A diner from Omaha, NE
Jul 16, 2008
We visited Stokes for the 2nd time tonight and ordered beer/appetizers/entrees. The drinks and apps were fine, but the enchiladas, which are served with rice and beans...a different story. The actual enchiladas were fine, if a bit bland, but unremarkable. The beans, however, tasted as if someone had dumped a full ashtray in them and cooked them together. We told our server who agreed that they smelled like cigarette smoke and alerted the manager or at least the highest-ranking manager present that Tuesday evening. He came to our table and apologized, tried to interest us in another meal or desert, and told us we wouldn't be charged for our entrees. He said that the batch of beans had been thrown out, but he hadn't tasted or smelled them. This was surely the act of one rogue disgruntled employee; there is no way that the beans were just burned or had too much liquid smoke/flavor added to them. This was the flavor of a stale cigarette, like the smell of an old smoking hotel room. Disgusting. Accidents happen, but what I am upset over is the way the staff handled the situation. Our waitress was apologetic, but helpless to rectify the situation. The manager made us feel as if we were trying to "pull one over" on the restaurant and didn't offer any egregious apologies or comps after we literally ate cigarette-flavored food. Any self-respecting restaurateur should “eat” the cost of patrons' drinks and appetizers (keep in mind, I'm only talking about chips/guacamole and 2 beers) after such a horrific experience, and should also offer coupons/gift certificates. We didn't want to cause an embarrassing scene, so we tried to be polite and quiet. All he offered us was a weak smile and a wish for us to come back again. We quickly paid our $15 tab for beer and chips, left a small tip, and ran. I can say with certainty that we won't be back!
