I am so not a complainer. Really, I am not. Rarely do I ever get aggravated with situations, and if I do, I usually am able to just laugh it off.
Cinco de Mayo. Oh what a lovely time of the year that is for me! I love Mexican food. I love beer. I love Mexican beer.
So our friends, Brian and Justin, drove an hour from Statesboro to be with Krystal and I on this fabulous day. Christine, Nicole, Cuz and MJ drove from Southside down to the Island to be with us as well. It was a three (3) hour wait for a table...that is fine. We understand...tis Cinco. The bar staff was way fabulous and we got plenty of beer and set up camp outside on the sidewalk. We waited our three (3) hours and were finally seated. We were the last crew sat.
Here is a letter I wrote to them explaining why I was not happy...and P.S. - it wasn't because we had to wait three (3) hours.
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Via Fax: 897-8247
and U.S. Mail
Jalapenos Mexican Grill
Attn: Sergio
107 Charlotte Dr
Savannah, Georgia 31410
Re: Cinco de Mayo, 2008.
On May 5, 2008 myself and seven of my friends decided to come and enjoy the Cinco De Mayo festivities at your establishment located at 107 Charlotte Dr in Savannah Georgia. We arrived around 7:00pm, to a very large crowd, which is to be expected on such an occasion. We were told it would be a three hour wait for us to be seated. This was fine, as the bartending staff was very friendly and we were able to get what drinks we needed in a fairly efficient manner, considering the size of the crowd and such. We sat on the sidewalk and had a good time socializing amongst ourselves and the various other patrons.
We were seated around 10:00pm and were readily waited on by a waiter named Joel. He was kind, quick, and efficient and despite the fact that most of our orders had some special change (i.e. soft taco instead of hard) all of our orders were perfect. He and the cooks did a fantastic job.
We finished our meals around 11:00pm and were collecting our tabs when the restaurant became increasingly loud with whistles blowing and some of the wait staff yelling from across the restaurant for us to “get out”. I understand that the establishment closes at 11:00, but considering the circumstances (Cinco de Mayo), certainly it wasn’t expected to be a “normal” night and every patron be off the premises at exactly 11:00. I understand that the wait staff was tired and had probably dealt with a lot of customers that were difficult, but this activity is unacceptable on many levels.
First and foremost, we are patrons. Secondly, we waited for THREE hours to be seated because we wanted to enjoy our Cinco with Jalapeños. We chose Jalapeños, albeit there are MANY other restaurants, such as Wild Wing Café, that were having bands and drink specials that we could have chosen to go to. It would have been closer to our homes as well. Not to mention the other Mexican restaurants in town. Lastly, as we were waiting for our server to come and collect the checks, one of your female servers came by the table, and though not directly speaking to us, said in a very loud voice, “If SOME people would LEAVE…” At this point we decided to let it be known that we were also ready to leave and explained that were waiting on our tickets to be paid; at which time she yelled ACROSS the restaurant to our server to come and collect our tickets. I know this is not a fancy restaurant, but it is somewhere to come relax and eat, and yelling across any restaurant is unprofessional and uncalled for. After this took place, ANOTHER female server, who was cleaning a table behind us, told us “Not to take it personal, they were telling everyone to get out.” We informed her that we did take it personally, as we were the LAST people in the restaurant. There was no one else for the comments to be directed at. We honestly do understand that they were tired and after sitting on a sidewalk for three hours, we were tired and ready to go ourselves. The two female servers continued to talk about us, speaking in Spanish across our table to each other. Though none of us are fluent in Spanish, it was apparent by the giggles and stares that they were speaking negatively about us.
Again, our server Joel was fantastic! He asked the other servers to please quit blowing the whistles and to allow us to leave in peace. (They unfortunately ignored him) He was very apologetic and we appreciated his willingness to understand our situation. Joel should be commended on a job well done and the strength it took to stand up to his fellow servers as well as maintain a good attitude despite the chaotic evening he no doubt had.
I hope this letter relates how dissatisfied we were by being treated in such a poor fashion. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of our server, we will not be patrons at this restaurant or the other two Jalapeños restaurants in the Savannah area. I understand that losing eight customers will not damage your restaurants in the least, but please know that continuing to treat your customers in such a way will cause you to loose business in the long run.
Thank you for your time.
Jessica
cc.
Francisco Guzman, Registered Agent
Magda Castellanos, CFO
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I received a phone call approximately 10.2 minutes after I faxed my letter over. Sergio was oh so very apologetic. He said the girls aren't allowed to work for a while and that he wanted us to come back and buy us dinner and stuff. Uh. NO. Like we most certainly can't come back NOW...I mean they will know it is US and shit (yes, shit, not spit) in our food. The beans already look like shit (but taste oh so good) so how would I know the difference?!?
To help my good juu juu I wrote another letter (I was in a letter writing mood today) to FedEx Kinko's cause they totally were awesome to me.
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Via Fax: 443-1912
and U.S. Mail
Joel
FedEx Kinko’s
5 W. Broughton Street, Suite B
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Re: Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Annie Kistner
Dear Joel:
I am writing this letter to let you know what a WONDERFUL staff you have working for you at your FedEx Kinko’s location on Broughton Street. Annie Kistner went above and beyond to assist me in having some photographs printed. I was in a bind and having trouble getting my photos printed in a timely fashion. Annie was quick to assist, even in the middle of a very busy part of the day for your establishment.
I have used the FedEx Kinko’s on Southside on a number of occasions and frankly, I have not had the same willingness to help as I had at your Broughton Street location. I would like to encourage you and your staff to maintain their very pleasant attitude and willingness to help; it certainly made my life easier and made for a good start to the week!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Legal Assistant
cc. Annie Kistner
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