Monday night about 10:00 I went to Marios in Arlington with a buddy of mine; we drove two cars and parked next to each other. (This was Mario's lot, right next to the building. Not the place next door!) We came out and sat in his car eating a large pizza and a sub. After consuming one slice, being there about 10 or 15 minutes, a tow truck arrived. The driver went inside briefly, and then came out and HOOKED UP MY CAR AND STARTED TOWING ME AWAY! I leaped out of the other car and just barely made it the 3 feet and stopped him. He hooked me up (by backing up on my car) and was all set to take off -- he worked fast! The whole thing happened in 2 minutes. My buddy said he had never seen anything like it! The tow truck operator said that he didn't have to, but that he would cut me a break and unhook! He said Marios called him and that I had been parked there for hours. I invited him to feel that the engine was still hot (in the 30 degree weather). I went inside and confronted the staff. They said they didn't know anything about it, but that the owner watched the parking lot with a closed circuit camera, and it is his habit to tow cars.
The food at Marios is terrible and always has been. It's not a place to go for a good meal. However, some of us have been patronizing the place for more than 30 years; it's a scene. I don't plan on ever going back.
My advice is that if you DONT WANT YOUR CAR STOLEN by the NEW MANAGEMENT *right*out*from*under*you*while*you*are*eating* then you should AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
I wonder how much kickback the management gets from illegally towing customers? The tow and "storage" fee would probably be around $500, which I guess leaves plenty of room for profit after the driver is paid off. Your costs will be higher due to taxicabs and vehicle damage.
WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!!
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