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Welcome to my snarky corner of the web. Join me as I discuss everything from wine to chocolate. There may be a few other topics mixed in there too. I talk a bunch about my amazing offspring, 24 and 21. I sometimes go on and on about my secret crush on the amazing Mike Rowe. I talk about things that irritate me or things that make me happy. Sometimes I just talk to hear myself talk. Feedback is always appreciated but please make sure it's respectable. No nudity or profanity. I'm the only one allowed to be profane. But any and all snark is welcome and appreciated!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Tuesday Tirade.....GPS and Twin Oaks Restaurant

Hey Snarklings! Over the weekend 13 and I traveled with her volleyball team to a tournament in Clarksburg, WV. It was a nice drive over beautiful mountain roads with a fun group of parents and players, however, my GPS hates my guts and took me on a journey that I don't think Stephen King himself could've thought up. The hotel was off of I-79 on Tolley Road. Apparently there are 2 Tolley Roads in that area. My husband and I have a joke that when there is a 50-50 chance of getting something right, 90% of the time, I'll pick the wrong answer. In this case, my GPS was 50-50-90.  "Exit now, and make a left onto Joy Rd." it said.

"Are you sure?" I questioned, "Because that's not looking like much of a road."

"Trust me" said my GPS. I swear I could hear a faint snicker. I turned left onto Joy Rd. and almost immediately regretted that decision. It was a one lane dirt road and I drove about 50 feet when I was met with an SUV coming the opposite way. On a one lane dirt road. I pulled to the side to let him pass and almost went off the cliff.

"Drive 2 miles, then turn left onto Tolley Rd." my GPS instructed.

"Really? Because I've been on Joy Rd for 12 seconds and just almost died." I argued.

"Just dooooooo it." My GPS whispered. I did as I was told and traveled for 2 miles up a dark, twisty, scary road, taking my life in my hands, when at last I came upon Tolley Rd.  The clouds parted, the sky turned blue, angels sang as I turned left, as instructed, onto Tolley Rd.

"Drive .7 miles, end at Days Inn on right" said my GPS, as if he had led me to the promised land, after 40 years in the desert.  I drove .7 miles and then I heard banjos. No Days Inn, no promised land, only banjos. Dear God, the banjos.

Thankfully, a nice farmer got off his plow, put down his banjo and came to my rescue. Apparently, there are two Tolley Roads in that area and my GPS did the old 50-50-90 (bastard). The farmer gave me the proper directions and sent us on our way, safely, with no one asking me to squeal like a pig.

We arrived at the hotel (20 minutes later than everyone else, thanks GPS) and put our things in our room. The girls went to hit the volleyball around for a bit while the coach and parents decided on where to go for dinner. Our coach is from that area and she said someone had recommended we eat at the Twin Oaks Restaurant.  We had a rather large group, 17 in all, so she called ahead to make sure they had room.

The person who answered the phone could NOT have been anymore rude if he tried. When the coach said there were 17 of us, she was told we could not go there for dinner. 'We don't have room.' She asked if we could maybe go a bit later, perhaps they could put some tables together if given enough time, and the answer she received was "No, we don't want you here."

Photo courtesy: monkeyworlds.com

It's not like we were taking a group of  howler monkeys to eat, we had 8 girls and 9 parents, all over the age of 13, all pretty much potty trained, yet we were told in no uncertain terms. "We don't want you here." So I decided to do the right thing, and tell every one I know how wonderful I thought that was. Great decision on the part of the person who answered the phone.

The power of the internet is unbelievable. One bad review, one bad word can lead to more bad reviews, which leads to a drop in business. I'm not saying I hold the power to make or break a business, but I am snarky and bitchy and am not afraid of telling it like it is. So if you are ever in the area of Bridgeport or Clarksburg, WV and you're looking for an amazing meal, go to Oliverio's, the restaurant who was more than helpful in accommodating a group of 17 as soon as we called, and who provided outstanding service and incredible food to us. If you're looking for a shit hole with awful customer service and poor reviews, go to Twin Oaks. Tell 'em Snarky sent ya.

21 comments:

  1. As a former waiter/bartender, when you said a Party of 17, I had dreams of a tip that would send me into an early retirement.

    But I have never worked at West Virginny.

    And I hate banjos.

    And squealing like a pig ain't much fun either. So I hear.

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    1. Trust me, Toby, the tip was fantastic. Naturally they added it into our bill but I know that I gave extra because he was one waiter, served all of us and had very little help from the rest of the staff, so he earned extra that night. Sucks to be the wait staff at Twin Oaks who didn't get our business OR our tip.

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  2. Love the deliverance references. My hubs wears a t-shirt that says, "Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!" I am shocked that this restaurant didn't want your business! They could have made a lot of money. What a bunch of asshats. Glad you wrote this post about them and spread the word. If I'm ever up that way I certainly won't dine there!

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    1. They sure could've made a bundle off of us, Marcia. LOVE that shirt too!!

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  3. Hearing banjos is never a good sign. Deliverance terrified me.

    I believe in the power of the internet too. Give me bad service and I'll write a bad review for your business on every site I can find.

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    1. Exactly, Lovelyn. I am happy to write a good review on a positive experience, and am more likely to spread the word on good service, but I am DEFINITELY spreading the word when the service is bad. In this case, we never even got the CHANCE to experience the service, good or bad.

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  4. I am more and more happy I avoided that movie. As a waitress for many years 17 people would have made me more than happy. Shit I would have set up a table for you in the parking lot. People are asses, I am glad you found a nice place to take the team but seriously bravo for you for putting this out there. I might go ahead and make a note on every site I could too about Twin Oaks sucky service. But that's the type of person I am;)

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  5. When I clicked the link for Twin Oaks, I was expecting to see a snarky, scathing account of your experience. I was disappointed! ;)

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    1. Well far be it for me to disappoint! I'm going to go leave a review right now!!

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    2. Yay! I love the fact that you told them you blogged about it too! Kudos!

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  6. You get 'em!!! People can be such douche nozzles. I imagine your group racked up quite a nice tab...guess who's restaurant didn't make that money, honey? Good for you for giving kudos for the restaurant who DID accommodate you, too. nice job. :)

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    1. And we all blew the Bronx cheer at Twin Oaks as we drove back to our hotel. That'll teach 'em. :)

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  7. I'm disappointed in Joy Road, but knowing Evil Joy - how could you not at least try to take it, right (it's alllll about me...all the time!)

    Good on you for giving the good and bad review!! We'll have to road trip (if I have Benedryl) and try it out!!!!

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    1. Oh Joy, Joy Rd was ANYTHING but a Joy that day. Frightening as hell!! No Joy in Biebelville that day!

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  8. The Internet has made it virtually impossible for assholes to remain employed. And yet, there always seems to be another one!
    xo

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  9. Okay..that monkey picture might be the best picture I have ever ever seen

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  10. Oooo, snap! Twin Oaks, you got served! (notice my pun?)

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  11. Stunning! That is really amazing! At whatever point I get dragged to a spot like that here in Little Rock, its generally iceburg and french fries for me. I trust more spots begin offering vegetarian side china. Those beets look astonishing!


    Restaurant Marketing

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