Sandy, Utah, Carl’s Jr.

Haven’t said much lately about my Carl’s Jr. adventures, but I need to mention this one.

The above-named Carl’s has been a right mess. I don’t even want to try to speculate as to why the place is so filthy, but as usual, I called the Carl’s Jr. hotline and was greated with the same canned responses. However, much to my surprise, the District Manager called me back within 2 hours of my call. She happily and in a non-condescending manner listened to my concerns. She even did a spot check of the building and discussed my concerns with the Shift Leader.

The District Manager, Wilma, made it clear that I was welcome to contact her directly on her cell phone, which is something I personally don’t hand out to my customers.

For those that haven’t listened to my rantings, I am in no way connected with any aspect of the food industry. I don’t talk about other fast-food places simply because I don’t eat at those places. I am also not trying to chase people away from Carl’s Jr., but just from the filthy and poorly-managed buildings.

Glastonbury 

Carl’s Jr, Sandy – Pig sty of Utah

I know… I know…

It really is getting worse. And it’s unacceptable. Eating at the Utah Carl’s Jr.s is disgusting.

A few days ago, I took my young son to the Carl’s on Highland Drive in Sandy, Utah, because he wanted to go the the Playplace. First off, it’s the lamest Playplace of any fast food chain in Utah. He and I were the only ones in the building, other than the employees. I let him run wild, and I ordered our food.

I brought the food into the Playplace and played the adult game known as, “Find the Cleanest (not ‘clean’) table.” Today’s match was the hardest yet. But we ate in there anyway.

He bounced back and forth from table to filthy play mat, and I decided that he would need a shower regardless of how much food he took home on his clothes. After I had finished, I asked him to put his shoes on. He moved slow, so I tried to help him. He began telling me to “look at the bugs,” and I notice that a large colony of ants was trying to carry my son back to the queen.

Okay… a bit of an exaggeration, but you usually don’t have ants unless you are in a dirty environment. I picked him up, and walked to the manager (who I mentioned in a previous post as ‘not giving a shit’) and informed him of his unwanted, non-paying guests.

He acted surprised and mustered up his finest ‘Manuel’ performance (Fawlty Towers). He assured me it would be taken care of.

The next day I went through the drive-thru and asked the Shift Leader if it was addressed.

“What ants?” came the predictable response.

“Nevermind,” I said.

Today I went in with my family and we had a quick bite. I was appalled by the filth under the tables as well as the tops of the tables. We were the only customers in the building for the entire visit. We won’t be returning.

I would call Carl’s Hotline, but they all recognize my voice now and it’s a little embarrassing.

Please don’t eat and this pig sty, but if you do, complain loudly regarding the condition of the restaurant. It worked for Arlo Guthrie.

Carl’s Jr. Centerville, Utah

I totally forgot to mention that I went to a Carl’s in Centerville, Utah, and they could not grill anything or make shakes. This was around 8 pm, and they could have closed, but they didn’t. Instead, I ordered my usual large diet Coke. The manager brought it to the window and said, “I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Have a nice day.” I asked her how much it was and she said it was free today.

What an excellent way to get return business. They own me now.

Once again… Elisabeth Shue

Dear Lisa,

Please let me know what type of movie role you would like to see yourself in. We are shooting a film in a small town in Utah next month, but the main actor has to portray herself as the meanest, most self-centered woman on the planet. It’s up to you, but I can’t picture you in that role.

You need to be shown as a strong actor. You have the talent. Is it a problem with the agent? My guess is kids. I do understand that well – all too well.

I can hammer out a script in no time at all, so call me.

Glastonbury

P.S.: The comments in my book and the chapter dedicated to you are not meant in a malicious way.

Carl’s Jr – Avoid them and stay healthy!

They can’t call it slander because it’s my opinion from personal experience. I took two days off from the world. If you haven’t done this before, I highly recommend it. The first day was a bitch, and all I could think about was burgers. Flame-broiled. I think I would have eaten a Famous Star with hair!

But then yesterday, the skies opened up to reveal chirping birds and the sounds of nature. Then I realized that Spring was a day away. But I felt healthier.

Where will I eat tomorrow? Probably not Carl’s… to test a theory.

Carl’s Jr. – West Jordan, Utah (90th South Redwood Road)

Damn!

Can’t find anything wrong with this place! It was 8 am and the floors were swept clean. Nearly every table was spotless. I told the Shift Leader, “Thank You.”

This is the way it’s supposed to be. Why do the Carl’s Jr’s in Utah remind me of a gas station men’s room?

Carl’s Jr, Fort Union and 1300 East, Midvale, Utah

This one’s a gem.

I called on this facility a month ago and the corporate office sent me a couple of coupons for free hamburgers. Yes, I ate them, but that does not keep me quiet. Tonight was almost hilarious.

Before I go further, I did promise the woman on the hotline that I would remove this from the website when I feel the problem was resolved. I told her not to send coupons since that wasn’t going to solve the problem.

The posted hours of operation here 8 am to 10 pm on Sundays. I have had this issue before with them, but that was on a Saturday morning that listed 6 am as the opening time. It was 8 am before they opened.

I tried to open the doors, but they were locked. I had to pee, so I wanted satisfaction. I called the incredibly helpful woman on the phone, and she asked for every little detail including a description of the employee. She wanted his name, but I couldn’t get in. I decided to go through the drive-thru.

While she was still on the phone, I asked the employee his name. He refused to give it. The woman said she couldn’t hear what he said, so I asked him again. He said that the dining room was closed and only the drive-thru was working. I asked his name again and he refused. She said she had never come across anything like this before.

I drove to the window and he reminded me that the dining room was closed. I asked his name again, and ‘Cuyler’, as the name tag stated refused to speak. I asked to speak with the manager and he took off. He came back 2 minutes later (I timed it) and told me that ‘Francisco’ “was the Shift Leader, but (was) really busy cooking the food.” I told him that I would call the owner tomorrow. Before I got off the phone with the hotline, she told me that they would be able to get all the names with the records.

This woman also stated that she would submit this to the District level, which with my understanding can cover up to 30 stores.

I hope this woman can accomplish all she said she could. If she does, I will remove this and say something nice for once.

Maybe.

Carl’s Jr, 2100 South 1250 East, Salt Lake City

Yes, I have mentioned this outfit before. I was having a breakfast burger (Jalepeno Burger) at 7 a.m., an hour after they opened. I suggest that if you don’t want the combo meal when ordering, order your drink first. If they ask you if you want a combo meal when you order the burger, explain to them that you ordered the drink first to see if they can think for themselves.

My real point of this rant is the cleanliness at this time of day: there wasn’t any. The bathroom looked like the one out back of ‘Joe’s Garage’. The carpet in front of the soda machines looked as though it hadn’t been cleaned in a week. There was so much grime under the table, that I finally took my order to go.

Carl’s Jr and Combo Meals

Yeah, I’ve been a little hard on Carl’s Jr, but for years now I’ve been plagued by near brain-dead employees whose grasp of the English language is pathetic. I watched a man in his mid-70’s lay into a South American ’till jockey’, because she couldn’t comprehend his order. It was a busy lunchtime crowd, and I think he’d had enough. All we could do to help was to applaud his firm stance on English being at least one of the allowable languages in the United States.

Oh… what started the anger? He ordered a sandwich his way. Not her way. His way was a Famous Star without ketchup and a small drink. Her way was a Famous Star with Cheese in a super-sized combo. He was also offered cheesecake, but I don’t think he understood her.

The gentleman could not get the surprised employee to understand that he did not need to become a sweaty, overweight, soon-to-be-depressed American who has a habit of eating large combo meals. Hell, it’s bad enough that he orders one of the unhealthy burgers, but it’s another thing to add fries and shite on top of that.

The ‘disagreement’ ended with the employees laughing at him behind his back, and making rude comments about him in their native tongue. Because of incidents like this, people stop going to places like Carl’s Jr.

Eventually he got his order and was too pissed-off to return it no matter what was wrong.

Please understand that employees of places like Carl’s Jr can call the police and have you removed from the premises. The police can be real dicks about the whole thing, too. Most of them go their entire career without shooting anyone, so they are always on the lookout for any opportunity.

This Carl’s Jr restaurant is at 2100 South and about 1250 East, in Salt Lake City.

Latest trip to Layton, Utah, Carl’s Jr.

So I headed to the Carl’s Jr. in Layton, Utah last night to feed the kiddies, and ran into my usually, yet varied headache. This time I brought in one of my coupon bribes for calling Corporate and being rather pissed off about the 3″ of grime on the floor of their Salt Lake store on 13th East. It was for a free Famous Star (the banner burger). An argument quickly ensued when I was told I couldn’t use it as a combo. I explained that I couldn’t agree more. They continued to tell me the same story over and over and I said I would buy the drink and fries separately, and it wouldn’t sink in. I finally explained to them how one gets a free coupon for a burger; that incompetence in service plays a major role, and then the light bulb came on.

I just don’t understand how it can be so difficult to think outside the box, the bun, or whatever.