Katz,
I have lived in the NYC area for the past 50 years.
Today I happened to be in the area so I stopped in Katz' for a sandwich. I had never been there before, and probably won't be rushing back anytime soon.
There did not seem to be any order to the place, just chaos. I walked in and was handed a ticket...that meant NOTHING as far as my being served in a timely manner.
I was told by the security person to pick a line of one of 5 carvers...my guy liked to gab with everyone else behind the counter and was slow as molasses in the winter. The other counter men next to me was serving 3 people to my guys one. It took me more that 45 minutes to get a sandwich!!! The place was busy so I could not switch lines. There were other people on my line that were getting really mad, cursing under their breath about our guy and your poor system of service.
Then you have to go to a different station for drinks, and a different one for hot dogs, etc !!
THEN AFTER ALMOST 1 HOUR TO GET ALL MY FOOD, I FOUND OUT THAT I COUILD HAVE SAT DOWN AND GOT WAITER SERVICE......WHY DID THE IDIOT AT THE DOOR TELL ME THAT I HAD TO WAIT ON THAT STUPID LINE !!!!!
If you are going to make people wait on the disgusting line, then you should use the same method that banks employ...one line then you get served as each carver station is freed up. Or use the same way they do it in a supermarket deli or bakery and take a number and as its called you get served....OR TELL PEOPLE AS THEY ENTER THE DELI WHAT THE FAH-KOCKTA ROUTINE IS THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE, SO THEY CAN MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO RATHER THAN FEEL THIER WAY THROUGH THE MINUTIA BLINDLY.
Some people on my line were compairing your place to the "Soup Nazi" from the Seinfeld episode
How you guys have been in business since 1888 with the current poorly organized system is a mystery...Well maybe its becaue once I did get my sandwich it was very good...but not 45 minutes + to wait for it good!!
You seem to have gotten so big from things like "When Harry Met Sally" and the Food Network, etc. that you have forgotten about how to treat a customer when they enter the store. Lots of tourists...but how many repeat local customers...not me.
Pros: Service was aweful !
Cons: Food was mediocre at best
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