Sauce Rant (I tried to put it off)

[Moon]

This type of rule is one of my pet peeves. Luckily, the Taco Places around me DO offer sauces nearly every time (and often when they don't they just give me a bunch automatically). Of course, they do give me more than I need. One per small item (taco/chalupa is plenty), or 3-4 for a large item (like Nacho de Really Big).

However, my local Ronnie's Burger Shack (and their competitor the Duke of the Flame-cooked beef sammich) almost NEVER ask me if I want ketchup for fries even if I ask for extra ketchup on the burger (and I often specify I want a lot... I have used the phrase "sliding off the bun" before to get my point across). And I almost always forget to ask for packets, so I don't get any ketchup. Sometimes I ask at the speaker when I'm placing the order and it doesn't get relayed to the window guy. However, I don't get sucky about it to the employees in any of these cases... I just curse a little under my breath when I get home and take my food out of the bag, sans ketchup packets. And the little red-haired girl never asks if I want hot sauce for my chili... but since that's not quite as common I don't mind it as much.

And oddly enough, when those 2 burger joints DO ask me if I want ketchup I'm usually not ordering fries... like I subbed in onion rings or didn't get a side at all. Now the cowboy hat folks, they do ask me if I want sauces nearly all the time.

A similar gripe is with a pizza place named for a mode of transportation (could be regional chain).. They offer flavored crust (similar to how another chain, called HH does), and I forget like 80% of the time to request it. They don't ask so I end up getting the pizza home and taking a few bites, then realizing I forgot to ask for Turbo. I calmly asked one time I DID remember if there was a "notes" field in their computer where they could put that I DO want Turbo Crust automatically. There isn't, so I just left it at that... and hopefully I remember next time.

It's not necessarily that customers don't want to ask (with some exceptions mentioned earlier in the thread), but they forget. There's no reason to be belligerent about it like those customers are, though... but it is a pretty stupid policy. I mean, fries = ketchup!!! And to not ask if they want hot sauce for a taco?? What is management thinking?? I often say no as I'm eating on the run and can't mess with it, but if I'm taking it home to eat I'm gonna want some.

[Willis]

I thought it was obvious that places like Taco Bell has sauce in the condiment area. So if you're in drive thru you just ask. *shrug* Whatever.

Anyways I have a friend that literally pisses me off about damn sauce. He's the guy who wants LOTS. Doesn't know how many, but wants LOTS. When a cashier gives him 5 or 6 for a burrito he wants more. They give him a couple more and he wants more. I don't even say anything in defense of the cashier anymore. I used to and he'd act like I just committed treason. I just walk off or if he starts complaining to me about them not giving him enough sauce I just tell him not my problem. Don't even get me started on hot sauce and mustard cause he drowns his food in that stuff. I don't think he knows what the word moderation means.

[ShootMePlease]

I just take whatever sauce whether I need it or not. A lot of folks have a "shit drawer" for just that purpose.

Here is mine :



Obviously, we like Chinese food. You're more than welcome to come on by for some duck sauce if you don't get enough, Jester !!

[Kogarashi]

Quoth Moon

I mean, fries = ketchup!!!

Not necessarily. When I get McD's fries, I don't put anything on them. They're too good as-is. Ketchup and other sauces are for fries that are not as good on their own.

I don't usually get asked if I want sauce unless I'm getting chicken nuggets, though today when we picked up lunch at McD's they actually asked if I wanted ketchup. Had I left with my food any sooner, though, they wouldn't have had the chance, so it was kind of an afterthought thing.

[Moon]

Yes, inside they are in a central area for you to grab what you need... but when you're in the drive-thru you have like 20 seconds to interact with the employee. It is VERY easy to forget to ask for ketchup / hot sauce/whatever and not remember until you are 10 miles away digging through your bag. The customers mentioned by the OP handled it very poorly, and were extremely sucky. However, PROHIBITING employees from asking customers if they want condiments is poor customer service on the part of upper management and is partially to blame for attracting this type of reaction. I wondered why certain burger joints never ask anymore. Now, if these places could have a sign up stating "condiments only provided upon request" at the appropriate window people like me see this and think "oh yeah, I need to ask for ketchup... thanks for the reminder" while those who don't need it don't get it (saving the .00002 cents per wasted packet). Thus everyone would win. Granted you still have true SCs like those mentioned earlier who don't read signs and blame the workers, but you'd have those even if workers were allowed to ask.


I never give attitude to the employees over this... like I stated earlier I just mutter to myself once I get somewhere I can eat and find no packets. I just don't like the policy as it stands. Remember, it used to be automatic... and they often lead you through the order anyway (what drink / upsizing / other items) so it's not too unreasonable to think condiments would be provided or at least suggested. It IS unreasonable, however, to throw a tantrum when this expectation is not met.

[fma_fanatic]

Huh, you must have a weird Taco Place, Kisa, because every one I visit asks what kind of sauce I want at the window. I'm one of those customers who doesn't care for the sauce, so "No sauce" is my answer.

Are you sure you're not in a parallel dimension?

[Moon]

Quoth fma_fanatic

Huh, you must have a weird Taco Place, Kisa, because every one I visit asks what kind of sauce I want at the window. I'm one of those customers who doesn't care for the sauce, so "No sauce" is my answer.

Are you sure you're not in a parallel dimension?

Some chains have corporate stores and franchise stores. I'm wondering if Kisa's store is franchised and the owner/franchisee is the one who made this policy. As I've stated, all the Taco Places near me ask as well. One location sometimes gives me plain soda water instead of mt dew as they didn't notice the syrup was out, but they all usually ask me if I want sauce. (Although I have a small collection so if they do forget to ask I'm covered. )

[tacohuman]

Quoth tollbaby

Is it possible to buy the oh-so-delicious sauce?

i don't know if it's available everywhere, but i have a bottle of it in my refrigerator bought at my local grocery store.

[tacohuman]

Quoth Moon

I mean, fries = ketchup!!!

i hate ketchup. i only eat mustard or ranch dressing with my fries.

[Kisa]

Quoth Moon

when you're in the drive-thru you have like 20 seconds to interact with the employee. Now, if these places could have a sign up stating "condiments only provided upon request" at the appropriate window people like me see this and think "oh yeah, I need to ask for ketchup... thanks for the reminder" while those who don't need it don't get it (saving the .00002 cents per wasted packet).

We actually do have a sign posted on the window in big, bold letters right above the picture of the sauce packtes stating, "Sauces Available Upon Request." Most of the people that do ask, ask:
-After handing over payment
-When getting their change
-Before taking their bag
-After taking their bag
-While placing their order. When this happens, they are told "Remind the person at the window about your sauce." Do they? Usually not