"It pains me to have to leave this negative review for a restaurant that I have used frequently for over 30 years.. But something has changed, and people have the right to know! So, I order (or, used to, but no longer will) from Ollie's very frequently.. An average of 2 3 times a week, and even twice a day sometimes.. I used to dine in before the pandemic, but nowadays, I use delivery services. Lately, there have been repeated problems with my orders.. Sometimes my calves liver would be burnt, or my medium rare steaks would arrive well done, or my bagel or rye toast not toasted, ect.. But I try to be understanding about such things.. Cooks can get very busy and sometimes things like this happen.. HOWEVER, the issue that is causing me to end my long standing patronage is the LITTLEST and MOST RIDICULOUS THING that I COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED! Ollie's started neglecting to follow the simplest requests for extra jelly for my bagels.. Which I found the need to start making because they started sending only one, or two at the most, of the little jellies that are always on the table for dine in customers for free.. They ignored my requests not just once or twice, but numerous times.. Sending only 1, or 2 at most.. And to make matters worse, THE ONE AND ONLY TIME that THEY DID FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS and sent 3 jellies, instead of the 1 or 2 that had become their norm, which was on September 2, 2023.. They CHARGED ME an EXTRA 99 CENTS FOR A CONDIMENT THAT IS FREE ON THE TABLE TO DINE IN CUSTOMERS! YES.. 99 CENTS FOR ONE EXTRA TEASPOON OF JELLY! I finally called to complain on that occasion, but the manager was not there. Nor was he there the following day, when I called at the time I was told to call again.. But a very nice young lady saved the day and apologized profusely, understanding why I was upset.. And agreeing that I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED EXTRA FOR JELLY! LITTLE DID I KNOW, until today, that IT WAS actually THE OWNER who was filling orders and CHARGING EXTRA for FREE CONDIMENTS! Here's how I found out.. Today, I put special instructions with my breakfast order and requested 4 jellies to go with my bagel and cream cheese.. It arrived with just 2.. So, I called.. Low and behold, the manager was actually there this time! This wonderful paragon of good business practice REFUSED TO CORRECT THE EMPLOYEE that had ignored my request when filling my order. And IN ADDITION, told me that if I wanted my future orders done correctly, I would have to call the restaurant after placing every order to make sure my instructions were followed.. THEN HE HUNG UP ON ME! So, I called back and asked for the name and number of the owner.. And guess what? THE OWNER HAPPENED TO BE THERE, and she got on the phone with me.. She told me that she was the one who had filled the order and she had made a mistake by not including the extra jellies.. BUT SHE SAID THAT IF SHE HAD, SHE WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME EXTRA FOR IT! I blew up, realizing that it was likely her that had done that to me last month! I told her that I HAVE BEEN A REGULAR CUSTOMER FOR OVER 30 YEARS, and that I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT JELLY IS FREE ON THE TABLES for dine in customers.. She tried to back peddle on what she had just said about charging me extra for it, if she hadn't made a mistake.. And she did finally acknowledge my point that it was WRONG FOR THE MANAGER to handle it the way he did.. BUT TOO LATE! I NOW KNOW WHO WAS SO PETTY LAST MONTH AND CHARGED ME SO MUCH EXTRA FOR 1 TEASPOON OF JELLY! Maybe, not surprisingly, business is down under the current management practices, and THEY NEED 99 CENTS MORE THAN THEY NEED A FAITHFUL CUSTOMER! So, over the matter of a penny or two worth of jelly.. that is given for free at the tables, Ollie's just lost a very regular customer of over 30 years!!! IT'S THE PRINCIPAL OF THE MATTER! BYE BYE OLLIE'S!"
