Pho D'lite. I think the "D" stands for disaster and disappointment. Nearly two years ago, my wife and I visited this establishment, and we were not pleased, so we returned this past Monday to see if they have improved since our last visit.
We went this past Monday, after the lunch hour madness. Upon arrival, there was no "hostess" to greet or show to our table. Three tables needed to be cleaned. We were fortunate enough one table that was somewhat clean. A young lady, wearing a green sweater, wiped down our table and brought our water. I was sitting against the wall so I could see the whole restaurant.
We ordered the crispy butter wings and Asian poppers as appetizers and two Pho D'Lite as the main meal. They were out of crispy butter wings, so we switched to chicken satay. When our pho arrived, 10 minutes after we placed our orders, we had no utensil to eat with so they gave us "take-out wooden utensils." Plastic chopsticks, wooden chopsticks, no problem as long as we get to eat pho. Some of my pho stuck to the side of the bowl. Our Asian poppers were overcooked, over fried and the chicken satay was dry. I noticed the table across from us, a young couple sat down for 14 minutes, and no one came to clear their table, nor take notice of them until the lady flagged one of the waitresses to clear the table and place their order.
So, at this moment, I started to take notices several things: 1) a group of four customers who sat down, got up and left, from I observed lack of service; 2) two tables did not have appropriate condiments such hoisin and sriracha sauce, there is like no salt, nor pepper on the table, lack attention to detail; 3) one employee all he did was folding napkin and prepare the utensil, this guy could have helped out with bussing duty; 4) more tables needed to be cleared and bussed; 5) the couple's pho came but no utensils. They were unable to eat their food, and their chopsticks did not arrive until 10 minutes later you can imagine the broth is no longer hot but warm; 6) a customer set a $20 bill on the table, ready to pay and leave. A tall, slender blonde waitress came, took the $20 to the cashier without presenting the bill the customer when she returned and handed $5 and changes back to the customer. He ordered one pho, $8.45, added taxes, comes out around $10, she handed back $5, that is not right, talk about shortchange the guy; 7) the same young lady who wore a green sweater, I take the impression that she might be in charge because all the employees were wearing black. Anyway, she sat down and chatted with two other girls, one is an employee and the second one could be a customer or someone she knows. Phones were out and used, and there is a sign saying, no cell phones used during working hours.
I strongly believe in making a restaurant successful two things must happen: great foods and great services. They are both equally important. If the food sucks, the customers won't order them or return. If the service is lacking, then you can see customers get up and leave like the group of four who left. The manager needs to step up and runs this restaurant more efficiently. Properly train the crews what their responsibilities are. read more