Swiss Chalet

First off, let me say that I love Swiss Chalet as a restaurant. It’s actually my favourite place to eat because I grew up eating there (at the old Brampton location, over the bridge from this location — which was WAY cooler because it had all that wood work décor) but I now live in the States, so I only get to eat here once or twice a year.
This review is solely about this location.
Yesterday (Jan 2016) my family visited this location and sat down to have a weekend lunch time meal. There was a small crowd when we arrived (less than 50 people in the restaurant). We requested a table for 5 adults and one baby (high chair). We were asked if we wanted a booth with a high chair — to which my party asked if 5 adults would fit in a booth. They quickly changed their plans («oh, 5 adults?») and showed us to a table set for 5 adults and a kids menu.
No problem.
I held my 2 year old daughter and waited for the high chair to arrive. After about 2 minutes of standing and waiting, my mother decided she would just go grab one — not knowing that they lock together. When she struggled with it for only 30 seconds, someone noticed and came to help. She brought it over and we all got seated.
Ok, no problem.
10 minutes or so later, we were asked if we wanted to start with drinks or just go ahead and order. We placed our order because for the most part, we’re boring and always get the same thing. 5 Chicken Dinners with Salads, two sides of fries and one order of Chicken & Pasta.
15 minutes later, the cold drinks arrived but no coffee (we only ordered one). We were informed that they were making a fresh pot.
Again, no problem.
10 minutes later, we asked if the coffee was ready — to which she clearly told us she forgot and that it would be out immediately.
5 minutes later, the coffee arrives.
About 15 minutes later we are told that the meal is coming right out — but the pasta wasn’t ready yet. We tell her that’s fine and to bring whatever was ready out.
10 minutes later, all the food arrives, including the pasta. All of it cold, including the two sides of fries we ordered (which arrived individually, 4 minutes apart). The exception was the Chalet dipping sauce. It was hot. My wife who worked in the food industry said that the pasta was likely the hold up and all the other dishes were sitting ready while they made it.
The other thing I noticed was the oddly small sized chicken portions. The meals are $ 10+ — so I figured you’d receive at least $ 4 or $ 5 worth of chicken… but these poor chicks… they were the runts of the litter, I guess — which is funny because all you hear about is how chickens are demanded to grow faster and bigger than ever.
Now, to be fair, I enjoyed visiting with my family, colouring with my daughter and feeding her crackers. I know it’s not entirely the servers fault, or the chefs fault, but YIKES. I am ultra passive when it comes to complaining, but I’m I know my parents won’t be returning to this location because of how disappointing it was. We did notice that during the Sunday afternoon rush — there was an odd amount of empty seats for Swiss Chalet — even as the lunch hour continued — which might indicate that others have had similar experiences — or maybe it was just a slow day… we have to give the benefit of the doubt, right?
Slow service (1 ¼ hour from enter to exit) and cold food. Sad because I really like Swiss Chalet. They are normally Aces — like the one in Sarnia, ON — which I sometimes cross the boarder to go to when I am in the neighborhood… but this one, I would not recommend it.

I’m not surprised this location has such poor reviews. It is literally the worst Swiss Chalet I have ever been to. The worst!
Let’s go through the deficiencies:
1. Poor service — We waited about ten minutes at the front for a host to seat us. It was not busy. The problem was no one was checking the front. It took about 15 minutes for our server to take our drink orders (by that time we were ready to order so we did that at the same time). It took about 45 minutes to get our food. Again, they were not busy! Our server never checked in to see how things were. And it took about 20 minutes of us sitting in front of empty plates for our server to finally come over and ask whether we wanted dessert or the cheque.
2. Burnt ribs — The photo of the burnt rib from one of the other reviewers is spot-​on. That’s what my ribs looked like. Meat? Nope. Charcoal more like. Ribs should not be dry, desiccated and crispy with overall blackened surfaces. WTF are you guys doing to these ribs? Stop it!
3. Crappy wings — We tried their new chicken wings. These must have been pheasant wings. They were so small. And over cooked? You betcha.
4. Dried out coleslaw — I normally love Swiss Chalet coleslaw. I could eat a bucketful. But this stuff was dry, old, and tasteless. How can you ruin Swiss Chalet coleslaw? Seriously, WTF are you guys doing?

My luck for restaurants suck lately! Burnt ribs, dry chicken, gross fries! I am not impressed anymore :(maybe my standards for spending $ 50 is high but really? Not impressed they are serving dried chicken and this is what Swiss Chalet is known for! Embarrassed for you! I tried talking to the manager but he was a useless tit if I’m allowed to write tit lol

Fries were great, as usual. I had a craving for their delicious, fall off the bone ribs so I paid the big bucks and had the quarter chicken & half rack of back ribs combo. The ribs were overcooked and tough while the chicken was tiny. My wife’s chicken parmesan and daughters chicken strips were also overcooked. Our order was taken promptly but we waited forever for the food. Arrived at the restaurant at 6:15 and barely made it to an 8:00 show at the theater 10 minutes away. I’ve had takeout from here and never had issues. Probably won’t dine in again.

I grew up with Swiss Chalet. Perhaps I’m stuck in the era where our parents’ generation keeps reminding us of how going to the movies used to cost 25 cents.
So maybe its unfair to give the following comment, but having given hundreds of dollars (if not thousands) to Swiss Chalet for over 15 years, I am constantly disappointed of the shrinking chickens and increased price. I know I know, inflation… sigh.
That being said, 3 stars was NOT for the above. The restaurant itself is not bad. We were greeted by three hostesses/​waitresses that didn’t have a single smile on their face, but at least when we arrived to our table there was a cheerful girl that served us. I mean, it’s only Swiss Chalet… right?
Nothing spectacular with this place. Location is convenient as its off the highway. Taste is consistent. Fries are always delicious.
If Swiss Chalet is what you want, this place works just as all the other ones around town!