Knowing my deep and dying adulation of any carroty confection, I had been urged by several people that Founding Farmers was a restaurant to add to my “must visit” list. The carrot cake, I was told, was not to be missed. Well, I went, but there was no cake…I had given up on the place long before it was time for desert and even the promise of my favorite sweet treat could not convince me to stay another twenty minutes.
We arrived on time for our 8:45 pm reservation on a Friday. We were asked to wait while a table cleared out and were seated at 8:55, which is entirely reasonable. Our waitress came over within moments to take a drink order and explain the menu. You know how some people in life just rub you the wrong way from the moment they open their mouths? That’s how I felt about our waitress. I hated her from the second she walked to our table, though I tried to remain objective about the job she was actually doing. She was a capable enough server throughout the course of our meal, but she did have a knack for never being around when we needed her and stopping by way to many times to make sure we were okay when we were clearly doing fine. She did provide plenty of entertainment with this gem, though: “Our drinks are really good and not watered down.” Well, thank God! We aren’t at Denny’s anymore, kids! The drinks were actually a highlight; strong and well balanced, I was particularly partial to the Blackberry Julep.
The food, you ask? We ordered shortly after sitting and the appetizers arrived. I started with a wedge salad; simple and basic but a guilty little pleasure of mine. The blue cheese was high quality, but a bit excessive. The lettuce was crisp and cold and the tomatoes were surprisingly good. Turns out this was the best part of the meal.
We waited for our entrees. Then we waited some more. We waited so god damn long that my grandchildren managed to graduate from high school as we sat at our table. The whole ordeal was made more comical by the fact that twice they tried to gives us meals that were not ours. Finally, 50 minutes after ordering finishing our appetizers, and AN HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTES after initially placing our order, our food arrived.
My free range rotisserie chicken was…fine. It was moist enough, but I wouldn’t call it juicy or particularly flavorful. The sides, sauteed greens and herbed mashed potatoes, were serviceable, but nothing show stopping. At $15, the price wasn’t obscene, but I expected something a bit more special. The worst part? It was lukewarm. Maybe it has been sitting in a window? Perhaps our meals has taken the same trip around the restaurant that we had witnessed earlier. Either way, it was a long wait for something totally lackluster.
So, by the time we were done our meal, I was over the place. Not even carrot cake, sweet, life affirming carrot cake, could convince me to stay. The waitress put a hard (tad aggressive) sell on us to stay, but we could not be convinced. So, off we went, disappointed and without carrot cake. Oh, and…just to end this story with a final kick in the ass…there was some GI distress following the meal..and that is all I am going to say about that.
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My guess is that the food had been sitting around way too long before it got picked up. Waiting 1:20 for your main order is ridiculous. Hopefully, the joint will go out of business.
Peter
it has potential…they just need to work out some serious kinks.
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You can’t make it through a post or comments without mentioning “your business” can you?
Did I mention my business in this post? Where?
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Indirectly, yes. The GI comment.
It’s okay if that’s what you’re into. I’m not one to judge.
Oh, actually, I loathe that kinda talk…seriously, HATE scatalogical humor and the such, but I think it is worth mentioning that the food made us sick.
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When I saw the title of your post, I just wanted to put my hands over my ears and go “la la la la I’m not listening.” I’ve been psyched to go to FF for a while now and was planning on heading there for dinner this weekend. Unfortunately, yours isn’t the first negative review I’ve read… I probably still won’t be able to resist going to satisfy my curiosity, but I’ll go in with low expectations.
Maybe you will be luckier…I am pulling for the place despite it’s flaws.
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The name of the place is enough to make me think of a petting zoo, so the review doesn’t really do much to make me want to go. 80 minutes is far too long, especially when I’m hungry.
A petting zoo! Never even crossed my mind.
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New places always have to work out some kinks. However, well established places have no excuse. I was at a “high end” restaurant last year with a friend and I had to return my steak not once, not twice, but three times!! This particular ribeye was served well done and I always order steaks medium rare or rare. I left the place without eating a damn thing and the hot hostess & manager apologized profusely, offering me a free meal when I decided to return. There were only two good things that came of that night. No. 1, my empty stomach ensured my Manhattans went straight to my head and well, lets just say I was fully compensated in the only acceptable fashion for denying a man his steak by one of the lovely ladies of that awful establishment.
Was it March 14, by any chance?
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That’s a pretty long wait there – maybe they pull from the same staff as the DMV. They were probably renewing your license in the kitchen.
Hey, as long as I don’t have to take a driver’s test…Lord knows I would not pass.
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It sounds like a grim experience. And I hate being pushed into anything, particularly while out for a nice meal. However, if Shannon was right, and you can get your license renewed there, it would totally be worth the wait for me.
I agree; I am a fan of multi-tasking. That Shannon is smart.
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I stopped by Founding Farmers for their soft service, and they were definitely having timing issues then, as well. Sorry to hear they don’t seem to have worked them out yet.
Some of the dishes we’ve had there are really tasty, but that kind of service delay can ruin even the most amazing food.
Their bar menu is really impressive – they’re all about the quality-craftsmanship “bar chef” cocktail trend. I’ve been tempted to go back just for drinks and pass on the meal. And I’m STILL dying to try a “bacon lolli,” either on its own or as a garnish to one of their cocktails. Please tell me you tried them!
Ironrails’ desire to see them close seems a bit extreme, considering the fact that they’ve only been open for about a month at this point.
I passed on the bacon lolli…I like bacon, but I am not totally on board with the whole bacon trend. I do agree the bar was really good–I hope they work out the timing.
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I thought for sure your awesome carrot cake recipe would be included with this post. I’m still having dreams about soaking raisins and pineapple.
Tomorrow, my dear…tomorrow.
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I’m known in my family as the “Waiter Hater”. Someone can come to the table and greet us and I can instantly flip my mood and spend the whole meal thinking about ways to “accidently” punch them in the face.
On the flip side, great waiters get at least a 30% tip (if not more) and I’ll tell their managers how fantastic they are on the way out.
A bad restaurant experience can totally kill your whole night too… I’m sorry they blew
Yeah, this woman was just annoying. Her personality just made me want to throw my drink at her.
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You seem to have bad luck with service, or maybe those posts just stick out in my mind more. I’ve actually thought service has been trending up a bit lately because of the economy sucking, but maybe I’ve just been lucky.
Ha! Well, I am waiting for my friend Irish to pipe up about how I am CURSED with bad service. She only gets it when she is with me. I am a magnet.
That being said, I have spoken fondly about the service at Palena and Cashion’s in recent months.
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Given the buzz on this place, you’d think they could do better.
If I had to wait that long for my meal, I wouldn’t enjoy it or anything else. That’s the kind of thing that makes me not want to come back. Ever.
Looks like this restaurant needs an injection of that jackass, Gordon Ramsay.
I really feel like it does have the potential, but I am soured on it.
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I am still soo soo sad that a. I was one of those who encouraged you to try that place and b. it sucked.
I knew that the ‘green’ movement had a dark, seamy, underbelly, I just knew it.
For REAL. Those damn environmentalists. And don’t feel bad, your encouragement came froma good place.
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Now I’m really glad they were closed when we tried to go. You know how I feel about waiters/crying children/any human being at all- that deserve to be hit in the face.
PS, thanks for taking the dive for me- I was going to take Mamakins there this weekend.
I will always take the dive for you, darling.
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Well, at least the drinks were strong, right? Maybe that’s what made you puke!
No more keg stands for you.
Give me keg stands or give me death.
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Unrelated to this post, I just want to tell you how much I LOVE your blogging. Can I tell you how many times Mr. Peep calls me from home to discuss something funny you wrote – or will start a conversation once I am home as if you are a third party to our lives and constant companion in our home via the interweb? Unnamed God bless the tubes and U.G. bless Lemmonex!
Dude, I am blushing.
Also, I am with you. Peeping through your window. I am just super, duper sneaky.
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its been 230ish years since our founding fathers wrote the declaration of independence. Maybe they make you wait that long for your entrees to remind us of how long we waited for our independence.
Man, that is such a good point. They are TEACHING at Founding Farmers.
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Also – I love the Slate article where they analyze how the use of the term “FAIL” has evolved.
http://www.slate.com/id/2202262/
As an aside – Have I told you about our visit to the real america/in-law’s place where our new brother-in-law to-be used the phrase ad naseum? His success in life as an adult? FAIL. He had to be persuaded away from Dance Dance Revolution and watching Aladdin to come to the reception hall and set up for his own damn wedding. Now, 4 months later, they are parents. And I (nearly 10 years his senior) cannot imagine being responsible for another human being. Sorry for the rant. My anxiety about visiting them at Christmas comes in waves.
Oh, you told me Peepz. It frightens me, it really does.
Dance Dance Revolution is pretty awesome, but i THINK I could probably be torn away for my own wedding.
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$15 for an entree is not what I would consider wallet busting (were the sides included or is everything a la carte?). Sounds to me like your strategy should have been to order the dessert while you were waiting for your entree. This serves two purposes – one you are not preoccupied as to how long you are waiting for your entree and two you will not overeat because you will eat your dessert not only because it tastes good but also because you are hungry and you are less likely to eat all of your entree if you are not hungry. This is also a good reason to always start with dessert.
I agree..not wallet busting at all, but seeing as I can get rotisserie chicken for better at Boston Market, I was annoyed. I do like your desert strategy.
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Wow, you know things are bad when even carrot cake can’t solve a situation.
Have you ever tried Whole Foods’ vegan carrot cake? (Yes, vegan.) It’s deeeeeeelicious. The soy they use adds an unexpected but lovely nutty flavor to both the icing and the cake.
Sorry for the randomness there, but your two recent posts about carrot cake goodness got me thinking…
Not random at all. I would totally worry about the cake being dry, but I shall take your word.
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so, you can’t get on board the bacon train, but you’ve got no problem with this whole FAIL thing…
you’re suspect.
I am a contradiction.
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Was it March 14, by any chance?
Lemm, I can’t open the link on account of the office firewall. What is it?
Why, Steak and BJ Day!! Mark your calendar.
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Steak and BJ Day has now taken over Arbor Day as my favorite day.
And every woman’s least favorite day…
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Why, Steak and BJ Day!! Mark your calendar.
What idiot thought that should only happen once a year?!
A man…they never think these things through.
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I had a joke about protein, but….yeah.
Thoughts, shuttin’ it down.
Thanks for keeping it classy.
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I had a very similar experience at Founding Fathers. Our meals took forever to come and it also took a really long time to pay the bill. And the food was entirely forgettable, though the bill was not.
Glad it wasn’t just me. I am pulling for it, though…I really am.
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similar to your feelings about the waitress, i feel sometimes when i just see people…never mind talking to them. i hate when you have such high expectations and it doesn’t pan out. it almost makes you not want to try new places…but like i said ALMOST.
Almost indeed…sometimes it is worth it.
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I’m sure it would have been cheaper if you had skipped the cocktails and just gotten soda or water or something. Oh, wait.
I should have thought of that…
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yeah, I can’t get past the stupid name of the restaurant.
yes, well…there is also that. Least of the problems, though.
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Um, when I have to wait an hour and twenty minutes for food, there’d better be diamonds hidden inside my chicken!
Amen, Erin! Amen.
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i hope it is ok that i take the opportunity to weigh in on your discussion. first, and most importantly, i am so sorry that you had such a bad experience at the restaurant–i’m mortified, and truly sorry. no excuses–we should be great every table, every time, and clearly during your visit (and some of your readers/posters) we weren’t even close. that being said, i’d like to invite you back to the restaurant, and one of my management team or i will personally wait on you along with the server, and we’ll take the opportunity to show you how great the restaurant can be. i’ll also be happy to give you a full detailed tour of the kitchen, so you can see our standards of cleanliness and organization. as you’ve experienced, we’ve had some rocky execution–not acceptable–yet, its the reality that happens sometimes. that being said, we’re also making thousands of guests happy every week; so i’m confident the restaurant CAN thrill you, although currently all we’ve done is make you hate us.
hating your server because of her personality is hard for me to address, but if you are willing to come back to the restaurant, i would always be willing to change your server if upon first impression you became a hater! thinking we’re stupid for the name of the restaurant i also can’t address, but i can say that if we delivered great food and great service, my hunch is, you’d like the name.
ours is a difficult and challenging business, and one we’re passionate about. we take on the challenge of being great everyday, and when we fail, we step up, take responsibility, and ask for the chance to fix it. if you are willing to accept my offer and come back to the restaurant, with your friends, as my guests, and it goes well, i would then be thrilled to have a little soiree for you and your readers at the restaurant. i am confident in my culinary team, my management team, and the authenticity of our brand and mission; i’m also aware that we can fail at times–but it won’t stop us from continuing to get better. i just hope you’ll pause from being a hater, and participate with us in this opportunity to earn your praise.
Wow, ok…Dan, I will definitely be emailing you. I don’t consider myself a “hater”, just someone being honest about their experience. As I said, I think it is a good concept, and I want FF to do well. Of course, some of my comments regarding our server were pure snark and not your fault, but lets talk.
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cool, i look forward to the chance to connect with you! i’ll await your email. i took the time to read more of your blogs and your readers responses, so i’m understanding more the overall vibe (which i dig). and for sure, we deserved to be hammered for our blunders. ping me.
Email coming…
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Late commenting, but I work in that building so my coworkers go there all the time. The wait is ALWAYS long, even for those who are just having a salad.
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