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Boston Market customers irked over long waits for Thanksgiving preordered meals

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
By JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
2 Min Read Nov. 27, 2020 | 5 years Ago
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Boston Market declined Friday to address complaints from customers who said they waited up to three hours to pick up preordered Thanksgiving meals at the Green Tree restaurant.

A restaurant manager in Green Tree referred questions to corporate headquarters, which didn’t respond for comment.

Trib news partner WPXI reported that some people stopped waiting and ordered pizza instead on Thursday.

“We ordered our food in advance. I thought they’d be ready,” customer Paul Barkowitz told WPXI on Thursday. “We paid in advance. I thought we’d walk up here in our 15 minute slot and get our food and be able to leave. From what I understand, they are literally hours behind.”

Customers in other cities across the country had similar complaints.

7News in Miami aired footage of a long line snaking around the block outside of the Boston Market Thursday afternoon.

“If I would have known, I would have cooked this myself at home,” Katherine Cartagena told the Miami news station.

Heather Howard said on Facebook she preordered a meal weeks before Thanksgiving. She was not happy when she arrived at an Austin, Texas, location.

“4 hours I spent in line!!” she wrote. “Finally got the food, brought it home and lo and behold no topping for my sweet potatoes. I believe everyone who picked up from the Austin store deserves a refund! This is ridiculous. I always order my thanksgiving dinners from Boston Market, never again!”

Some Red Lobster customers went through a similar experience in various locations, including Ross, on Mother’s Day. Those mishaps led to a public apology from the chain’s CEO.

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About the Writers

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.

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