Excuse me, but I need to take a little time to vent about my experiences with some fast food chains in Lake Charles. I don't know what's going on. Maybe the standards aren't as high as they used to be. Maybe the ownership/management isn't up to par. I know for certain the caliber of employees isn't what it used to be, but that's a reflection of management. Right? Maybe it's all of the above. I was just thinking about how often these things happen, and how GOOD fast food service is going down the drain.

To be frank, my personal experience with some of our local fast food restaurants has been pretty bad. The service sucks, plain and simple. Maybe my expectations are too high, but last time I checked, a restaurant is supposed to have what's on their menu. Right? Is that too much to ask? Don't get it twisted; I've been on the other side of the register. Fast food is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Any job dealing with the general public is hard work. People can be nasty, and you gotta take it if you wanna keep your job. I get it. It's tough. There are also some really good fast food restaurants in the city.

As a customer though, for the life of me, I just don't know how a major fast food chain can run out of meat and cheese. If this is the main ingredient in everything you sell, how does that happen? Here lately that has been the norm at a particular fast food joint in Lake Charles. Just about every time I go there, they are out of something! It's ridiculous. The employees are so used to it, the moment you pull up to the drive-thru or walk in, they say, "Before you order, we are out of..." It's crazy! Is it me? Am I the only one having this problem? In one night, I went to two different restaurants, of that same chain, and both of them were out of a variety of REGULAR MENU ITEMS. Why? Better yet, how? If they are out of the main things they sell, why are they even open? What are they selling, napkins? How does a major fast food restaurant run out of the main thing they sell all the time?

Another chain here in the city is so "hood" you can't give your order at the drive-thru, because there are fifteen cars in the parking lot blaring music. You can't hear the employees, and they can't hear you. Apparently, management doesn't have a problem with it, because it's the same situation every time I go. The building is in need of repair, and you have to dodge potholes to get through the parking lot. Plus you will NEVER GET WHAT YOU ORDERED. No matter what time of day you go to this place, they always screw-up your order. Then, after you pay for $20 worth of food, they don't want to give you any condiments. They give you 1 ketchup for four orders of fries, one dipping sauce for 20 nuggets, or no sauce at all. Don't ask for more, either. They will either look at you stupid, or say you'll have to pay for it.

Sad to say, but it's pretty much the same issue at several fast food chains in the city. Some are extremely understaffed, so the wait time is insane. Bathrooms are disgusting, and always out of toilet paper or hand towels. Don't try dine-in, unless you're ready to clean your own table. I've gone to various spots and ALL of the tables were dirty, like there was nowhere to sit. Some of the employees have nasty attitudes (mainly because they're underpaid and overworked), and the managers aren't any better. I went to one fast food joint at 3:00pm in the afternoon, and all the doors were locked! When I drove to the drive-thru, I was told by the manager that so many employees called-in, they couldn't open the dining room. Some have horrible intercom systems. The speakers are so low, they are useless. By the time you get to the window, you're either pissed off, or exhausted from yelling.

I'm honestly not trying to mean; as I said, I've been an employee at a number of fast food restaurants in my lifetime. Back then, we had the same issues as those today, but we actually cared about our jobs. I'm not saying ALL employees/employers/owners suck either, but I am saying things have changed. We all have bad days. On the other hand, when the same things keep happening at the same restaurants, it's time to address the problem.

If I ruffled some feathers, so be it. Just an honest opinion, from a customer.

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