AL
Andrew Laguna
Jun 3, 2026
First off, the ice cream is good, which is the reason for the one star.
Let me preface this by saying that my wife has Lupus. People with Lupus who are outdoors, even in vehicles, cannot be in the sun for long periods of time, it makes them physically ill.
So when we come into DQ in Catalina, we go through the drive thru. It's just quicker and less sun exposing. I have my own set of medical issues, not as bad as my wife, but not great none the less.
Coming into DQ in Catalina, AZ, the drive thru was blocked by the delivery semi truck, as seen in the picture.
I decided to back into the drive thru. Not like anyone is coming through. Nothing saying the drive thru was closed. Keeps my wife from sitting in the truck any longer than necessary.
The on duty manager, who was sitting at the front looking like she was having a smoke, but not for sure on that, gets up and says as I'm backing in, "Well that's another way around it. "
I laughed because I thought she was joking around.
I back in to the order box, and hear, "welcome to Dairy Queen, can I take your order?" I give her my order, and hear, "uhm, I can't do that. " Expecting to hear the machine was down, INSTEAD, I hear "because you backed into the drive thru."
I laughed, thinking they were kidding, and noted I wanted a small as I hadn't said that. Then I hear, again, "I still can't do that because you backed into the drive thru. "
Clearly, the on duty manager was irked that I backed in, and had her student employee inform me of this instead of doing it herself.
This delivery truck had AN ENTIRE PARKING LOT to park in. Instead, and with the obvious permission of the on duty manager, they park in the drive thru.
Then, when I back into the drive thru, again, not like anyone could get in, I get "Can I help you? NO, I can't help you. "
Now, I got upset and left, but was talked into going back and going in to talk to the on duty manager. Except she sees me parking, AND LEAVES no where to be found. I'm not looking all over for her, and I'm not going to complain to a kid that was clearly told to do this.
This is such SUCH sorry service, I don't know what to say. I have s few theories WHY this manager did this, but I can't shoot out accusations that are just speculated, and not investigated and provable FACT.
The student employee did her job, I'm not going to allow the morning manager to throw her under the bus. There was ZERO reason for this, and not everyone has something devious at work for backing into a spot that no one is driving forward into, and isn't blocked and had no signage saying the drive thru is closed.
I won't be going back. It's next to impossible to complain to the owner, you can't do it in the app, the manager disappeared, and I walked out without the receipt because I was never OFFERED a receipt.
I'll look around to let the owner know this and a few other things he will not appreciate that I factually know from past and current employees who shall remain nameless for now. But I will not be going back, and for that, I'm sorry, but I won't be treated crappy without explanation by an ice cream shop.