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"Internet MacGyver"
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Review votes:
38 Useful, 24 Funny, and 30 Cool
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Phoenix, AZ
Yelping SinceDecember 2006
My Blog Or Website The Last Great Book I ReadRuth Reichel's Garlic & Sapphires
DatePhoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 257-5138
Lincoln Family Phoenix Downtown YMCA
Categories: Child Care & Day Care, Gyms, Trainers, Yoga
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1 Previous Review: Hide »
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06/05/2008
Based on the reviews here, I went to the Lincoln Family Phoenix Downtown YMCA this morning, excited to join. It is as everyone describes, a beautiful and amazing facility with lots to offer. Unfortunately, that's the only nice thing I can say. My experience with the front desk during enrollment left me frustrated and disappointed.
I preface this by saying, I'm a pretty patient and reasonable person. I get that problems happen and mistakes are made. The kitchen screws up your order. That's fine. Can they please make another? The cashier rings up an item twice in error. No problem. Can you void it? So I get it. Sometimes stuff happens. But key factors in customer service are 1) acknowledging a problem 2) reassuring that it will be fixed and what I feel is most important 3) apologizing for the error or inconvenience.
I guess at the Lincoln Family Phoenix Downtown YMCA, that's too much to ask for.
The three people I dealt with at the front desk were neither friendly, nor helpful. Apparently, there was some problem with the system not recognizing my debit card charge resulting in it being swiped and re-swiped. Even though I asked, no one had explained to me what the problem was or, worse yet, apologized for it or the inconvenience. One staff member took a piece of paper and wrote down my debit card number and expiration date. I asked why that was necessary and was told to make sure the account was charged later.
When I voiced my frustrations over this and the complete void of customer service and fact that none of them even attempted to apologize, all three staff members looked at me with blank stares and said nothing. NOTHING. One chimed in with a amused smirk and said, "Computers sometimes have problems."
Had at ANY point, any one of them would have simply apologized, I would have still joined. Instead, I told them to forget it and instructed them to void all transactions. After I collected all my receipts for each transaction, I turned to walk out, one of them said rather disingenuously, "I'm sorry," to which I replied, "NOW you say it?"
I hope that my disappointing experience there is exception and not the norm. It really is a wonderful looking place. However, I'd rather drive out of my way to a corporate gym than set foot inside the Y again.Was this review …?
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The moment we walked inside we were made to feel at home and welcome by wait staff greeting us with a huge smile. The fried chicken was crisp on the outside and tender and moist on the inside. Just the way it should be. The collard greens have an unusual and delicious flavor. The catfish is fried to perfection. I had to stifle a laugh when our server referred to the red beans/rice/collard greens/cornbread lunch special as the "Veggie Plate," because there ain't nothing "vegetarian" about it.
With great enthusiasm we were told about the Sunday Buffet they have. With every dish he listed, my mouth watered more and more. I will definitely have to check it out one Sunday.
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She gave me a fair estimate and scheduled a plumber immediately. When the plumbers arrived, they were both very courteous and polite. They examined my plumbing and quickly diagnosed what the actual problem was. A new estimate was given and they quickly went to work. Not only did the fix the problem but they also educated me how to prevent from having that same problem in the future.
From start to finish, it was an awesome customer service experience. And they get HUGE bonus points. A week later, I received a hand written card in the mail, thanking me for my business.
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I also hate eating at chains. Especially noisy ones that welcome children and the servers wear "flair" and have group sing-a-longs for birthdays.
So why have I eaten at this Red Robin countless times? Well, a friend of mine as he puts it "do love him some fries," and Red Robin gives endless fries until you can eat no more. We've had many a carb coma to attest to this fact.
But aside from the potato gluttony, the food is actually pretty good. Far better than I expect most chains to be. The menu is extensive and you can customize any burger the way you like it. My friend always gets the cheeseburger with a substituted Boca burger and I usually have a turkey burger variation of some other listed burger. The staff is always friendly without being obnoxious and very accommodating.
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Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 424-6819
The Orange Table
Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Greek and Mediterranean
Yes, if you go, you will have to wait for your food. Everything is prepared when you order it, and that usually means it takes extra time. Slow service? Eh... occasionally, but not always. Again, usually it's because the kitchen needs more time to prepare your food, but I wouldn't say the servers themselves are always slow. My tea glass has rarely been empty for long at Orange Table.
I will admit. I'm a bit biased. I used to live near Orange Table and Sue kept me fed for the three years I lived in the neighborhood. But the reason I kept coming back because the food was incredible and the staff always made me feel welcome. And sometimes, that's worth the wait.
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Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 731-9499
Cafe Istanbul & Market
Category: Middle Eastern
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear ya. The problem is, I'm a man of few words when it comes to likes and dislikes. It's usually a thumbs up or thumbs down for me. I use Yelp a lot, so I should probably try to contribute more. So here goes.
When someone wants a suggestion for a restaurant that's non-corporate and not standard fare, I suggest Cafe Istanbul.
I've never had a bad meal there. If I could legally marry the chicken shawarma, I would. When I'm with friends and suggest we get the garlic dip for an appetizer, their eyes light up and they say, "Yes please!" Even something as simple as the lentil soup is a sheer delight. The food is flavorful and delicious and always leaves me too full for dessert.
Sometimes the service can be a bit slow, especially if they are hitting the hookah themselves, but they are always super nice otherwise.
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Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 246-7833
Angie & Jimmie's Italian Pizza
Category: Pizza
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Dives are great. They lack pretension and when done right, are hidden gems in a sea of the same old, same old.
You get a lot of bang for your buck at Angie & Jimmie's. The pizza is hot and fresh. The wings are HUGE and you get plenty of them. A small order of fries comes out on a big plate. The staff is friendly and accommodating.
Come to think of it, if you go enough, it MIGHT end up being the first place you think of when you want pizza.
Give it a try. It won't disappoint you.
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Every single table had salt or crumbs on it. It was not busy, despite being noon/lunchtime. While we brushed crumbs off our table, the owner sat at the next table over watching television.
The layout of the menu is a mess. Two columns of plain text printed on white paper and laminated, yet items were crossed out with a pen and notes written in the margin. It was also full of typos. I'm not the Grammar/Spelling Police but c'mon... "meat" was spelled "meet."
Two empty containers of iced tea sat by the soda fountain. When a customer asked if there was tea made, she was told no and not offered to have some made for her.
That being said, the food was okay but nothing I'd call stellar, nor reason enough to return.
UPDATE: Shortly after writing this review I started feeling sick to my stomach. Now I'm just full blown sick. It ain't pretty. Two words: bad hummus. Definitely not returning. :-X
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On the date of our lunch outing, we all piled into cars and drove to the other side of town, from the East Valley to the West. That is how much people loved this place. It was no longer a lunch date, it was now a field trip. (There is also a location in Chandler, but everyone in the office seems partial to the original location.)
Located in an unassuming strip mall, you immediately get the hole-in-the-wall feeling right away. First time visitors can sample the eight most popular dishes and usually the story of how the restaurant came to be. Allowing you to sample the food first, helps you make a more informed decision for what to order. What a novel concept! Figuring out the ordering menu can be a little tricky, however the staff, mostly children and grandchildren of the owners, are happy to help you.
Chino Bandido takes Caribbean, Mexican and Oriental flavors and throws them all together, creating some truly unique, tasty food. You can choose between a rice bowl or a combination for two meats with rice and beans. If you want something mild, try the Carnitas, Gringo Chicken or Emerald Chicken. If you like something spicier, the Jerk Chicken is up your alley. The Cuban Black Beans are a must and the Jerk Fried Rice has a definite kick. When ordering a combination, you have have choose to have the meat with a tortilla. Personally, I like having a Jade Red Chicken burrito and an Emerald Chicken quesadilla. Very tasty. Plus the best part -- at least for me because I love them -- your meal comes with a yummy Snickerdoodle cookie.
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