REASON: I went there with my family this evening after soccer. I do not make it a habit to eat there, but with kids, you give in every once in a while.
MISSION: I ordered my absolute favorite; the Big Mac, fries, and a Coke! But this time a special request; cook mine fresh from the grill?! This request is available, but most people do not know. It takes a few minutes more, but it is worth the wait!
RESULT: I’m sitting as my wife approaches with the tray full of food. I take my Big Mac and open it up for the “inspection.” I had waited my extra few minutes and was finally eager to receive my reward! Alas, it was not to be. It had came from the “incubator” that holds the patties after they are cooked. The “incubator” steams the patties, as well as chicken thingies, to keep it rubbery fresh! There was no sneaking it by me.
CONFRONTATION: Now I’m not the kind of person to complain, but I had made a simple request, waited my time, and expected a good result! When it didn’t happen, I decided this was “my time” to finally go back and set the record straight! I approached the cashier/waiter/???, and told her that my Big Mac had not been cooked fresh off the grill. She apologized, and took it back to “make it right.” Thirty seconds later she returned with the same Big Mac box I had given her and said, “here you go!” I was thinking that was not enough time to cook me a new Big Mac, but hey, I didn’t want my fries to get cold either.
SHOCK: I returned to my seat to prepare myself for the entree I had been working so hard to receive. I opened the container to my “new” Big Mac and again repeated the “inspection.” To my unbelieving eyes, there lay in front of me the same patties I had just inspected moments before, only this time glistening with filthy grease after being re-applied to the McGrill. I’m talking about the same patties that had already endured at least two steamy hours in the “incubator.”
THE SCENE: And then it happened. I had witnessed so many others before me make their way to the counter over the years and with arms flying, and fingers pointing, they were having their say over the “slop that was served to them.” I was the guy that said, “I will never do that.” Yet, there I was, approaching the counter armed with “incubated patties” as my evidence that would prove that for a second time, my simple request for a beloved Big Mac be cooked fresh from the grill had been denied!!!! I approached the lady and stood there exposing my evidence to all who would see as she waited on what seemed half of Decatur County. She then turned to me and said, “is there a problem with your Big Mac sir?” I said, “yes there is me lady! This Big Mac is not cooked fresh from the grill, but it has been applied to some grill!” Then she boldly says, “No sir! I watched the cook take the patties out of the “incubator” and place them on the grill myself!” Then I retourted, “I know this! My request was for the fine cook to place two “raw patties” on the grill and “cook” them to McPerfection, then simply place them on my sesame bun, with all the other song stuff! However, this did not happen, so if it would not inconvenience or confuse the fine staff of this eating establishment, could I simply please get a return for this sad excuse of a Big Mac! I then added, Ray Kroc(founder) would have never stood for such poor service and food quality!” She then replied, “who is Ray Kroc?”
THE EXIT: After waiting another twenty minutes for her to serve other customers, I was finally refunded my $2.45 and told nothing else. I left, feeling denied the result I had expected when entering; a full stomach.
THE REFERAL: There will be a continuing education class conducted during the winter quarter at Bainbridge College simply entitled, “Eating at Home 101.” Good luck!
Mike Albritton
