I'm a long-time customer of Texas Lil's and it's terrible that I'm stuck writing this report. Previously, I've thought their service was good, their food was fair, and their prices were reasonable. Today's experience changed ALL of that with only one visit and it was because of the Manager, Richard at Texas Lil's no less.
I was taking some employees from our company out for lunch as a reward and Texas Lil's was the chosen spot. We'd just ordered our food and one of the employees was having some trouble with the sun and was hoping to adjust a shade to avoid the sunlight. Before she even had a chance to make any adjustment, Richard came swooping in, yelling at her to stop touching the shades. We didn't know his name at the time and were a bit shocked at his sudden pronouncement and the force with which he was talking to us without even so much as introducing himself.
He then growled at her and gnarled out something about only management should touch the shades because she might break them and told her she should sit down. When she meekly asked him to make a slight adjustment he mumbled something about not being able to cover the area she needed and stormed off. This alone was VERY odd and we all discussed it, but were willing to leave it alone and move on with our meal.
Not fifteen minutes later, while eating our food, Richard comes flying out of the restaurant, pointing his finger and acting very aggressively. He yelled at her that she can't have her shoes off and she needs to "PUT THEM ON IMMEDIATELY" or she'll be asked to leave... We couldn't believe it! She'd had some sandals or something on (casual Friday) and had slipped them off with her FEET ON TOP OF THE SHOES while she was eating her meal! Richard quipped that it wasn't sanitary and other guests don't appreciate it: "That's why we have rules here."
She again complied as requested without any argument or frustration on her part.By this time, we were completely aghast at the situation. She was terribly embarrassed about everything and we were embarrassed for her as well. We've all been to Texas Lil's before and had NEVER seen something even close to this before at ANY restaurant we'd been to. We spent the rest of our meal discussing how crazy the situation was and apologizing to our co-worker as to the terrible treatment she'd received. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that Richard was specifically targeting her. (Is Richard a racist? Sexist? Never found out the answer)
I went in to see if there was an owner or General Manager I could talk to and Richard came running over to "greet" me. He grabbed for the bill and cash I had in my hand and I first explained I'd like to talk to the General Manager or Owner. He snorted that there was nobody else to talk to and that he was it. I explained to him how this appeared from our perspective and he proceeded to tell me, "That's why we have rules. If you don't like it, you don't have to be here."
I explained to Richard I've been to Texas Lil's quite a bit and that I would not be coming back if this is how they like to run things. He made it very apparent that he didn't care and when I mentioned the owner, he told me that they would completely back him and that "he had witnesses". Witnesses! I left a good tip for our waitress as I really pity any woman that would have to put up with Richard's craziness.
I was appalled at the service we received from Richard at Texas Lil's in Temecula California. If you're looking to get some food in Old Town Temecula, please make sure to avoid this place and if you do get stuck going there, try to avoid Richard the manager if at all possible. I really like Old Town Temecula, but I'll be avoiding Texas Lil's and will encourage my friends to avoid this terrible restaurant management as well.
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