This post is going to be a novel lol. I just needed to explain the whole situation as i find it ridiculous. I copy and pasted this review from what I wrote on Google a few days ago.
I actually made a Gmail account just to write this review. I frequent many restaurants in the South Surrey area, 2-3 times a week as it's a way for my friends and I to socialize have dinner and get a few drinks. With that being said I have NEVER written a bad review on a restaurant before. Don't get me wrong I've had many iffy restaurant experiences before, but have never felt the need to write a negative review, I used to be a server so I understand majority of the time when things go wrong it's okay, things happen, we're all human.
Recently I have been experiencing health issues that requires me to eat a certain diet of foods. For reference this isn't an allergy, I understand in restaurants cross contamination happens. For me my issue is that I need to eat relatively clean foods if I want to avoid being sick, so chicken and rice is always a safe bet.
Now this is where the issue with Tap and Barrel starts, I asked for a side of rice and a side of chicken and was flat out told no I "wasn't allowed to order that". Which shocked me, never at a restaurant have I been told I was not "allowed" to order something. She was treating me like a was some child. She then goes on to explain to me that management does not allow customers to "create their own meal" and that people do it as a loophole to get a cheap meal. She tells I can get the ranchero bowl with only chicken and rice, then I thought I'd try the salsa on it as well as tomatoes shouldn't be an issue (when I originally asked for the side of chicken and rice I didn't want a side sauce I only wanted the chicken and rice.)
The bowl arrives with my 3 ingredients and the rice is inedible, I would compare it to the consistency and taste of porridge or oatmeal. The most disgusting rice I have ever had, and the chicken was overall just dry. Because of this I had 2 of the slices from the chicken breast but I didn't want to just eat plain chicken so I actually ended up leaving the entire bowl of food and at the end of the meal they just took it away for me. I never complain when my meal is bad but I'm complaining today because I paid $22 for it, was overcharged for what I ordered, and left the ENTIRE meal on my plate and was not asked by anyone if there was anything they could do to help. 1 chicken breast, side rice, and 2 tablespoons of salsa cost me $22. I am not one to complain about cost typically as I understand that's what it costs to go out and I typically spend around $45-90 when I eat out as I get a meal and drinks.I just don't think I should have to pay for an entire entrée when I've taken out most of the ingredients, I saw a side chicken breast is $6 and rice shouldn't cost more than chicken I paid $22 for what should have been $10. I understand she said people do it as a "cheap loophole" but I'm doing it because that's literally all I can eat, also why should I pay for a bowl full of ingredients if I only want chicken and rice. My bill was just under $40 as I only got 1 drink because I was so annoyed at what had happened I didn't want to give tap and barrel anymore business, I did end up tipping the server 22% on the meal as I realize it's not her fault and she should not suffer just because she works for a bad company.
I will NEVER come back here, absolute lack of customer service and horrible food. Earls and Cactus Club only from now on!
I wrote this same review on Google but ran out of words so this is an Addition here on yelp:
They have no accommodation for dietary restrictions. I understand a restaurant cannot cater to all customers dietary restrictions or allergies. But I really didn't think my request for a side of chicken (which is listed on the menu) and a side rice was that ridiculous. I even told her they could do 2 separate plates to alleviate kitchen stress of having to make it a "bowl" . Even then she told me I was not allowed to do that and if I did she would get in tons of trouble and management would come over and talk to me. I find it weird management would be so confrontational over something like that, I was treated like a 10 year old that was going to be reprimanded. when I explained to her that I have a bad stomach and plain lettuce with a vinaigrette is getting boring so today I wanted to opt for chicken and rice and that's why I wanted to order that. Overall them telling me I couldn't order what I wanted even with my dietary restrictions was quite odd to me. so for obvious reasons I will not be returning. read more