Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Pancake House - an isolated case of a not-so-good experience

Hungry? Pancake House could be one of the options to satiate your tummy. Last Monday (May 11), my friend and I had our usual late-at-night catch-up over dinner. Because she was craving for pancakes, easy choice - Pancake House. It was around 9pm when we got in the resto. The Pancake House in the 4th level Robinsons Place Manila looked deserted except for its probably tired crews who were just killing time before going home. After we settled, we were given the menus, and the staff took our order. Before I even gave my choice, I asked him till what time will they be open. 10pm, he said. To our disappointment, they were no longer serving some dishes that my friend and i preferred at that time. So she just settled with her pancakes, and i with my pan chicken special set. She even went out to buy coffee at the nearby The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf because they did not even have coffee available at that time. And because i was sooooo hungry, i would have wanted garlic rice to add, but nada. I just went for a cup of plain rice instead. Comfort food indeed; it's just that i did not feel the "warm personalized service and homey dining atmosphere" that Pancake House's site says, and i quote:
Best known for delicious comfort food, warm personalized service and homey dining atmosphere, the brand Pancake House grew over the years to over 22 company-owned and franchised outlets situated in Metro Manila, Laguna and Tarlac. from Pancake House Group

We were just starting our meals when a crew started to mop the floor and kept the chairs atop the tables and the cushions against the couch. Homey, wasn't it? To add to our disappointment, i was only halfway through my meal when the crew asked if we could bill out already; out of courtesy, we did (shouldn't they be the ones who were supposed to be considerate enough to wait until i'm done with my food in that situation?). I tried my best to eat soooooo slow just to keep them waiting for my plates and utensils (the crew got my friend's already right after she's done eating). We were out of the resto even before 10pm and never looked back when they said their scripted thank yous. Yes, i was full, but it was a not-so-gratifying fullness. So sad because i like Pancake House's chicken, but at that moment, i did not taste it the way it should. This may be an isolated case only, but still, Pancake House should be responsible enough to train its staff (whether the staff be in a company-owned or franchised branch only) the way its site promotes its service. I have been browsing their site so I can send feedback through email, but i could not find the e-address; it only shows a snail mail address and contact numbers. Or, probably, i was not trying so hard to search for the e-address. Anyone who knows of Pancake House's customer service e-add? Let me know. Because Pancake House ought to know about this.

7 comments:

  1. Now that is just plain disappointing. Other than quality of food, i think, service is a huge factor in an restaurant’s success. I am not really a fan of Pancake House. Been there just a few times in my __ years of existence. hehe and with your story, i think i won’t be visiting the resto anytime soon. You should try contacting them regarding this. Found their email add and contact number: phi@pancakehouse.com.ph, 894-2000. Hope everything goes well! =)

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  2. that was sad. been to their resto in harbour square and people there are quite the opposite of those in Robinsons Place. hmmm, must be the time factor. try visiting that resto at a different time haha. but, seriously, they aren’t supposed to be like that at any given time.

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  3. @jae: thanks for the info. will send them a feedback and i'll update you guys of their response.

    @anonymous: been to harbour square pancake house, too, and yes, it's quite different there. :-)

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  4. http://www.pancakehouse.biz/contact/index.html

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  5. Nangyari na din sa akin ito in another branch of Pancake House sa Makati. Wala na din kami maorder kasi magsasara na sila. At tama ngang nagliligpit na sila ng tables sa paligid kahit may kumakain pang iba. Buti na lang hindi ako fan ng food nila. I could always make pancakes at home, haha.

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  6. @anonymous: chain of store nga sila. nagtry ako magsearch sa net at may mga nabasa din ako na negative feedback about other stores of pancake house. mukhang hindi nakakarating sa pancake house ang work ethics ng staff nila. too bad for them.

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