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PF Chang's Unbelievable

yippieBeach Fanatic
8,929 views
I just love this place, however, I called to place a to go order. Get this.....

I was told WE DON'T TAKE TO GO ORDERS!

I didn't understand that because I placed a to go order last week with no problem, and I have placed to do orders in every PF Chang's in the cities that I frequent.

The manager came to the phone and told me that they have staffing problems, so they are not taking to go orders!

I called the home office and they instructed me to go into the restaurant, sit at the bar and place the order. So, I drove across town and did that.

I was told, WE DO NOT TAKE TO GO ORDERS!

So, I left. I could have ordered food, let them bring it to me, dirty the dishes and ask them to pack it up after all that, but I felt that was being to much of a *****.

As much as I like this restaurant, I will think twice before I spend my money there. There are a lot of choices out there.....

What's your take on this?

Replies

47
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
#2
I guess I'd ask what part of "we don't take to-go orders" was unclear. ;-)

On the other hand, I don't understand what "staffing problems" could make a restaurant that is open and serving food unable to do a to-go order, since they'd done it a week before, but who knows. :idontno:
elgordoboy avatar
elgordoboyBeach Fanatic
#3
Maybe cut them a little slack for being new and the manager at least was up front about staffing issues. If they treated you rudely on the phone thats a different story. It might be all they can do to get the orders out as it is. I was in Sunday and it was a 2 and a half hour wait! Peeps started piling in Monday at 5:45. My food came out timely and the service was friendly. Leaps and bounds beyond Cantina Laredo's service when they first opened (and as recently as a month ago). I am glad it was you and not me though, I'd be po'd :floor:. Hopefully they'll get it together soon and we can get takeout. I've been pacified by the Mongolian Beef earlier today.
yippieBeach FanaticAuthor
#4
Well, I could understand it if there were any customers in the restaurant, however, there were three people, including me in the entire place. It was 4:15 in the afternoon. I purposely called at a time when most restaurants were not busy.....

There were at least 5 staff members standing in the reception area doing nothing. The other two customers in the restaurant were at the bar.

:idontno:
nathanthebankerBeach Lover
#5
i was told they are not taking to go orders for the 1st month. after that they will. I don't know why they told you that cause we had someone go sunday afternoon and order at the bar and they allowed us to take it to go. so not sure.
DBOldfordBeach Fanatic
#6
The restaurant has barely been open a week. Most restaurant reviewers won't even go in until several weeks have passed and all the operations and wait staff snafus have been worked out. PF Chang is a quality Asian restaurant and not like the standard Chinese take-out joints, anyway. Part of the pleasure of dining there is the excellent service, the quality ingredients, and the beautiful surroundings.

I had dinner there with my family on Sunday night and they could not have been more accommodating. In fact, I had an extra person show up for my reservation (not their fault) and they arranged the table accordingly and even brought several complimentary appetizers because they didn't have a larger booth for us. After our meal, the waiter offered to package leftovers (there wasn't much left because so yummy) and even asked if we wanted a complimentary dessert. The food was right up to par with their rep and the service couldn't have been more responsive and pleasant. Give them a second chance and I guarantee this will be one of your favorite eateries.
yippieBeach FanaticAuthor
#7
The restaurant has barely been open a week. Most restaurant reviewers won't even go in until several weeks have passed and all the operations and wait staff snafus have been worked out. PF Chang is a quality Asian restaurant and not like the standard Chinese take-out joints, anyway. Part of the pleasure of dining there is the excellent service, the quality ingredients, and the beautiful surroundings.

I had dinner there with my family on Sunday night and they could not have been more accommodating. In fact, I had an extra person show up for my reservation (not their fault) and they arranged the table accordingly and even brought several complimentary appetizers because they didn't have a larger booth for us. After our meal, the waiter offered to package leftovers (there wasn't much left because so yummy) and even asked if we wanted a complimentary dessert. The food was right up to par with their rep and the service couldn't have been more responsive and pleasant. Give them a second chance and I guarantee this will be one of your favorite eateries.

I am quite familiar with PF Changs. Thanks for your comments. The food is very good.
ShallowsNole avatar
ShallowsNoleBeach Fanatic
#8
I'm sure once the novelty wears off, takeout will be offered. And, even if it wasn't busy, it's not good to give you takeout but then cut it off again when it gets busy. (It would be good for you, but not for customer relations in general!)

Both times I have tried to go to PFC at lunch, you couldn't get within 50 parking spaces of the place and my colleagues grumbled. I am thinking about making another attempt Friday evening.
goofer avatar
gooferBeach Fanatic
#9
They take reservations.
yippieBeach FanaticAuthor
#10
They take reservations.

I have had no problem getting in for lunch. We have gone early, around 11:15, then sat at the bar. During lunch the place is packed.

I wonder if they take reservations at lunch?
Miss Kitty avatar
Miss KittyMeow
#11
They take reservations.

Wow! The one near us in Dallas never has taken reservations. That place (located at Northpark Mall) has been packed since the day it opened, over seven years ago. I do think you can call ahead and get your name on the list.
John R avatar
John Rneeds to get out more
#12
wow, what a trainwreck. the manager admitting that he has staffing problems?? the swings in quality of service, all within their two week opening period? looks like corporate should have a little more opening team backup in place. i think i'll wait a bit before heading over.
joho avatar
johoBeach Fanatic
#13
I realize you probably wanted to try the "New" place but for a quick fix I recently tried JB's Chinese in Freeport. I thought it was quite good.
They have "Taky Outy"........
Bob avatar
BobSoWal Insider
#14
Any place that has a nice horse statue must have good food
beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach Fanatic
#15
Also, if anyone's heading Ft. Walton ways, it looks like Bombay Masala on Eglin Pkwy is finally open.

Rumor mill says it's Joe and Kimi's (late of Nim's in Destin) place, and if they're the ones entirely running the show, they shouldn't have the quality control problems Nim's had at times.
seaside2 avatar
seaside2Beach Fanatic
#16
Wow! The one near us in Dallas never has taken reservations. That place (located at Northpark Mall) has been packed since the day it opened, over seven years ago. I do think you can call ahead and get your name on the list.

MK,

Brings back lots of memories. Are you old enough to remeber these?

Tiche Gottenger
Little Meramid Deli at Neiman Marcus
ElChico between TG and Penny's

sorry about the trhead drift!:idontno:
elgordoboy avatar
elgordoboyBeach Fanatic
#17
wow, what a trainwreck. the manager admitting that he has staffing problems?? the swings in quality of service, all within their two week opening period? looks like corporate should have a little more opening team backup in place. i think i'll wait a bit before heading over.
Was there a post about service not being good that I missed? I've been there a couple of times and service and food both have been excellent.
elgordoboy avatar
elgordoboyBeach Fanatic
#18
Any place that has a nice horse statue must have good food
When I saw that horse going up during construction I was worried it was going to be silly enough to keep me from being able to eat at the restaurant. Luckily I overcame.
RudyjohnSoWal Insider
#19
There are a lot of choices out there.....

:wave:
kathydwells avatar
kathydwellsDarlene is my middle name, not my nickname
#20
I realize you probably wanted to try the "New" place but for a quick fix I recently tried JB's Chinese in Freeport. I thought it was quite good.

They have "Taky Outy"........

You come 10 minute. 😀 sorry, couldn't resist.

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