Alligator Cafe (The) Dallas, TX

horrid experience!

I decided to try the alligator café b/c I had an entertainment book coupon. I went to their website and called in a to-go order. I spoke with Jessica and the first thing I did was confirm that the menu was current. She said that it was, so I placed my order. After reviewing the menu further, I decided that I wanted to add a half order of fried oysters, which are listed on the menu at $3.00 when ordered with a meal. So I called back. A different person answered the phone and didn’t seem to understand what I was adding, so I confirmed what I saw on the menu. He said that I could add the half order for $3.25. I questioned the price difference, and he said he didn’t know what was on the website, that he “just served food” there. I stated that the online price should be honored, and she continued to blame the webmaster. I told her that I was not going to debate the issue with her, despite her seeming desire to ramble. When I went in, I again questioned the price difference and a lady came over to the register and said that the prices on the over head board are what they use. She furthered that they are not responsible for the website and that the webmaster made a mistake and would be notified. The cashier proceeded to ring my order, with the total I asked her to explain the cost, which she did with no problem. As she bagged my food I asked if the oysters came with fries and hush puppies. I wasn’t sure if they would, though the full order does. I looked to make sure I had everything I ordered. The first thing I noticed were oysters the size of my thumb nail. If you have ever had fried oysters, you know that typically a fried oyster that small is going to be very chewy and hardly edible. As I was looking, what turned out to be the owner/chef approached the counter. He made a comment about me complaining, prior to that I wasn’t going to even ask for a refund on the oysters, but given his attitude, I did. He told me that he wasn’t giving me anything and to get out of his store! At this point I demanded my money back for everything and he told me to go f__k myself. I was in SHOCK. I called me a b__Ch and continued to spew profanities at me, with a restaurant filled with customers. He was so irate, I thought he may attempt to strike me. He spilled the oysters on the counter, so at this point he had to refund my $3.25 (no tax….lol), still screaming profanities. I took my bag and proceeded to leave. At my car door, I see that he has now come OUTSIDE and has continued to curse me out. He is now yelling that he is the chef and owner and his food is the best, that I am an awful person, etc. This behavior is so amazing to me, but I actually tried to have a conversation about what seemed to have started his rage, my questioning their website menu. Seeing that he was not interested in anything other than being right and ignorant, I got in my car and left. Apparently this restaurant owner and staff thinks that their food is so good that, you shouldn’t ask questions, shouldn’t think that a web price should be honored, shouldn’t check your order before you leave and shouldn’t expect a refund if something isn’t to your liking. As for the food, my family is from New Orleans, and I have had much better. If you go, don’t question them, that is not allowed. Apparently they don’t feel that customer service should come with the self proclaimed “great food.”