Nobody smiles on the Subway these days

The day after Christmas is probably not the best time to look for good service anywhere, especially at a Subway located inside of a Wal-Mart. It wasn't too much of a surprise when even without a big crowd, the service was shotty at best. The Wal-Mart was packed, but there weren't many people in line at Subway (They'd probably eaten there before). After my sandwich artist asked what I'd like for lunch in a mumbled voice with not so much as an effort of politeness, the next sandwich artist, who doubled as a cashier, just stood there without speaking as I told her what I'd like on the sandwich. I guess the sandwich artists didn't get any manners in their stockings for Christmas.

While the people ahead of me waited in line to pay for their food, she quietly continued to make the next several sandwiches with no words to anyone. Finally, she decided to talk when a desperate man pleaded for an orange juice for his apparently diabetic wife whose sugar had dropped and was in desperate need of sugar. "You'll have to wait your turn like everyone else," she snapped in a very Grinch-like manner. Even though the other customers graciously allowed the man ahead in line, the cashier never apologized for her remarks. Nor did I ever hear a "Thank You" or any other not-mumbled word my entire visit.

I ordered the new Flatbread Florentine Chicken and requested ranch dressing be added. The sandwich was good, but I'm not sure it was worth the over $6.00 I paid for the combo. Not quite sure it'd be worth eating at all without the ranch. It wasn't even as big as the 6-inch subs, and it cost a heck of a lot more. The chip selection was horrible with only a few flavors of baked lays and then Sun Chips galore. I mean, who eats Sun Chips? I thought you just fed those to sea gulls. 

Then, as I filled up my drink I couldn't help but notice someone had parked their shopping cart full of trash bags of Subway trash right next to the soda fountain. Hmmm, I wonder who it could've been. If you are going to be too lazy to take the trash all the way to the dumpster, you'd think you could at least push it out the door. Granted, they did seem short-handed that day, but an extra 20 steps to the door surely wouldn't have killed anyone. 

Needless to say, I didn't overly enjoy my lunch that day. But, understanding that every place has bad days, we at Second Helping are willing to give second chances. So, if any eatery isn't satisfied with their review, and thinks they deserve a second chance, we'll gladly grant them one with at least two weeks to get their acts together. Sorry, we won't call and say when we're coming or who we are, but we will tell it like it is as always.


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Dairy Queen dogs the competition

When I think about good fast food, it's hard to imagine it at all. Most of the time it's too cheap to eat, or too expensive to enjoy, but I think Dairy Queen is pretty close to the happy medium. I like to think of myself as a chili dog connoisseur, trying them at almost any restaurant with one on the menu. Those delicious little wieners haunt me wherever I go, I just can't turn them down.

When I ordered up two, with cheese and onions, at the DQ in Bainbridge, I didn't expect anything special. But, the all beef dogs with just the right amount of melted cheese were delicious. The chili beats some of the best chili made anywhere, I'd even venture to say it rivals the famous chili dogs at the Varsity drive-in in Atlanta and Athens. A five minute drive to the DQ and you've got a better dog than a four-hour drive to Athens would get you. If you're looking for good onion rings you'll probably need to go somewhere else. It'd probably be best if they were just left off the menu.

If you're into ice cream, they've got it there too. The soft serve is excellent especially in a blizzard. My favorite is the Reese's Cup blizzard, but make sure you get the long spoon so you can get all the good stuff at the bottom of the cup. A cheaper way to go might be the dipped cone which you've got to eat fast because the hot chocolate melts the ice cream. (Beware of the ice cream headache afterward)

But when you talk about service, that's what you get at DQ. It's always fast and friendly. Even with the lunch rush on full throttle, the cashiers were efficient and personable with smiles on every face. The many times I've been to DQ, I've never had a bad experience. It's also just a block away from a pleasant view of the Flint if you're into the outdoors. Either way you can't go wrong with the food at DQ, just stay away from the onion rings.


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