Maras beware...

I was really excited to try Maras today but came out with the worst experience so beware. I ordered something pretty basic. Two eggs over easy. First they came out sunny side up and RAW! You could see the uncooked egg whites floating on top..when I told the server she sent them back and then they came out fried and burnt. When I asked for my money back the kitchen staff smiled. I don't think its funny serving food that can make someone sick!

Odd, I tried it today for the first time and loved it. I'll be back for sure.

My co-worker has gone there for lunch a couple of times - the food was fine, but she said that the very young staff would benefit from the presence of a manager.

soorlady said:
My co-worker has gone there for lunch a couple of times - the food was fine, but she said that the very young staff would benefit from the presence of a manager.

Wouldn't risk anything behind sweet stuff like pastries, etc. at these kind of places.

The risk of getting salmonella from a raw egg in the US is about 1 in 10,000.

I want to like Mara's, but it has the kitchen is off. The quiche is very good. But I've a number of things there that have not been good. Coffee is good, but I don't like it when they have me go sit at a table till they bring me my coffee. Maybe because sometimes it has been a long wait. Hopefully things will get better.

Had a meal the first time - was unacceptably awful even for soft open. Gave them a second try - still awful.

Will go back for tasty gelato - but you couldn't pay me to eat a mealthere when there are so many excellent places in town.

We've been several times - never had an issue with the food. The burgers are delicious

Been several times with different people and no complaints from any! So happy they are here and am sure they will work out kinks, esp. since they have successful places elsewhere (is my understanding, anyway.)

My only complaint about eating there is the time it takes to be served. Food was quite tasty once it was finally served. I am sure that that issue with be resolved with time.

went there - i agree needs better management- son ordered a chicken Cesar wrap- said it was very dry so we asked for more dressing (he had to walk back to the kitchen window to ask)-- was told they were out of the dressing !! now why would they sell him something they didnt have the ingredients for- worse yet why would the kitchen let it go out that way !!

To their defense when we complained to the manager he comped our meal- but unlikely we will go back which is a bummer

new207040 said:
but unlikely we will go back which is a bummer

Really? They're pretty new. I'd certainly want to give them another chance.

Such punishing clientele! I prefer to give striving businesses in my town the benefit of the doubt and a few extra chances. I'm not really fond of empty storefronts.

Ok they screwed up, but the manager made it right... why doesn't that merit another (just one) try?

ctrzaska said:
Ok they screwed up, but the manager made it right... why doesn't that merit another (just one) try?

I really expect more for $7.95

These threads are great, actually. The business either gets its act together or it sucks big time for as long as it's in existence. I love to see the over/under.

This is favabean's only thread. Can't tell if it's his/her first post. I always wonder if a "Beware!" post from a new MOL subscriber is actually from a competitor.

Yeah... this:

kthnry said:
This is favabean's only thread. Can't tell if it's his/her first post. I always wonder if a "Beware!" post from a new MOL subscriber is actually from a competitor.

I've had plenty of bad meals in my life but never ran home to open a message board account so I could trash the place online.

FWIW, I ate at Mara's for the 1st time also and loved it. (Plus that gelato...daaaammmmn it's good).

Yeah not crazy about the title myself.

Earlier this week I had a Monte Cristo panini with kettle chips for lunch and it was great. Last night my husband and I ordered paninis and they were mediocre at best. The worst part were the sides. The seasoned fries were limp and overly processed - like something out of a school cafeteria. I think they were heated in a microwave. The other side was cole slaw. It was brown! When you pick up take-out it's already in a bag waiting for you so we couldn't see the brown cole slaw. Incredibly yucky. So disappointed.

It's prepackaged, portion-controlled, (probably frozen) food. Most franchises (Subway, Panera, Friday's, etc.) are run this way. I'm sure it's fine for what it is, but if you go in expecting an excellent dining experience and fresh delicious food, you won't be happy. Personally, I'll go to Cait & Abby's for my bakery needs and Ashley's or Millburn Deli for sandwiches. That being said, I wish them luck. I just don't usually frequent chain/franchise restaurants.

I haven't been to Mara's so I have no primary observation to add. I notice there have been several negative comments about the food and/or service. One or two negative comments and "So what?" Here, there seems to be a pattern. Whad'ya think? Can they all be from a competitor?

That would have to be one well-organized competitor. I think some folks have valid concerns, some are impatient, some are a tad irrational, and some like the place. Par for the course I'd say. I haven't been, but ctrzson liked dessert.

Been twice with different people and each time, breakfast and lunch were really tasty. The staff is young and yeah, I can see where a manager would be key but who's to say that one of the young people isn't the manager?

I will continue to support. I like the atmosphere and love sitting outside people watching. The best that can happen is that the owner/manager reads MOL and makes changes.

There's a thread about Mara's on Swap SOMa Lounge on Facebook... similar to this one. The owner posted on the Facebook thread with apologies and explanations and promises of improvement... but she totally turned me off by asking people to send their comments "privately" via PM or email instead of "venting on a forum," saying that that "doesn't help them improve"... au contraire, my dear, you already were pushed to take steps to address customers' complaints by virtue of the fact that they posted them on Facebook. Social media is a two-way conversation and business owners should be deeply appreciative of the opportunity to get quick, direct feedback and suggestions... otherwise, customers would just vote with their feet and you'd never know what you could have done to make your business more successful.

As much as I feel loyal to MOL, it does have a reputation of negativity that cause many people to stay away. I can understand that an owner may not want to subject themselves to the public nature of complaining.

An example of this is the title of this thread: Mara's beware. Beware is a rather alarmist word. If you want to comment on the poor quality of food or service, to share with others...what is the aim? To tell people that it is dangerous to go there? If you are complaining, hoping that the business will take the criticism and improve, then hopefully you will say it in a quiet, thoughtful way that the owner can take the criticism in and come up with a way to improve. They are only human after all. Criticizing, and worse, bashing (which can happen frequently on MOL) tends to make people shut down.

If I recall, anytime a new business opens in the area, it goes through this negative bashing initiation. This to will pass and they will be successful just like the rest

I don't know. Some of them look to be struggling

Our interest is that we all look for places to go to.... places with nice décor, tasty food and efficient staff. Maras looked like it would fit the bill. Before it opened, there were favorable comments about their other locations. Instead, there are enough negative comments that the owners of the store or the franchisors should get involved..... beyond asking people not post negative things on public boards.

Lets hope they get it straigtened out.

gerryl said:
As much as I feel loyal to MOL, it does have a reputation of negativity that cause many people to stay away. I can understand that an owner may not want to subject themselves to the public nature of complaining.
An example of this is the title of this thread: Mara's beware. Beware is a rather alarmist word. If you want to comment on the poor quality of food or service, to share with others...what is the aim? To tell people that it is dangerous to go there? If you are complaining, hoping that the business will take the criticism and improve, then hopefully you will say it in a quiet, thoughtful way that the owner can take the criticism in and come up with a way to improve. They are only human after all. Criticizing, and worse, bashing (which can happen frequently on MOL) tends to make people shut down.

^ THIS ^

I don't know why several MOL'ers do this but it happens. We bitch and moan that we don't have something and the minute it comes, we piss on it and find fault with all aspects. Running a business is HARD. If you've never done it (I have) you'd understand the pressures of not only offering a great product but how difficult it is to find really good, qualified, honest, reliable people for the job. It takes time to become great. Ask any one with a successful business how they did it and they'll first tell you how many times they failed.

I'd love to start editing thread titles to keep people from staying away. What do you all suggest?