Sandwich Contamination!

[Ferrets]

OK, this is actually rather a small problem (no food poisoning or substances unfit for human consumption involved), but I wondered if anyone had any advice they could share.

I work in a small village, which has a little delicatessen 5 minutes walk from my office. A couple of times a week I'll go and buy my lunch there - they do large sandwiches of ciabatta or French loaf, amongst other things, with a variety of fillings and a wide selection of cheeses. I'm a fairly picky, vegetarian eater, so I only ever have one of the veggie pates, or mild or smoked cheese plain in my sandwich.

It's busy and popular, the staff are pleasant and obliging, and the food is delicious. The hygiene is also very good.

Now, as I said, I regularly go there for food. But almost every other time for the past few weeks, I've brought my sandwich back to the office, and been happily munching through, when I've had to stop immediately because there has been a strong taste of raw onion. Which I detest with a passion. I can cope with it cooked and in a stew, curry, etc., and even if I have to "eat round it" in those situations (such as a curry with huge strings of it in), then it doesn't bother me overmuch.

But in a sandwich of white bread and cheese (especially the very mild cheddar which I like), the taste is incredibly strong, and (to me) repulsive.

I have eaten the mouthful with a grimace and then had to chuck the rest away. But the other day, (and apologies for potential TMI here) I actually had to spit the mouthful into my hand and throw it into the bin along with the small remainder of the sandwich (NB: Discreetly! My colleague in the office at the time didn't notice a thing).

I'm not allergic to onion, and there's no reason why I couldn't eat them if I liked them. I know this problem has arisen because of my own pickiness and strong distaste for this food (ironically, if I could occasionally taste a hint of meat in my food, I really wouldn't be bothered because the flavour's not an issue with me!) 

I HATE wasting food, but I honestly can't choke through the other half of that long sandwich if I'm gagging on every bite (and I don't feel I could even offer the remainder to any of my colleagues, because after all, it's had my jaws round it!).

So...my question is, Should I go about saying something to the deli staff to see if they can prevent this happening in the future; and, if so, how? 

I suppose it could have happened through the same knife being used to cut different cheeses, to lay slices on a sandwich that contains the dreaded onion, or lying on a board where there's some bits of salad - the staff's hygiene standards, as I said, are excellent, and you see them preparing the sandwiches, etc. in front of you. I've never seen them take a "grotty" (i.e. covered in soft, crumbly cheese/bits of Parma ham, etc.) knife to a different substance.

I don't want to sound as if I'm casting aspersions on their hygiene standards, complaining about a trivial matter, or to seem as if I'm "entitlement-obsessed". And it doesn't happen EVERY time, but has repeatedly on the odd occasion. But I want to be able to carry on going there, happy in the knowledge I'll be able to eat it ALL every time.

Should I say something? And what phrasing should I use?

Thanks to anybody who can help!

Edited because I CAN spell 'sandwich' [honest!]

[Sleepless]

If I were the owner, I'd want to know about this. It sounds like they run a good little business that could be improved in that one area.

For me, I'd write a letter, emphasizing as you did in your post, the good qualities of the business. This could also be done by phone, but I personally prefer writing as I may forget something.

[fklwmn]

Definitely say something. I'd talk to the owner or manager, and let them know that somehow their pate or cheese is coming in contact with onion and that you can't eat your sandwiches if they taste like onions. Tell them you'd love to continue eating there if they can fix the problem, and ask them if they will refund your money (or replace the sandwich) if it happens again.

And FWIW, I wouldn't have thrown away the sandwich, I'd have taken it back! Or called immediately and complained about the onion flavor!

I wonder if ther eis ONE emplyee who is doing something to contaminate it, and that's why it is only happening sometimes. If you bring it to the attention of the manager EVERY TIME, it may help them to pinpoint the problem.

[Ferrets]

Sleepless, that's a great idea about writing a letter! It's so busy in there I was reluctant to phone - also, as you said, writing wins out in that you won't forget anything. Plus I won't be all embarrassed, as I would be face to face (yes, I know I shouldn't be embarrassed for making a polite and legitimate complaint, but I would be!).

I was worried about going in to speak to them about it, because it's on very small premises and always busy: I didn't want to embarrass them or be negative in front of other customers, or have to call one of the staff over to the side for a quiet chat (which would draw attention from the other customers, and possibly make it look like it was an "I'm contacting the Food Standards Agency" complaint!).

I will write a polite and clear, but also informal and friendly, letter which includes all the information in my post (focusing on "What could you do to fix this?" rather than "My lunchtimes have been RUUUUINED!" ), and see what happens.

fklwmn, I hadn't considered it might just be one employee - from what you've said, it sounds as if that may well be the case. That bodes well, as changing one employee's habits would be easier than changing everyone's procedure. I will also include a polite request for a refund/replacement should it happen again.

Thank you both! Here's to nice bland sandwiches once more

[Clara Bow]

It's very simple. When you go in there again, tell them that the last couple sandwiches you had had a very strong flavor of onions that you found offputting. Then ask if they can use all unused utensils to make yours. You're paying for the food and you're a repeat customer and I assume a polite one, there should be no problem here. You may have to remind them repeatedly as you continue to go there, but do so. They can't know they're disappointing you if you don't tell them.

[ButterflieRJ]

I POD the idea of writing a letter.  As I learned from my wonderful 4th grade teacher, one always underestimates "The Power of the Pen"!

[Gemini]

It's very simple. When you go in there again, tell them that the last couple sandwiches you had had a very strong flavor of onions that you found offputting. Then ask if they can use all unused utensils to make yours. You're paying for the food and you're a repeat customer and I assume a polite one, there should be no problem here. You may have to remind them repeatedly as you continue to go there, but do so. They can't know they're disappointing you if you don't tell them.

I agree. As a vegetarian, I have no problem asking that my veggie sandwiches not be made with the same utensils that were just used on, say, chicken salad. I often need to point this out for the sandwich-makers, but they understand when I do. I see no reason why the same wouldn't apply to an onion situation...

[Gigi]

I feel your pain.  I can't eat raw onion either.  I have problems with sandwich shops and mustard.  I like a little bit of mustard but most places really spread it on so thick that it drowns out the taste of the other ingredients.  I always specify extremely light mustard in my order, and have been known to return to the counter when there's too much.  They always apologize and replace the bread.  My favorite place knows me well now so my mustard aversion has almost become a joke and they're careful to tell new employees to go easy on the mustard for me. 

It's good business for the shop to make your food to your specifications.  I'm sure they want to keep a loyal customer and will make the effort when they know how you need it prepared.  As long as you're courteous in your request (and obviously you are or you wouldn't be on a board like this) they will probably be happy to accommodate you.

[Ferrets]

I know this is an old post now, but just to say how it ended:

I found the deli's address on the Internet and emailed them, explaining the problem, emphasising that I appreciated the good quality of their food and service, and asked them if there was anything they could do to resolve the problem.

I received a nice email from the manager the same day apologising for what had happened, saying they would make every effort to ensure it didn't happen again, and offering me a free sandwich next time I was in.

Went there today, and the manager (who also serves on the counter) saw me, made my sandwich herself, reminded the counter staff that this one was on the house. (She also said I should have told them sooner!)

I thanked them and told them I really appreciated the freebie and them sorting it out.

Polite letters work...and the sandwich was DELICIOUS, with not a single hint of any member of the allium family within a mile of it!  )

Thanks for all the advice.

[twinkletoes]

Hey, that's cool!  I like a happy ending to these stories. 

[ccnumber4]

And all is well.  Enjoy your onion-free sandwiches!