PF Chang's in Durham, North Carolina: Poor Service

PF Chang's is one of my favorite restaurants, and I have been to one in just about every city in which I have visited or lived. Today, I had lunch at the PF Chang's at the Southpoint Mall in Durham, North Carolina. The food was excellent, as usual, but the customer service left a bit to be desired.

The nutritional listings next to each item make it simple for anyone, regardless of dietary concerns, to assess the menu and see if Chang's is the place to go. The restaurant has items that are appropriate for low-fat, low-carb, and even gluten-free diets. It is actually one of the few places I have been that has a gluten-free menu.

Atmosphere:

All Pf Changs have the same décor and ambiance. The lighting is dim but comfortable, and the restaurant is decorated in earth tones, with stone walls, and Asian art. There is a distinct retro modern feel to it. The atmosphere is trendy but casual at the same time and anyone in any attire could feel comfortable there. There are booths and tables to seat small and large parties. We requested a booth but none were available, so we were seated in a half booth/half table.

The restaurant is typically very busy, which means it is never really quiet. It is not difficult to hear others speak, however for some it might tend to get a bit noisy and be a bit off putting.

The Service:

The service at the Southpoint Pf Chang's was okay, and unfortunately, that's the best I can say. Everyone we dealt with was nice enough and attentive enough, but I wouldn't say there was any real attempt at quality customer service. I wasn't wowed, and after years of working in customer service, I want to be wowed. I don't want to be overwhelmed, but I also don't want to be ignored.

Our server was very professional and accommodating just not terribly friendly. The same can be said for the hostesses and the food servers. This is nothing that would keep me from coming back to this restaurant, and as I said, I don't want to be bombarded either. I just had expected a bit more of a personal touch.

The Food: