Joe Responds to The Garrison House's Comment on His Review
Joe Responds to The Garrison House's Comment on His Review
After I reviewed the burger at The Garrison House in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the restaurant left a comment on my personal Facebook page. From my home office, I read the comment out loud and answered it point by point.
Read the menu
The comment told me I should read the menu before visiting a restaurant. The burger, it said, is listed at $18.99 plus HST and comes with fries or a salad. So from now on, I'll print and memorize every menu before setting foot in a restaurant. Also, $18.99 plus HST comes to about $21, which is what I reported.
My order
The Garrison House said I wasn't reviewing the burger as listed, and was missing its best ingredients: cheese, bacon, horseradish mayo and beer mustard. I order the same way everywhere, a hamburger with lettuce, onion and pickle only, so every burger is judged by the same standard. I didn't realize customers weren't allowed to modify a menu item.
The restaurant also said its burger is made with Cumbrae Farms ground brisket. Credit where it's due there. Having grown up on a family farm, I appreciate restaurants using local beef.
Where I ate it
The comment suggested I should have eaten inside, since takeout is never the same. I take every burger from inside the restaurant to just outside to eat it. Every place gets treated the same way, and I don't see why The Garrison House should be the exception.
Is the quest helpful?
The restaurant said my reviews aren't helpful to businesses trying to make a living. I disagree. One restaurant sold out of burgers after its video went up, and other owners told me they had never sold so many Gold Medal Burgers. Viewers have found new places because of the reviews. My hope is that any restaurant whose burger I don't enjoy will take it as constructive criticism and come out stronger.
Signing off
Good luck with your restaurant, Garrison House. And since I'm also a realtor, I'm happy to help you find a new location and negotiate a better lease, just in case your lease is part of what makes the burger so expensive.
