Okay--why am I taking the time to review a Subway sandwich shop? First off, Subway is probably one of the largest food franchises in the world. I normally avoid chain restaurants like the plague--to me, they are about as exciting as watching cars rust. Secondly, I don't like Subway in general, because everything on the menu tastes exactly the same (roughly equivalent to cardboard). I eat there when I am in a hurry, have a coupon, and am looking for nothing beyond sheer sustenance to keep me going throughout the day.
Many sandwich shops, along with several of the aforementioned chain restaurants have an especially annoying process that gets my panties in a bunch.
Here's the scenario:
I walk into the place (Burger King, Wendy's, Panda Express, Quiznos, just to name a few).
Behind the counter is a pimply-faced oaf with a moronic blank expression on his/her face.
The very first words out of his/her mouth upon acknowledging my presence in the establishment is,
"Fear to go..."
"What?" I reply.
"Fear to go..." a little louder.
I am mystified.
Finally, they make an attempt to enunciate, "For-here-or-to-go?"
"Ooh..." I reply. "I am not quite sure yet...I haven't decided whether I want to order anything in the first place. Do you have any semi-clean tables here?"
Whatever happened to the server saying something like, "Welcome to ______. What can I get for you?" with a smile? Is that so difficult?
I don't know--maybe I am becoming jaded. I found the above scenario quite common on the East Coast. Sorry, but it's true.
Anyway, the reason I am reviewing this Subway location is that they are very much unlike that. They always always greet you with a big smile. They always always ask you what you would like, how you want it prepared, and basically go out of their way to make your visit a pleasant one.
Very often, my two kids say, "Dad--let's go get sandwiches at Subway." While the thought of eating at Subway is normally about as appealing as a visit to the DMV, I relent, and take my two kids here frequently. The manager always throws in a couple of delicious cookies for them free. I don't know if he does that with everyone. I don't really care. But for that reason alone, I will keep going back here.
What dawned on me very quickly is that they get it here. It's not that difficult.
Simple. Make the customer's visit a pleasant one.
Food can trigger a huge range of emotional responses. Sometimes it's erotic joy...other times hollow depression...other times horror and alarm...and still other times it's restaurant rage.
This Subway works for me and my family. read more