Customer Service
It was Saturday night and I hadn’t eaten dinner yet. I really wanted some chinese food and my girl Val recommended this place in Lakeville called “Fortune Palace.” I called in my order and headed over to pick it up and what a suprise I got when I walked in. The guy behind the counter was REALLY nice. His family was eating at a table in the corner. They all looked up and greeted me with a smile and a hello when I walked in. After I had the food in my hand I was just about to walk away from the counter when the chef walked out of the kitchen. “Are you Bill?” he asked. He then walked over, shook my hand and said “thanks for coming in. I hope you enjoy your dinner.” I was only in the place maybe two minutes but I walked away with such a great experience. Val says they are always nice when she goes in.
I can’t tell you the last time I walked out of a place HAPPY. I have lowered my customer service expectations with stores and restaurants so much over the years that when service is what’s to be expected, it REALLY stands out. When I cash out at a fast food joint or even a little mom and pop place, I’m happy to just get warm food. Eye contact is a thing of the past. A smile, well, I rarely see those anymore. God forbid someone acts like I’m not an intrusion on their time. I’ve actually placed orders while the cashier was on their cell phone. Apparently help is hard to find these days because if I were the boss that girl would have been shown the door. But the folks at Fortune Palace seemed happy to be in business, and respectful of their customers. What a sad state in our country when something that should be the norm has become the exception. Keep up the good work Fortune Palace, I’ll be back, and I’ll tell everyone I know to check your place out. Let me know if you have any restaurants that leave you feeling good when you walk out!