I previously blogged about my one bad experience in Orlando at Miller’s Ale House. After tweeting my blog post, their social media team responded and eventually let me know I’d be emailed.
And that message came in from Joseph Amore, Executive General Manager at the Orlano location. He basically apologized for the money going missing and asked if I spoke to a manager onsite, which I did along with other employees.
Amore also asked if I knew the employee’s name, which I did not since I didn’t notice a name tag, since he would have given corrective action.
He redundantly defended me having to “chug” (yes, he used quotes around the word) by saying they give advanced warning, which they did though dealing with the issue cut into my time to drink the beer regularly.
After a few emails, I received a $30 Miller’s Ale House gift card. There’s a location near me in Woodbridge, New Jersey that I ate at recently and used said gift card.
Dining at Miller’s Ale House in Woodbridge NJ
I decided to use my gift card on a Wednesday night when it was not very busy. It was off to an auspicious start when I asked for a table for 1 and was told to seat myself in the other room (a bar off to the side).
After noticing a distinct “old beer” smell coming from that room, I opted to sit at a high table. I was almost immediately greeted by my server whose name I forgot, but I know he had a tag on since he lives in Keasbey & that was laid out on the tag.
I ordered chili to start and 20 zesty garlic wings (most of which I took home as leftovers). The food came out timely and was good for what chain restaurant food is.
The server really made my mind turn around about dining at Miller’s Ale House again. The check came and I used the gift card, but there was of course a snag.
When I wanted to leave the tip using what remained on the gift card, I was told I could not since their system wouldn’t allow it. Good thing I had $3 in my pocket, otherwise he wouldn’t have been tipped.
I’ve used gift cards to leave tips at other restaurants, so I don’t get why it couldn’t be done here. It’s not a good experience when you have to write apologies to employees for how their company’s faults lower their tip.
The ultimate question is: did Miller’s Ale House redeem themselves? The hard work of the employees says yes, but I can’t help but remember the negative feelings I had leaving both times.
If I’m spending my limited hard-earned money, my mind is not going to gravitate towards a restaurant associated with a bad feeling.
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