Puckjam wrote:In a nutshell, [Kwik Trip] are family owned and treat their employees very well. Thus, the customer service is extremely good at all locations. The cleanliness is very evident on your visits. They have their own brands of milk, chips, bread, etc...., where they are involved in QC. The coffee is very good and they always have fresh fruit and vegetables available. They are clever also and usually have onions, potatoes, milk, and banana's at very reasonable prices (loss leaders type prices). At the end of the day, they will give you a consistent and friendly product. The kind that makes you return.

Thanks for the background! I can personally vouch for the friendliness and cleanliness on my one visit.

Chicago's first Culver's within city limits to open Tuesday in Bronzeville
http://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/re ... story.html

Dave148 wrote:Chicago's first Culver's within city limits to open Tuesday in Bronzeville
http://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/re ... story.html

Followed a week later, on the 29th, by the Six Corners location (4939 W. Irving Park).

midas wrote:

BR wrote:. . . I'm also amazed just how friendly the service is. I'm not sure if this is the case at each location, but they could teach most restaurants about good service.

The service has been that way at every Culver's I've been to. That doesn't mean it's like that everywhere, but all signs point that way.

This has been my experience as well, and I have been to dozens of Culver's since the mid-1990s from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to the Ozarks of Missouri. They're like the Chick-fil-a of the north -- almost suspiciously uniformly impeccible customer service from location to location.

In fact I have speculated that this is why they had erstwhile been so reluctant to open in or near urban cores; they feared they would not be able to find an adequate "small-town friendly" customer service pool amongst us brusque city folk. For quite some time the only Culver's within the borders of a major city was a location or two in Milwaukee and then one in San Antonio. Even now I would bet less than 20 or so of their several hundred franchises are located within the city limits of a major city, though they seem more willing to explore urban markets these days.

Culver's is a common quick dinner choice since it's walking distance from us here in the burbs. Reading through this thread has reminded me I've taken Culver's for granted and I should venture out to try other things on the menu.

I especially like that they allow adults to purchase kids meals without question (at least at our neighborhood location).... and their kids meals are a great bargain meal for adults that include sandwich, fries, drink and a scoop of their frozen custard.

I drove by the new one being built in Lincolnshire on Milwaukee Ave just north of 22. I bet it will be open by March. I still predict it might be going to Deerbrook Mall where Bally's was. I think it would be a good fit for families around there. That's totally my own prediction.

Culver's is good food but they are on my banned list.

I do not understand how such a customer service driven company could have such a deceptive corporate policy. If you are asked what do you want on your burger, you say everything. But everything includes a crappy greenhouse tomato slice that they charge you 25 cents for, but don't even bother to mention it, they just add it to your bill. I've argued with several managers for this sketchy tactic. #%@! Culver's.

/rant off

motu wrote:Culver's is good food but they are on my banned list.

I do not understand how such a customer service driven company could have such a deceptive corporate policy. If you are asked what do you want on your burger, you say everything. But everything includes a crappy greenhouse tomato slice that they charge you 25 cents for, but don't even bother to mention it, they just add it to your bill. I've argued with several managers for this sketchy tactic. #%@! Culver's.

/rant off

If I had my money back for every time I was charged for a cheeseburger when I ordered a hamburger, I'd be retired. Do you have any idea how many places charge you the same price for a cheeseburger or a hamburger? It's not worth the aggravation if I like the food. And the Culver's situation is better because you can have them not include the tomato and not charge you. Many places will charge the same with or without cheese. Sub places are even worse. They include cheese in the price and will not lower it if you say no cheese. Do you have any idea how many places I'd have to ban like you did?

Lozem gain. I gave up fighting over it decades ago.

But how was the food?

Panther in the Den wrote:But how was the food?

Who are you asking?

Ram4 wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:But how was the food?

Who are you asking?

You.

I've always liked Culver's. They had a thick burger that was discontinued I used to get. But I'm happy with my go to double burger, fries extra crispy (they have an extra cripsy button ) and the custard is great when I'm in the mood for dessert. The service is very consistent at most locations and the restaurants are clean and comfortable. I still prefer a Steak N Shake double to Culver's, but the whole experience is better at Culver's. Looking forward to the new one in Lincolnshire being the closest yet to my house.