Restaurants in Bourbonnais

Unbelievable Customer Service at My Local Culver’s

Connie Food & Drink, Illinois , , 1 Comment
Unbelievable Customer Service at My Local Culver’s

Culvers in BourbonnaisI have never before written about a national chain fast food restaurant.* Culver’s, a mostly Midwest chain but popping up in pockets across the nation, falls into that category. However, after our latest visit to our local Culver’s, I can’t keep quiet any longer. I have to tell you about the most exemplary customer service I have ever had in any restaurant of any type, anywhere, and I’ve eaten in some high-end restaurants. I’m not talking about great customer service on one occasion; I mean wow treatment on every visit, from every staff member, at the Bourbonnais, Illinois, Culver’s.

If they aren’t swamped with customers, a staff member opens the door for you and greets you with a, “Welcome to Culver’s.” Behind the counter, no matter how busy, you get another “Welcome to Culver’s.” Service is always with a smile. Tell them thank you, and they don’t mumble “No problem” or even say “You’re welcome.” They reply with, “My pleasure.”

Don’t miss a Midwest Wanderer post.  For a FREE subscription, enter your e-mail address in the Subscribe2 box to the left and click Subscribe.

Culver’s is one of those fast-food restaurants where you place your order at the counter, and if you’re dining in, they give you a numbered table tent to take to your seat. They bring your food to you. On our visit this week, the young woman who delivered our food not only confirmed which sandwiches we ordered, but read the entire list of condiments to ensure it was correct.

Staff members walk table to table asking if everything is okay and clearing trays if you’re finished eating, a rare occurrence in a fast food restaurant. I’ve even had them offer to refill a soft drink cup. They sometimes offer a sample of Culver’s flavor of the day frozen custard.

I’ve eaten at the Bourbonnais Culver’s approximately once a month over the few years they’ve been open. In all that time, there was only one error in my order. I had ordered grilled onions on my Butterburger, but the onions were raw instead. They not only fixed the error, but they insisted on giving me a pint of frozen custard to take home. I felt guilty accepting it for such a trivial error, but I appreciated it.

When you’re leaving Culver’s, more often than not, someone opens the door for you once again and thanks you for visiting. Even if there is no one at the door, someone yells “Thank you” and wishes you a nice day.

I applaud every staff member at the Bourbonnais, Illinois, Culver’s location, as well as whoever trains them. The consistent extraordinary customer service, a rarity in most fast food restaurants, doesn’t go unnoticed, and it is my pleasure to spread the word.

Culver’s Bourbonnais location is 983 Convent Street. Culver’s is known for their Butterburgers and Fresh Frozen Custard, but offers many more menu options, as well.

Do you have a local restaurant that consistently delivers wow customer service? Share your experience in the Comments below.

Thank you for reading Midwest Wanderer. Don’t miss a post. Enter your e-mail address below and click Subscribe to be notified whenever I publish another post. Subscription is FREE. After subscribing, be sure to click the link when you get the e-mail asking you to confirm.   – Connie

*As part of my Wise Choices series, I will occasionally highlight lighter menu options in various regional or national chains, since most of us dine at them now and then while traveling.

Koi Asian Bistro, Bourbonnais, Illinois: Japanese, Chinese and Thai Cuisine

Connie Food & Drink , , , 0 Comment
Koi Asian Bistro, Bourbonnais, Illinois: Japanese, Chinese and Thai Cuisine

You know you’ve found a good restaurant when there are a lot of cars in the parking lot. That’s how I realized that Koi Asian Bistro in Bourbonnais, Illinois, had developed quite a following. I hadn’t paid much attention to it before, even though I pass it several times a week. But one day I noticed all the cars and knew none of the other businesses in that strip would have that many customers at one time, so I made it a point to try it. I was impressed, impressed with the decor, impressed with the menu selection, and especially impressed with the food.

The décor is sophisticated Japanese, with lots of black wood and bamboo and Japanese lanterns hanging above the tables.

Koi Asian BistroKoi specializes in Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine. I have to admit I am far from an Asian food expert. I rarely eat it, and I have no idea what the difference is between sushi, sushimi and maki rolls, but Koi has lots of all of them. I counted 18 different kinds on the Sushi and Sushimi menu, 21 on the Classic Rolls or Hand Rolls menu, and 19 on the Chef’s Special Rolls menu. They offer far more entrees, though, including several rice dishes, noodle dishes and tempura.

Don’t miss a Midwest Wanderer post.  For a FREE subscription, enter your e-mail address in the Subscribe2 box to the left and click Subscribe.

Our waitress brought us a bowl of edamame, boiled and salted, to start. I’d never eaten edamame served this way before, still in the pod, and was unsure how to eat it. Apparently there is no correct way. Some people peel it to get to the beans in the pod, and some eat it like an artichoke, running the pod through your front teeth, and the beans pop into your mouth. I found the latter to be the easier method.

EdamameNot being very adventurous when it comes to food, I ordered tried-and-true sesame chicken. The sweet, sticky sauce and nutty taste and crunch of the sesame seeds is one of my favorites. The portion was more than I could eat. I took at least half of it home to enjoy for lunch the next day.

Sesame chickenMy husband ordered off of the Chef’s Special Rolls menu. Impressively plated, complete with a flower, he confirmed it was as delicious as it was pretty.

sushi rollWe splurged and split dessert, tempura cheesecake. That’s deep-fried cheesecake. Again, beautifully plated and delicious, but bit over the top in richness.

Tempura CheesecakeIn Bourbonnais, an area with mostly fast food, pizza and diners without much ambiance, Koi Asian Bistro stands out. On my next visit, I may even be adventurous and try one of the maki rolls.

Koi Asian Bistro is located at 906 N. Convent Street in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Check the web site for hours and full menu.

Thank you for reading Midwest Wanderer. Don’t miss a post. Enter your e-mail address below and click Subscribe to be notified whenever I publish another post. Subscription is FREE. After subscribing, be sure to click the link when you get the e-mail asking you to confirm.   – Connie