RAVE: Popeyes Chicken, Calumet City

My husband loves Popeyes Chicken. Until we started dating, I'd never ventured to one.

I had a friend in high school who worked at the local KFC and told me stories about their food handling processes that made my skin crawl. So I spent most of my life avoiding fast food fried chicken.

But a few months back, I gave the place a shot, and really wasn't all that impressed. The service was beyond slow and the food was just okay. They did have really good cole slaw and mashed potatoes and gravy though, I give them that.

I've eaten there a couple times since then and continued to be less than impressed, especially with the slow service. I thought maybe it was because it was "Louisiana style" or something that they were just slower, but after visiting one of the stores outside of Chicago, I know this isn't true.

On the way to visiting my family for funeral services, we decided to stop and get a bite to eat. When we saw a sign for Popeyes his eyes lit up, so we stopped. We went inside to take a break from driving through traffic and the first thing I noticed was the incredible speed of the people behind the counter.

The man who took our order was yelling back into the kitchen as he took pieces of chicken, so they knew what to replace (normally, we see them yelling what they need AS they need it). Needless to say, I was impressed.

We asked the man if he was the manager there and he said, "why yes I am," and we complimented him on the efficiency of the store. He mentioned that they were short staffed even, but it didn't show. We got our food quicker than ever at a Popeyes. The food was fresh and just as we'd ordered it - another issue we've had in the past, not getting spicy when we order it.

After we ordered we sat down to eat and people watched. The manager was very patient with customers who would come in on their cell phones and talk while ordering, or taking forever to make a decision while holding up the line, and even customers asking tons of questions that are answered right on the menu. He certainly was more patient that I would have been :).

So I gotta say, if you're ever headed out of Chicago on 94 and have a craving for Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, be sure to take the Calumet City exit and visit the store on Sibley Road. You're bound to be satisfied with food and the service.

Cheers!

Ashley

RANT: Cinemark at Seven Bridges

Normally I'm not one to just throw a complaint up on a blog for the world to see without giving a company the chance to make things right first, but my experience last night was so appalling that it must be shared.

So it's been a rough week, between the 18 inches of snow that was dumped on us in 36 hours, nearly getting sick (I barely got away with that) and dealing with the emotional strains of some family emergencies, I was in desperate need of a mid-week comedy to cheer me up.

Typically my husband and I rent movies in, either on Netflix or Redbox, but occasionally when there's a flick that looks promising we'll head out for a date night at the movie theater.

Since moving to Chicago, we've chosen Cinemark @ Seven Bridges in Woodridge, IL as our local spot. Sure, there are closer theaters but this one has a number of showings, stadium seating, clean bathrooms (yes, this is a plus) and IMAX, if you so choose. And up until last night, the customer service was satisfactory.

We went to see No Strings Attached with Ashton and Natalie. This is funny, if you're interested. Not in the typical romantic comedy kind of way either, like legit funny. We were quoting our favorite lines on the way home. It really helped take my mind off everything.

Anyway, we got in and settled as the previews were showing. As a treat, I decided to sneak out and get us some popcorn, and this is where the fun started.

*please note the implied sarcastic tone there*

Given that it was a slow evening and most people were hunkered down in their homes, ticket sales were taking place at the end of the consession counter. I've encountered this before, no big deal. BUT, when you have two people behind the counter, one just watching you wait for service while the other is selling tickets, that doesn't bode so well for someone who just wants to get her $7 bag of popcorn and get back before the movie starts.

Not only that, when the man was done selling tickets to these folks, they were not expected to get in line behind me at concessions, rather, they were helped immediately. So I waited, impatiently, while he microwaved their hot dogs for them (which, as I see it, he could have spent the time waiting for them to heat up by scooping popcorn for awaiting customers...just a thought on time management there). All the while the other woman behind the counter just stood there picking her nose. Okay, not literally, but she might as well have been, at least then she'd be doing something.

When I mentioned to him that I had been waiting in line, I was virtually ignored. So I ordered my popcorn and rushed back into the movie. Had I not had to wait nearly 10 minutes to get popcorn when there was no one else in line, I wouldn't have missed the beginning. Gee, thanks.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people in the customer service industry drag their feet and take their jobs so lightly. It's these people who hold the potential to give a company a bad name. In the end, isn't all about serving the customer? Unfortunate as it may be, I highly doubt we'll be going back there any time soon. AMC at Yorktown is looking like a better option...Clearly, the customers time and money isn't valued at Cinemark.

Ashley