Crowfoot Joey Tomatoes: Bad Experience

[canadian_hustla]

Just got back from the absolute worst restaurant experience of my life.

It first started where I was with a party of 8 people, we had tried to reserve (but they don't take reservations) on a table, so we were told show up at 7 and it should be a short wait. One hour and a half later, we are still sitting in the same fucking spot waiting for a table. They offer us coke and water, which they proceed to charge us for later on. Finally the waitress says that the party before us is finishing off dessert, so it shouldn't be too long. Another 20 min go by. The restaurant is now only 1/4 packed and still nothing. FINALLY, we are escorted to our table which has no napkins, cutlery, etc (when we were told to wait for it to be set up).

The restaurant is now almost emptied. 10 min go by to get a waitress, they all keep walking by (we were in the corner). Finally we get a waitress, who actually was OK and got us our food promptly and drinks, and we got our bill promptly as well. We were NOT apologized to for the long wait, we were NOT compensated for anything for waiting, we were charged for every coke we had when we were waiting

Absolute fucking garbage

Three lessons:

1) Stay away from that shithole, it is run by beautiful looking people who have the mental capacity of a brick. The management also sucks, as it was non existent

2) Only go if you have 3ish hours to dine (We got there at 7, left at 10:30)

3) Take pepto bismol before/after you go, there is a good chance you will get the shits

Absolute fail in every category, they have lost business from everyone I know.

[blueripper6]

I go there with my family a bunch and there is no problem.

Seems your mad that they didnt take a reservation especially for you... And I can't believe you waited that long for dinner at joey tomatoes.. LOL:rofl:

[Ben]

LOL, I would never wait longer than 20 minutes for a table, so thats your own fault. There is no cookie cutter chain on the planet worth waiting as long as you did for, at the half hour mark you should have hopped back in the cars and gone elsewhere.

Everyone who has dined out in Calgary should know Joey Tomatoes is a joke on weekends if you have a larger group. The no reservation policy sucks asshole when you have groups larger than 6. But, I wont hold that against ya. Just the waiting the hour and a half part, haha. You MUST be exaggerating. I hope so.

As for the food. Ive been to Joeys in Crowfoot about a half dozen times, and never had the shits from it, and I order something different each time...The only thing I was not impressed with and believe it should be removed from their menu is their rendition of what Butter Chicken should be, but other than that, never really had an issue, service was generally good, and fairly prompt. We got cold pasta at Joeys Chinook, but they comped the meal and gave us comped meals next time we returned, which was far more than we were expecting and extremely professional.

Stay away from the 32nd ave location tho. LOTS of bad stories about their service (lack thereof)

[Stephen81]

Was everyone in your party disgustingly ugly or what? j/k

Seriously though, I've only had great experiences @ Joey's in Crowfoot but hey. I can't believe they charged you for the drinks they offered while you were waiting though! At my restaurant, if we have to put you on a waiting list you get a coupon for your next visit (2 for 1 Appetizer, etc) plus we bring out Cactus Cut potatoes or something for people to snack on...damn people, just head out to Cochrane and you can experience some good dining.

- Just because management wasn't visable, doesn't mean they couldn't have helped you if you asked for them.

- A lot of casual dining places have weird reservation policies...it varies by location and times of the week. If you're ever trying to book a reservation, always make sure you're talking to the manager (who presumably can help you the most) A group of 8 people isn't even that large.

Sucks you had a bad experience, but they happen. I'll bet if you went back this week it would be completely different :dunno:

[iblizzard]

I've been to the crowfoot Joey's quite a few times too.. and I have the same complaint about the long waits. I've never been with a party that large, but even for a party of 4 the wait can be up to 20 minutes sometimes which is ridiculous considering how many tables they have in there.

I've never had HORRIBLE service there... most of the time it's pretty good, but there have been a few mediocre experiences (which certain circumstances can justify it sometimes).

[Lexxan]

joeys crowfoot is awesome.. you guys must look really hardcore or something.. ppl don't like gangstas! lol jk

[canadian_hustla]

You MUST be exaggerating. I hope so.

I would like to say yes, but unfortunately I wasn't. In fact, I was probably doing the exact opposite.. it was at least an hour and a half. And I would have left if the party I was with was OK with it, but a girl friend of mine planned it so I tried to make her feel better and not complain

I have been there in the past and had no problems, but this time.. well it was absolute garbage

and the thing i always order, tonight unfortunately gave me the shits

given i work in retail, I still left a tip. I am definately turned off from that place now, but good on you for liking it :thumbsup:

[motion]

maybe you're getting the shits because you're so stressed out over this. :dunno:

[canadian_hustla]

Originally posted by motion
maybe you're getting the shits because you're so stressed out over this. :dunno:


LOL no, that was before the thread

nt

[Ben]

Well in that case, I would have shown the "girl friend" that you're not a push over, taken charge and went elsewhere, looking out for the best interests of the group. If they dont take reservations, how much "planning" could she have done besides having everyone head down to the restaurant? A quick 5 minute drive wouldn't be a big deal, done it many times before, most people dont mind when they see the establishment they are waiting for doesn't have their act together. I dont think she would have taken it personally, but, in the same respect, you never know if that 30 seconds after you walk out the door, the table comes available. ahaha, always the way it is, isn't it. At least you know for next time. And as someone mentioned earlier, when it gets to the point of lameness, ask for the manager. Explain the amount of time you've been waiting, and they'll get on it. The teenie boppers @ the door dont know Bruschetta from Prosciutto, and certainly dont have your best interests in mind since they're the "hot staff" found at Joey Tomatoes and KNOW it too. :rolleyes:

[canadian_hustla]

Originally posted by Ben
Well in that case, I would have shown the "girl friend" that you're not a push over, taken charge and went elsewhere, looking out for the best interests of the group. If they dont take reservations, how much "planning" could she have done besides having everyone head down to the restaurant? A quick 5 minute drive wouldn't be a big deal, done it many times before, most people dont mind when they see the establishment they are waiting for doesn't have their act together. I dont think she would have taken it personally, but, in the same respect, you never know if that 30 seconds after you walk out the door, the table comes available. ahaha, always the way it is, isn't it. At least you know for next time. And as someone mentioned earlier, when it gets to the point of lameness, ask for the manager. Explain the amount of time you've been waiting, and they'll get on it. The teenie boppers @ the door dont know Bruschetta from Prosciutto, and certainly dont have your best interests in mind since they're the "hot staff" found at Joey Tomatoes and KNOW it too. :rolleyes:

the supposed manager talked to the girl I was with in the first 1/2 hour, and then completely avoided eye contact and walked by numerous times ignoring her questions. I am not one to complain about this kind of thing, but it was pretty unprofessional.

the thing about the table was that they must have lied when they said they had another dinner party using it, because we didn't see ANYONE (large parties) leave from the time we got there to the time we got to sit down. Maybe there is a second exit?! :dunno: more realistically I bet they didn't have an avail server to help us.

with that said I think your post matches your avatar very well.. in that you hit the issue right out of the sky. Yes it was a combination of excessive patience with shoddy customer relations - in the end it wasn't even worth speaking to the manager as our bill was already paid and we were restless from such a shitty night

[gpomp]

i'd blame it on poor management.

[2.2vtec]

This doesn't surprise me coming from a place where they inter breed:rofl:

[bluetek]

Originally posted by Ben
you never know if that 30 seconds after you walk out the door, the table comes available. ahaha, always the way it is, isn't it.

:werd: reminds me of the seinfeld episode where there at the chinese place!!, there names where called as soon as they got so fed up with the place and left. :rofl:

[gpomp]

Originally posted by 2.2vtec
This doesn't surprise me coming from a place where they inter breed:rofl:
lol, isn't that like restaurant-cest

[Ben]

Originally posted by canadian_hustla


the supposed manager talked to the girl I was with in the first 1/2 hour, and then completely avoided eye contact and walked by numerous times ignoring her questions. I am not one to complain about this kind of thing, but it was pretty unprofessional.

the thing about the table was that they must have lied when they said they had another dinner party using it, because we didn't see ANYONE (large parties) leave from the time we got there to the time we got to sit down. Maybe there is a second exit?! :dunno: more realistically I bet they didn't have an avail server to help us.

with that said I think your post matches your avatar very well.. in that you hit the issue right out of the sky. Yes it was a combination of excessive patience with shoddy customer relations - in the end it wasn't even worth speaking to the manager as our bill was already paid and we were restless from such a shitty night

Well that sucks bro...Ah well, at the end of the day, it's only dinner.

Lend your business to a competing chain. :thumbsup:

[2.2vtec]

Originally posted by gpomp

lol, isn't that like restaurant-cest :poosie: yep!

[canadian_hustla]

LOL at seinfeld comment, damn funny episode



Originally posted by Ben


Well that sucks bro...Ah well, at the end of the day, it's only dinner.

Lend your business to a competing chain. :thumbsup:


you bet man, that is something I will be definately doing


and about the inbreeding, hahaha funny shit, they can't be an equal opportunity employer with the concentrated amount of beauty in the place. Not complaining, just pointing out

[dezmarez]

Stay away from the 32nd ave location tho. LOTS of bad stories about their service (lack thereof)

you leave 32nd ave alone
its a wonderful place to eat

[max_boost]

Ouch! I can't believe you actually waited that long. :eek:
I've never had a problem with the Eau Claire location, I hope it stays that way.

[sputnik]

This isnt a problem with Joey Tomatoes. ANYWHERE in Crowfoot will have a 30+ minute wait (with a party of 4) on a Friday/Saturday evening. No one takes reservations and every restaurant is packed with movie goers. If you go out with 8 people on a weekend anywhere in the Crowfoot mall you are just asking for trouble.

[jdmakkord]

Originally posted by sputnik
This isnt a problem with Joey Tomatoes. ANYWHERE in Crowfoot will have a 30+ minute wait (with a party of 4) on a Friday/Saturday evening. No one takes reservations and every restaurant is packed with movie goers. If you go out with 8 people on a weekend anywhere in the Crowfoot mall you are just asking for trouble.

Time of day doesn't affect the service level at that restaraunt. I've been there at 3 in the afternoon on a sunday, and gotten worse service than the orginal poster. After all was said and done, including a 45min rare steak, and 30 min icecream dessert, we were comped for a dessert:thumbsdow

[kaput]

.

[DeeK]

I've been there numerous times, I love the place. The no reservation policy sucks, but its your own fault for waiting...

[clem24]

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't waiting for table mean that the place is good...?

I haven't been to JT's in ages, but I usually only go there to stare at the waitresses. I noticed their menu has been going away from their "mediterrenean" <sp> style to more Chinese/Asian wanna-be.

I would honestly speak up the manager if they offered you drinks, then charged you for it. I mean, for them, that drink probably cost them next to nothing. I am sure s/he would've offered to take them off the bill.

[C4S]

I wouldn't mind to spend 2 hours there .. jsut for waiting a table .. since I know for that 2 hours .. I wouldn't stop starring at their waitress ... :rofl:

[Ven]

Originally posted by canadian_hustla
.....Stay away from that shithole, it is run by beautiful looking people who have the mental capacity of a brick. The management also sucks, as it was non existent





Originally posted by kaput
.....I've had a couple of bad experiences there, and haven't been back in years. I blame most of it on their policy of hiring only the dumbest people they can find, both to cook and serve.

Pretty much sums up the franchise and my experiences at every Joey's I've been too.

[dino_martini]

Weird, I had a really good experiance at the eau claire location.

[CasperWho]

Weird, Jaymez isnt all up in this thread yet.

[JAYMEZ]

^^ Lol i couldnt care less anymore. I dont work there , im leavin for to long to keep a job. Its all new managment who are really have no idea what they are doing

[googe]

I used to go to the 32nd ave location several times a week, now not as much, but when I go out for food I usually favor that place. Some of the girls are dumb tip-whores, some are good and professional...I get stuff comped pretty frequently when there is a legitimate concern. But a new guy just took over as manager that thinks he is king shit, and he's some middle aged reject.

A friend and I asked our server if she could change the music since it was late and a weekday and no one else was in there (they play this gay house techno crap) and she ended up calling him over. We were like its cool, you dont have to get the manager or anything, no big deal...he comes over anyway and hes says he understands we would like to voice a complaint about the music. Were like well we were just wondering if we could request something. Then we got a big speech about how hes managing the most successful restaurant in western canada, the numbers speak for themselves and keep getting bigger, so obviously it works, and he CAN change it, but he wont. We made a joke about "ooh, guess were going to have to go to the top to make this request then" and hes like, "youre looking at him buddy". Then he walked away with a cocky grin on his face :)

Poor guy, telling pretty young girls what to do is all he has going for him I guess :)

But, if you write your complaint in to their feedback address, youll probably get a call and theyll comp you an order and deliver it to you at home or at work and make the store apologize. One of the servers I know there said they had to do that for someone. Head office takes customer service REALLY seriously.

[badseed]

Originally posted by Ben
The only thing I was not impressed with and believe it should be removed from their menu is their rendition of what Butter Chicken should be

:werd: Never actaully oredered it, but have tried some from a friends plate. Just plane brutal, but didn't have high expectations to begin with.

[dezmarez]

Originally posted by googe
I used to go to the 32nd ave location several times a week, now not as much, but when I go out for food I usually favor that place. Some of the girls are dumb tip-whores, some are good and professional...I get stuff comped pretty frequently when there is a legitimate concern. But a new guy just took over as manager that thinks he is king shit, and he's some middle aged reject.



ahahahaha
is he kind of bigger
not fat but just a bigger guy
haha thats so funny....
btw i work there haha

[msommers]

I went to the 32ave one just tonight. There were only two of us so it was super fast. Our waitress was pretty dumb though. First she forgot my drink, then forgot what I ordered, then ordered the wrong drink and finally got it right. Which was a rye and coke. Then forgets my steak knife and I can to get someone else to grab it. She strolls over, "oh ya forgot about that" and walks away! One thing I can count on Joey's though, a steak cooked exactly the way I want it!:thumbsup: About the girls at Joey's, not all of them are morons b/c I know a few. It's just the other 90% that waitress there....

[googe]

Originally posted by dezmarez



ahahahaha
is he kind of bigger
not fat but just a bigger guy
haha thats so funny....
btw i work there haha

yeah, goatee? thats the one.

[dezmarez]

Originally posted by googe


yeah, goatee? thats the one.


haha thats hilarious
ya he's from the states and what not
came from seattle or something
i like him
but i could see how others would think he's an asshole and shit
i think thats so funnny

[dubbs]

I am new to Calgary (Just over 1 month). I quickly acquired a job at Joey's Crowfoot and yesterday was my last day. I must admit that it is a pretty weak restraunt. And yes the two main day managers are the worst managers I have had in the last 8 years of my working life. I still have not been payed and I have done everything they have asked from. I am not the only one that this happens to. I start today at my new job (Moxies). Hopfully I have a better experience with them. The day managers were the most unprofessional people I have ever worked under. They did not care about anything. Before I start my first Moxies shift tonight I get the chance to talk to the head guy of the Joey's Crowfoot location. I must admit that Sean and Rachel are great night managers. Very awsome people eventhough Rachel is a little snotty, she actually does her job. Most of the people that work there are great though... so if you do go and have a great experience, tip your server! :D Maybe see you peeps at Moxies (hopfully I am bartending by the end of the month).

[kaput]

.

[l8braker]

I ate at the Joey's Crowfoot on the weekend and it was actually quite good! The Manager came over and asked how the food was and everyone seemed professional. It's true though with management, it all comes from the top down, so i'm not surprised to hear they are actually not very professional and the place isn't doing that well. Also quite amusing how there are some young managers out there who think they're on top of the world by managing a sub-par restauraunt in Calgary, alberta. Realty check!
Anyways good experience at Joeys Crowfoot. :drama:

[lint]

I'll chime in here. We go to Joey's crowfoot quite often, or at least we used to before the changes in the menu (fish tacos???).

We were just there Saturday late afternoon. Walked in to the hostess area. No one in the lobby, chick is on the phone (sounded personal). Friend goes to wash his hands, gets back. The hostess still hasn't gotten off the phone or acknowledged that I was standing there. Finally gets off the phone, grabs some menus, and proceeds to stand there looking around. She's waiting for someone else to come and seat us. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but all the other times we've been there, the hostess seats you. 10 minutes from when we get there before we're finally seated, and there isn't anyone in the restaurant.

Service there has gone down hill. It's only a matter of time before people realize that tits by themselves don't serve you, unless they're attached to a body with some brains.

[Kavy]

The problem with joey's is most of the bartenders and waitstaff are sleeping with each other, when all that drama is going on they think flirting with each other is more important then doing thier job.

Joey's recruits on looks not on knowledge. Dont get me wrong I like how the waitresses look and I go to joeys for a drink sometimes but I would never consider going there with a group of friends, the euro trash music alone would make digesting food near impossible.

[JAYMEZ]

^^ I would hope you have worked at Joeys to pull some of those facts out of your ass. I dont work for Joeys anymore but like any resturant some people are dating but to say all the people that work there a morons is complete BS , alot of people are attending u of c or mrc and are working to pay for things. As for euro trash music? wtf is euro trash music compared to canadian/american?

[5hift]

Joey's isnt the greatest, but I think half the people that do complain, just need something to complain about. Your going to a crowded, loud cookie cutter franchise. You should know what to expect going in. If your looking for amazing food and great service, pay for it and go somewhere else. Working at moxies in my younger years, I noticed the same thing. People spend 15 bucks on a meal and expect world class food at some quiet location with violins playing in the background.

[heavyD]

I find the food at places like Joey's, Earls, etc. excellent value for the money when you consider that a trip to Burger King or MacDonalds costs $7 for zero service and garbage fast food that isn't even fast half the time. Service will always be hit & miss as there is so much turnover in the industry it's hard to get consistency. I personally like the eye candy waitresses and couldn't care less how intelligent they are as long as they don't fuck up my order which rarely happens. Even if you have the best food & service available you will always have complainers as anyone who has ever delt with the public on a regular basis will know.