If you have ever been
the victim of an error while out dining this one is for you. Likewise, if you
are employed in the service industry (particularly the restaurant business) and
you are unsure what do in order to remedy an error, this is also for you.
This
week’s endeavor at reviewing a good burger was done at none other than downtown
Phoenix’s own Seamus McCaffrey’s. I will admit, I have been to this place
several times, but never really as anything other than a bar patron. However, I
tried to give the food a fair run this time around.
For
those that don’t know, opposite all the trendy downtown eateries, nestled just
past the historic San Carlos Hotel, Seamus has been a Phoenix staple for over
twenty years.
On a
recent jaunt downtown to attend a concert, I decided to stop in for a beer and
a burger as I haven’t been there in quite some time. We sat at the bar, mostly because I like the
view- and the convenient proximity of all the available spirits. My selection
for the evening was dubbed the “Patty O’ Melt” (Clever right, ‘cause it’s an
Irish Pub? Yes? No? Maybe? Ok, nevermind). The restaurant’s website describes
it as “1/3 pound of juicy burger topped with grilled onions & melted Swiss
on grilled rye bread”.
So I along
with my girlfriend placed our orders, got our drinks and began conversing,
about things that couples that have been together for over a year converse
about. Ok, so we were vehemently basking in the white glow of our cell phones,
while checking our Facebook news feeds.
After
about ten minutes my girlfriend received her Shepherd’s Pie. And I was still without my Patty Melt. Ahem, Patty O’ Melt. So sorry.
At any rate, a few more minutes
went by and I munched on the bread that had been presented with my girlfriend’s
entrée. Still no melt, Patty O’ or otherwise. I checked the rolling ticket that
the bartender had sat down before us on the bar. Scanning it, I saw that no
Patty O’ Melt was on the bill.
We got the attention of another
employee, who apologized profusely and promised to reduce my meal by half if we
still wanted the order. I did, and accepted the offer, thinking that was the
end of the affair. When our bartender
returned, he too apologized, but explained his omission of ringing the meal as
oversight. And then raised both hands for a duel fist bump. To my surprise he disappeared
for a quick second, returned promptly with my food, and told us that my meal
had been comped!
And let me be clear, it wasn’t the
free meal that made this interaction worthwhile. It was the fact that he
admitted and then corrected the issue. In addition, I will point out I wasn’t rude
or impatient, stuff happens, and it’s not the end of the world (I mean after
all, it’s not as though he left me without my trusty beer- that would’ve caused a raucous).
Now down to brass tacks: When I tasted
the Patty O’ Melt it was rich and savory, the beef not overly heaped onto the
rye bread, but still generously portioned. The onions, while some might
consider slight, were numerous enough for my liking and complimented the burger
rather than overpowering it. The cheese was melted to perfection, giving it the
overall gooey-delectable factor that I personally enjoy.
So overall Seamus not only produced
a damn fine burger, they really turned what could’ve been a bad experience
around, by cementing it with hospitality and personality, which is really what’s
appetizing.
