Visiting the Quad Cities after 8 months, my friends suggested this new (and conveniently located) place for Sunday brunch. Upon entering, I was quite impressed by the clean/modern décor, and the fun/lively "vibe". As others have mentioned, there was a 10-15 wait--but I consider that a good sign. Who waits to eat at a bad restaurant?
Once we were seated, Keeley--our waitress--was polite and patient while we waited (with our drinks) for a late friend. Everything was going perfectly until I ordered the "Chicken Pot Pie" (a weekend special) and Keeley asked me if I wanted "ranch" on my salad. When I informed her that "I don't eat salad" (was ready to forego it), she informed me that I could "get any side" as a substitution. At that point, I was really impressed, since most restaurants don't let you substitute the salad with anything (except, maybe soup, if available). I looked at the list, and chose the "Cheese Tots".
A few minutes later, a rude lady (who wasn't Keeley), came up to our table and demandingly asked, "Which one didn't have the ranch?"--we gave her a confused look, as only one of my friends ordered a salad (with ranch). Then, she looked at me and demanded, "You didn't order the pot pie!?"... I informed her that I did, and said that I was expecting the "Cheese Tots". At that point, she rudely stated, "You know there's an UPCHARGE for that--the 'Cheese Tots' are $3.00 extra!"
Trying not to make a big ordeal in front of my friends. I simply stated: "I would contest that--because I was not informed there would be an UPCHARGE when I ordered". The lady just walked away without saying anything, and never came to our table again.
I didn't have a problem with paying an additional $3.00 for the "Cheese Tots", but I should have been informed of this when placing the order--not afterwards, as a bait-and-switch. It's possible that Keeley didn't tell me about the UPCHARGE because she simply forgot, or she may have never intended to charge me (to be accommodating to my dietary needs)--but finding out afterwards (by a very abrupt person) made for a terrible dining experience. For a moment, my friends went silent, and it put a damper on the duration of meal.
When I got the check, I was glad to see the $3.00 UPCHARGE removed (and circled with a pen). However, I was annoyed when Keeley made the following comment before our departure: "Just a reminder that everything but the fries has an UPCHARGE". What reminder??? I'm from out of town--and this was my first visit to Central Standard... I don't need to be "reminded"... I needed to "told" about the additional cost in the first place. Not everyone who visits this establishment is a local, so the UPCHARGE be mentioned whenever offering a substitution.
We also couldn't understand why Keeley said that "everything but the fries" has an UPCHARGE--my friend got the salad (not fries) as her side, and was not charged an additional $3.00. So, is it "everything but the fries and the salad"...? It seems there is no clear way to know (in advance) what you're actually going to pay for your meal.
In short, don't bother to substitute anything unless you want to be treated rudely--or, unless you explicitly ask if a particular side will cost more. I probably won't return (during my next visit to the Quad Cities) unless my friends really want to go there again. Sad :( read more