Depends on your nationality

Reviewed by thezippy on Wed, 02/16/2011 - 11:54
thezippy's picture thezippy
thezippy
Joined: Dec 24, 2007
Posts: 40
Review of Lily's American Diner
3

I've eaten in Lilly's a few times, and have ordered from them numerous times over the last year or so.

The quality of the food is decent. It ain't great - there's almost always some other place in Beijing that does it much better - whether its pizza, or a burger or mexican. BUT... its serviceable, convenient, and their delivery service is near flawless.

That said, I hate to play the race card, but its happened too many times not to comment. If I call and place an order... no problem. I've always experienced nice, polite service. Even with the language difference. If my Chinese GF places the order... without fail, whomever she speaks with is rude. They bust her chops on the order, or the address, or SOMETHING. One time, she even got scolded for having an old delivery menu. Um... yeah, cuz its our job as customers to keep up to date with your freaking menus.

No idea what that's about, since Lily's Chinese. And I know this isn't unique to us. I know of at least 3 other Chinese who've been treated rudely at Lily's on several occasions.

I don't run a competing restaurant - this isn't a case of sour grapes or something. See my review history. I'm just telling it like we've experienced it, and like several other people have told me that they did, too.

Comments

markjw9855's picture markjw9855 Submitted by Guest on Wed, 02/16/2011 - 13:47

Interesting - enjoy your reviews. I have noticed a pretty healthy mix and equality of service when I go in the diner. Seems to always have a good neighborhood vibe inside.

It could be sort of a culture trap that often pops up, reminds me of---

"Seven Pillars of Wisdom" T.E. Lawrence.

"I was sent to these Arabs as a stranger, unable to think their thoughts or subscribe their beliefs, but charged by duty to lead them forward and to develop to the highest any movement of theirs profitable to England and her war. If I could not assume their character, I could at least conceal my own, and pass among them without evident friction, neither a discord nor a critic, but an unnoticed influence."

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