250 replies to this topic

[4thgenFolsomite]

Is Dickey’s franchise owner, Ray Snook, part of the Jim and Renee Snook family - owners of Snooks Candy on Sutter Street? If so, I'm thrilled a local Folsom family owns Dickey's and they have a great blueprint for quality product and great customer service to help them succeed. Good luck Dickey's we're all rooting for you!

Not related to our awesome candy makers. Ray Snook and his wife are from England!

[25or6to4]

I tired Dickie's for dinner tonight:

Ribs were moist and fall off the bone as advertised.
The original flavor BBQ sauce is good, but much thinner than I'm used to for BBQ sauce.
I tried the Virgina Style Ham, it tasted like Ham. Don't know what Virgina Style is supposed to be like.
The BBQ beans were good.
The Jalapeno beans, not so much, at least they didn't fancy my tastebuds.
I agree, the green beans are overcooked IMO, if that is how they are supposed to be, then I won't get them again.

[Steve Heard]

1) they just opened 2) it's not a fast food joint.

It might help to have a bit more patience, especially when you see there is a long line.
Give them a chance, no place is perfect in the first 30 days. There's always room for improvements.

I would give a bit of grace to a new restaurant, but at the same time, one should not open until one is ready. This is why many places go through dry runs, test runs and soft openings, so they can get a feel for running the place.

Another option would be to acknowledge what's going on and make up for it by giving something extra, perhaps something along the lines of 'thanks for your patience while we work the kinks out, have a free (side, or desert or discount coupon for future visit) on us.

Otherwise, some people will give them only that one chance and never go back.

Speed, courtesy and cleanliness are as important as quality and price.

If the owner wants to stay in business, the owner wants feedback. I give, receive and value feedback, and if I owned Dickey's, I would appreciate asbestoshills comments and use them to improve my business.

[tsukiji]

I'm beginning to think that maybe the reasons why business fail here is not so much about what the business is doing, but rather unrealistic expectations of the people of Folsom. Since when did we become so perfect and holier than thou? Since when did we stop just tolerating the reasonably less than perfect without expecting some compensation? Why is it just me, me, me? Why can't we just be supportive?

I remember when I used to play sports and compete in tournaments. Every time I picked up a new sport, I'd practice and drill and prepare and analyze. Still, when it came time for my first few competitions in the new sport, no matter how will I did in practice sessions, for some reason, I'd not play as well during competition. I'd make easy mistakes and forget some fundamentals.

It's nice to see that many of you don't share this same fate. Perfection from the beginning must be nice.

I mean, can we try to differentiate between serious issues -- the ribs taste spoiled. Versus the minor petty crap -- napkins need to be replenished.

Go ahead and flame me -- I'm already sad to read some of the posts here.

[4thgenFolsomite]

I'm beginning to think that maybe the reasons why business fail here is not so much about what the business is doing, but rather unrealistic expectations of the people of Folsom. Since when did we become so perfect and holier than thou? Since when did we stop just tolerating the reasonably less than perfect without expecting some compensation? Why is it just me, me, me? Why can't we just be supportive?

this!

[MikeinFolsom]

I think the owner was apologetic and did receive the compliments and criticism with a pretty decent attitude. But like its been said on here before....everyone expects perfectionism from everyone else but themselves.

[Steve Heard]

I'm beginning to think that maybe the reasons why business fail here is not so much about what the business is doing, but rather unrealistic expectations of the people of Folsom. Since when did we become so perfect and holier than thou? Since when did we stop just tolerating the reasonably less than perfect without expecting some compensation? Why is it just me, me, me? Why can't we just be supportive?

I remember when I used to play sports and compete in tournaments. Every time I picked up a new sport, I'd practice and drill and prepare and analyze. Still, when it came time for my first few competitions in the new sport, no matter how will I did in practice sessions, for some reason, I'd not play as well during competition. I'd make easy mistakes and forget some fundamentals.

It's nice to see that many of you don't share this same fate. Perfection from the beginning must be nice.

I mean, can we try to differentiate between serious issues -- the ribs taste spoiled. Versus the minor petty crap -- napkins need to be replenished.

Go ahead and flame me -- I'm already sad to read some of the posts here.

I don't think you deserve to be flamed, but I disagree with the sentiment. It's not about the expectations of just people of Folsom, nor is it about the buyer being perfect or holier than thou. It is about a business wanting consumers to spend their hard earned money in their establishment and what the consumer expects in return.

In the restaurant biz, or most businesses for that matter, it's so competetive, and people have less time and money to spend, so they want the best experiences possible. That doesn't mean that they expect their butts kissed and given free champagne and caviar when they order a brisket sandwich, but they/we do expect good value and service delivered by courteous employees.

You can have the best food in the world, but if the service isn't good, or the place is dirty, it will be a turn-off. First impressions can be the last.

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect speed, cleanliness and courtesy.

I know that I've failed to make a good first impression a time or two in my business (and elsewhere) and it cost me. I couldn't be mad at the customer for my failure to meet their expectations or the standards they and my competitors had. I had to improve. I'm still trying to.

I am looking forward to trying Dickey's. I love barbecue, even though I can't eat it as much as I'd like to, and I'll have reasonable expectations; that I get good food and prompt service from courteous employees in a clean environment.

Is that too much to ask, even for a new restaurant?

And to Dickey's, welcome to myfolsom.com, although some of us may complain a bit too much, we really are a supportive bunch and really want local businesses to succeed. I'll do my part by trying you out and will recommend the place to others if my experience is a good one.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Great article in the Folsom Telegraph today. Nice to see Dickey's getting this exposure, although I wish the photographer had taken a photo of a table full of food instead of a nice family who had evidently already finished eating. LOL



By the way, can one of the moderators please put the apostrophe in "Dickey's" in the name of this thread so it comes up when people search for it correctly.

[Steve Heard]

I think the owner was apologetic and did receive the compliments and criticism with a pretty decent attitude. But like its been said on here before....everyone expects perfectionism from everyone else but themselves.

I agree that he handled it well, like a good business owner should. Those reading his responses are encouraged by them and may patronize his establishment because of the way he handled himself.

To those who take the angle of 'everyone expects perfectionism from everyone else but themselves', remember which side of the counter the complaints come from.

Imagine you have a less-than-perfect experience with a business and the owner replies that 'you're not so perfect yourself.'

[4thgenFolsomite]

Steve, I think you need some brisket for lunch!

[Steve Heard]

Steve, I think you need some brisket for lunch!

I can't today, but will soon!

[MikeinFolsom]

I agree that he handled it well, like a good business owner should. Those reading his responses are encouraged by them and may patronize his establishment because of the way he handled himself.

To those who take the angle of 'everyone expects perfectionism from everyone else but themselves', remember which side of the counter the complaints come from.

Imagine you have a less-than-perfect experience with a business and the owner replies that 'you're not so perfect yourself.'

I don't think that is how he responded. He responded openly to the comments. Obviously, if no one likes the service they received, the place will go under and be out of business. If you can look past the fact that it is a new place, new employees, new system to learn, GREAT FOOD, I think everyone who goes into the place will come out happy. Even if they are out of napkins at the condiment bar and you have to ASK for some napkins. Who woulda thunk it.......

[DickeysFolsom]

Is Dickey’s franchise owner, Ray Snook, part of the Jim and Renee Snook family - owners of Snooks Candy on Sutter Street? If so, I'm thrilled a local Folsom family owns Dickey's and they have a great blueprint for quality product and great customer service to help them succeed. Good luck Dickey's we're all rooting for you!

Thank you so much! No we are not related to Jim and Renee (at least not that I am aware of) - we came here from the UK ten years ago.
We are trying hard to cope with the enormous demand we have experienced over the past 5 days. I am sure many people understand the logistics of trying to move so many people through the line when they all arrive at once and staff are not only new to the restaurant, but to the food concept and preparation too. I believe that we have got faster over the past few days but there has still been some waiting. Perhaps we should not have chosen Memorial Weekend to open - If you go to BJs or Chili's or Olive Garden you will still have to wait - sometimes 30 to 40 minutes until a table is free. Waiting for a meal at busy weekends is normal. People don't tend to mind that, but standing in line seems less tolerable. If we changed the type of service and sat people at the table and provided waiter service then people would be sitting outside waiting. I am not sure that there is a way to keep everyone happy - perhaps drive thru? :-)

Best regards

Ray

[Steve Heard]

I don't think that is how he responded. He responded openly to the comments. Obviously, if no one likes the service they received, the place will go under and be out of business. If you can look past the fact that it is a new place, new employees, new system to learn, GREAT FOOD, I think everyone who goes into the place will come out happy. Even if they are out of napkins at the condiment bar and you have to ASK for some napkins. Who woulda thunk it.......

Don't get me wrong, I compliment him on his responses. I was speaking to your point that everyone expects perfection from everyone but themselves, and pointing out that customers aren't expected to be perfect or close to it. It is the service providers who must perform.

We are trying hard to cope with the enormous demand we have experienced over the past 5 days. I am sure many people understand the logistics of trying to move so many people through the line when they all arrive at once and staff are not only new to the restaurant, but to the food concept and preparation too. I believe that we have got faster over the past few days but there has still been some waiting. Perhaps we should not have chosen Memorial Weekend to open - If you go to BJs or Chili's or Olive Garden you will still have to wait - sometimes 30 to 40 minutes until a table is free. Waiting for a meal at busy weekends is normal. People don't tend to mind that, but standing in line seems less tolerable. If we changed the type of service and sat people at the table and provided waiter service then people would be sitting outside waiting. I am not sure that there is a way to keep everyone happy - perhaps drive thru? :-)

Best regards

Ray

Hey Ray, big crowds are the best type of problem to have. As long as you learn and grow from customer comments, you'll be successful.

No, you'll never be able to please everyone, even if you were a mind reader, 'cause then they'd say you mis-read their mind.

I'll stop by soon to gorge myself silly.