Gingerbread House

If I could give this place no stars I would! Ok for starters the food is mediocre but if its the only carry out place to go to you make do. But today was the last day that place will never ever get any business from me. I always felt that some of the staff was rude but I brushed it off I am from the city I am kinda used to not so good customer service. The last straw came when I went in to order just a ice cream cone and was ignored while they served the other  guest. The woman behind the counter didnt even attempt to acknowledge me she served a guy behind me and then just walked off saying nothing. Im an not trying to accuse this place of being redneck but I felt very unwelcome and the fact that all the other " white" patrons were served and I was left there to look like a fool angered me very much. Save your money and eat in Salem.

Why 1 star rating after a one time visit?  Im a contractor and a foodie from SF. I am also new to the Cascade area working. Stopping at least 1 a week for breakfast burritos, lunch burgers, and yes the Gingerbread shakes during the week. I think its pretty descent. Not nearly as good as Trexler Farms. Breakfast burritos kick ass. Weekends tend to have less quality food because of a change in staff, often with many restaurants. Yes the fat burger patties are frozen, but they do offer buffalo burgers and curly fries.

My thanks to Connie A. for suggesting I give GH a re-look. I'm always up for having a new look at a clunker to see if improvements have been made. I probably would not have made the drive from Salem just for the purpose, but I found the trip worthwhile to sample Your Country Kitchen just across the river in Lyons.

Since I was in the neighborhood I popped in for a small soft cone here (My dad, back in the day, couldn't drive by this place without stopping to have one.) and to observe the service to see if it had, in fact, improved.

The first thing I noticed was that the handy walk-up outside order window was buttoned up. The next thing I noticed was the front door could really benefit from a bottle of 409 and a rag which would triple their chances of making a good first impression. I walked in and up to the counter upon which a sign was prominently taped that read: "Please do not set your child on this counter!" Okeydoke. I asked an unenthusiastic young woman if the walk-up window was closed for good. She explained that they only use it when they get busy. The familiar feeling that employee and not customer convenience is paramount here was creeping back into my mind.

I took my tiny ($1.90) cone and sat down at a table to see what might unfold. There was one other fellow having lunch. Soon a matronly lady emerged from the kitchen. Another brought her a plate of food and sat down with her. The mood in the place was as if under a black cloud. None of the three women working there gave the tiniest impression that they were happy to be there. Indeed, had they been able to muster the energy, I think one or all of them might have bolted and ran.

Gingerbread house has been there as long as I can remember. It's an institution and landmark for canyon travelers and will no doubt be there when I'm on the dirty side of the daisies. Even so, when a restaurant takes its eye off the customer service ball and the employees lack any semblance of enthusiasm, it costs them money.

Unless I hear that a new attitude is afoot, I probably will not be back any time soon.