NOTE: This is not a review of Dairy Queen locations by and large. Many are just fine; some of even terrific, in my opinion. This is my review of one privately-owned location and my last visit there.
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Long drives to the beach mean snacks and drinks for everyone in the vehicle. One tradition my family and I have after going to the beach is stopping somewhere for ice cream.
On one particular trip within the past year, we stopped at a particular DQ. (This location is on the main highway between the valley and the coast, making it a highly-visible landmark.)
We've stopped at the DQ before...better-than-average customer service, and the DQ ice cream we've come to know and love. On this stop, we ordered some hot food as well.
One thing I don't deal with lightly is pink in my hamburger. I'm never rude about it, but I...I just can't eat it. Fine, that's my quirk, but still...
The hamburger I received didn't taste like they normally do. I thought it was just me and continued to eat. It wasn't until most of the way through the sandwich that I realized part of the meat didn't appear cooked at all. It was very pink and squishy. Squishy is not a good term to use to describe meat, unless it's in a precooked form.
I knew I wasn't going to get a replacement; it was over half-way eaten. Still, mine may not have been the only one undercooked, so I brought it to the attention of the counter person. She made an unpleasant sound and retrieved the manager. She poked at it and, after explaining what I found, looked at me and said "What do you want *me* to do about it?"
Did I tell you I'm a stickler about customer service, especially from managers? I should't have to mention it...
I said, a little hotly, "Well, how about starting with making sure none of the other hamburgers your selling are undercooked?"
She did a quick little nod, WINKED AT ME, and yelled through the pass-through "Hey, we need to make sure the hamburgers are getting cooked all the way." She then looked back at me and asked "Is that good enough?"
Well, suffice it to say, I threw the rest of our food away in a bit of a huff. The other counter staff apologized, which I also thought was pathetic (the gesture was appreciated, but they shouldn't have had to do that).
I've told a few other people who live here in the area, and each time was met with an understanding nod. They don't go to that location anymore, either.
We've been back to the beach numerous times, and we always pass that DQ. Now, though, we pass it with milkshakes and other food prepared at a different place in Newport. And we feel a bit safer for doing so.
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