We usually LOVE El Porton. We frequent the Germantown restaurant often. We never have any issue with seating for our large special needs group, or have any problem with space for any person's in our party who utilize wheelchairs. That's why it was such a surprise when we had issues with both of those things and encountered a rude day manager when our group went to the Cordova location on December 20th, 2011 for a Christmas lunch and gift exchange. Upon entering the restaurant at 1:00 pm (after the lunch rush), the day manager let us know right away that she was not happy that we had not arrived with our full party. She did not want to seat those of us who were already there until all participants were present. A kind waitress set up a long table for us in the main dining room despite the day manager's protests. As our party began sitting down and digging into the chips and salsa, the manager came over to tell us that she would not have room for a member of our party who was in a wheelchair. She claimed that her wait staff would not be able to get around his chair. Long story short, this woman only got more and more rude as she ushered us into a back room, having us grab our drinks, chips & salsa. She was rude to the parent of a child on a gluten-free diet who placed a special order. Not only was she rude to our party, but she was rude and loud to her wait staff as well--we saw her berate a waitress for having difficulty taking an order for one member of our party.
Several members of our party vowed not to return to this location again---and some said they'd be taking their business to another restaurant entirely. Why pay hard-earned money to an establishment that is not respectful to its clients? As for me, I will continue to frequent the Germantown location and enjoy the warm and friendly staff there---who, by the way, had NO trouble seating TWO children in wheelchairs at its location this past June (2011)....and that was during the busy dinner rush!
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