Ordered a meal online Monday night that included the new Cuban sandwich as well as 3 red velvet cheesecakes and 3 sweet teas for the family. When I went in to pick up the order, the cashier handed me the bag without any comments. The teas she gave me had almost no ice in them at all, but I overlooked that since I would be taking them home and could add the ice myself. I had to ask for lemon, which she just threw a handful into a cup and handed to me. That was fine though, I thought...no big deal. However, before leaving I stopped at a table to check my order and realized that our 3 cheesecakes were missing. When I went back up to inform her of this, a customer nearby commented on the fact that I was smart to check, since they always leave something out every time he does a carry out order. When I informed the cashier that all 3 desserts were missing, her comment was "Yeah, we're out of those." Then looked at me dumbly while I waited for the apology or explanation that never came...no "so sorry for the mix-up", no "my bad, I should have told you", nothing. I asked her if the cost of the desserts had at least been credited back to my card. She sighed and mumbled "Let me check" and disappeared at a slow shuffle into the back. After several minutes of waiting, she came back out and started ringing something up on the register, asked the drive-thru person how much the new cheesecakes were, did some more ringing, then told me "That will be $18 (and change)". When she held her hand out to me, I said "Is that the amount you're refunding me?" and she replied "OHHHH, that's right..." and slowly shuffled into the back again. After another 1-2 minute wait, she came back out and started ringing up on the register again. I asked her if she needed my ATM card to refund, and she said "Nah" and started pulling out cash. I swear it took her at least 3 tries to get the amount right. I'm also not entirely sure if she ever checked to make sure I hadn't already been credited. I began to wonder if the zombie apocalypse had begun, and I was standing in ground zero. During the whole exchange, her attitude was one of "I don't want to be here, and I don't want to deal with you." She mumbled barely audible responses to my questions, didn't offer anything resembling an apology for their mistakes, never bothered to inform me that the desserts weren't in the order until I noticed it myself, and moved as slowly as a human being possibly can. When I got home, I realized I should have done a better job of inspecting my order, because my Cuban sandwich, which is supposed to have pulled pork, ham, pickles, and swiss, was less than half-finished. There was a clump of ham piled on one side of the bun, two pickles, and a tiny spot of melted cheese that looked more like provolone than swiss. Half of my sandwich was nothing but bread...there was no pulled pork to be seen, and the ham looked like someone just grabbed a fist-full of meat and plopped it onto one side of the bun. How do you screw up a featured, signature sandwich this badly at a restaurant that specializes in nothing but deli sandwiches??? This is the absolute worst experience I have ever had eating at a McAlister's. I think from now on, I'll drive the extra 20 minutes to their Clinton location. This place was just depressing.
McAlister's Deli
Excerpts
Ordered a meal online Monday night that included the new Cuban sandwich as well as 3 red velvet cheesecakes and 3 sweet teas for the family. When I went in to pick up the order, the cashier handed me the bag without any comments. The teas she gave me had almost no ice in them at all, but I overlooked that since I would be taking them home and could add the ice myself. I had to ask for lemon, which she just threw a handful into a cup and handed to me. That was fine though, I thought...no big deal. However, before leaving I stopped at a table to check my order and realized that our 3 cheesecakes were missing. When I went back up to inform her of this, a customer nearby commented on the fact that I was smart to check, since they always leave something out every time he does a carry out order. When I informed the cashier that all 3 desserts were missing, her comment was "Yeah, we're out of those." Then looked at me dumbly while I waited for the apology or explanation that never came...no "so sorry for the mix-up", no "my bad, I should have told you", nothing. I asked her if the cost of the desserts had at least been credited back to my card. She sighed and mumbled "Let me check" and disappeared at a slow shuffle into the back. After several minutes of waiting, she came back out and started ringing something up on the register, asked the drive-thru person how much the new cheesecakes were, did some more ringing, then told me "That will be $18 (and change)". When she held her hand out to me, I said "Is that the amount you're refunding me?" and she replied "OHHHH, that's right..." and slowly shuffled into the back again. After another 1-2 minute wait, she came back out and started ringing up on the register again. I asked her if she needed my ATM card to refund, and she said "Nah" and started pulling out cash. I swear it took her at least 3 tries to get the amount right. I'm also not entirely sure if she ever checked to make sure I hadn't already been credited. I began to wonder if the zombie apocalypse had begun, and I was standing in ground zero. During the whole exchange, her attitude was one of "I don't want to be here, and I don't want to deal with you." She mumbled barely audible responses to my questions, didn't offer anything resembling an apology for their mistakes, never bothered to inform me that the desserts weren't in the order until I noticed it myself, and moved as slowly as a human being possibly can. When I got home, I realized I should have done a better job of inspecting my order, because my Cuban sandwich, which is supposed to have pulled pork, ham, pickles, and swiss, was less than half-finished. There was a clump of ham piled on one side of the bun, two pickles, and a tiny spot of melted cheese that looked more like provolone than swiss. Half of my sandwich was nothing but bread...there was no pulled pork to be seen, and the ham looked like someone just grabbed a fist-full of meat and plopped it onto one side of the bun. How do you screw up a featured, signature sandwich this badly at a restaurant that specializes in nothing but deli sandwiches??? This is the absolute worst experience I have ever had eating at a McAlister's. I think from now on, I'll drive the extra 20 minutes to their Clinton location. This place was just depressing.
Went to get two teas and sat outside the window for 10 minutes while several employees looked at me through the window and refused to put their phones down , in the meantime a line formed into the road behind me! When did it become acceptable to use phones while on the clock when customers are present? Also I get employees must wash their hands after using the restroom but how is it any less sanitary for them to touch their phones and then handle my food? This seems to be a consistent complaint , I know the management will respond but when will action be taken to make service better?
Went to get two teas and sat outside the window for 10 minutes while several employees looked at me through the window and refused to put their phones down , in the meantime a line formed into the road behind me! When did it become acceptable to use phones while on the clock when customers are present? Also I get employees must wash their hands after using the restroom but how is it any less sanitary for them to touch their phones and then handle my food? This seems to be a consistent complaint , I know the management will respond but when will action be taken to make service better?
My family went there for lunch on Sunday Nov 16 2025. Theit irdercqwad not complex, and yet it was over an hour before their cold food was served with No Apology or Anything. If my husband had not gone to ask where their food was they would probably still be sitting there waiting on their food. There should be someone in charge who makes sure everything is running smoothly. Their food would not have been delivered cold and an HOUR late. I expect an Apology!!