Friday, September 16, 2022

Sunday Post #470




What a week. My mom had a procedure but she's doing much better now. I didn't have a lot of time to blog or post. I hope this next week will be more back to normal. Also I had some more results last week for the sandwich choices. The Fellowship of Cheeses is far and away a favorite, and even though the menu's hard to read some of you made your pizza picks also. The Dragon Feast got a vote (I've had it- delicious) and so did the spinach pizza, the Elven favorite (pepperoni, mushrooms, ham and green pepper), the Health Nut pizza as well as the Garden of Eatin'. Faramir's Favorite and the Bag end BLT got some love too. I think I'd like to try the Recommended by Rhadagast too if they were still around...  

I was at Taco Bell this week and it's changed. The counter is gone, it's been replaced by a smaller counter that apparently is closed all the time and there are signs directing you to use the kiosks. Apparently that's how you order now. And I know drive through has always come first, more or less, but now they make your order whenever they feel like it, apparently, AFTER the drive through and certainly after the DoorDash guy who came in AFTER you. I get that we have Covid changes, and to be honest I may be behind the times- another blogger this week told me she is Team Kiosk because avoiding humans and having proof they actually screwed your order is nice- so maybe I'm just getting old.   

laugh laughing GIF by Madelaine Petsch


 

   Song of the week


PULP COVER OF THE WEEK: 





72 comments:

  1. That's good that the food was good. :) LOTR inspired food I am sure tastes good.
    Also I love the Pink Panther theme.
    -Quinley

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  2. Oh, Greg, I hope all is well with you these days. And your Mom is doing well too. Oh.. COOL ZERO I definitely need to read that one!


    Caitlin&Megan
    Ivy&Ellie
    Carefully Listening
    Ellie
    The Book Group
    Holly&Stevie
    Cherry Blossoms
    Better Left Unsaid

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    1. Yes, you are right about that being Christina Ricci.

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  3. I wonder if the Taco Bell by me has gone kiosk, too. I'm not a fan, but what can you do? I hope your mom is doing well! Enjoy your weekend, Greg. :D

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  4. Glad your mom's procedure went well. I haven't been to a Taco Bell in ages so I didn't know about the kiosks. I guess in the age of Covid less contact is a good thing, but feeling like all other orders are taking precedence is pretty lame.

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  5. Glad to hear your mum is on the mend and better :-D

    We have a Taco Bell, it only opened last week. Not been in, I checked their menu and don't think they cater for me!

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  6. You are making me wish we had a Hobbit themed restaurant here. Do you know why yours closed? 🤔

    We've always gotten printed receipts with fast food purchases. Don't they do that in some states? 🤔

    Sorry your mother had to have a procedure. I hope shes back to 100% now. 👍

    Have a wonderful new week. ☀

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  7. When any fast food food around me goes kiosk, I'll be avoiding them.
    Bloody machines already have enough power, no need to give them even more.
    When Skynet arrives, he will not arrive with the thunder of guns and T800's mercilessly mowing us down with lazer guns. No, he will simply poison every piece of food within reach of his processes and watch us die by the millions and possibly billions.

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  8. Esperó que tu madre se mejore. Adoro la pantera rosa. Buena portada, te mando un beso.

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  9. I hope your mother continues to get better. I like the kiosks in fast food now as I feel like I can take my time and figure out what I want. I don't like to talk to the counter people anyway. But, it's true that drive thru and door dash get priority.

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  10. For some reason, I am recollecting using kiosks when I was in a McDonalds in Paris a while back (over ten years ago). It's how they employ less people. Now, I think you order ahead on the apps and just pick up too, no? Glad mom is doing well, and I hope she has a speedy recovery

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  11. Glad to hear that your mom is ok Dear Greg! Have a wonderful weekend. Greetings.

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  12. Good luck to your mom with her recovery! I can't remember the last time I went to Taco Bell but it's sort of sad that things have changed so much. McDonalds has those kiosks too but you can also go up to the counter and order. Have a good week, Greg!

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  13. Glad your mom is doing ok after the procedure. So many changes now post Covid. We went to a McDonalds over the summer and ordered at the kiosk which was weird. I still prefer the drive-thrus. Hope you have a nice week ahead.

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  14. I hope your mom continues to heal and do better. Taco Bell still serves you at the counter here BUT i haven;t been in several months so, could be they are back to the covid distancing way to order,

    I'd love to go to Bilbo's and get pizza and a sandwich one day. We had a Hobbit Hoagies in north Florida a while back but the menu wasn't this extensive. I used ot live near Lansing in Owosso. My sister worked in Flint and we were half way between Lansing & Flint.

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  15. If I go to inside the restaurant, I want to deal with a real person. I don't mind ordering on apps or online and then picking up curbside. I just don't want to deal with a kiosk at the store. I tried one in McDonald's and it was so cumbersome. Plus, I couldn't customize my order and I ALWAYS customize my order. Onions or pickles, no thanks! LOL.

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    1. I also forgot to mention that I'm glad your mom's procedure went well and that she's doing better. I hope she continues to heal! :D

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  16. Wow - a vintage Michael Crichton. That Michael Crichton? Good cover. And, I agree - real person always. The kiosk solution is like the business is taking away all the customer service and making the customer do EVERYthing - including giving them money. I kinda have the same feeling about self check out in stores. It saves them money (less employees) but they STILL raise prices. Hmmmm Have a great week - hope some version of normal is ahead for you.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
    https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/sunday-post-16

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  17. So glad that your mom is doing better!
    The kiosks... I have a love/hate relationship with them. Are they permanent? That's what I need to know!

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  18. We have not been in a Taco Bell in years, the changes do sound frustrating and weird. Glad your mom is doing better. I hope this week is better for you.

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  19. I mean, I much prefer an app to a kiosk, in fairness. It goes like this: App>Kiosk>Person. But Kioski Versus Person is a no-brainer for me, mostly because you A) Don't have to talk to a rando and hope they don't get your order wrong; and B) Can take as much time as you need to figure out what you want/don't want. Gotta make sure any and all onions are nowhere near my food, you see.

    I want to understand where people are coming from in terms of speaking to a person (except the person who thinks kiosks are... checks notes... taking over the world? I don't actually want to understand that at all), but I just do not. I will still be friendly when they give me my shit! I just... don't want to talk about the food 😂

    Glad your mom is on the mend, too!

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  20. I haven't been to Taco Bell in ages! I've always been a fan of avoiding people but the pandemic really sealed it. I will keep in mind to stick to the drive thru next time I have Taco Bell though! I'm glad your mother is doing well after the procedure and hope you have a relaxing week!

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  21. Our McDonald's drive thru has an AI taking your order and like speaking to Alexas it can be downright annoying. We almost never go to the grocery store since it's all self check out and instead signed up to have orders delivered. I will ask my son if he has seen the changes at Taco Bell. He loathes the order menus inside McDonald's

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  22. I am glad your mom is doing well after her procedure. I haven't been inside a Taco Bell in awhile. I wonder if part of the reasoning behind the kiosks is a staffing issue. I'm torn about whether I like the idea or not. I prefer drive thrus personally though, so there's that. I hope you have a good week, Greg!

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  23. I'm glad your mom's procedure is behind her and she's doing well!

    Ordering via kiosks is not something I've encountered yet!

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  24. I make my own tacos these days. Taco Bell is a shadow of its former self. I loved the names of all the menu choices at Bilbo's! Here is my Sunday Post: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2022/09/17/sundaypost-beaches-sunsets-and-pelicans/

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  25. Another thought on kiosks and self serve checkouts. We should get 10% off for doing their job for them. I don't want to work there. I just want a taco.

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  26. Glad your mum is doing better.

    Ergh I hate kiosks. McDonalds these days is so confusing - you can order by app on your phone, food delivery services, drive through and a screen in store - I assume it's the same everywhere not just here in the UK. Honestly it is no longer fast food. I don't know how the staff keep up with it all!

    Have a great weekend!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/09/18/sunday-post-49/

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  27. Both have written about Crichton this week. Hope your mum is getting better. Regards.

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  28. Hope your mum continues to recover well

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  29. Taco Bell has started to appear in the UK, though I haven't actually gone into one yet. Hope your mum stays well too.

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  30. I must be old too because I prefer talking to someone when I am making my order. I think Covid gave fast food a reason to not do anything in their lobbies to avoid people or having to clean and do their jobs. We went to a Long John Silvers during Covid times through the drive thru of course as that is the only way you could and the guy there was like I like the lobby being closed I don't have to clean up after people...so there you have it. :)

    Hope your mom is on the mend!
    Have a great week and happy reading!
    Stormi
    Week in Review

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  31. I am glad that your mother is doing well. Hopefully this week is more of a return to normal for you all.

    I must be old too. That sounds like crazy talk to order at Taco Bell like that. Lol. I would be confused and pushing buttons and some high schooler would probably have to come help me like I am 100 years old.

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  32. I am glad to know that your mom is doing better Greg! But I love going to the restaurant to relax and meet people. Otherwise I'd stay home and order takeway!

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  33. So glad your mum is doing well! I honestly don't know where I stand when it comes to all the kiosks...

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  34. I'm happy to hear that your mother is recovering.

    Pizza? I should be eating healthier, but right now I'm enjoying a few pieces of cheese pizza.

    I had no idea Michael Crichton wrote crime pulp. Hey, today I learnt something new.

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  35. While I do prefer self checkout at stores, I've learned the kiosks at restaurants don't let you do any special changes half the time, or aren't up to date on new offerings. I hate all the changes since Covid. Ugh. Glad your mom is doing good! I love that Michael Crichton pulp novel, never heard of it before! Have a great week.
    Lisa Loves Literature

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  36. I'm happy to hear your mom is doing well! I've never been to a Taco Bell before, as we don't have any here, but I've heard them so many references to them, I quite like to go one day, although the service doesn't sound like a joyous experience. Sadly I've experienced similar situations in regular restaurants here as well, they give priority to take out, it seems. Very annoying if you have to sit and wait for more than an hour before you get your order.

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  37. I hope your Mom continues to do better. Some of the places, I've noticed this with Wendy's, just don't do inside the place anymore it's all drive-through. I'm ok with that. We're still being careful and not going inside anyway.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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  38. Wishing your Mother all the best. Well, we are going into fall and winter again and it seems that some of us get scared again with a new covid variant emerging. Have a great new week, Greg.

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  39. Fast food is becoming a dying breed. My little brother works at McDonald's and hardly anyone come in there. I think people just want healthier food.

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  40. I do love a kiosk. Like the blogger you talked to, I also like to avoid human interaction. I use kiosks or mobile ordering now whenever I'm at any fast food restaurant tbh.

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  41. Sorry to hear about your Mom, I hope she fully recovers quickly.
    I recently (finally!!) discovered Crichton, but this book sounds quite different, I'm curious

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  42. I'm glad to hear your mom is doing better!
    I'm not familiar with Michael Crichton's work outside of the Jurassic books (I still need to read those). Zero Cool looks different. I looked up the synopsis and it seems interesting. Have a great week!

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  43. Praying your mom continues to improve.

    I'm not a kiosk fan because I can't seem to work them as easily with fingernails. They are convenient, but social interaction is good for humans.

    Hope you have a great week.

    https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2022/09/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-and_01723392498.html

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  44. How all is well with your Mom. Have a good week.

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  45. Glad to hear your mum is doing better!
    Ahh, the Pink Panther theme brings back lots of memories!!
    It's only 10.30 in the morning here, but all of these sandwiches are making me hungry!! ^_^

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  46. Glad to hear the procedure went well and your Mom is doing well. Have a good week.

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  47. Good to hear that your mom is doing better. I haven't been inside our local Taco Belle. I'll have to go inside instead of just using the drive-thru one of these days. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  48. I'm glad your mom is doing well!

    I don't think I'd like a Kiosk only place. It's a nice option, but if you go inside a fast food restaurant, you shouldn't have to then ONLY use a Kiosk.

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  49. Sorry to hear your mother was unwell, I hope she’s recovering well.
    Our local McDonalds is the same, they have just one cashier -they prefer that you either order with the app or via the kiosks. And the order numbers are randomised so you have no idea how long til your food will come up.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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  50. I'm glad to hear your mom is doing well. I haven't been to Taco Bell in awhile. We've used the drive thru but the quality of food wasn't as good as it used to be. Love the Zero Cool cover. Have a great week!

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  51. I'm definitely old, but I agree with the benefits of talking to as few people as possible. Glad your mom is doing okay :)

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  52. You made me smile over Taco Bell. Hope our Mom continues to recover after her procedure, as parents age its always a concern.

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  53. I know that I am old...lol. I would not want to order food via kiosk. That's crazy. I hope you have a great week!

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  54. I hope your Mom is healing well. I haven't been to Taco Bell in years. Did the food taste the same once you finally got it?
    http://www.allthebooksihaventread.com/blog-1/2022/9/18/on-my-nightstand-september-18

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  55. I'm glad to hear your mom's procedure went well and hope that she's on the road to recovery. I can't decide what I think about the kiosks. One of our McDonald's here has it and I kind of like it because they no longer screw up my order since I'm keying it in myself, but that said, that one restaurant is the only place I've tried it so far so we'll see.

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  56. I'm glad your mom is okay. I hate those kiosk things, too.

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  57. I prefer kiosks, self-checkout, and order ahead on an app because there are fewer chances for error. But when it comes to sit down, I really like to interact with the waitstaff. So I guess I like both!

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  58. Glad to hear your mom's feeling better!
    I'm squarely Team Kiosk/ Self-Checkout but I can definitely see your point.

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  59. I can't remember the last time I went to a Taco Bell, but long before COVID, even. Nowadays I order deliveries: Instacart, mostly, and Uber Eats recently.

    Enjoy your week, and it's good that your mom is better.

    Here are my WEEKLY UPDATES

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  60. Sorry to hear about your mother's health. Hope she is on the mend. I couldn't find your TTT post. I'm interested in what you'll be reading this Fall. Happy reading.

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  61. Oh yes, I do notice a lot of fast food outlets are using the kiosk ordering method nowadays, ever since the Covid started. It seems like this method stay since it also means cutting staff costs and so forth. I guess I'm used to it now, but it'd be challenging if some kiosks don't accept cash for some instance. I understand that not everyone carry a card so it'll be good to have both options.

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  62. I'm so glad to hear your mom is doing better. And wow, I guess I've not been to a taco bell in ages, now I kinda want to stop in, haha!

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  63. Glad your mom is doing better. My library even has self-checkout now, but there's also the option to check out at the counter with a human librarian. It's nice to have both options to suit everyone's preferences. Have a great rest of the week! :-)

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  64. I'm glad to hear everything went well with your mother. The automation of ordering reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where his father is replaced by a robot who screws on the toothpaste lids. Soon after his dad gets a gig repairing those same robots. Seems like we never learn!

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  65. I know that McDonald's has gone to the kiosk method. I kind of like it as it is easier to customize your order. But, yeah, the kiosks are still behind the drive-thru! - Melinda @ A Web of Stories

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  66. I wanna try that place!
    I also hope your mum is doing well

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