All,

I have been eating at the La Madeleine for years, but lately it seems to me that they don't clean things very well. I have pulled silverware from the ready rack and found crusted on food bits attached to them (they did go through the dish washer). I have pulled trays from the ready rack and they were filthy. A week or so back I went into the bathroom in the evening and the paper towel trash can was over flowing and used paper towels were piled around it. Is this just my bad luck, or has something changed with La Madeleine Kingwood? 

Like most businesses these days, man hours have been cut to survive the rising costs of running a business 

all we need now, is a minimum wage of $15.00. 

La Madeleine has needed a good cleaning for awhile now. 

Yep. Nothing to do with cut hours or minimum wage. More likely bad management that isn't training them to clean. Unfortunate, because I like their food. Haven't ordered there since I went to the bathroom, it was disgusting. 

I used to really like their management and staff. It seems to me that they must have changed managers and the staff doesn't seem as happy or upbeat. I used to know them all and they would always greet me and seemed happy to give me extra croutons or help with any little request.

I often buy a salad to go and find it much skimpier now. Their salads aren't cheap so why skimp on a bit of romaine lettuce? 

My last dining experience there was definitely disappointing and unpleasant.
Mrs Peace and I stopped by for dessert and coffee a couple of weeks ago after a lunch date on a day off. The serving counter was filthy. I could see food and trash on the floor both in the dining room as well as on the other side of the serving counter.

At the cash register I noticed signs for 5 different soups but only two vats of soup for serving. If I wanted some, I guess they had a 40% chance of having the soup I would have wanted unless I could identify the type of soup that had spilled and crusted up the sides of both vats.

A customer in front of us in line had just ordered something that no one bothered to put in the oven. So the customer, now pressed for time, felt compelled to change her order for something under the heat lamp.

I was expecting the more pleasant smells of a French bakery inside. But when we sat down, the smell of wet dog was in the air. No pets were in the store, so I guess it could have been a smelly customer that spent the day loving up their dogs. But even as customers came and left, the smell remained. Considering the personal hygiene of the French, I guess some may call that an authentic aroma. 

I also been going to La Madeline since they opened, it was a weekly stop to meet friends for a bite to eat. Lately, I'm guessing within the last 6 months it has taken a turn for the worse!!!! Cleanliness is a must but they are severely lacking, food on utensils, lipstick on glasses, dirty restrooms and the smell of a dirty wet mop lingers......I hope management takes a good look at the issues and their staff, I'd hate to see another place close in KW 

My handbell group used to go on Sunday's between services when we would ring. Due to many of the same reasons we have started going to Skeeters. 

the last time i was there, there was almost no staff- it took forever to get anyone to help us, and we had to find someone to pay- after we ate! We could have easily left- no one seemed to know or care, a there was no one at the register- 

Maybe if they were paid $15/hr they would actually care, and there would be competition for the jobs. Better service, better experience, more customers, higher revenue, and you can afford to pay them.

Those employees in turn have more disposable income, boosting the local economy.

I don't understand why people don't see the bigger picture. On one hand people complain that the service is bad, yet somehow expect that people should wait on you hand and foot. Would you? 

Those employees in turn have more disposable income, boosting the local economy.


Ah yes, another version of Trickle Down Economics. But we're not supposed to call it that when liberals promote this notion, right? If only corporate villains could be forced to increase their labor costs by doubling the wage rates of their slave labor, we would have better run businesses. The problem that needs to be fixed is the need for higher labor costs mandated by law. Makes perfect sense. 

Maybe if they were paid $15/hr they would actually care, and there would be competition for the jobs. Better service, better experience, more customers, higher revenue, and you can afford to pay them.


I guess we can add running a business to the long list of things you know nothing about. 

My wife and I noticed a lack of cleanliness during our visit about a month ago - silverware was not clean, drink counter was dirty and several tables were dirty. We found this surprising and were very disappointed. 

I have noticed a decline in the Kingwood La Madeleine as well. I called in a simple order and was told it would be ready at 12:10. I arrived at 12:15 and my order was not ready. The poor girl working the to go area was trying her best but was completely frazzled. I didn't get my food til 12:50.

The store looks like it needs a deep cleaning.

I think there must have been a management change and it is not for the better. 

Maybe if they were paid $15/hr they would actually care, and there would be competition for the jobs. Better service, better experience, more customers, higher revenue, and you can afford to pay them.

Those employees in turn have more disposable income, boosting the local economy.

I don't understand why people don't see the bigger picture. On one hand people complain that the service is bad, yet somehow expect that people should wait on you hand and foot. Would you??


The service would be even worse if the MW was $15.00 an hour because the business would not be able to keep all the employees. They would have to fire half of their workforce. Half of the employees would not have an income to spend because they would have no job. 

The last time I was at La Madeleine's we just had dessert. The place looked clean, but we were there at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Their desserts are the best. 

Haven't been there since early October. I saw no problems with clean. They have always had good customer service. I also was there at about 1pm for lunch. I don't eat dessert, but sometimes I take it back for my grandchildren. Just in case of germs I always order wine. lol 

Its a franchise. I wonder if the franchise was sold or something. It is always pretty busy so maybe they don't care. If there was a customer service email someone should send them this thread. I worked for a company that ran focus groups just to get this kind of feedback. I would sure want to know if this many people had the same sort of complaint. Someone has dropped the ball and it usually points right back to management. 

When I worked at a chicken joint they had these secret shoppers come in and grade service, food quality, cleanliness,etc... 

I'm confused what minimum wage has to do with dirty utensils?

It sounds like a management issue or an equipment issue, not a wage issue...