Orient Express deserves a shoutout!…read more
This place was SO busy. Like, everyone was working, moving fast, and absolutely busting their asses to make it happen. The food looked and smelled freshly cooked right off the stove -- I'm assuming it's cooked to order because they were CRAZY busy.
I thought I'd be smart and go inside to pick up my online order... nope. It was just as busy in there! No problem, though. They recognized my order, I paid, and found a little corner toward the front of the restaurant to wait.
About 10 minutes in, I did what I do best... choked on air.
Normally, I have a bottle of water with me because apparently I am a person who needs emergency hydration at all times. Not today. Of course.
I discreetly stepped outside and headed toward my car, praying I hadn't forgotten my water bottle. I had. BUT by the grace of God, my teenager had left a literal sip of water in a bottle tucked into the side pouch of her backpack. It wasn't ideal, but baby sips were getting the job done.
A few minutes later, the hostess/server came outside after me and genuinely looked concerned, asking if I was okay.
So much for being discreet.
I'm standing there all mortified like, "I'm good! Promise! Thank you so much for checking on me!"
I went back to my little corner to wait, and one of the gentlemen working there started giving everyone who was waiting a FREE pack of cookies. Such a sweet little gesture, especially considering how insanely busy they were.
Then the hostess/server comes over and hands me a cup of ice water with a straw and says, "I know you said you were okay, but..."
I about died.
Then the other, younger gentleman looked at me and said, "I'm so sorry for the wait. It's coming next!"
And honestly? That's service.
The WHOLE staff was busting their asses -- taking care of the people waiting inside, keeping everything moving, AND literally running food out to cars in the drive-thru.
My food was HOT, fresh, and sooooo worth the wait.
But more than the food, I was impressed by how attentive everyone was despite being completely slammed. They didn't make anyone feel forgotten, and they somehow still had time to notice when a random customer was outside choking on air.
I've honestly never had that kind of service while waiting for food. For those 15-20 minutes, I felt like royalty.
Orient Express, y'all were BUSY, but you were kind, attentive, and working your tails off. Thank you for taking care of me -- and for the emergency hydration.
10/10 experience. The food was delicious, but the people made it.