TGI Freaking Sucks...

[AXO Alum]

Okay, so to play catch up with those of you who don't know - my dad was diagnosed with a GBM Grade IV brain tumor on Feb 9th. It is the most serious of the brain tumors, with an average life expectancy of 14 months after diagnosis. This week he started treatments (chemo 7x week & radiation 5x week), so he was feeling pretty good this weekend, but we know what to expect as treatment goes on. My parents had their 39th anniversary on Friday (the 2nd) so we drove down to meet them for dinner (we've been spending the weekends there since this started). We all don't normally like TGIF - they usually have either bad food, or bad service, and usually both. Back in October, they ruined my mother's birthday so much (lousy food and NO service practically) that the corporate manager sent her a certified letter of apology with $60 in gift certificates. The letter said (along with the apology) "use at the TGIF of your choice" -- when my mom spoke with him (he called to make sure she got them okay) she mentioned that their town doesn't even have a TGIF, and he said that the store about 30 min from them was excellent & to go there.

So - we did - on Friday. It was the two of them, and the three of us (including Eli) so we figured we could spend about $15 a person since that would equal the $60. (Keep in mind that the chemo pills alone cost $5000 - my parents own their own business - which means NO work as of Feb - and the bills are already piling up so $60 is a big deal for them).

The meal was great - the service was great - the bill was $57 and change. Then the other shoe dropped - the manager said they would NOT take the gift certs!! My mom showed him the letter and he said that the GC's say "at participating locations" -- but even the corporate manager said to go to this store!!! My poor mother was in tears - she told the second store manager that she just possibly celebrated her last anniversary with her husband, and was there nothing that could be done and she just shook her head.

Now I tried to pay, but my mom would hear none of that - she paid for the meal & left in tears. This was a Friday night at a very popular location - the store was packed and people were waiting outside (this was around 8:30 by this time). There was more than $60 in alcohol alone sitting on the table close to us.

So I got the number for the GM of the store. He called mom the next day and did NOT even try to apologize. He just said he would explain to her again why they couldn't take them (which from the night before we were told that some of the banks had closed that the GC's were written from, therefore they may not be able to cash them) -- mom said she didn't want to even hear it again.

I know this may sound so petty - I mean to a lot of people, $60 is the tip for a good meal out. But it was more the principle of the thing than anything for us - it would have been a perfect night & we would have all left saying "wow, we will come back here" because everything was so good. But not now - I am completely floored at the way TGIF responded to us on this. Mom has a call back into the corporate guy - she just wants to trade the GC's for $60 and be done with it. She says that she will never even look at a TGIF again (neither will we!!).

So I just wanted to rant and say that TGI FREAKING SUCKS - and see if you guys have any horror stories about restaurants like this.