Do you go back to places you swore you'd never go back to?
#16
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
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Depends. I do complain (constructively) when somewhere goes badly wrong, particularly when it's somewhere I've previously liked.
On a couple of occasions now, the restaurant management have been very grateful, and invited us back as their guests - even meeting the head chef in one place. Have been very happy to return, and see that they're fixing things (and in one case, continue to go regularly).
On a couple of occasions now, the restaurant management have been very grateful, and invited us back as their guests - even meeting the head chef in one place. Have been very happy to return, and see that they're fixing things (and in one case, continue to go regularly).
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
I have entire chains I won't go to, but more because their food is horrible than any single bad meal. Chicago has a million local options and I have some places I'd prefer to not give my money to, but others must agree since most of them don't last long. I don't remember any where I said "I'm never going back" but I've certainly crossed some of my list since there ar better options. Oh, wait, there is the takeout place where you get random food in your bag. Always a surprise.
#18
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Depends. I do complain (constructively) when somewhere goes badly wrong, particularly when it's somewhere I've previously liked.
On a couple of occasions now, the restaurant management have been very grateful, and invited us back as their guests - even meeting the head chef in one place. Have been very happy to return, and see that they're fixing things (and in one case, continue to go regularly).
On a couple of occasions now, the restaurant management have been very grateful, and invited us back as their guests - even meeting the head chef in one place. Have been very happy to return, and see that they're fixing things (and in one case, continue to go regularly).
#20
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,243
Not to open myself up to criticism, but we've stopped going to Olive Garden for good. There will be no return in 1 or 5 years. Many here criticize the authenticity and quality of the food. I hope you won't bring out that dead horse for a fresh beating.
My problem is that Olive Garden has steadily become Chuck E Cheese, the restaurant where wild children are turned loose to run and shout and play and misbehave. Really it's been 4 or 5 uninterupted visits in a row where we have experienced this. Even while seated in the bar. So, no more.
My problem is that Olive Garden has steadily become Chuck E Cheese, the restaurant where wild children are turned loose to run and shout and play and misbehave. Really it's been 4 or 5 uninterupted visits in a row where we have experienced this. Even while seated in the bar. So, no more.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
Not to open myself up to criticism, but we've stopped going to Olive Garden for good. There will be no return in 1 or 5 years. Many here criticize the authenticity and quality of the food. I hope you won't bring out that dead horse for a fresh beating.
My problem is that Olive Garden has steadily become Chuck E Cheese, the restaurant where wild children are turned loose to run and shout and play and misbehave. Really it's been 4 or 5 uninterupted visits in a row where we have experienced this. Even while seated in the bar. So, no more.
My problem is that Olive Garden has steadily become Chuck E Cheese, the restaurant where wild children are turned loose to run and shout and play and misbehave. Really it's been 4 or 5 uninterupted visits in a row where we have experienced this. Even while seated in the bar. So, no more.
#22
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
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With that said, I found an awesome arcade that has almost all of my favorite 80's/90's video games. $4 admission gives you unlimited plays.
#23
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,733
It was not the overwhelming, noisy, kill me now experience I remembered. In fact, it was well run, organized, and I didn't feel like I was about to be overtaken by a storm of little munchkins. Am I volunteering to go back anytime soon? Absolutely not, but it was not as bad as it used to be. It probably helped that this location has large windows on more than one side so you didn't feel like you were trapped in a cave with the entire world population under the age of 10.
#24
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
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If I want that sort of experience, there is a more adult version available over at the beach. A Dave and Busters opened last year. The food is okay, there is a full bar and the arcade is quite extensive although too much emphasis is placed on the gambling type devices that produce tickets.
#26
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
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Posts: 6,284
It takes a lot for me to announce, "I am never going back to this restaurant." I don't just throw that assertion around casually, like a lot of people do, whenever something like a burnt meal, or a rude server, or noisy patrons happens. Typically I won't swear off a restaurant unless those problems happen repeatedly, and/or I speak to Management about a problem and Management is rude or insulting to me in refusing to address it.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1
There is a restaurant which I used to love going to. The food was juicy and tender, and the service was spectacular. However, one night, we (my family and I) went to the restaurant and learned that it was under new management. The service was bad, and the food was so unctuous and malodorous to the point that I gave up eating halfway and threw up later that night, when I swore I would never go back to the restaurant. Unfortunately, my community constantly caters from this restaurant and every time I attend an occasion or gathering I am forced to make up a new, silly, embarrassing alibi to excuse myself from dinner.