10.03.2007

Little Red is back!

I'd like to think my emails to various Customer Service departments really have an impact. Hey, I got a $5 free coupon for any General Mills product because I asked Honey Combs if they'd changed their recipe and if they had....well....it was only 10% as good as it used to be. So I guess companies do take my complaints to heart.
But it's not that I'm a complainer (at least I hope not). I just think companies would appreciate some free (unsolicited) market research! Right? Husband? Casey? (who works in that field).
Well, to get to the point....I'm happy to report that Del Taco has brought BACK the small red/green burrito! If you remember from my stupid posts a while back, I had called their customer service to ask why they took it off the menu (you can only call humans there, no email. It's grand). From a business perspective, I think they were trying to get all their "small" burrito fans to just purchase the $.99 larger version and the company would pocket the extra 20 cents. Well, I guess they sort of got their 20 cents, since my sister and I continued to pay $.99 at the counter, but requested that they make it a small size burrito (they still have the supplies for the small burritos there, since it comes in the kids meal).
Last week, however, my sister and I went to a Del Taco in Orange County. I got ready for my "can you make it small" speech, but the lady simply pushed a button on the register and "$.79" popped up! What?! The burrito was back?! Yep, she said, the company put it back on the menu.
So there you have it folks. If there's something you love, it's worth fighting for. And it's worth voicing your concerns. If only Breyers Ice Cream had listened to me and Casey 2 years ago. Peanut Butter Fudge would still be in freezers across America. I'm not going to think about it.

14 comments:

Jean said...

Hooray!!! Way to fight the power!!! So, where is a Del Taco around here, anyway? We should all go this weekend to celebrate. :-)

Brittany said...

El Pollo Loco put their Black Bean Burritos back on the menu, as well. Or maybe it's just a regular BRC updated with smokey black beans. Either way, my family is estatic. We've been eating those for years. It's really the only fast food I've ever actually looked forward to eating and even craved. El Pollo Loco took their black beans off the menu entirely after Hurricane Katrina. I sent a few emails... I hope that contributed to the comeback. I think I ate 5 of them last week in California.

dana said...

Well Jean, there are two Del Tacos here in Pasadena. One near Target on Union/Lake. And one on Foothill and Madre. I really think I've built your expectations up too much. But let me just say that is far superior to Taco Bell. Worth trying at least once :)

dana said...

Brittany, I couldn't agree more about your BRC and black beans comments. My family went through a 6 year El Pollo Loco craze. I think we ate there every day for lunch in the summer. BRC (Beans, Rice, Cheese...for those who aren't familiar) and a drink for lunch. Mmmmm. And I was always the family member to get the black beans. Again, for those who don't go there, their black beans are sweetened with some sort of brown sugar or something. I know, sounds strange, but they are super yummy. I'm so glad you sent them emails! I applaud everyone who takes a moment to let companies know how they feel. Congrats on the Black Bean Burrito return!

Jean said...

Oh, don't worry Dana, I've been to Del Taco before in Provo, so I know what to expect. (Heh heh.) But I must admit, $.79 for a small taco is pretty sweet!!

dana said...

Oh phew. Okay. Good.
Just make sure you get a little "burrito" and not a "taco"...or your $.79 will be no good :)

the bates motel said...

way to stand up for what you believe in :)! ha ha. fun for you!

debra said...

Good for you for complaining/commenting to the misc. companies! I've been dubbed the family "complainer" because I am always more than willing to voice a concern of mine if something isn't right--- and I have to admit that 9 times out of 10, they work with me and do what I ask!

I'm gonna have to try the black bean BRC- I've never had it and I love El Pollo! They need to come to Utah... I think that will be my next "complaint"!

Take care!

dietcokegrrl said...

El Pollo Loco is our family favorite! Hannah and I LOVE their BRCs, Sammy loves the quesadillas (and you can't beat the price, $1.09!) and Samuel also loves the black bean BRCs as well. He was so sad when they were gone from the menu. I think it may be BBQ sauce that they add to make their "Smoky Black Beans". That's what it tastes like to me.

I am sorry to say that I am NOT a fan of Del Taco, the four times I have been there the food was so gross--even the quesadillas were yucky. Am I ordering the wrong thing? Or just going to wrong locations? Maybe I'll try your recommendation of the small red burrito and report back.

dietcokegrrl said...

Oh, I almost forgot. What is with the new recipe for Honey Comb? It is soooo gross!! It tastes stale! I randomly bought it a few months ago because it sounded good and I kept thinking is this stale or did they change the recipe? I'm glad you called--I hope you told them it sucked.

Mark said...

The Del Taco here in Provo is so slow after midnight, so I called and complained and they gave Sara and I a free meal. Ahhhh yeeeah....free Chicken Soft Tacos!

dana said...

Don't worry, Dietcokegirl...Casey would agree with you that Del Taco is not all that. I guess I just really like their Spicy Jack Quesadillas and (duh) their small red burritos. But it IS still fast food. I'm sure you're not really missing out.
As for El Pollo Loco, yes, it is by far a more quality food. Although Del Taco has better drinks (you'll appreciate that) and some Del Tacos have play yards, which Lucy likes. But maybe El Pollo Loco deserves equal representation here on the blog, with their own posting. Hmmm..

And yes, I'm so glad you agree with the Honeycombs! I've never been a huge fan, but sometimes they sound good. But the last box I bought was YUCK. And yes, I told them it was YUCK. They admitted to changing their recipe. And I hope their sales go down because of it. Why change a good thing?

The Paske Family said...

I also noticed this Honeycomb problem. I am a cereal lover and we didn't even finish the box. The texture was all wrong. If they want to change the recipe they should just make a new brand of cereal as a test. For those of you who use Pampers Cruisers, they also changed their formula. The diapers are way linty (if that's a word). I sent them an email and they sent me a $20 coupon. It pays to complain--they can't trick all of us!

dana said...

Wow, I love all the response on this posting. Sarah, I'm so glad you noticed the honeycombs too. Yes, it was the texture. I thought it was really grainy.
And I'm so glad you got $20 from Pampers. Great stuff!