To ask would you complain / cross contamination of food?

[thoughtsonname]

Went for a meal earlier with DH.

I am vegan and haven’t eaten meat in 17 years. I had ordered a veggie chickpea and spinach burger at a popular chain. I lifted the burger bun lid before taking a bite (not sure why tbh) and lucky I did because there was a piece of chicken sitting on top of it.

I discreetly told the manager who swapped it for a new one. Didn’t apologise though and the new one came back without any of the toppings I’d originally ordered so was really bland. I couldn’t be bothered to send it back a second time and DH had already eaten all of his meal (he eats meat).

I’m in two minds about complaining as the place predominantly serves meat, but does promise to cook on a separate part of a grill. I wouldn’t even mind if it shared the same cooking space, I just don’t want an actual bit of chicken in my meal and it would’ve really
upset me if I had eaten it. It also ruined the dining experience because we ate at totally separate times, defeats the point of going out really.

WWYD?

YABU - leave it, they swapped it for a new one

YANBU - complain, it isn’t good enough and they should be more stringent

I wish I’d said more at the time but I’m not the type to kick up a fuss.

YANBU, these places really need to get their shit together given how serious cross contamination can be for allergy sufferers.

No need for fuss

Email head office and let them know.

I wasn’t sure whether to do that or go back to the restaurant tomorrow when they open at lunch and just explain I’d like a refund.

YANBU.
It was "just a bit of chicken" this time but it is a serious issue.

Cross contamination can be life threatening-my DD had anaphylactic shock after eating an ice cream cone-the scoop had not been properly rinsed and we were on holiday in a non English speaking country.

Utterly terrifying.

I wouldn't call a lump of chicken cross contamination 😁 it's totally the wrong order. And yes if they're careless about this then God knows what else could happen

I would have complained more at the time, especially after no apology and then not getting you all the toppings.

Bad review on Google. Petter to head office if you feel strongly enough about it.

I think politely worded feedback regarding events is a good idea to their management. I feel so much for the staff in these places who are set up to fail (I am a GF veggie so also very alert to contamination!) but management needs to make changes to training. Next time it could be something causing a health risk with an allergy. They are alienating increasing numbers of customers who don’t want to risk being given meat they haven’t asked for and it’s in their interest even if purely financially to sort it out

Why do you want a refund? You ate the food. If you weren’t happy to eat it without the toppings you should have let them know at the time.

Yeah I would email head office. Cross contamination is serious if you have allergies.
im not veggie, but I ordered a halloumi panini recently and my husband had a steak one. They had clearly cut his first and then used the same knife to cut mine- a bit of steak and blood on my panini! I didn’t mind at all, however a veggie wouldn’t have been able to eat it.

I ate half of it. At the time I was just surprised and didn’t want to make a fuss and kick off. I was actually only halfway through the new burger when I realised the missing toppings, because I was so wrapped up in trying to eat as quickly as possible given DH had had his food and there were literally people standing around us waiting for a table

I agree with this. People really need to speak up at the time. If you go in tomorrow then there will likely be different staff on and no one will really know anything about this. It's no good getting angry afterwards. Do a review of you like but I think you missed the boat on a refund

I think I'd be more interested in making sure no-one with an allergy dies, than bothering about a refund.

Hence the reason I'd email head office.

Didn’t a boy die because someone threw some cheese at him? Allergies are really serious. Definitely email the head office.

I really don’t think they will give you a refund as you ate the food. But I would email them.

Although if it’s anything like McDonald’s they don’t give a shit.

I think so. I dunno if a chicken allergy is a thing but I suppose the ‘what’ isn’t the point

Do you mean someone had stuck a chicken goujon in your burger, or there was a flake of children from the grill?

Assuming it's the second, I wouldn't complain, no. I wouldn't expect a restaurant to be avoiding cross contamination for a dietary preference rather than an allergy. Those processes should be for those who need them.

That’s bad!

There was a piece of chicken, probably about 5cm long

That’s terrible she went through that.

You should have complained at the time, though totally understand why you didn’t. Easier said than done when you are with others who have eaten, you are hungry etc.
Sounds like you for the wrong order, I always have issues as DH eats meat, I’m vegan, people seem to think vegetarian is the same.

I would send an email as you didn’t get what you paid for, not to kick up a fuss but for awareness. You could’ve have had an allergy and they need to take this seriously- it may not be chicken next time it could be something that causes someone serious health issues.

The burger is the least of your problems. You need to learn to speak up for yourself and take up some space in the world.

You’re probably right. I would in other contexts just didn’t here because I was hungry and the restaurant was busy.

Thank you, good advice

If they're grilling children, the OP should definitely complain! 🤭