Dairy Queen

This one is a mini-​Dq, leasing space in a gas station, along with a subway sandwich. They don’t have a complete DQ menu, but what they have is as good as any DQ we have eaten at before. Was great to eat there after a long day of driving…

I remember going to DQ as a kid but I don’t ever recall their banana splits being worthy of a Unilocal review. However, let me tell you, hubby and I LOVE these little dessert bowls of yummy sweet goodness and we can’t stop talking about it. There’s something about the three little perfect swirls of soft serve ice cream topped with pineapple, hot fudge and strawberry and whip cream, sandwiched between perfectly ripened bananas that we drool over every time we are at the river. This has been an evening staple for us when we are in the area and will return multiple times during the same trip.
Selection is typical of a normal DQ, they have ice cream cakes, and other frozen treats in the freezer case that you can purchase. You can also place special order cakes (which seems a little weird because they are located at a gas station).
There’s sometimes a short wait since it’s fairly small so there is limited staff, but we like that they are open late and that there’s indoor seating available at Subway. Cashier is always friendly and service is quick.

Awful customer service today, I couldn’t understand what the dude (certainly not a gentlemen) at the counter was saying he was quiet talked fast and rushed me. they ignored me and my questions when I first walked up, then he canceled my order and I said yes to my sons meal not yes to canceling it. After not getting my meal, he got a BIG attitude offered nothing, didn’t apologize, no compensation, what’s so ever turned his back on me literally shrugged me off with has hand and walked away, then I called manager he had a big attitude like this is my fault he reluctantly offered to compensate, I said no they would probably spit in my food after the attitude they gave me, he said this convo is done and hung up wow. No wonder this place is so awful apple doesn’t fall far from tree. I’ve never had such awful customer service ever and I worked at dairy queen as a kid never have dealt with nonsense or customer care like this. I’m not looking for a free meal I want appropriate cooperation and service.

Very friendly, professional, alert and fast! Based on the previous reviews it our experience was completely the opposite. We were given what we ordered in a quick manner and back on the road in no time. Thanks Dairy Queen!!!

I went here my first time two weeks ago, nice place. People who there I can tell love their job :-D

During a road trip a couple of weeks ago, we stopped by and patronized this Dairy Queen for a quick break and snack before continuing out trip. We got what we ordered, or not. One of our favorites from DQ was a banana split ($ 4.99). We also had a shake, and a Blizzard. Everything was okay except for the banana split. The banana split looked like a deflated mess of whip cream with only a smidgeon of ice cream underneath (as detected when we dug the spoon in the whip cream), sitting in a pool of liquid (water, milk, melted ice cream? Yuk). Evidently, we were not happy with this concoction they called their banana split. It did not even look like their picture of a banana split. Certainly, this was justification to go to the cashier to complain. However, since it was busy, we opted to leave and dispose of their banana split concoction.
Despite this incident, I should be rating them with one or zero stars. Rather than going up to make a scene regarding our dissatisfaction, we left and made note of the incident. This DQ had predominantly young people working for them, and may not be very experienced in handling and juggling a number of issues when it is busy. As a former restaurateur, I understand that some managers (particularly if they are young) may also not be aware of problems until customers bring it up. I have nothing against young people because we were all young once. I just believe that mistakes do happen more among young and inexperienced workers. (Wisdom will develop as maturity and experience develops.) Given this, managers should monitor workers more frequently and closely, and conduct more periodic evaluations.
Among most unsatisfied customers, the majority of the general public will not bring up issues of dissatisfaction; they just do not come back and some will write a negative review.
Based upon our personal experience, (since I do no reside in the area,) I decided to contact the DQ corporation after our trip and described our complaint. The company listened to our complaint and made the matter even worst by issuing us a $ 3.00 gift card for a bad $ 4.99 banana split. Does this sound like an insult to you? It’s like giving a server a penny tip. $ 3.00 doesn’t even cover the cost of gas to go to DQ. Very, very petty and insulting. I feel sorry for the franchisees that is represented by the DQ corporation. What the DQ corporation should have done is take care of the dissatisfied customer «satisfactorily», and then relay this to the franchisee. I followed up with another contact to the DQ corporation regarding this insulting gesture of their $ 3.00 gift card to cover a bad $ 4.99 purchase and they contacted me back and said that it’s the franchisee responsibility to make good with the customer. (passing the buck) Evidently, the DQ corporation did not want to deal with dissatisfied customers, and pushing it back to the franchisee. They told me that they will forward my complaint to the franchisee who is 700 miles away. The DQ corporation should be ashamed to represent their franchisees is this manner.
Subsequently, I received a personal phone call from the «manager» of this Needles, CA DQ restaurant. Her name is Vanessa Wilsong. Vanessa was very sincere (and apologetic), and appalled to discover how DQ handled this matter from the DQ corporate level. She read the transcript and transmittal where DQ offered me a $ 3 gift card to compensate for a bad $ 4.99 purchase. (And these are people who work at the corporate level who deals with consumers.)
Overall, this was not Vanessa’s fault. DQ corporation made her look bad by insulting one of her customers (me). In fact, Vanessa has become the victim of her franchisor (DQ corporate) who is suppose to look out for her best interest. Overall, I have detected that Vanessa’s ambition, as manager, was to take care of her customers. She gratefully offered us a $ 15 gift card for the trouble we went through.
In my eyes, Vanessa is young, but she has demonstrated to me as a rising star in the management arena, for she has the compassion to make a business successful and understands that the foundation of her business’ success, no matter if that customer lives in town, or a traveler.
I am rating this location with five stars because I know where Vanessa’s heart is at to help her DQ succeed. Sadly, the company did her a disfavor. I am confident, over time, Vanessa will be in the corporate arena to train those current «less-​than-​competent» people up there that success is developed by satisfying and delivering customers with one high quality banana split at a time.
There is no substitution (or excuses) for great customer satisfaction.
Go Vanessa Wilsong! You are doing a great job!

Slooooooow service and messed up my order and were not pleasant about fixing it. Another customer came up while I was standing there to bring back chicken fingers that were seriously under cooked (almost looked raw!). She also had under cooked and soggy fries. This place is in serious need of good management and training. Good staffing is a must — even for a DQ in a gas station!

Nice young people work here so it makes visit nicer and ice cream taste better! It’s in a little shop with a Subway and convenience store. :)

Slow and incompetent. Waited for 12 minutes for a dipped cone and they gave me the wrong ice cream. Meanwhile, an employee is audibly berating her junior. They messed up the order of the family in front of me, too. Avoid this!

Another one of the Dairy Queens I’ve been to in the past month that seems to have completely forgotten how to make a Chocolate Extreme Blizzard. They brought me something that looked like a Vanilla Blizzard with a few chunks of chocolate in it. I asked them to remake it, which they did. They weren’t happy about it but they weren’t nasty either. It was a waste of time, energy, and ingredients. Just make it right the first time. If you are low on chocolate syrup and need to refill, tell the customer that so they will know there will be a bit of a delay but serve the product correctly!