I called in my order. They didn't say a word and stand by what I said.

Do as you say, not as you do.

I ordered from memory and wasn't aware, not from the internet asking for something i didn't see. Is that a problem?

I don't think people should be discouraged from asking if items they don't see are available, since both you and I have real life experience of them having other items. If they don't have it, no harm. I too want them to get as much business as possible, and it's best to allow customers the widest set of options for doing so. Calling directly to avoid fees should definitely be encouraged too.

Jazzfood wrote:I ordered from memory and wasn't aware, not from the internet asking for something i didn't see. Is that a problem?

Not as I see it but wtf do I know? Even even in the before times, I did everything I could to do avoid using third-party delivery apps. They suck for numerous reasons. Unless the restaurant instructs me otherwise, I always call and place my orders directly by phone. So, when I call and order something I've ordered in the past, I don't see that as asking for any sort of special treatment. If the restaurant cannot make it or doesn't want to make it, I trust that they'll tell me as much.

=R=

In their urge to please many chefs/owners will often try to accommodate even if they lose. Why I said what I said. Let them operate in the fashion they've chosen as their margins are terrible as is business these days. Not to your whims. You can live w/o it and they'll be thankful for it.

Can always ask for what you want and tip generously.

Americans sense of entitlement puts me off my feed. Rationalize away though.

Might have something to do with fetishization of capitalism. Asking for the items you're used to (exactly as you did) is consuming it on the proprietor's terms. The idea a menu for online ordering is controlling as to phone orders doesn't make sense. Especially since they don't enforce the smaller menu as you weren't even aware w/r/t nam kao tod.

bweiny wrote:Might have something to do with fetishization of capitalism.

'zactly. We earn our moniker of "ugly Americans" everyday and most of us are oblivious to it.

We've been phoning in orders since June and encouraging friends to do the same. We know it's appreciated and want to support them as much as possible. The Thai basil chicken and curries are as delicious as ever!

This discussion is turning into a bit of a straw man vigilante gang. Seems really unlikely that anyone posts/reads here regularly is going to make inappropriate demands or requests of any restaurants, let alone those they patronize regularly and/or at which they have a relationship with ownership or employees.

Okay, fine. We Americans are just horrible, entitled people. But c'mon. Does that really apply to LTHers' patronage of Rainbow Cuisine?

=R=

Jazzfood wrote:Americans sense of entitlement puts me off my feed. Rationalize away though.

No idea who or what you’re referring to. Glad you’re trying to help them. Your friends on this forum are too.

You're right. Order what/how ever you want. Just order.

You seem to be angry. No one is arguing with you. I frankly have no idea what the chip on your shoulder is all about.

I’m a little confused about the direction this conversation has taken. To be clear, Rainbow Thai has two menus - a limited online menu and a more expansive menu for phone orders. You’re not imposing by ordering off the latter - they’re happy to make those items if they don’t have to pay 30% to a middleman. There are copies of the phone menu at the restaurant and I can confirm that nam kao tod and pad ped pla are both on it. Next time I’m in, I’ll take pics and post them here.

Darren72 wrote:You seem to be angry. No one is arguing with you. I frankly have no idea what the chip on your shoulder is all about.

Just want them to have business @ this point however it comes. Anger-less so stop projecting.

Could you guys wait a few minutes while I pop some popcorn.

Hi,

I have only been to Rainbow once on a Saturday morning. Some items I wanted to order, I was turned down because the cook for this type of dish was not yet in.

Most of my visits to Thai restaurants in Chicago have been via an LTH or Chowhound organized dinner. I am sure there are other people who have not been and might be happy to go with someone more experienced with the menu ordering.

From checking Rainbow's website, they do have dining in. I don't mind calling to inquire what night is slow and rounding up people to attend. I just need someone to help orchestrate the ordering the day-of.

Regards,
Cathy2

egghead wrote:I’m a little confused about the direction this conversation has taken. To be clear, Rainbow Thai has two menus - a limited online menu and a more expansive menu for phone orders. You’re not imposing by ordering off the latter - they’re happy to make those items if they don’t have to pay 30% to a middleman. There are copies of the phone menu at the restaurant and I can confirm that nam kao tod and pad ped pla are both on it. Next time I’m in, I’ll take pics and post them here.

A copy of the phone menu would be greatly appreciated... we come from about an hour away for carryout and knowing those menu options prior to ordering would be ever so helpful.

We also never use 3rd party delivery services... we're adamant about all the proceeds going to the restaurants and their hard-working staffs instead of a delivery service that has no vested interest or loyalty to the restaurants.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I have only been to Rainbow once on a Saturday morning. Some items I wanted to order, I was turned down because the cook for this type of dish was not yet in.

Most of my visits to Thai restaurants in Chicago have been via an LTH or Chowhound organized dinner. I am sure there are other people who have not been and might be happy to go with someone more experienced with the menu ordering.

From checking Rainbow's website, they do have dining in. I don't mind calling to inquire what night is slow and rounding up people to attend. I just need someone to help orchestrate the ordering the day-of.

Regards,
Cathy2

I ordered takeout yesterday, and Pramote said that while they are considering possibly opening up for dine in again, they are not open for dine in right now. His concern is that he cannot get staff for the number of hours/pay he can provide and he needs to be available to help out in the kitchen instead of serving people. He talked about doing more of a "serve yourself" model in the future where he calls out orders and people come to pick up and eat, but the dining room is definitely not set up for that now.

eieileen wrote:I ordered takeout yesterday, and Pramote said that while they are considering possibly opening up for dine in again, they are not open for dine in right now. His concern is that he cannot get staff for the number of hours/pay he can provide and he needs to be available to help out in the kitchen instead of serving people. He talked about doing more of a "serve yourself" model in the future where he calls out orders and people come to pick up and eat, but the dining room is definitely not set up for that now.

Good to know, because my information was off the internet. I was wondering if they were indeed dining in.

Thanks!

Regards,
CAthy2

These pics of the phone menu are from mid-July, so may not reflect recent changes.





Apologies if the pics are difficult to view. I had a bit of trouble figuring out how to size/post photos for the first time.

eieileen wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:...
From checking Rainbow's website, they do have dining in. I don't mind calling to inquire what night is slow and rounding up people to attend. I just need someone to help orchestrate the ordering the day-of.

I ordered takeout yesterday, and Pramote said that while they are considering possibly opening up for dine in again, they are not open for dine in right now. ...

There is a newly renovated plaza, the Ainslie Arts Plaza, across the street that may be a good place to gather and eat carry-out.

Darren72 wrote:

eieileen wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:...
From checking Rainbow's website, they do have dining in. I don't mind calling to inquire what night is slow and rounding up people to attend. I just need someone to help orchestrate the ordering the day-of.

I ordered takeout yesterday, and Pramote said that while they are considering possibly opening up for dine in again, they are not open for dine in right now. ...

There is a newly renovated plaza, the Ainslie Arts Plaza, across the street that may be a good place to gather and eat carry-out.

Yes, great idea! It’s a really lovely space in a stretch of Lincoln/Western that needed it.

KevinM wrote:Yes, great idea! It’s a really lovely space in a stretch of Lincoln/Western that needed it.

I thought it was part of the Mcdonald's the couple times I drove by... good to know.

Hi,

A poll is now on the Event's Board for eating take-out at Ainslie Arts Plaza across the street.

Saturday is the suggested date.

Regards,
Cathy2

HI,

Well, I did it.

Regards,
Cathy2

I stopped into Rainbow this evening for pickup and found that they have reopened for dine-in. Pramote said that he had to reopen the dining room because pickup and delivery aren't netting him any profit. It's still just him and Wanpen running things on their own in the back and front of house though, so if you are planning to stop in for a meal, I suggest going at off-peak times like weeknights and weekend lunch.

eieileen wrote:I stopped into Rainbow this evening for pickup and found that they have reopened for dine-in. Pramote said that he had to reopen the dining room because pickup and delivery aren't netting him any profit. It's still just him and Wanpen running things on their own in the back and front of house though, so if you are planning to stop in for a meal, I suggest going at off-peak times like weeknights and weekend lunch.

Great news (on the dining in - not the zero profitability). Thanks for the report.

=R=