I am not in the habit of leaving negative reviews for companies, but The experience I had with The Food Rock warranted a piece of my mind.
I started planning my company's holiday party with The Food Rock owner, JD, in September. Our party is December 3rd. We were going to push it back a week because it was more convenient for us, but JD said he wasn't available Dec 10th, so we kept it on the 3rd.
He was very responsive. We texted lots and sent at least a dozen emails back and forth. When I asked if there was somewhere I could go to sample his food, he told me of his restaurant in Estero. I live in North Naples, and he's a busy guy, so I offered to visit any night of the week that was most convenient for him. I told him if he couldn't be there, I'd be happy to swing by anyway, but he INSISTED he wanted to meet and serve me. Ultimately, we decided on a Saturday evening.
Saturday rolled around, my husband and I drove up to the restaurant, and no JD. His wife, who was cooking, said he was working a private party. I was disappointed, but I understand things come up, so my husband and I ate, then left... Nice staff. Good people... I texted JD while we were there. He got back to me the next day. He was kind and apologetic, so I booked him for our party. (This is still September.)
I sent several emails asking if he had a contract for us to sign, or required a deposit. "No, my friend," is all he kept saying, so I insisted on SOMETHING that would lock us in. Eventually, I received an email with the menu pricing. It wasn't the menu we discussed, it was the menu he originally suggested. I had to remind him that we made several changes. On October 5th, his wife sent me the corrected version. Everything looked solid.
On Friday (Nov 19), I sent JD a text to confirm everything was set for our party in 2 weeks, and to tell him what time he needed to arrive. He responded by saying he couldn't make it; that he didn't think he'd be back in Naples from Miami then, but that he was available all day Dec 4th. Now, I'm like "WTF?!" THE NEXT DAY I got another text, saying Dec 3rd is his son's Army graduation... My husband was a Ranger, so we are familiar with the way the Army works. They plan ahead, which means he would have known about this WEEKS, if not MONTHS ago, and never said a word. Had I not reached out to him, he would have left our 40-ish employees high and dry. But wait! He had the gall to offer to recommend some of his friends' food trucks, as if I would have accepted his recommendations.
I have never dealt with someone so unprofessional. I honestly don't know how he owns both a food truck AND a restaurant, but if this is the way he treats his customers, I don't foresee either being around for very long... Such a shame because I thought he was a nice guy, and maybe he is, but business is business. I would never recommend this business to anyone. read more