I am writing this review to share a very concerning experience that took place on June 17th between 12:00-2:00 PM at Driftwood Chinese Food in the Rutherford area of Nanaimo, BC.
Two individuals I support attended the restaurant with staff, as they do regularly for a monthly outing. Unfortunately, from the moment they arrived, it was clear they were not being treated the same as other customers.
Staff present reported that the servers seemed disengaged and reluctant to serve them. After the individuals went through the buffet line, staff at the restaurant immediately followed behind them and wiped down all the utensils, handles, and serving areas they had touched. While cleanliness is expected, this level of targeted cleaning did not occur for other patrons during the two hours they remained there, making it feel very intentional and directed specifically at these two individuals, both of whom use wheelchairs.
Throughout the visit, they were not offered drink refills, despite witnessing other tables being checked on repeatedly. Their plates were never cleared, even as surrounding tables were consistently serviced. The difference in treatment was noticeable and deeply concerning.
At the end of the visit, one individual had a single dessert tart remaining and politely asked if she could take it to go. The response from staff was unnecessarily harsh, stating that if they allowed that, "everyone would expect free food." This was especially upsetting given that the item could not be reused and would simply be discarded.
Overall, the experience left both the individuals and staff feeling singled out and unwelcome. The treatment appeared discriminatory, particularly toward individuals using wheelchairs. One of the individuals has since expressed that she does not want to return, as she felt judged and treated differently because of her disability.
I am sharing this review so others--especially those supporting individuals with diverse abilities--are aware of this experience. All customers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Based on this experience, I cannot recommend this restaurant. read more