noodles + co

You know those days where you try to just be simple and take the easy way out? Maybe spend more money on dinner than you would've had you made it? Yeah, I thought last night would've been one of those days but I was inconveniently mistaken.

And trust me I know how first world problem this post is, but hey.

Last night I worked from 3p-7p (this is a shift I traded with a coworker until December for school) and thought I would order food for delivery and take it home. Smart, right? I thought so too since I had to work today from 3a-3p (yeah, that's right an 8 hour turn around between shifts; had I realized this when I agreed to the switch I probably wouldn't have.. but now I have the weekends off.. whatever).

So I ordered our food around 5:30 for future delivery at 7:15. I thought this was ample time for Noodles + Co to prepare and deliver my food. HAHAHAHAHAAA.

Well, I clock out right at 7 and hurry towards the front of the hospital because usually they are early (so do I feel silly complaining about the one time they fuck shit up? nah). I talked with a few ladies from my old job as I was waiting while they were heading out to leave, which made me incredibly sad, and tried to patiently count down the minutes til my food would arrive. Hangry, hangry, hangry.

Well, needless to say 7:15 rolled around and I still haven't seen or heard from anyone. At 7:21 I finally called to check on the order because at this point it's going to be almost 8 by the time I get home and will be an extremely small window to finish bedtime and fall asleep myself.

Noodles: "Noodles + Co, blah blah location now offering delivery this is blah blah how can I help you?"

Me: *not wanting to be a rude ass* "Um, I ordered food a few hours ago for 7:15 delivery and I was just called to make sure everything was okay with my order."

N: "Your name please?"

Me: "Leia."

N: "Leia.. Leia.. oh yes! Your order.. is.. right here and all ready to go! Um, 7:15.. we're just waiting on the delivery driver. They aren't here yet so your order will be on the way shortly."

Me: "Okay, thanks.............................."

So then I just get upset. The delivery driver isn't even to the store yet to pick up my food????

So, I call back.

Noodles: "Noodles + Co, blah blah location now offering delivery this is blah blah how can I help you?"

Me: "Yeah, it's Leia again I'm just going to come pick up my order."
N: "Okay, sorry about that! We'll have everything ready when you get here!"

Me: "No problem......................................"

And then just confusion; like duh! Of course it's going to be ready because you already told me it was bagged and ready to go already AND it'll probably be cold by the time I get there because parking is going to be hell downtown. Which yeah, it was totally hell. I had to drive around two blocks and even then I still parked in an illegal spot while I ran inside.

Guys, they didn't remove the delivery fee or the driver's tip from my bill. The bag was warm but only because it had been sitting under the heat lamp or whatever. It's 7:45. I didn't make a scene I just asked for the various fee's to be refunded. I couldn't believe they didn't just automatically credit it back to me. And then I still had to drive home.

The food was still an okay temperature when I got home which is the only reason I didn't call them to complain. I do value customer service and understand restaurant employee's get the brunt of all bitching that they don't always deserve but Noodles + Co almost got me, man. Mainly for the sake of knowing how much extra time it cost me on my already limited window for sleep.

And I left my leftovers at home.

Leia

freaky fast

Gaiz,

Here's the issue I have with the convenience of working in a food Mecca that is Ann Arbor; most any meal you're craving can be delivered to your 'front door'. Brendon was hangry and he suggested Jimmy Johns; something that could easily be delivered to the hospital just before I left for home. Oh, husband what good ideas you have! These subs were going to be absolutely scrumptious companions for our final episode of Making a Murderer (soooooo many thoughts and feelings btw).

11:15p rolls around and I get the much anticipated confirmation food-mail, I mean e-mail. Good job again, husband! You put the delivery time for 11:45p-12:00a which will give me the perfect amount of time to give report to the midnight clerk and head downstairs. 

Bingo bango. Problems in paradise. Since I rotate desks every shift, the number Brendon put on the order was my cell phone versus a number to the hospital. 

1. The driver calls my cell phone to let me know he's outside. 

2. It's 11:32p. 

3. I don't have relief. 

4. I am in the middle of work. 

5. I can't leave my desk. 

6. I'm actively arguing with a deliver driver on my cell phone at my desk. (Just kidding, boss)

Here's where the spoiled princess syndrome comes to the surface. If I place an order for 6:45p delivery at 5p because my 30 minute lunch starts at 6:40p, I expect that you will arrive on time. When an order is placed for 11:45p because I will not physically be able to meet you for my late night calories until, I don't expect you to show up 12-28 minutes early! 

Sure, I love when my delicious, probably crack-laden sandwich arrives early and not hours behind schedule but damn! Be cool, Jimmy Johns! I can't even be happy about your prompt delivery because I'm so pissed that I need to try and meet you without getting fired for leaving my post early. 

Luckily my midnighter came shortly thereafter and John Doe delivery driver was still waiting with a Club Lulu just for me which allowed me to call down a bit. Then the torture of driving 25 minutes home. 

Full and sleepy,

Leia

mid-week meal share: TAKE OUT

This weeks meal share brought to you by: "Oh, shit! When was the last time we went grocery shopping?!"

The best meal I've been able to put together over the past week was cinnamon rolls for a late breakfast yesterday, and I still consider that to be an accomplishment because everyone was happy and can you believe that Kennedy's tiny tummy even wanted seconds? Hardy har. 

Cost effective: no

Easy to concoct: extremely

Nutritious: maybe, but most likely not

The list of ingredients for this one is short, and hey! You don't even need to go to the store to get them!

cell phone

OR computer with internet access

menu from your favorite take-out/delivery place

cash or credit card (so you need this for every recipe but.. be cool!)

1. Navigate the internet, or your junk drawer, for a menu that tickles your fancy.

2. Place an online order for delivery or pick-up or call your order in using that cell phone I said was needed.

3. Pay for your order online with a credit card, or select the cash upon delivery if they have the option to do so.

4. For the unfortunate ones that live in a less metropolis, like us, you'll need to get in your car and go pick it up, but for those of you that can sit down on the couch? Do that now!

5. Eagerly wait.

6. And voila. Food prepared and brought to you by someone else. If only it was paid for by someone else though, too.

Drunken noodles, pad thai, and nogi rolls. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

7. Dig in, y'all!

We went with one of our favorites. No Thai. OHMYGOSHGIVEITALLTOMERIGHTMEOW. I was proud of myself because I tried something new and now it will be the one thing I get until I try something new again. When it comes to food I have a comfort zone. Especially when it comes to eating out or ordering. I know what I like so why would I chance ordering something different and not liking it?! 

Obviously, eating out is not always the best choice because it's not easy on the wallet nor is it good for the body. It IS good for the soul, though. And on some occasions, like all this week, that's all that matters.

Choose wisely.

Leia