divers kvetch-s: crappy food delivery complaints

I like the concept of Leona's(please no refutations of this mediocre restaurant...it is what it is and when it hits the mark it's palatable for a lazy Saturday afternoon).

I dislike the variability between franchises.

And, I hate the Wicker Park incarnation...they don't give a shit...always have(n't).

Even back years ago when I resided thusly: fucked-up orders, salads that are obvious cast-offs destined for les garbage bin(lettuce spines, brown crud), and desultory food prep.

When the s/o 'n I moved east, suddenly our new Leona's rocked: despite gruff phone personel, everything was packaged competently, everything appeared fresh, everything was actually there...

...then that location had to go and reconcept as a world o' hamburger bar...

...

my building recently instituted an asinine "must leave form of ID at the front desk in order to get buzzed-in if you don't live here" nonsense(which did so much good preventing the stairwell graffiti and the recently torn-up roofdeck)

so...Leona's(a few weeks back):

there's this one delivery woman who always has an attitude(look, I would too if I was suddenly burdened with driving across town to deliver to folks formerly-served by a re-patrioted Lincoln Park edifice...um...see, I'd quit if it pissed me off as bad as it seems this one...it's not like delivery gigs are going out of style...)...but, c'mon...DON'T TAKE IT OUT ON YOUR well-tipping CUSTOMER.

...here's the rub...I order in food because we're lounging around in our jammies bedheaded and logey...the *point* is to not have to get dressed, go downstairs, and deal with the fucking weekend tourists crowding my building's elevators(when all three are actually working which as of this past year is never)...so...

(I should interject...there are delivery services that work the building with aplomb...but, you know...it's hit or miss)

...so...

I have to get dressed upon the apologetic front desk call that the delivery person doesn't have any form of ID...fuuuuuck....

...once I'm downstairs this asshole delivery woman gives me lip..."you don't know what you're talking about!"---what? that you don't have ID? Or, that you're pulling some power shit and won't countenance delivering to our door? There're tons of other delivery people that have no fricking problem.

no tip(I've met delivery people that try to pull scams: "coupon? what coupon?" and, I've met irascible delivery people...but, how often do you greet someone relying on your tip that's vocally aggressive?)

NOW:

anyway

I order pizza today...and describe the idiotic front desk situation...

...mention the delivery person must present ID.

What happens?

Again!

The guy's driving under a suspended license.

So...here's my apprehension...longwinded and vis-a-vis: my favorite pizza place(unamed because it will draw hoots of derision as this post probably already has)...I order from them not just because I like them, but they're always quick and efficient...not today...no...not only was the pizza late and cold(guy...turns out was just sitting down there in the carport---after being previously-instructed to come to the front desk??? um...how would we even know the food was *here* w/o a call?)...it was sliced desultorily...and just generally, meh(I'm thinking this franchise is under new ownership).

: I explained to the pizza purveyor over the phone when I ordered my building's idiotic ID policy(as if camera surveillance and electronic locks aren't enough) and he *still* sends out this addled fuck.

I almost refused payment then thought...screw it.

No tip.

Complained over the phone: they didn't give a rat's ass.



*they didn't give a rat's ass!*



So...moral of the story?

I have bad delivery luck?

Or, if you were hiring delivery people wouldn't you check to make sure they have a valid driver's license? Oh...

wait...this is Chicago.

btw: as per Leona's, I've contacted them via the internet the few times over the near decade I've ordered from them and had a particularly-egregious problem and NEVER received a response

signed,
Fed Up

and, yes...we're never ordering from the pizza place again(it's not one that's ever been mentioned on this board and most posters here would hate it out of hand, anyway)

and, though I've been loyal to Leona's(for a handful of preparations for nearly a decade), having to deal with the Wicker Park location nonsense once again(and not receiving response to the two or three complaints I've sent out over the years)...lends me to consider 86-ing them as well.

...some might say good riddance...but, these are two restaurants who offer a handful of preps I very much enjoy as fast food/order-in...sad the customer service is so lacking...and/or invisible...


alas...I meant to mention(one positive-ish experience):

The Cabrini Green Hecky's(yes, I understand it's a pale shadow of the original...I'm also aware that the---I assume---same dull palates that consistently-nominate Sultan's Market as best Middle Eastern fare are the ones responsible for the perennial nomination of this blighted bbq to the top of various weeklys' lists).

We were just bored with the usual, I guess.

And, we hadn't ordered from *that* benighted Hecky's in awhile...thought, "sure, why not?"

borderline inedible(regardless of where you wiggle on the meat jello front): horrifically-saline and liquid smoked...it was all you could taste in our tips and ribs

oddly enough(we were working from an old menu)...they provided yummy hushpuppies(actual bits of onion inside...sweet cornbread...crisp crust)...best part of the meal and it was an afterthought

fast-forward a month

um...Hecky's again? Sure, why not?

long story how we got to that point(being pissed off with Leona's and the pizza place and a disgusting expedition into chop suey-dom)

A complete reversal.

Now Hecky's is as Hecky's does.

But, everything off about the previous order was corrected in this new one. You could actually taste how they'd fubar'd it before(easier hand on the "smoke"....deft use of salt).

And, even tho' those scrumptious hushpuppies aren't on the new menu I asked after them and sho' nuff, they said, "no problem."

I have this image of an employee running down the street to the shrimp shack.

anyway...they redeemed themselves

not *my* type of bbq, but the s/o digs it and that's fair enough

As long as we're bitching about Leona's delivery, I'll relate my own story. A few years ago, when I was still in Des Plaines, we placed a delivery order from the D.P. location over the phone for several people. When I put in the order, I could tell just from the conversation that the guy I was talking to wasn't quite "all there." I thought, "maybe it's just a speech impediment." I gave them the food order, address, credit card #, etc. They said it would be about 45 minutes. Nearly an hour went by (like 57 minutes) and still no food, so I called back.

A woman answered this time and I told her we ordered for delivery nearly an hour ago, they said 45 minutes and it's still not here. I told her my name and she got all pissy with me, saying that they've had the order sitting here for 15 minutes and why haven't I come to get it yet? "Umm, because it was supposed to be delivered. Why would I have given the guy my address and credit card # over the phone if I was coming to pick it up?" *Silence on the other end, then a dramatic sigh* "Someone will be there in 5 minutes with your order." Damn right.

I stopped ordering from Andies for rotten delivery and overcharging. I used to love to order from them -- they're closeby so it was almost always at my apartment within 30 minutes. I could usually count on hot, fresh and correct. However, I've noticed over the past 6 months maybe in a series of 4 or 5 deliveries that first a little thing was wrong -- no extra ketchup as I requested, and then it just ratcheted up until once I ordered a simple gyros plate with extra pita and instead received 4, count em, 4 extra huge portions of rice. And I hadn't wanted rice at all.

Plus..the last three times they delivered, they charged my credit card either 2 times or the wrong amount. I had to deal with them and the bank FAR too many times and the last time involved me going in to talk to the manager, who despite having told me on the phone he'd be there, wasn't.

So...no more andie's for me.

Also...and this is more an issue of location...i've currently been experiencing the sadness of trying to find a decent chinese place for delivery in the Andersonville/Edgewater neighborhood and it's been really a waste of time and money. I ordered from a place two nights ago that had great reviews on Grubhub but oh man...this was some of the worst chinese food I have EVER had. There was so much cornstarch in my egg drop soup that you could barely STIR it. There were no peppers in my Kung Pao and a lot of celery. The breading on the ginger & onion shrimp -- which I didn't expect to have breading at all, was thicker than a Corn Fritter. It was inedible. And such a disappointment because I really wanted some decent chinese. I wasn't expecting LTH or Lao Szechuan but come on....something decent???? The food resembled Chinese food cooked by a 4th grader who read a book about it and thought they could reproduce it. I've had better chinese food in Sierra Vista, Arizona...

So...that's my kvetching contribution.

Now where's my dang Peapod Delivery?

s

If we're talking about delivery bad or good, Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park actually does a fast delivery with caringly-packed food. It's not the best barbecue, but compared to Hecky's delivery, where I've found things to be haphazardly assembled and packed, it's way better. For instance, Smoke Daddy gives you your pulled meats in a styro soup container separate from the bun. It is placed in the same styro clamshell as the bun, so the heat from the 'cue keeps the bun warm and fresh. Everything is nicely packed in the bag. So it's worth a try -- not sure of their delivery parameters, though.

aschie30 wrote:If we're talking about delivery bad or good, Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park actually does a fast delivery with caringly-packed food. It's not the best barbecue, but compared to Hecky's delivery, where I've found things to be haphazardly assembled and packed, it's way better. For instance, Smoke Daddy gives you your pulled meats in a styro soup container separate from the bun. It is placed in the same styro clamshell as the bun, so the heat from the 'cue keeps the bun warm and fresh. Everything is nicely packed in the bag. So it's worth a try -- not sure of their delivery parameters, though.

I don't think they'd deliver to us(Gold Coast/Lakefront)...but, who knows until you call, right?

Smoke Daddy *does* provide good delivery. I was over in that area a few weeks ago and friends and I settled on bbq for delivery. Chose SD after recent comments here that they're back on top of their game. No complaints in either the food, packaging, or delivery.

Hey, I'm gonna hang out with them tonight...hmm...will my comrades do bbq, again?

earthlydesire wrote:I stopped ordering from Andies for rotten delivery and overcharging. ...
Also...and this is more an issue of location...i've currently been experiencing the sadness of trying to find a decent chinese place for delivery in the Andersonville/Edgewater neighborhood and it's been really a waste of time and money.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one having overcharging issues with Andie's. We enjoy the food but, although we haven't yet had issues with rotten delivery, I'm about ready to cross them off the list. I'm tired of going through item by item (by price) to ensure we end up in the same place and I've taken to using cash only. It's just too much of a hassle otherwise. The few times I called when I was still using credit, I always spoke with a manager who conveyed the distinct impression that I was the problem--not because I was wrong, but because I was complaining about their mistake(s)! Ummm, hello?

"Our" Leona's is the one on Sheridan, up by Loyola. Things have generally gone well with them and the few times errors have been made, they've actually been good about issuing a credit for the next order or otherwise making things right. We'll continue to order from them, but more for the breadth of their menu and consistency than because of pleasure with the food. Don't get me wrong: for what it is, I have no complaints, but I wouldn't call it our go-to place for much of anything. Just a nice change of pace or when we feel like something only they have.

As far as Chinese in the (Andersonville/Edgewater) 'hood is concerned, have you tried Mei Shung? I can't vouch for the entire menu, but with a handful of exceptions, we have always enjoyed the food. Even better, they are always fast, exactly correct with the order, and deliver food that is hotter than you would expect delivered food could be. Is it the best Chinese I've ever had? No; but it's pretty damn good, reasonably priced, and all aspects of the "delivery experience" go smoothly.

On one last parenthical note on tipping: once upon a time there was a very interesting and instructive thread here about tipping delivery people. (I couldn't find it with a quick search and am too lazy to persist right now; I'll edit later.) I found some of the posts so persuasive that I changed my tipping based on what they said. I now tip generally around 25%. There have been times (especially older men who tend to be (or seem to be) immigrants who are past "retirement age" and are clearly working their butts off), when I've felt it right to add more to that.

What has surprised me is the almost universal indifference to the amount of a tip. I might as well give $1. No, delivery people don't owe me gratitude and obeisance--they don't owe me anything at all (other than a job well done). A "thank you" would be appreciated and doesn't seem too much to ask, but even that's not necessary. At this point, I feel better if there's even the merest hint of recognition that it wasn't a lousy tip. Are my expectations unreasonable? Am I using my tips to validate my self-worth?


Mei Shung
5511 N Broadway
Chicago
773-728-5778

What has surprised me is the almost universal indifference to the amount of a tip.

I'm surprised you experience that. I pretty much only get pizza delivered but I always see more appreciation if I give 4-5 bucks (which would be in the 20ish % range) than the buck or two they're probably used to and which I on occasion give if that's all the change I have.

Two years ago, I completely gave up on delivered food. No pizza, no Chinese, nothing.

By my estimation, no matter where I ordered from, I was sacrificing 40% of the quality for 100% of the convenience.

As someone who values the quality of my food over nearly everything else, it became a trade-off I was no longer willing to make.

Take-out remains a decent option for a few places, as long as I time it right and order foods that travel well.

Best,
Michael

Mike G wrote:

What has surprised me is the almost universal indifference to the amount of a tip.

I'm surprised you experience that.

Me too. Perhaps I should have written a tad more precisely and said that "What has surprised me is the almost universal apparent indifference to the amount of a tip." I can't tell you how many times they simply take the money and leave. Maybe they don't bother to look at it since they're under such time pressure, although I try to always make clear that "this" is for the bill and "this" is for you. It hasn't changed my tipping practice (yet), but it never ceases to amaze me.

We tip cash on top of the credit card bill: always 4-5 bucks. I guess my other beef(and, the deal is...being a delivery person just sucks, I guess)is that it's incredibly rare to receive anything resembling friendliness. Sometimes I feel like I'm barely being tolerated; how dare I order food that management then makes them deliver?

A notable exception is ordering from Thai and Chinese places: when it's kids delivering they tend to be really with it...just getting it done...approachable...

...when it's the older generation I swear the delivery people tend to smile and just generally leave a good feeling in their wake...I've even received hi...how are you's...

I'm not looking to be friends with my delivery person...but, I certainly don't get the attitude I've read off some...

---

oh...on a different front...Peapod delivery people always seem pretty chill...AND they're the ones doing the heavy lifting

I never really experienced any issue with delivery people-in fact they have always seemed pretty chipper and appreciative-although I really don't get delivery service very often.
But last night I discovered what you all are talking about. Ordered delivery from Spoon Thai, and jeepers creepers. This guy came across bitter, dour, sour, curt, and trodden upon. He also wanted the receipt back for whatever reason. I felt bad that I tipped him $5-he needed more dough to buy some sunshine. Next time I'll pick it up-I can still feel the bad juju in the house.

okay, I have a problem with a certain delivery guy from Leona's by Loyola on Sheridan. It's to the point where me and my lady argue about who will go downstairs to the door or we just order from some other place altogether. This guy is way too agressive and gives me the creeps. He insists he come inside and carry the pizza up to our unit at which point my dog comes running out and he backs away. One time he rang my buzzer when it was meant for my downstairs neighbor and when I answered the door he shoves the pizza in my face and asks "whooooo's hungry?" To which I replied "Not me! ya freak!" at which point my neighbors realized it was for them and came out and then he shoves right past me and tries to walk into their unit, luckily they blocked him. I can't tell if he's trying to scope out the customers' homes or if he thinks he's being charming/entertaining. I found his approach to be so alarming. I really wanted to beat him over the head. What a jerk.

On the other end of the spectrum, the delivery guys from Thai Pastry are the nicest and quickest I've ever encountered. Seriously there have been times where we just get off the phone from ordering, they said it would be about 30-45 minutes, so we get plates and napkins and such ready, make a couple of drinks, and the food shows up in 20! and when I tip, they always ask humbly if I'm not tipping too much, which just makes me want to tip them even more! Bless their hearts. although I think maybe they know that's a good strategy, 'cause looking out onto the street I see the delivery guy has the sweetest ride, a brand new, blinged-out VW GTI. I'm in the wrong profession!

That's insane- have you called Leona's to complain? I'd be afraid to place an order if I were alone in the house!

stewed coot wrote: But last night I discovered what you all are talking about. Ordered delivery from Spoon Thai, and jeepers creepers.

Stewed,

If Spoon Thai delivered to my house I wouldn't care if Freddy Krueger himself made the delivery.

Enjoy,
Gary

Gary,

Good point-I am lucky.
Even though it can be very difficult to communicate what I want from my copy of the Thai menu. Anything over 4 syllables is a crap shoot. Also have to order when they're not busy-or they will argue about it. Salads can be placed under hot items-so a quick flip in the fridge for 15-20 minutes is necessary.
But all in all... I don't think anyone on this forum will be shedding any tears for my horrible plights.

Kitchen Monkey wrote:I can't tell if he's trying to scope out the customers' homes or if he thinks he's being charming/entertaining. I found his approach to be so alarming. I really wanted to beat him over the head. What a jerk.

Casin' the joint?

abe_froeman wrote:That's insane- have you called Leona's to complain? I'd be afraid to place an order if I were alone in the house!

No, we didn't. Though in retrospect I should have. The last couple of times we've ordered from Leona's we've been pretty disappointed with our food and their menu keeps getting weaker, so we haven't ordered again.

To deliver or not to deliver. That is the question.

Nearly every restaurant in the city is grappling with it.

As more customers demand and expect delivery of their favorite restaurant food, upstarts—UberEats, Postmates, DoorDash, ChowNow, Caviar and GrubHub, among others—are marching into restaurants with offers to expand volume by 10 to 20 percent.

For most restaurateurs, the decision is far from simple.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... estaurants