I love mushrooms. Especially portobello mushrooms. They’re just so damn good! I went out to Applebee’s to eat with some friends, and I ordered their portobello mushroom chicken sandwich. It looked mouthwatering in the picture, and the price was better than the New York Strip, which was an arm and a leg. I was very much looking forward to it, but I was in for a very major disappointment. I lifted up the bun to reveal burned mushroom slices.
I was very sad, indeed, but I didn’t bother saying anything to the waiter. I’ve seen the movie Waiting enough times to know sending food back is the same as asking for the cook to spit in your food. I’d rather starve than have that. My friend Janie, however, insisted on saying something to the waiter and she mentioned that the mushrooms on my sandwich were burned. He was just like, “Oh really?” I couldn’t stop myself; I just had to put my two cents in after that. “Yeah, they’re completely burned. They’re like CHARCOAL. I could write with this stuff!” and I went ahead and proceeded to use one of the charcoal-mushroom slices to write on a napkin and prove my point. See Exhibit A:

Although it may look like a piece of turd, that is the actual slice of mushroom I used to write that friendly little note to my waiter, who looked like he had better things to do than stand there and watch me doodle with their burned food. So I decided to just eat my sandwich, which was very bland without the mushrooms. I also realized later that the marinara sauce that was supposed to accompany the sandwich was also missing.
Don’t you just hate it when your food just doesn’t come out right at all? I understand some minor blunders, like leaving the tomato in when you asked them to leave it out. Honest mistake, really. But burning something and then serving it to your customers? Now that’s just wrong. ![]()

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That’s why I always try to eat at restaurants where you can see the kitchen. Most of them are like that over here actually. Us Kiwi’s must be suspicious people. Heh.
My dad is notorious for saying something at restaurants if the service and/or food is not up to snuff.
I’m more laid back, unless something is blatantly wrong.
That being said, I haven’t been too thrilled with Applebee’s lately either, but don’t let Applebee’s ruin your mushroom love.
Ha. I’d never gather up the courage to speak up. Even IF my friend mentions it to the waiter. I turn mute to waiters.
That unhappy face is so contrasting next to the friendly “Hi!”
I used to work at Subway and if someone complains about their sandwich, they’re usually right to do so. People sometimes stand in line for over ten minutes for their sandwiches and if they complain (which is waiting in line for another ten minutes) I’d be damned sure to give them a free sandwich. That waiter was really really rude!
And I love the little note you wrote
What a pain. The last two or three times I’ve gone to Applebees, I’ve been completely unsatisfied. It’s actually pretty ridiculous. However, I actually found it kinda funny that you proceeded to write on the napkin for the waiter. Priceless.