McDonalds: Don`t Go There

It is very well know to most people that McDonald's is not the best of places to go out to eat unless your in a hurry. What people might not understand though is how bad of a decision it really is to eat there. How would I know such things then? Well the answer is easy, i work there myself.

Cleanliness: I rated cleanliness on the condition of the lobby, the bathrooms, along with the tables and seating. Usually the lobby can be found in a mess, with crumbs, straw-paper, and frys litered through out the lobby. It is also common to find the tables and seating coated with spots of spilled soda, which eventually dry and leave a gross and sticky residue. The bathrooms i wont even decribe out of consideration of your mentality and health, just know that it is bad. With the sorry shape that everything is in, I would give it a rating of 1 out of 5.

Service: I rated service based on employee attitudes towards the customers, how well, and how fast they completed orders. While most of the time your food will arrive in a relatively short mount of time, it is also likely that it has been either made wrong or the person bagging the food grabbed the wrong thing. Employees that interact with customers usually start out nice, but slowly as their shift goes on they get less and less polite and can end up being flat out rude. Therefore i give service a rating of 3.

Presentation: I rated presentation based on how the employees and managers are dress, grooming, and hygiene. This is probably the highest rated topic i will give to the store seeing as how all the managers are of course always dressed in clean clothes, well groomed, and lack of body odor. While most crew members also follow as the managers, usually there can be at least a couple employees that can be found with stains of god-knows-what on their uniforms, greasy hair, or some type of stench. Based on this i would rate presentation with a generous 4 out of 5.

Food Quality: Food quality was obviously rated based on the condition and appearance of food as it arrives to the customer. While all fast food never looks like what it does on the commercials, McDonald's take it to an all time low. On a good day there is a minimal amount of customers returning food either because it was made to sloppy, squished, or torn in some way. No matter how many times you can tell a young employee to be more careful with someone else`s food, they can never seem to remember for long. This lands my ranting on a 2 out of 5.

Ambiance: The ambiance in the store is not a good one. with the sound of many different machines in the kitchen making loud beeping noises 24/7, customers also must deal with the annoying music selection the owner of the store has selected. While the managers would tell you that the music selection was made the way it was so that everyone would have something to listen to, they are sadly mistaken. Songs from many decades ago are played through out the store constantly, only less than a handful of which i could accurately recognize. This puts ambiance at a rating of 1 out of 5.

With all the conditions of the subjects above averaged together, i would rate the store as a 2 out of 5. If you suspect that i may be to harsh on my criticism of Traffic Circle McDonald`s, located in Parkersburg, go down and have a look for yourself, you will soon change your mind.

Buffalo Wild Wings: A Sports Fanatic's Paradise

Service: The service at Buffalo Wild Wings is wonderful. The waiters and waitresses all greet you with a smile, and you get your food in a short amount of time. 4 out of 5.

Cleanliness: During my stay at Buffalo Wild Wings, the floors were clean as well as the tables. Everything was 'spic and span' all the way up to the televisions, which did not even have a spec of dust on the. 5 out of 5.

Ambiance: One can see by the decor inside and out that Buffalo Wild Wings is a sports bar. The televisions and projectors are constantly showing games, and it all adds up to a great sports experience. 4 out of 5.

Food Quality: The chicken wings are composed of delicious poultry and sauce, but everything else on the menu is just as good. There is not one item on Buffalo Wild Wings menu I would not recommend. 4 out of 5.

Presentation: The presentation was lacking in something. The disorganization of the wings and the lack of even sauce over all the wings make it feel sloppy. This is the only area in which I was disapointed. 3 out of 5.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars.

Red Lobster: See Food Differently

Service: The service at Red Lobster in Parkersburg, WV is great! Now I'm not just saying this because I am now employed there.. But as I am on the subject, I see the happiness on the customers faces when they are eating in Red Lobster. The servers do everything they posssibly can to ensure that each and every person who enters the building is 100% completely satisfied. I would rate the service a 4 out of 5, nothing is ever perfect.

Cleanliness: Antibacterial chemicals are used throughout the entire restaurant, ensuring a completely germ-free, and healthy place to eat. Restrooms are cleaned every thirty minutes, and the floors are swept at all times of the day. In rating the cleanliness of Red Lobster I would have to say that I choose a 5 out of 5. I have never once been disappointed when eating at Red Lobster.

Ambiance: The look of the building from the outside gives the effect of really being on the coast. But what truly sets it all off is the decor when entering the building. The live lobster tank as you walk into the lobby, the deep-sea fishing poles all over the place, pictures of those who first contributed to the first Red Lobster. I feel very relaxed when I am at Red Lobster, and I feel that the atmosphere has the most part in that. I would rate Ambiance a 4 out of 5.

Food Quality: There are several things on the menu at Red Lobster that kind of gross me out, but you would be surprised by the dishes that look disgusting on the menu. It's completely different, I love shrimp, and lobster, and there are so many dishes with those two ingredients that you have so many options to choose from. I rate the quality of the food a 4 out of 5.

Presentation: The presentation at Red Lobster is very organized. Everything has a designated area to ensure that there are no issues with employees, and customers as well. I feel that more restaurants should be like Red Lobster for the fact that they have customers that have been coming to their resaurant on the same day of every week since the building first opened. Obviously they are doing something right for someone to eat there every week. I rate presentation a 5 out of 5.

Overall Experience: 4.5 out of 5

Bob Evans

ambiance - Bob Evans has a warm and welcoming presence on the side of the road. It's always a place that looks good to eat in. Warm colored bushes and flowers line the sides of the restaurant with beautiful and well taken care of landscapes in the front and sides. The restaurant is easily accessible and easy to get to.
cleanliness - Bob Evans is and always has been one of the cleanest restaurants I've been to. Tables are wiped down after each meal is eaten and the Bob Evans staff is always eager to get things in great shape. The kitchen from what I could see looked in very good shape for the age of the restaurant. The staff of Bob Evans also seemed to be in good hygiene. The plates and utensils were in good form along with the glasses.
quality of food - The food was amazing! Some of the best I've had in a long time. I ordered the meat loaf and gravy with mashed potatoes and green beans and ultimately enjoyed my meal thoroughly. It was completely cooked without being overcooked and was hot when it came out.
service - Service was exceptional. There were a few times in which I needed something and the waiter did not come for an extended amount of time but overall the service was good. Almost every time my glass of iced tea was empty my waiter was around to fill it up. The food also came in a timely manner. My grandma and I did not have to wait long at all for our meals to come out of the kitchen and to be placed in front of us.
presentation - The presentation was also very good. The restaurant gave a home style feel and really made you feel as though your own grandmother was in the back cooking your food. The waiters and waitresses were dressed in alike clothes; a white top, dark pants, and a navy blue apron.
Overall Bob Evans is a great place to eat full of great food and a home style that will make you feel like you are back at grandma's.

Da Vinci's: Fine Italian Dining

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Da Vinci's: Fine Italian Dining

Ambiance:

Da Vinci's gets a 5 out of 5 for the atmosphere because of the relaxing environment. The lights weren't too dim or bright, and the music stayed in the background. There are many different rooms you can sit in at Da Vinci's, and the room we ate in was enclosed by green latticework with iron grapevines intertwined in the frame of the lattices. Ferns hang from the ceiling and lights spiral on the tops of the enclosed space, which gave the environment a garden-like feeling.

5 out of 5

Cleanliness:

Once again, Da Vinci's receives a 5 out of 5 because the restaurant was nice and tidy. There were no crumbs on the tables or floor, and everything was spotless.

5 out of 5

Quality of Food:

For the quality of food I gave a 5 out of 5 again because the food there is amazing. I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana, which came with a plate of Garlic Bread and a side of Spaghetti. The Chicken Parmigiana was delectable. It melts in your mouth and the combination of the sauce, cheese, and chicken is unbelievably delicious. I tried the spaghetti next, which was a wonderful, tangled heap of noodles with yummy sauce covering it all. It too, was awesome. Last but not the least, was the garlic bread. The garlic bread had an audible crunch, tasted like amazing with a side of butter, and was super addicting. They are about the size of a hand, and I ended up eating three.

5 out of 5

Service:

Obviously, the service is also going to be really good at Da Vinci's. I give a 4 out of 5. Then again, it wasn't busy when we went. Our waitress did a great job. She was prompt, polite, and our glasses were always full. The only "problem" was she forgot the bread, but that wasn't a big deal because then we got the garlic bread a minute or two after we asked. If you are really impatient, Da Vinci's may not be for you, because once you order your food you have to wait about a half an hour for it to be made. That time is an estimate though, so it could be more or less.

4 out of 5

Presentation:

The presentation gets a 5 out of 5. First off, the menu is more of a book than a menu; it has a leathery look to it on the outside, and everything is readable. Every dish that my family and I received was well put together and you were salivating before you even grabbed your fork. We didn't get dessert, but I wish I would have had room for it, because I know it would have been just as amazing as everything else I ate.

5 out of 5

Overall Experience:

4.5 out of 5

Tampicos: The Ultimate Dining Experience

Tampicos
Ambiance:
The ambiance of Tampicos was very enjoyable. Families all around me were laughing so hard their whole bodies were
shaking up and down. Some of the laughs were more annoying than others. Even
the waiters were carrying on happy conversations.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Cleanliness:
Tampicos is a very clean restaurant. Since, I was able to take quick
glances into the kitchen, I could easily see that the floor was cleanly mopped
and there was no sign of food crumbs on it. I could also see the bus boy cleaning the counters with a clean, white
rag.
Rating: 5 out 5 stars
Quality of Food:
The quality of my food at Tampicos was excellent. I ordered fajitas and they
were delicious. The smoking steak, the cooked green and red peppers, and
the soft flour tortillas on my fajitas were all so appetizing and fresh.
Rating: 5 out 5 stars
Service:
Tampico’s service was great. To describe, our waiter checked on my family and I
almost every five to ten Minutes. He always came back in time when I needed a
refill.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Presentation:
Tampicos presentation was very impressive. The menus were cleverly designed
with the titles of the food written in Spanish. Before I could read the menu,
my waiter instantly provided me with a basket of crunchy tortilla chips and a
bowl of spicy salsa.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Las Trancas: Real Hometown Mexican

Ambiance:

The lights in the restaurant were dimmed,there was a cold draft and Mariachi style music was playing loud. There was constant background noise of conversation and various other noises from the kitchen and surrounding environment. The walls were painted in multiple bright colors with different murals painted on each wall and nestled in the corner was a well stocked bar area.

Rating : 4/5 stars

Cleanliness:

In my opinion, the restaurant seemed to be very clean. Tables were bused quickly so that no trash was seen on the tabletops. Also, the restrooms were clean and well stocked. The trash was emptied, and the paper towels and toilet paper seemed to have been recently stocked.

Rating : 5/5 stars

Quality of Food:

In my opinion, Las Trancas is the best place for Mexican in the Mid Ohio Valley. We started out with chips and salsa. The chips were warm, and the salsa cold with the perfect combination of flavors. For my meal, I got chicken nachos (pictured above). These include totrtilla chips. white cheese sauce, shredded chicken, and jalapeno peppers.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Presentation:

Each meal brought to the table was served on a different color, heavy, ceramic plate. Each plate varied in size depending upon what entree each person ordered. Our drinks were in large, heavy glasses and our silverware was seemingly cheap, and was wrapped in an easily torn, paper napkin.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Service:

Overall I would say that the service that we were provided was so-so. Our glasses or chip baskets were never empty, and we received our food quickly. But quickly, Jose, our waiter (pictured above) became over bearing and annoying. He created conversation that we did not want to have and lurked around making our dining experience slightly awkward.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Overall Experience:

I would say that over all I had a very enjoyable dining experience. The fun atmosphere and great food makes for a wonderful experience.

Overall Rating : 20/25 stars

Did Someone Say Mexican: A Dining Experience to Remember

Ambiance

While some may discount the ambiance of an eating establishment, I have found that it can greatly enhance or distract from the dining experience. I greatly enjoyed the light background music and the authentic Mexican décor on the walls. Each of the waiters I saw was of Mexican descent and spoke with Mexican accents. We had adequate privacy in our booth but there were some tables grouped together in the middle of the floor that might not afford privacy to their occupants. At some point during our meal, a live Mariachi band began playing and traveled around the dining area. I felt as if we were having the same dining experience that we might have if we were in a family operated restaurant across the border.

5 out of 5 stars for Ambiance

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is a very important factor in choosing a dining establishment. If the management does not think it important to ensure that public areas are clean, we might assume they extend that same philosophy to the kitchen. The first thing I wanted to observe upon entering the facility was whether it appeared to be clean. The floors seemed to be clean but they are concrete so it was not possible to tell for sure. As I looked across the dining area there did not seem to be any empty tables with dirty dishes. Before I was seated, I ventured into the bathroom and found it to be very untidy. There was toilet paper on the floor in most of the stalls, the sole trashcan was overflowing with dirty hand towels, and the sink was covered with soapy water puddles. The room smelled of a sickly, sweet, floral scent mixed with rotten fish. I was not impressed at this point and thought that it would not be a good precursor for the rest of the evening. I hoped I could overcome the memory of that smell before it was time to eat my meal.

3 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Service

Service is a very important aspect of any dining experience. The wait staff can make or break a restaurant because they sometimes the only face of the business to its patrons. Although the restaurant was quite busy, we were seated promptly. Almost immediately, a server appeared at the table with a free appetizer of chips and salsa, he took our drink orders and delivered them promptly, and then asked if we were ready to proceed with ordering our food. The tantalizing scent of fajitas frying on a skillet was coming from the booth next to us and my stomach began grumbling with hunger. While we were eating, our waiter frequently came back to check our drinks and to ask if we needed anything. The service was impeccable. He was not overbearing or intruding; he was there right at the times we needed him.

5 out of 5 stars for service

Quality and Presentation of Food

Quality and presentation of food at a restaurant are perhaps the most important aspect of dining out. After all, it is the main reason we go to restaurants. During my dining experience, I made sure to take note of food quality and its presentation. The salsa had an awesome flavor. It was a nice juicy red in color that made me believe it was freshly made with vine-ripened tomatoes. It was infused with many other spices and vegetables that created an incredible depth of flavor. When the server brought the cheese dip, I could hardly wait to grab a chip and sink into it because of its delectable aroma. It did not disappoint; the consistency was smooth and creamy while the taste was as delectable as its aroma. The only downfall to the salsa and cheese dip was the chips. They were tough and hard to chew as if they might be stale. The chips were too hard and hurt my gums while trying to eat them. Fortunately, my entrée came before I became too disillusioned. I could smell the sweet onion, spicy peppers, and marinated steak that Oscar had described so perfectly as soon as it was set in front of me. The burrito was covered in cheese sauce and a sprinkling of pico de gallo with a side dish of Mexican rice. I took my knife and began cutting into the burrito; the filling began to spill out. I scooped up the first bite and placed it in my mouth. I felt as though I had entered into Heaven because the taste was amazing. The onions simply melted in my mouth. The steak was perfectly seasoned and grilled to tender perfection. With the next bite, I encountered some green pepper chunks; they added the perfect crunch. This dish was an amazing Mexican twist on a Philly cheese steak. The side of rice was as delicious as the burrito. I decided to put some of it inside the tortilla. This gave the dish a completely new texture, which I loved very much. The food I sampled was astounding. I will most definitely be returning so that I can try other menu selections.

5 out of 5 stars for quality and presentation of food.