Pete's Place Restaurant

[Sandman]

[Sandman]

I tried the Philly Steak Sandwich at Petes last week. It was pretty good! One of the things I miss about living in the Bay Area are those Philly Cheese Steak places. I'm glad I can get one up here!

[Cactus Kate]

"Pete's Place" -- ( I give 'em 8 http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/pleased.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/pleased.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/pleased.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/pleased.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/pleased.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/pleased.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/pleased.gifhttp://oakhurstforums.com/icon/pleased.gif )

I sailed on in to the Pete's Place today around 1:30 p.m. Have never tried them for anything but breakfast...

Fer those of you that haven't been to Pete's Place, its a relaxed restaurant with booths and tables - with Greek photographs on the wall.

Location: Highway 41 in downtown Oakhurst - just north of the 49.

Scale of 1-10 (10 bein' best and 1 not cuttin' the mustard - no pun intended)

Atmosphere: 7
Cleanliness: 8
Uniqueness: 7
Selection: 9 (All the Breakfast fixin's to sandwiches to Kabobs and Ostrich Burgers - yes, Ostrich Burgers)

Service-
Time to seat me - N/A (you seat yerself)
Time to take my order - 10
Time to serve my drink after takin' order - N/A(serve yerself)
Time to serve my food after takin' order - 9
Checked back on me - N/A (they don't do this)
Refilled my drinks without my remindin' them - N/A (You do this yerself)
Order was served right - 10
Time for check to come when I wuz finished - N/A
Speed - 9
Friendliness - 10 (Extremely Friendly)

Food Quality-
Served hot - 9
Taste - 7
Garden Salad - 7
Onion Rings - 7 (a little overcooked)
Chicken Kabob - 5 (bland)
Drink - Dr. Pepper - 9

Cost of entree: $9.50 (Chicken Kabob, Salad and Onion Rings)
Cost of drink: $ .90 (Dr. Pepper- free refills)

Bang for my Buck - 8.2


I'm Cactus Kate, self-appointed Mountain restaurant taster, er, critiquer. I like eatin' out and hate to cook, so you'll be seein' lots of these here critiques.

[MadScot]

Great food great people. Ate breakfast there for years. I might rate them just a tad higher like maybe an 8.9

[monkey]

I love Pete's Place when I want something good and fast. It takes longer than Burger King, etc. but the quality is worth it. I think they serve too much food because I can never finish my meal. I LOVE their falafals.

[Surfus]

I think Petes is Faster that Burger King McDonnads. But a little high priced on some stuff.

[maccabee]

they give you A LOT of food.
BLT/AVacado & zucchini fries. YUM

[TriDevotee]

I think the food is great. You get tons more that what you pay for. The only things is that sometimes they seem a little too rush- rush. Do not get me wrong, the service is good there but speed is not the only thing I look for in a restaurant. I give Petes a 10+++++.

[TriDevotee]

That isnt how it works... you order it at the counter and then they bring it to your table.

[TriDevotee]

That is what I said they do.

[Surfus]

Ordering at the counter make it better service
Because you don’t have to wait for someone.
If you order Breakfast you food will be out to you before you can finnish the first page of the Bee.

They always bring it out to you and will bring you salsa or Catsup what ever you ask for.

90% of the time they will refill you water and coffee. I go there so much I think they take me for granted and don’t give me refills sometimes. And I tip every time.
Oh did I say they have the best tasting water in Oakhurst because they have a well.

[CatdaBrat]

When I was working (and had money to spend) I used to order either the BLT/Avocado or the chili burger (plain with no tomato, lettuce, etc.) and a serving of zucchini sticks. I was always impressed with their food. But haven't been there for a long time now. Did they recently close for a remodel or something, then re-open?

[concerned]

It has been aa while since I ate there but I thought their food was excellent, except for the onion rings. They used some kind of an orange batter that I thought was atrocious. That won't keep me from ordering anything else on the menu.

[Mibrew]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Surfus:
I think Petes is Faster that Burger King McDonnads. But a little high priced on some stuff. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Same stuff??? I wouldnt compare fast food hamburgers, to Pete's Hamburgers, big difference

[Surfus]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mibrew:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Surfus:
I think Petes is Faster that Burger King McDonnads. But a little high priced on some stuff. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Same stuff??? I wouldnt compare fast food hamburgers, to Pete's Hamburgers, big difference <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Read again I said SOME stuff NOT SAME Stuff.

Like $5 for a Tuna Melt and that is just a Tuna Melt no chips or drink.

Dont get me wrong I eat there up to 5 times a week.

[Newcomer]

Now I know whaere to stalk out SUrfus if I need to LOL. Kidding Surfus, Get it KIDDING LOL

[Mibrew]

Same stuff??? I wouldnt compare fast food hamburgers, to Pete's Hamburgers, big difference[/QUOTE]
Read again I said SOME stuff NOT SAME Stuff.

Like $5 for a Tuna Melt and that is just a Tuna Melt no chips or drink.

Sorry Surfy, http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/wink2.gif

I don't eat fast food, so I wouldnt know that Mac's now have Tuna Melts, unless they advertise it on TV.

[Sandman]

I went to Pete's Place today for a burger and fries. The value meal is priced within reason and sure beats fast food. The food is a lot more healthy.

The staff was extremely nice and cheerful today. It makes all the difference in the world when you have good people working for you.

[SheilaMae]

I was at Pete's Sunday evening - about 5:30pm with my daughter and another family of 6 (my daughter and I were being 'treated' to dinner for helping their family move allll weekend). I LOVE Pete's!!! Gosh, how much nicer than a community pizza or bucket of chicken for 8 to top off a day of tuggin', luggin' and such. I adore their gyros (don't see them much in CA) but had a standard BLT plus onion and zucchinni stix with ranch. YUM!!! One of the things I like about Pete's Place is that it reminds me of some of my old favorite lunch counters in downtown Chicago where you feel like you're so lucky to be one of the select few who knows where to get the BEST eats in town and they're always truly glad to see you come back. (doesn't hurt that you usually bring along someone else too!)
-Sheila

[CatdaBrat]

I don't like fast food, either. Although, I have been known to slink into Taco Bell for a bean cup. (Well, I used to -- the last few ones I got the beans were only partially cooked so I stopped ordering them! then the time after that, they ran out of tortillas and we all had to wait while somebody went to Vons to buy some) My FAVORITE place to grab a burger is the Fosters Freeze in Los Banos along 152. Their stuff doesn't seem like fast food.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

I had the steak and eggs their this AM. Cost me 9 bucks, but was well worth it. BIG steak (big for me). I love steak and eggs!!!!!!!

[Choco-chick]

I think they are ok, I have liked their food, but feel it is a bit pricey for what you get. I ordered a BLT and when they brought it out, it was on a tiny plate, I had to put one half on a napkin. That was wierd. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/confused2.gif

[woopsydaizy]

I've had a "bad" customer service issue here once and I was VERY disappointed. It was soon after they stopped taking personel checks, unbeknownst to me, and my family and I went in on a Sunday. We stood in a long line and then when I was ordering I was already writting my check out. The gal was watching me and this was obvious. Looking back now, maybe she was trying to figure out how to nicely tell me that they no longer take checks? Anyway, she didn't stop me. She gave me our cups, my family self served their drinks and stood there waiting for me while I finished ordering. She then tells me "no checks". I was flustered, asked since when, yada, yada, yada, and then looked to me wallet and neither husband or I had cash, just our American Express. I asked, "can't you make an exception, I have all kinds of ID?" which in my opinion, is what you do, ESPECIALLY in a small town. Our business name is on the check and we have done his windows. Anyhow, she proceeds to tell me there is an ATM across the street. I couldn't believe it! I asked her, "so you want me to get back in my car, drive across the street to the bank, pay a service fee to get money out of a bank that is not mine and then drive back here so I can give my money to you?" She just looked at me. "I don't think so" I told her. We haven't been back since as that was one of the worst bouts of crappy customer service I have encountered out here. IMO they have good food but no customer service skills at all.

[Nascar8Fan]

Good food, but definately pricey. I love their breakfast burritos but you don't leave there spending under $8 for a burrito and a coke!

[Mibrew]

I like those burritos too, after I make some modifications http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

I have never used a check to pay for food in a restaurant before, I was wondering how would you tip the server? or is this only at Pete's that used to take checks...

[Yosemite Joy]

Originally posted by woopsydaizy:
I've had a "bad" customer service issue here once and I was VERY disappointed. It was soon after they stopped taking personel checks, unbeknownst to me, and my family and I went in on a Sunday. We stood in a long line and then when I was ordering I was already writting my check out. The gal was watching me and this was obvious. Looking back now, maybe she was trying to figure out how to nicely tell me that they no longer take checks? Anyway, she didn't stop me. She gave me our cups, my family self served their drinks and stood there waiting for me while I finished ordering. She then tells me "no checks". I was flustered, asked since when, yada, yada, yada, and then looked to me wallet and neither husband or I had cash, just our American Express. I asked, "can't you make an exception, I have all kinds of ID?" which in my opinion, is what you do, ESPECIALLY in a small town. Our business name is on the check and we have done his windows. Anyhow, she proceeds to tell me there is an ATM across the street. I couldn't believe it! I asked her, "so you want me to get back in my car, drive across the street to the bank, pay a service fee to get money out of a bank that is not mine and then drive back here so I can give my money to you?" She just looked at me. "I don't think so" I told her. We haven't been back since as that was one of the worst bouts of crappy customer service I have encountered out here. IMO they have good food but no customer service skills at all.

You don't have a bank card? They take bank cards. If you have a checking account you should have a bank card.

[Californee Girl]

mmmmmm Petes Breakfast Burrito...

I wonder how many calories are in 1/2 of one of those??

[Mibrew]

hee hee, thats why I said I modify my order http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

And I have only ate 2 burritos in 5 years http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Summer]

I like those burritos too, after I make some modifications
I was going to say do the modifications mean adding some real hot salsa until I saw the calorie thing. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif Yeah, they are pricey but the portions are huge. Me and hubby split the breakfast burrito. In fact everyone at work splits anything they get there, sooo when you look at it that way it comes out cheaper than McDonalds and sooooo much better. I love Pete's, hope they don't decide to move out of town too!

[Nascar8Fan]

We had their burgers and fries for lunch today. They were extremely yummy and filling. Don't mind paying the prices for a meal like that. They are one of the only places in town for food like this. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/hungry.gif

[woopsydaizy]

I find it odd that the only responses to my "bad service" experience are regarding my writting a check at a restraunt and my not having a bank card...

They take tips at the counter or I could have added it onto the check, which is what I regularly do at the coffee shop and at the time, Yosemite Bank didn't have bank cards yet.

Bad service is bad service.

[oakhurstleaf]

In my opinion, they should've accepted your check considering you had no other means of paying (I suspect they don't take AmEx)on the basis that you understood their newly implemented "no personal check policy" for the future. All it takes is one bad check to ruin it for everyone...we got one and it made us think twice about accepting personal checks. Business/company checks seem more reliable, true. But perhaps, Pete's just had to take a stand.

I don't think Pete's has bad service in any general sense...overall, their service is good. In the service industry, you deal with individual humans who we all know are not perfect. There are new hirees with no customer service experience or customer empathy, or even long term employees who are unpredictable with their personal mood swings and personal problems. Some people don't know how to handle a challenge or a confrontation...they freeze or they can't think of a nice way of putting it. Consistently good help is sometimes hard to find. I'm sure "Pete" would have made this situation right for you...unfortunately, Pete may not always be in earshot of his counter people...and he needs to hear feedback from people like you to prevent others from leaving his establishment angry.

I would give Pete's another shot and not hold this one incident against them. I think this "bad service" was incidental.

Alice





Originally posted by woopsydaizy:
I find it odd that the only responses to my "bad service" experience are regarding my writting a check at a restraunt and my not having a bank card...

They take tips at the counter or I could have added it onto the check, which is what I regularly do at the coffee shop and at the time, Yosemite Bank didn't have bank cards yet.

Bad service is bad service.

[Californee Girl]

I love Petes, but I had a pretty bad experience with them yesterday. They got my order wrong and were then very offended when I brought it back. They argued with me and made fun of me. Was that Greek the guy was cussing at me in? Seriously offended by a returned order. So I guess my choices are now to either not go there anymore or choose to never return my order again. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/shrug.gif

[oakhurstleaf]

I know it's not at all funny...what happened to you, but reading your story....I couldn't help but think of the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. It made me giggle.

Yes, it was most definately Greek being used. I've heard they don't appreciate customer returns, complaints, special requests, etc. I've heard it can get quite tense in the kitchen at Pete's...but that's no excuse for making a customer feel offended, insulted and cussed at in any language. Who do you complain to? Pete? Not sure that would help, but it might if he wasn't part of it.


]They got my order wrong and were then very offended when I brought it back. They argued with me and made fun of me. Was that Greek the guy was cussing at me in? QUOTE]

[Californee Girl]

Actually, the first thing I did was make a Soup Nazi joke when I got back into my car. Youre not so far off. Im not about to complain again!

[concerned]

It has been some time since I went there but when I did go there I wqs never disappointed with the food with the exception of the onion rings. Every thing was very good and I could not complain about the prices. At the time I was going there I could speak directly to the cook and tell him if I wanted any small change from the menu description and often got it.

[John @ 3300ft.]

I wouldn't call it customer service...
More like customer abuse.

Maybe he had a bad day... Give them one more chance. Order something and return it on purpose. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/evil.gif

If he freaks again, say bye-bye...

Pete's is expensive for a greasy spoon, but they give you two meals worth of everything.

PS
I love their massive orange onion rings.
http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/goofy.gif