I can?t believe this but Houston?s and I have broken up. I?ve been a LOYAL customer at Houston?s for the past 13 years. For the last 3 years I have been having the same meal there. Every time I go. The Thai steak and noodle salad. I have often jokingly said that if I were on death row this is what I would request. I posted a review of Houston?s (and my salad specifically) on Yelp last year. I have had people message me on Yelp saying that they went there and tried the salad as I order it and loved it so I guess I?ll have to update that review. I have been having this salad at least once a week for the past 3 years. For holidays and birthdays I receive gift cards from family and friends because they know I love the place. Last night however ? my relationship with Houston?s ended. I am insulted and heartbroken.
Our server came to take our order as usual and upon my ordering the Thai steak and noodle salad minus the chives, cilantro and mint, she told me that they were no longer going to make the salad to order unless I had an allergy. It was now going to be ?premade?. But ? I could make 1 modification if I really wanted to. My husband, my good friend and I explained that there is no allergy but that?s the way I?ve always ordered it. My most hated thing in the world is onions (in any form) and they throw hundreds of those things in there. The cilantro and mint take over the whole salad and you can?t taste anything else. Shouldn?t matter because Houston?s prides itself on customer service. Years ago my husband?s steak wasn?t cooked as he requested and they brought him another one and took the whole thing off the bill. That is the service level and standard that I know Houstons to be and have come to expect. Our server last night did not share that concept and condescendingly offered me the menu to select another entr?e. I explained that I didn?t need to see a menu because I know it very well. While Houston?s has many fine selections there was nothing else I wanted to order. This is my dish. For 3 years running. She brought the manager to our table. He launched into the policies and blah blah blah. Total robot. Very disappointing. AND ? he didn?t have his ?reason? straight. He first said that it was because the Chef was unhappy that people were altering his salad so it wasn?t true to how it was originally intended because so many people were modifying (if that many people are modifying maybe it?s not perfect as it was originally intended) and then he switched horses halfway through and said that cooks were making it wrong all the time. When we asked about the ONE modification rule he said NOTHING. He just looked at us. Didn?t explain or deny or anything. He was cold and aloof and could not care less that he was losing me as a customer along with every family member, friend, out-of-towners, business partners, etc. that I bring in there. I told the manager that I was really sad but I could never return to my favorite restaurant ever again. He shrugged his shoulders.
Houston?s was the go-to place. First choice. Now, Houston?s PREMAKES their salads. Maybe Houston?s has enough business and loyal customers that they feel comfortable creating this new ?policy? and alienating consumers? I asked the manager if this was going to be across the board. No special requests on anything? He said there would be a selection of items that will be PREMADE. This salad, as you know is $18. I can ask for no onions on my food at McDonald?s and they accommodate me. This is the new standard at Houston?s?? Less customer service than McDonald?s?? I ordered take out on my cell from another restaurant while we waited for our bill. Unbelievable. Disappointed cannot even come close to how I feel. I am so insulted.
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