la Madeleine

Contacted by the Manager wanting to know why I did not pay a gratuity for the order. The manager could not explain the what the $28 service covered. The associate that delivered the food walked it over. The location was less than 0.2 miles and 5 minute walk. The associate did not setup the order. Just dropped it off and was told to wait for me because the manager told her she would get a gratituty. Then I was guilted into a $20 tip because I felt bad that she had to walk it over. Setup the food for my meeting and the pastries were not delivered had to call back and she had to walk them back over again. Ordered the breakfast sandwiches. It did not specify online order system that I had to say how many egg/cheese vs. bacon/egg/cheese. I asked for them to be labeled since it 30 sandwiches. There was no labels so I had to open each one to learn that they all had bacon on them and the bread was burnt. Once the pastries arrived they were hard. I was very disappointed. This was the City of Alexandria's monthly Agency Heads and City Manager's staff meeting. The City spent extra on breakfast because it was a special meeting and to not have a non meat option I had to apologize.

Cashier as rude and upset

Missing salad from order

When I placed my order, I asked for several bags potato chips as an extra side with the sandwich lunchboxes. Online the chips were $1.50 each; however, the Asst. Manager at store, who was taking my order, told me the chip price is $1.79 in her system and she would not honor the online price. Instead, she argued with me until I hung up. I placed my order online and received the lower chip price, $1.50. I spoke with the GM later who acknowledged there was discrepancy between the online and store system price. When my order arrived, there were no chips at all. They were eventually delivered after we finished lunch and the meeting had resumed (too late). I called back on the day of and the day after my order to speak with the GM and he was not there. So, there was no way to share my dissatisfaction.

The multiple mouse traps on the floor, under tables in the restaurant seating area!!! The overall dirty mess, in the restaurant area, as well as the restroom, no toilet paper, and broken toilet seat!!! Cold soups, and brown salads,… Management lacks concern, or professionalism, apparently to fix these problems… I’ve been coming to this La Madeleine’s for a long time, lovely Madeleine’s food and atmosphere normally… But for this to be an old town Alexandria… They are in very big trouble!

On this particular day, the Omelet had WAY to much cheese. However, on a continuous basis, the restrooms are a mess, the tables are not bussed frequently enough, not enough help.

Geilla, manager, was very rude. Geilla is in great need of customer service and managerial training. She was clearly over her head and not efficiently delegating with staff or restocking. I asked for black pepper packets because my party was dining outside and was told, “just take it from the table”. I live in old town and come to this store often. I have never seen it this mismanaged.

Ordered to go, to get the 40 cent soups. I did get the soups, along with an entree and some extras for myself and my daughter. However, my side I added to my entree was not in the order.

The "commodity surcharge" is bogus. Why not put this price on the item? I ordered a muffin priced at $2.59, then was told it costs $3.43, due to .34 cents tax and .50 cents "commodity surcharge". I feel mislead and deceived by this hidden charge and will not be going back to La Mad until this charge is rescinded. It's sad because I love the food at La Mad and it's right across the street from my office for easy access. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me, and that's not going to happen.

Slow service. Hard to communicate with cashier. Ordered menu item and asked to delete an ingredient and could not accommodate