Chicken Pharm
Disclaimer: I wrote a more extensive review and somehow it got deleted, which was devastating. This is a condensed version. Sorry!
I tried. I really had high hopes; hopes of a place for a good happy hour, fun atmosphere, and good food, but I was let down. Perhaps my visit was an "off" day, but Sunday Brunch in Petaluma is not a day be "off". Sunday Brunch can be a busy time, especially downtown. Most of the time there's a wait at the usual hotspots, but surprisingly enough (or not), there wasn't a soul in Chicken Pharm! `Knowing that Chicken Pharm isn't usually busy, it was a perfect place to grab a quick breakfast on our way out of town for our road trip. As we walked in, I noticed a sign out front promoting their Chicken and Waffles with Spicy syrup; salty...sweet...and spicy? SOLD!
Walking into Chicken Pharm is refreshing. A large open space with ample seating and a couple rooms with some couches and cozy chairs that beg for a lazy day of lounging and eating with friends. The rustic vibe and bright white accents offers a modern coziness that I love. The space and decor has so much potential, but unfortunately that is where it ends. The lack of patrons on a Sunday morning is in what I believe to be direct correlation with the lack of customer service and subpar food.
At Chicken Pharm, the process is to order at the register, except there was no one there. We saw a couple people in the back kitchen, made eye contact with them, but no one came out to greet us. Three minutes later (felt like 10), an unenthusiastic employee appeared, and yet still no greeting! I had to ask for a brunch menu, and after asking a few questions, placed my order; which came with a side of salty eye rolls. Apparently our business was a distraction from the World Cup.
When the food came, Meghan's breakfast tacos were not only flavorless, but also lukewarm. My biscuit was decent, but cool in the middle, which means the very COLD butter had no chance of melting into my biscuit, and was also un-spreadable. Thankfully some delicious jam was available to bring us a glimmer of delight. Lastly, my chicken and waffles arrived; a floppy waffle paired with mediocre chicken, and NO spicy syrup. I had to ask for the spicy syrup, to which I was asked, "oh you want the spicy one?" My lovely reply: "Uhm yea, since that is what's advertised on the board outside." Come to find out, I would have been better off with the regular syrup because the spicy one was nonexistent.
Final Verdict: Skip the Pharm. The employees are uninterested in customer service, but VERY interested in chatting with each other and watching The World Cup. The food is subpar. and quite frankly, considering we were the only ones there, our food should have been piping hot. If you want Sunday Brunch but don't want to wait in lines, my suggestion is to stay home. You would be more satisfied with a packet of instant oatmeal.
I would have taken more pictures, but why?