any experiences there positive or negative, but after reading your OP, I was about to comment on just that.

    It’s well written, points out right off that you contacted Management per WSB Rules, and points it out in a tone that does not read as a snarky comment as to WSB’s Rules.

    It is written in a manner that in no way makes me wonder if you had expectations that were too high, or that you felt entitled in any way.

    Not so much here, with the Rules, but on sites such as that “Y” site, I take many of the negative comments with a grain of salt, as they so often read as over-reactionary to a negative incident, and seem to make personal attacks on the Staff, rather than maturely addressing the actual negative issue.

    Mike

    #809960

    skeeter
    Participant

    Does Endolyne still do some sort of deal with tokens for beers? Here’s why I ask. I went with a friend a couple years ago and the server accidentally overcharged us. I didn’t notice until after I paid the bill. So the server offered several tokens that I think she said were good for a beer each or something? Gosh I hardly remember. But I’ve had four tokens in my junk drawer for about three years and I keep meaning to use them if they still have any value.

    #809961

    Greystreet
    Participant

    Thanks miws, I appreciate that ;) Skeeter, I am not sure if they use beer tokens as I do not usually order a frosty brew, but maybe the chow restuarant group website might have more on that or it could just be a tribal knowledge restaurant specific gig.

    #809962

    Pibal
    Participant

    Hey Skeeter,

    I think those tokens are left over from and still good for the West Seattle streetcar and its light rail replacement. ;>)

    #809963

    wakeflood
    Participant

    Zactly, Pibal. I’ve willed mine to grandkids for use on the inaugural run of the WS Link Light Rail trip in July, 2034. (I hope 17 is enough for a fare?) ;-)

    #809964

    maplesyrup
    Participant

    No soup for you!

    Actually I’m surprised to hear about the service. I eat there a lot and the service is usually really good, including at the bar.

    The food sometimes needs work though.

    #809965

    anonyme
    Participant

    I used to eat there regularly until I had a bad experience involving racial discrimination on the part of the host. I did speak to the manager, but the issue was denied, not resolved – so I haven’t been back since. Can’t say I’ve missed it much, ‘tho the hush puppies were yummy.

    #809966

    kgdlg
    Participant

    Anonyme that is so upsetting!!! While I don’t think the food is outstanding at Joes it is reliably good, which I like. And we have never had anything but outstanding service there. To hear that you may have been discriminated against is just so upsetting. I am white but my daughter is of part Mexican descent (and I believe noticeably different looking than me, I did not give birth to her). Anyway, we always have good communication with our servers and love in particular one Latino gentlemen who always takes great care to be sweet to her. (she is shy about speaking her Spanish in public sometimes) it is just always a very kind and sweet interaction that I love. I know this may be different than what you are talking about but wanted to share my story.

    #809967

    HappyOnAlki
    Participant

    Seems like it would have been fair to contact the management — and then give them time to respond — before posting a rant. Since Greystreet was satisfied with the response, maybe the rant wouldn’t have been posted at all.

    #809968

    JoB
    Participant

    and this discussion shouldn’t have happened because?

    i too find Endolyne Joes pretty hit and miss..

    that doesn’t stop me from going there

    but it does keep them from being my first choice

    if they didn’t have parking i probably wouldn’t go at all

    and that’s a shame because on the nights that they hit.. they hit a home run.

    i suspect that the management is reading this topic

    and have found it instructive

    at least, i hope so

    #809969

    ellenater
    Member

    I also appreciated the tone of the OP because most of the rants on here are really self-righteous and entitled. This thread seems like more of a conversation…

    I am surprised that so many people like this place. I’ve been a total of 3 times and didn’t like their food or service all three times. The service was bad–and by that I mean that the servers forgot about our table and we had to fight to get served, two out of the three times. The other time, the service was excellent! All three times, the food was just okay, to bad. If I eat out, I want great food and not something truly mediocre–bad. I think their themes are cool and love the decorations though. One of the times I ate there before was also a New Mexico theme. Hope they can step it up a little. Less salt!

    #809970

    066XOX
    Participant

    I liked it better when it was a grocery store.

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