Name: Outback Steakhouse
Website: http://www.outback.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Springfield, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, two urinals
Everybody knows Outback Steakhouse. But what you may NOT know is that they have insanely good burgers. In fact, I have never had a steak at Outback, because of how delicious their burgers are. My dad always talks about how great the soap is in the bathrooms, so I decided to give the place the Commode Node treatment.
Cleanliness
Great start here! The floors were clean, as were the toilet seats. They also employ the "giant trash crash under a hole in the sink" technique, which is quite nice.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
Wow, I have never seen a bathroom like this. After walking to the far corner of the restaurant (plus), I opened the door and COULD NOT SEE ANY TOILETS! The walls were designed so that everyone is in their own little area. Also, they break up the organization into urinal/stall/urinal/stall, instead of the normal groupings. I used the farthest stall and could be neither seen nor heard. YES!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
The toilets used the rare "push button" flusher. It was a little odd, but it worked fine and there was no unexpected behavior.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Paper towels with a "wave your hand" dispenser, good by me. As mentioned earlier, the trash can was large, discreet, and NOT overflowing.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
Not the full-length that I seek, but the over-sink mirror WAS very large and useful.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
There was overhead music here, and louder than on the dining floor! It's always nice to have this, especially in a bathroom where you don't have the "cover" of air dryer noise.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
The organization of the stalls really amazed me. I have never seen a bathroom that separated each stall and urinal into their own small corner. Also, my dad was right ... the soap is GREAT! For the first time in Commode Node history, I am giving full tilt!
Result: 1 point
Score: 6.5 out of 7 (92.9%)
What This Means For You: The numbers don't lie: this is the best bathroom I have reviewed thus far. The ONLY gripe I had was the lack of a full-length tilted mirror. Other than that, stellar marks for cleanliness, privacy, and comfort. Truly a wonderful experience!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Joe's Pizza: Broomall, PA
Name: Joe's Pizza
Website: (none)
Type: Restaurant
Location: Broomall, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, two urinals
Joe's is one of the few hidden gems in Broomall. It's "diner style" in the sense that you can get just about anything there, and most of it is pretty good (although, the wings use this really creepy sauce, don't get them). They make a surprisingly good grilled cheese, and their hoagies are one of the only places that stay away from "really tough roll syndrome". Alright then, what about the "head"?
Cleanliness
This bathroom was plain old NOT clean. I had to use the second stall, as the first one was ... clogged. Puddles galore on the ground, too. Yuck.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
It's a mixed bag looking for privacy here. On one hand, Joe's uses the rare "double door" method, which is an amazing way to really stay separate from where people are eating. On the other hand, the urinals have absolutely NO protection around them, are right next to the sink (we're talking inches), and are visible immediately when you open the second door. Gonna have to go middle-of-the-road.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Flushing
The flushing worked, which is a good thing. The clogged stall appeared to have a paper towel in the toilet, so I can't really fault the owners for the issue.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
People have to learn that paper towels are not enough. This place uses a really strange "crank" dispenser, which I find frustrating and gross. It's bad enough using a lever dispenser that everyone has touched, but at least you can work that with your elbow or something. They also have a perpetually empty "pull down from this tiny hole" dispenser in the wall.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
One lame, tiny mirror that shows everyone who comes in everything else in the bathroom. Completely stupid.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
I think music is asking too much out of such a humble place, but unfortunately that still means zip/zero/zilch.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
And now, for the most fun I have ever had giving Tilt points. The soap dispenser in here was ... wait for it ... an AUNT JEMIMA BOTTLE! WHAT?! This really isn't a good thing persay, but I laughed so hard that I had to mention it and have a little mercy.
Result: 0.5 points
Score: 2.0 out of 7 (28.6%)
What This Means For You: Sorry Joe's, but I just can't recommend your bathroom to people. Everyone should know, though, that this rest room used to be substantially MORE gross. Too bad they haven't made the right kinds of improvements. The food is still great, and the restaurant itself is clean and pleasant, but definitely hold it until you get home.
Website: (none)
Type: Restaurant
Location: Broomall, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, two urinals
Joe's is one of the few hidden gems in Broomall. It's "diner style" in the sense that you can get just about anything there, and most of it is pretty good (although, the wings use this really creepy sauce, don't get them). They make a surprisingly good grilled cheese, and their hoagies are one of the only places that stay away from "really tough roll syndrome". Alright then, what about the "head"?
Cleanliness
This bathroom was plain old NOT clean. I had to use the second stall, as the first one was ... clogged. Puddles galore on the ground, too. Yuck.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
It's a mixed bag looking for privacy here. On one hand, Joe's uses the rare "double door" method, which is an amazing way to really stay separate from where people are eating. On the other hand, the urinals have absolutely NO protection around them, are right next to the sink (we're talking inches), and are visible immediately when you open the second door. Gonna have to go middle-of-the-road.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Flushing
The flushing worked, which is a good thing. The clogged stall appeared to have a paper towel in the toilet, so I can't really fault the owners for the issue.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
People have to learn that paper towels are not enough. This place uses a really strange "crank" dispenser, which I find frustrating and gross. It's bad enough using a lever dispenser that everyone has touched, but at least you can work that with your elbow or something. They also have a perpetually empty "pull down from this tiny hole" dispenser in the wall.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
One lame, tiny mirror that shows everyone who comes in everything else in the bathroom. Completely stupid.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
I think music is asking too much out of such a humble place, but unfortunately that still means zip/zero/zilch.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
And now, for the most fun I have ever had giving Tilt points. The soap dispenser in here was ... wait for it ... an AUNT JEMIMA BOTTLE! WHAT?! This really isn't a good thing persay, but I laughed so hard that I had to mention it and have a little mercy.
Result: 0.5 points
Score: 2.0 out of 7 (28.6%)
What This Means For You: Sorry Joe's, but I just can't recommend your bathroom to people. Everyone should know, though, that this rest room used to be substantially MORE gross. Too bad they haven't made the right kinds of improvements. The food is still great, and the restaurant itself is clean and pleasant, but definitely hold it until you get home.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Olive Garden: Springfield, PA
Name: Olive Garden
Website: http://www.olivegarden.com/default_f.asp
Type: Restaurant
Location: Springfield, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, one urinal
Ah yes, Olive Garden. Everyone knows and loves their bread sticks, and they have a ton of annoying commercials on TV. I personally go for the Capellini Pomodoro with a bowl of Minestrone. This Springfield location opened up about a year ago, if memory serves me correctly. Was that enough time to establish a good bathroom?
Cleanliness
The bathroom seemed clean until I stood up from the toilet. My feet were SLIPPING on the floor, because of the horrible amounts of sticky and gross on the floor. I don't know how this happened, but we're talking hours of negligence here, not just any old incidental puddle. Bad start!
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
The privacy factor was satisfied here. The bathrooms themselves are tucked away in the back corner of the dining floor, and the urinal has little walls on either side. The doorway does not open into your sink space either.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
I get into the stall, and see the automatic flush censor on the wall. Okay, I think, that's not too bad, and at least there is a manual button in case the censor is broken. However, the censor tripped THREE TIMES while I was simply shifting my weight or reaching for toilet paper. THREE TIMES! Do you have any clue how annoying that is? "No points" worth, that's how annoying.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Dryers
The sinks have a little box with neat stacks of paper towels in them. I'd imagine this gets unorganized really quickly, but it looked great when I was there. The "giant trash can hidden under the sink" method was used, which I really like.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
As always, I cannot give full points to any bathroom without a full tilted mirror. On the other hand, there are two nice mirrors that give an above-average scope of view over the sinks. Half-credit.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
Overhead music! Also, it is sufficiently loud, and every song was by Frank Sinatra on this occasion. Hooray!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
I have to give half a point here, because the stalls each had little shelves with an unprecedented FOUR rolls of toilet paper on them. FOUR ROLLS! And no awful "feed" dispensers that never work right! Normally, this would pretty much be worth a full tilt point, but the auto-flushing fiasco really ticked me off.
Result: 0.5 points
Score: 4.0 out of 7 (57.1%)
What This Means For You: This bathroom comes recommended, despite some curious flaws. The decor and set-up are wonderful, and if they can clean it up and fix that stupid auto-flusher, then this could be a truly wonderful rest room. As it stands, it is still above average, and makes for a pleasant time while "indisposed".
Website: http://www.olivegarden.com/default_f.asp
Type: Restaurant
Location: Springfield, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, one urinal
Ah yes, Olive Garden. Everyone knows and loves their bread sticks, and they have a ton of annoying commercials on TV. I personally go for the Capellini Pomodoro with a bowl of Minestrone. This Springfield location opened up about a year ago, if memory serves me correctly. Was that enough time to establish a good bathroom?
Cleanliness
The bathroom seemed clean until I stood up from the toilet. My feet were SLIPPING on the floor, because of the horrible amounts of sticky and gross on the floor. I don't know how this happened, but we're talking hours of negligence here, not just any old incidental puddle. Bad start!
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
The privacy factor was satisfied here. The bathrooms themselves are tucked away in the back corner of the dining floor, and the urinal has little walls on either side. The doorway does not open into your sink space either.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
I get into the stall, and see the automatic flush censor on the wall. Okay, I think, that's not too bad, and at least there is a manual button in case the censor is broken. However, the censor tripped THREE TIMES while I was simply shifting my weight or reaching for toilet paper. THREE TIMES! Do you have any clue how annoying that is? "No points" worth, that's how annoying.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Dryers
The sinks have a little box with neat stacks of paper towels in them. I'd imagine this gets unorganized really quickly, but it looked great when I was there. The "giant trash can hidden under the sink" method was used, which I really like.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
As always, I cannot give full points to any bathroom without a full tilted mirror. On the other hand, there are two nice mirrors that give an above-average scope of view over the sinks. Half-credit.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
Overhead music! Also, it is sufficiently loud, and every song was by Frank Sinatra on this occasion. Hooray!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
I have to give half a point here, because the stalls each had little shelves with an unprecedented FOUR rolls of toilet paper on them. FOUR ROLLS! And no awful "feed" dispensers that never work right! Normally, this would pretty much be worth a full tilt point, but the auto-flushing fiasco really ticked me off.
Result: 0.5 points
Score: 4.0 out of 7 (57.1%)
What This Means For You: This bathroom comes recommended, despite some curious flaws. The decor and set-up are wonderful, and if they can clean it up and fix that stupid auto-flusher, then this could be a truly wonderful rest room. As it stands, it is still above average, and makes for a pleasant time while "indisposed".
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
J.D. McGillicuddy's: Ardmore, PA
Name: J.D. McGillicuddy's
Website: http://www.jdmcgillicuddys.com/locations/ardmore.php
Type: Bar
Location: Ardmore, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: One toilet, one "urinal"
"Cuddy's" is a favorite bar for me and my friends. We have taken over many a Tuesday night with our horrible karaoke abilities. It's a really chill place, and one of the few places I know that actually springs for TRUE HD CABLE on EACH of their HDTVs. So, what's the story with the bathroom? Spoiler alert: it is terrible.
Cleanliness
Really? You can't even keep it clean? This bathroom is messy, gross, and smells like piss. Not looking good so far.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
This is where I really get peeved. You walk into the closet-sized bathroom, and there is a toilet to your right, and a TROUGH to your left. Not only do you have no privacy for when you really have to go, but the "urinal" is basically a bunch of guys pissing into the same hole. Add on to that the fact that the window is wide open to the adjacent building and that the door DOES NOT HAVE A LOCK ON IT, and you're looking at the worst-case scenario for a bathroom. SHAME ON YOU.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Flushing
The toilet flushes fine, but the flush on the trough is basically running a light stream of water over a giant gross bowl. No decision.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Dryers
By some mercy of the lord above, Cuddy's at LEAST decided to use paper towels. They are pretty convenient and there is a not-awful trash can.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
Really tiny mugshot mirror over the sink, and if you look in it, you are standing pretty much ON the door. You can't even see if you spilled mustard on your shirt.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
The only time you're getting "overhead music" is when the karaoke or DJ are so loud that you can't hear anyone anyway. Nothing extra in the bathrooms, so nothing extra in the point column either.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
Not only is there no extraneous upside to this bathroom ... oh no, that's not enough. I am considering this category "Privacy Pt. II" for Cuddy's, and penalizing an entire extra point for the stupid nonsense they have going on.
Result: no points
Score: 1.5 out of 7 (21.4%)
What This Means For You: This is the worst bathroom that I have reviewed for Commode Node thus far. The epic combination of NEGATIVE privacy and the smell of a barn make this a truly revolting experience. Here's a true story for you: I once got bartender permission to use the GIRLS bathroom so I could avoid the disaster zone they're trying to pass for a mens room here. NOT. RECOMMENDED.
Website: http://www.jdmcgillicuddys.com/locations/ardmore.php
Type: Bar
Location: Ardmore, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: One toilet, one "urinal"
"Cuddy's" is a favorite bar for me and my friends. We have taken over many a Tuesday night with our horrible karaoke abilities. It's a really chill place, and one of the few places I know that actually springs for TRUE HD CABLE on EACH of their HDTVs. So, what's the story with the bathroom? Spoiler alert: it is terrible.
Cleanliness
Really? You can't even keep it clean? This bathroom is messy, gross, and smells like piss. Not looking good so far.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
This is where I really get peeved. You walk into the closet-sized bathroom, and there is a toilet to your right, and a TROUGH to your left. Not only do you have no privacy for when you really have to go, but the "urinal" is basically a bunch of guys pissing into the same hole. Add on to that the fact that the window is wide open to the adjacent building and that the door DOES NOT HAVE A LOCK ON IT, and you're looking at the worst-case scenario for a bathroom. SHAME ON YOU.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Flushing
The toilet flushes fine, but the flush on the trough is basically running a light stream of water over a giant gross bowl. No decision.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Dryers
By some mercy of the lord above, Cuddy's at LEAST decided to use paper towels. They are pretty convenient and there is a not-awful trash can.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
Really tiny mugshot mirror over the sink, and if you look in it, you are standing pretty much ON the door. You can't even see if you spilled mustard on your shirt.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
The only time you're getting "overhead music" is when the karaoke or DJ are so loud that you can't hear anyone anyway. Nothing extra in the bathrooms, so nothing extra in the point column either.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
Not only is there no extraneous upside to this bathroom ... oh no, that's not enough. I am considering this category "Privacy Pt. II" for Cuddy's, and penalizing an entire extra point for the stupid nonsense they have going on.
Result: no points
Score: 1.5 out of 7 (21.4%)
What This Means For You: This is the worst bathroom that I have reviewed for Commode Node thus far. The epic combination of NEGATIVE privacy and the smell of a barn make this a truly revolting experience. Here's a true story for you: I once got bartender permission to use the GIRLS bathroom so I could avoid the disaster zone they're trying to pass for a mens room here. NOT. RECOMMENDED.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Fox & Hound: King of Prussia, PA
Name: Fox & Hound
Website: http://www.tentcorp.com/index.php
Type: Restaurant
Location: King of Prussia, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, one urinal
Fox & Hound has a special place in my heart as the location where I watched Bud Selig delay Game 5 of the World Series 3 innings too late. I came home and went on a classic meltdown/tirade, and thus will always associate the Phillies with this bar. However, none of this is a bad thing. F&H has two million TVs, and even showed the Flyers in (real) HD during the playoffs! So, how does their King of Prussia location stack up to my (mostly decent) memories of Center City?
Cleanliness
Off to a good start. No puddles or trash (or other unspeakable horrors) that I could see.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
So, the bathrooms are in the far corner of the seating area. This is a decent decision. Also, the urinal is not the usual "hey everybody look" blowing-in-the-breeze exposed nonsense. However, the bathroom is really cramped, and chances are you are going to bump into someone on even a moderately busy time. Half points.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Flushing
Everything worked fine for me!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Paper towels are a plus, and they have gone with the "wave your hand like a moron" dispenser. This is good for not having to touch anything gross, but what do you do if there's a jam? I saw no alternative for this situation.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Mirrors
Slightly tilted large mirror over the sink. Not enough angle for my liking, and you have to stand in the doorway to get a good look at yourself. This isn't a vanity thing, I just want to make sure I'm not about to walk past a hundred people with my underwear showing. I won't go goose-egg since they DID have a decent mirror, but you need a better effort to fully pass this part of the test.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
Okay, this is a really complicated judgement call. Good thing: they have overhead music! Bad thing: why not make it the audio to the sports game that everyone at the tables can hear? Good thing: a TV hanging near the ceiling! Bad thing: why is it not showing the Flyers or Phillies when they're on 20 other TVs around the place? I have to go No Decision again, because a simple syncing from bar area to bathroom would let you stay in on the action.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Reviewer Tilt
If this Tilt section were about how awesome the bar or food or service was, I'd be giving a full point. As far as the bathroom goes, though, nothing really stood out. I won't penalize, but I won't reward. Yet another middle-of-the-ground call.
Result: .5 points
Score: 4.5 out of 7 (64.3%)
What This Means For You: The bathrooms at Fox & Hound are certainly serviceable, and they're definitely TRYING to make it great by including a TV and music. However, someone needs to get the memo about showing the most important game on the bathroom feed. I saw them changing a channel several times, and about 20 TVs are all in perfect sync with each other ... why not make it 21? Other than that qualm, it was clean and convenient, so WELL DONE!
Website: http://www.tentcorp.com/index.php
Type: Restaurant
Location: King of Prussia, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, one urinal
Fox & Hound has a special place in my heart as the location where I watched Bud Selig delay Game 5 of the World Series 3 innings too late. I came home and went on a classic meltdown/tirade, and thus will always associate the Phillies with this bar. However, none of this is a bad thing. F&H has two million TVs, and even showed the Flyers in (real) HD during the playoffs! So, how does their King of Prussia location stack up to my (mostly decent) memories of Center City?
Cleanliness
Off to a good start. No puddles or trash (or other unspeakable horrors) that I could see.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
So, the bathrooms are in the far corner of the seating area. This is a decent decision. Also, the urinal is not the usual "hey everybody look" blowing-in-the-breeze exposed nonsense. However, the bathroom is really cramped, and chances are you are going to bump into someone on even a moderately busy time. Half points.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Flushing
Everything worked fine for me!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Paper towels are a plus, and they have gone with the "wave your hand like a moron" dispenser. This is good for not having to touch anything gross, but what do you do if there's a jam? I saw no alternative for this situation.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Mirrors
Slightly tilted large mirror over the sink. Not enough angle for my liking, and you have to stand in the doorway to get a good look at yourself. This isn't a vanity thing, I just want to make sure I'm not about to walk past a hundred people with my underwear showing. I won't go goose-egg since they DID have a decent mirror, but you need a better effort to fully pass this part of the test.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
Okay, this is a really complicated judgement call. Good thing: they have overhead music! Bad thing: why not make it the audio to the sports game that everyone at the tables can hear? Good thing: a TV hanging near the ceiling! Bad thing: why is it not showing the Flyers or Phillies when they're on 20 other TVs around the place? I have to go No Decision again, because a simple syncing from bar area to bathroom would let you stay in on the action.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Reviewer Tilt
If this Tilt section were about how awesome the bar or food or service was, I'd be giving a full point. As far as the bathroom goes, though, nothing really stood out. I won't penalize, but I won't reward. Yet another middle-of-the-ground call.
Result: .5 points
Score: 4.5 out of 7 (64.3%)
What This Means For You: The bathrooms at Fox & Hound are certainly serviceable, and they're definitely TRYING to make it great by including a TV and music. However, someone needs to get the memo about showing the most important game on the bathroom feed. I saw them changing a channel several times, and about 20 TVs are all in perfect sync with each other ... why not make it 21? Other than that qualm, it was clean and convenient, so WELL DONE!
Famous Dave's: Springfield, PA
Name: Famous Dave's
Website: http://www.famousdaves.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Springfield, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, one urinal
Famous Dave's is a wonderful BBQ joint that opened up a franchise in Springfield a few years ago. They make a great Cajun Chicken Sandwich, but my personal favorite is their "Devil's Spit" hot sauce. I wish I could buy that sauce and cook with it every night. So, you can spice your food, but can you give an enjoyable bathroom experience as well? Let's find out.
Cleanliness
Being as unbiased as possible, this place was only half clean. It certainly looks presentable, but the floor was a little creepy and the sink trash can was too full for my tastes. I will go halfsies here because it was neither immaculate nor disgusting.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Privacy
The "hidden" factor here is wonderful. There are two stalls (one handicapped), and you are actually protected by the side walls! Also, between the adjacent urinal and the sink, there is a really great wall extension that lets you feel private. Add in that the bathrooms are tucked away in the back room and you have a great example of this category.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
Nothing out of the ordinary, although I only used the urinal and not the stall this time. Still, this wasn't a place that messed this part up (thankfully).
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Thank goodness, paper towels. Famous Dave's uses one of my preferred towel dispensers: one where a small shred hangs out and you pull down a pre-cut slice. Also, there is a side knob for manual feed if it gets all jammed (which it didn't in my case). Trash can in the sink is always weird to me, but at least it was close to the door.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
There is one giant mirror over the two sinks, which is pretty typical for a restaurant. However, it was also tilted, which made me quite happy. You don't get full points if you can see your shoes, but 1/2 ain't too bad.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
Overhead music! I throw a little party for myself every time I walk into a bathroom and hear music. Also, taking a page from the Tristan Ideal Bathroom Handbook, the music is also LOUDER than it is on the floor. GOOD JOB!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
I can't bring myself to give full tilt points to anything less than a perfect (or mindblowingly original) bathroom, but they definitely earned a half. Also, the indicators for which bathroom to use read "Pointers" and "Setters", which is one of the more creative choices I have seen.
Result: .5 points
Score: 5.5 out of 7 (78.6%)
What This Means For You: Famous Dave's storms up to second place (thus far) on my favorite/recommended bathrooms list. In addition to having a huge, delicious menu, they have made using the toilet a clean and pleasant experience. This can't be said in a not-gross way, but at a BBQ and ribs place, you NEED to be thinking about customers using the bathroom, so it's good to know they had attention to detail. A full tilted mirror and a little more cleanup would push this commode into the upper echelon, but for now it's still really great.
Website: http://www.famousdaves.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Springfield, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, one urinal
Famous Dave's is a wonderful BBQ joint that opened up a franchise in Springfield a few years ago. They make a great Cajun Chicken Sandwich, but my personal favorite is their "Devil's Spit" hot sauce. I wish I could buy that sauce and cook with it every night. So, you can spice your food, but can you give an enjoyable bathroom experience as well? Let's find out.
Cleanliness
Being as unbiased as possible, this place was only half clean. It certainly looks presentable, but the floor was a little creepy and the sink trash can was too full for my tastes. I will go halfsies here because it was neither immaculate nor disgusting.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Privacy
The "hidden" factor here is wonderful. There are two stalls (one handicapped), and you are actually protected by the side walls! Also, between the adjacent urinal and the sink, there is a really great wall extension that lets you feel private. Add in that the bathrooms are tucked away in the back room and you have a great example of this category.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
Nothing out of the ordinary, although I only used the urinal and not the stall this time. Still, this wasn't a place that messed this part up (thankfully).
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Thank goodness, paper towels. Famous Dave's uses one of my preferred towel dispensers: one where a small shred hangs out and you pull down a pre-cut slice. Also, there is a side knob for manual feed if it gets all jammed (which it didn't in my case). Trash can in the sink is always weird to me, but at least it was close to the door.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
There is one giant mirror over the two sinks, which is pretty typical for a restaurant. However, it was also tilted, which made me quite happy. You don't get full points if you can see your shoes, but 1/2 ain't too bad.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
Overhead music! I throw a little party for myself every time I walk into a bathroom and hear music. Also, taking a page from the Tristan Ideal Bathroom Handbook, the music is also LOUDER than it is on the floor. GOOD JOB!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
I can't bring myself to give full tilt points to anything less than a perfect (or mindblowingly original) bathroom, but they definitely earned a half. Also, the indicators for which bathroom to use read "Pointers" and "Setters", which is one of the more creative choices I have seen.
Result: .5 points
Score: 5.5 out of 7 (78.6%)
What This Means For You: Famous Dave's storms up to second place (thus far) on my favorite/recommended bathrooms list. In addition to having a huge, delicious menu, they have made using the toilet a clean and pleasant experience. This can't be said in a not-gross way, but at a BBQ and ribs place, you NEED to be thinking about customers using the bathroom, so it's good to know they had attention to detail. A full tilted mirror and a little more cleanup would push this commode into the upper echelon, but for now it's still really great.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn: Ronks, PA
Name: Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn
Website: http://www.hersheyfarm.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Ronks, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, two urinals
Hershey Farm is located in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, out in the middle on Lancaster. The restaurant's appeal is their acclaimed buffet-style dining hall. The fried chicken in particular is quite good, and the overall price is definitely reasonable. So, the Amish can do food ... can they do bathrooms?
Cleanliness
Talk about getting off to a bad start ... this bathroom was MESSY. Trash cans were overflowing, seats were not clean, the floor was stained and gross ... really not the kind of atmosphere you like to be in for even a minute.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
I used this bathroom twice, and both times I felt decently "hidden". The bathrooms are located in their own little corner of the establishment. The door makes a weird knocking sound when it shuts, making you thinking there's someone coming in when there actually isn't, but it wasn't overly distracting.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
The normal flushing mechanisms are present here. This was far from my biggest concern in this place, as you will see.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Okay, so they use paper towels. Hooray! But wait ... there are TWO dispensers, and the one next to the sink is EMPTY. I spent so long looking at the dispenser for a manual release that I didn't even seen the far away (and completely inferior) second one. Also, the trash cans were awful, with unspeakable horrors contained within. Empty towels are one thing, but deliberately confusing your customers? Grounds for dismissal.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
Really tiny mirror by the sink? Check. Tons of wasted wall space that could be used for a tilted mirror? Check. Pissed off at this? Check.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
The only sounds in this joint were the weird door knocking and the occasional ... weirdness ... from the stall next to me.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
I was so put off by the double paper towel debacle, in addition to the terrible condition this bathroom was in the second time (only 30 minutes later), that I am using my tilt section to punish them with another goose egg. Thanks for nothing.
Result: no points
Score: 2.0 out of 7 (28.6%)
What This Means For You: It's a shame that such a great dining experience is tainted by a horrible bathroom. Even just an "hourly checklist" posted would be comforting, regardless of how recently it was filled out. However, with little cardboard signs pointed you towards the bathroom from any given room, it feels like an afterthought. Any place that has two different Rubik's Cube towel dispensers (in addition to not keeping them stocked) will be put on the black list for me. Step up your game, Hershey.
Website: http://www.hersheyfarm.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Ronks, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, two urinals
Hershey Farm is located in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, out in the middle on Lancaster. The restaurant's appeal is their acclaimed buffet-style dining hall. The fried chicken in particular is quite good, and the overall price is definitely reasonable. So, the Amish can do food ... can they do bathrooms?
Cleanliness
Talk about getting off to a bad start ... this bathroom was MESSY. Trash cans were overflowing, seats were not clean, the floor was stained and gross ... really not the kind of atmosphere you like to be in for even a minute.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
I used this bathroom twice, and both times I felt decently "hidden". The bathrooms are located in their own little corner of the establishment. The door makes a weird knocking sound when it shuts, making you thinking there's someone coming in when there actually isn't, but it wasn't overly distracting.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
The normal flushing mechanisms are present here. This was far from my biggest concern in this place, as you will see.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Okay, so they use paper towels. Hooray! But wait ... there are TWO dispensers, and the one next to the sink is EMPTY. I spent so long looking at the dispenser for a manual release that I didn't even seen the far away (and completely inferior) second one. Also, the trash cans were awful, with unspeakable horrors contained within. Empty towels are one thing, but deliberately confusing your customers? Grounds for dismissal.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
Really tiny mirror by the sink? Check. Tons of wasted wall space that could be used for a tilted mirror? Check. Pissed off at this? Check.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
The only sounds in this joint were the weird door knocking and the occasional ... weirdness ... from the stall next to me.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
I was so put off by the double paper towel debacle, in addition to the terrible condition this bathroom was in the second time (only 30 minutes later), that I am using my tilt section to punish them with another goose egg. Thanks for nothing.
Result: no points
Score: 2.0 out of 7 (28.6%)
What This Means For You: It's a shame that such a great dining experience is tainted by a horrible bathroom. Even just an "hourly checklist" posted would be comforting, regardless of how recently it was filled out. However, with little cardboard signs pointed you towards the bathroom from any given room, it feels like an afterthought. Any place that has two different Rubik's Cube towel dispensers (in addition to not keeping them stocked) will be put on the black list for me. Step up your game, Hershey.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Gullifty's: Bryn Mawr, PA
Name: Gullifty's
Website: http://www.gulliftys.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: One toilet, two urinals
Gullifty's has the amazing privilege of being attached to BORDERS BOOKS AND MUSIC, my current place of employment. They're a fun restaurant that is (apparently) trying to become a sports bar/grill over time. As it stands, their food is moderately priced and decently flavorized, and they have some giant TVs. They also host a Quizzo game every Thursday night! I could hear a bunch of hammering and drilling over the winter, and it turns out they were remodeling the bathrooms. How did it turn out?
Cleanliness
Thanks in part to new renovations, the bathroom was pretty much spotless. I didn't use the stall this time, but I have not had any problems in the past.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
There is a separate hallway for the bathrooms, and the stall door is amazingly constructed so that you can't see through the cracks. Imagine that! The two urinals had no separation, but the rest is so well done that I'm still awarding full marks.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
I witnessed a glorious thing at the urinal. The flush was motion-sensitive, but it ALSO had a big button to press at the top. The sensor appeared to be off, and the button is a much better choice than the gross lever. Quite impressive.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Hold the phone ... PAPER TOWELS! What an amazing invention they are. The dispenser is far enough from the sink and door that you aren't standing in anyone's way. I was so overjoyed by the sight of paper towels that I almost cried. UPDATE 5/27/09: I re-visited this bathroom recently and noticed that there are NOT, in fact, paper towels. There is one air dryer. I really can't give points for an air dryer at all, even though it is in a convenient spot. Score changed from PASS to FAIL!
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
Unfortunately, they do not have a full-length (or tilted) mirror here. There is a decent sized mirror over the sink, but you need FULL VISION to get full points.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
As if I weren't completely in love already ... the music is playing in here, and LOUDER than on the floor. Also, if they are holding Quizzo or playing audio from the big game, it is also playing in the bathroom so you don't miss a beat. This is the best audio situation I have come across.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
Two of the best superfluous features here are the sink and the general decor. The faucet is quite unique, and gives great flow without splashing all up on your business. Also, the style is amped up a notch from the decidedly bland effort preceeding the current iteration. It lacks a giant stand-out feature that drops your jaw, but still manages to impress.
Result: .5 points
Score: 5.0 out of 7 (71.4%)
What This Means For You: This bathroom would be impressive on any ground, but it's especially remarkable when weighed against how gross and awful it used to be in Gullifty's. Using this commode is a comfortable experience, and their brilliant audio setup lets you stay connected with the sports and trivia around you. I would highly recommend using this bathroom while you can, before it gets sullied by wear-and-tear and people figuring out how nice it is. Take note, bathroom designers! Now, if there were only a way to install this setup without the 6 weeks of construction sounds echoing through the walls ... UPDATE 5/27/09: It turns out there are NOT paper towels here, so the overall score has been lowered to 5/7 or 71.4%. This is still recommended, but it has been de-throned as the highest scoring bathroom.
Website: http://www.gulliftys.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: One toilet, two urinals
Gullifty's has the amazing privilege of being attached to BORDERS BOOKS AND MUSIC, my current place of employment. They're a fun restaurant that is (apparently) trying to become a sports bar/grill over time. As it stands, their food is moderately priced and decently flavorized, and they have some giant TVs. They also host a Quizzo game every Thursday night! I could hear a bunch of hammering and drilling over the winter, and it turns out they were remodeling the bathrooms. How did it turn out?
Cleanliness
Thanks in part to new renovations, the bathroom was pretty much spotless. I didn't use the stall this time, but I have not had any problems in the past.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
There is a separate hallway for the bathrooms, and the stall door is amazingly constructed so that you can't see through the cracks. Imagine that! The two urinals had no separation, but the rest is so well done that I'm still awarding full marks.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
I witnessed a glorious thing at the urinal. The flush was motion-sensitive, but it ALSO had a big button to press at the top. The sensor appeared to be off, and the button is a much better choice than the gross lever. Quite impressive.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Hold the phone ... PAPER TOWELS! What an amazing invention they are. The dispenser is far enough from the sink and door that you aren't standing in anyone's way. I was so overjoyed by the sight of paper towels that I almost cried. UPDATE 5/27/09: I re-visited this bathroom recently and noticed that there are NOT, in fact, paper towels. There is one air dryer. I really can't give points for an air dryer at all, even though it is in a convenient spot. Score changed from PASS to FAIL!
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
Unfortunately, they do not have a full-length (or tilted) mirror here. There is a decent sized mirror over the sink, but you need FULL VISION to get full points.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Music
As if I weren't completely in love already ... the music is playing in here, and LOUDER than on the floor. Also, if they are holding Quizzo or playing audio from the big game, it is also playing in the bathroom so you don't miss a beat. This is the best audio situation I have come across.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
Two of the best superfluous features here are the sink and the general decor. The faucet is quite unique, and gives great flow without splashing all up on your business. Also, the style is amped up a notch from the decidedly bland effort preceeding the current iteration. It lacks a giant stand-out feature that drops your jaw, but still manages to impress.
Result: .5 points
Score: 5.0 out of 7 (71.4%)
What This Means For You: This bathroom would be impressive on any ground, but it's especially remarkable when weighed against how gross and awful it used to be in Gullifty's. Using this commode is a comfortable experience, and their brilliant audio setup lets you stay connected with the sports and trivia around you. I would highly recommend using this bathroom while you can, before it gets sullied by wear-and-tear and people figuring out how nice it is. Take note, bathroom designers! Now, if there were only a way to install this setup without the 6 weeks of construction sounds echoing through the walls ... UPDATE 5/27/09: It turns out there are NOT paper towels here, so the overall score has been lowered to 5/7 or 71.4%. This is still recommended, but it has been de-throned as the highest scoring bathroom.
Pinocchio's Restaurant: Media, PA
Name: Pinocchio's Restaurant
Website: http://www.pinpizza.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Media, PA
Occupancy: Single
Porcelain: One toilet
Pinocchio's is what we like to call a "hidden gem". The food is completely outstanding, there's never a ridiculous wait, and the beer list is gigantic. The only real downside is that parking can be hard to come by, but luckily the meters in Media don't matter after 6 pm. This joint also has the distinction of serving my favorite wings in the entire world. So then, how does the bathroom stack up against the rest of the place?
Cleanliness
I noticed two things when using this bathroom. First, the smell was actually somewhat pleasant, a rarity for vent-less single rooms. Second, the fly that was there last time had left or died. If I had started this site by that point, it would have been immediate grounds for disqualification. Luckily, the problem has been resolved.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
So, single rooms are always great. Add on to that the fact that the bathrooms are in a secluded hallway that can't be heard at the nearby tables (I have tested this on both ends), and you have an ideal situation.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
Standard and functional.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Bad news: they have opted for air dryers. Also, they fall into the annoyingly-common conundrum of having a trash can but nothing to throw in it. What gives? They put the dryer over the sink, which DOES eliminate unsightly spills, but overall it is just unacceptable.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
There is one small mirror over the sink. You might accept this given how small the room is, but I have seen much nicer mirror situations in similar rooms.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
WHY does no one have overhead music these days? Sheesh.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
I give Pinocchio's a half-point of tilt for putting a good lock on the door. That may seem minor, but broken or weak locks can cause privacy invasion anxiety in several customers (or just me).
Result: .5 points
Score: 3.5 out of 7 (50.0%)
What This Means For You: I will go as far as to push a 50/100 score into "recommended" territory My qualms are mainly cosmetic, whereas the logistics of a clean and working bathroom are completely covered. Congratulations, Pinocchio's! You do not fail the toilet test.
Website: http://www.pinpizza.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Media, PA
Occupancy: Single
Porcelain: One toilet
Pinocchio's is what we like to call a "hidden gem". The food is completely outstanding, there's never a ridiculous wait, and the beer list is gigantic. The only real downside is that parking can be hard to come by, but luckily the meters in Media don't matter after 6 pm. This joint also has the distinction of serving my favorite wings in the entire world. So then, how does the bathroom stack up against the rest of the place?
Cleanliness
I noticed two things when using this bathroom. First, the smell was actually somewhat pleasant, a rarity for vent-less single rooms. Second, the fly that was there last time had left or died. If I had started this site by that point, it would have been immediate grounds for disqualification. Luckily, the problem has been resolved.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
So, single rooms are always great. Add on to that the fact that the bathrooms are in a secluded hallway that can't be heard at the nearby tables (I have tested this on both ends), and you have an ideal situation.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
Standard and functional.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Bad news: they have opted for air dryers. Also, they fall into the annoyingly-common conundrum of having a trash can but nothing to throw in it. What gives? They put the dryer over the sink, which DOES eliminate unsightly spills, but overall it is just unacceptable.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
There is one small mirror over the sink. You might accept this given how small the room is, but I have seen much nicer mirror situations in similar rooms.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
WHY does no one have overhead music these days? Sheesh.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
I give Pinocchio's a half-point of tilt for putting a good lock on the door. That may seem minor, but broken or weak locks can cause privacy invasion anxiety in several customers (or just me).
Result: .5 points
Score: 3.5 out of 7 (50.0%)
What This Means For You: I will go as far as to push a 50/100 score into "recommended" territory My qualms are mainly cosmetic, whereas the logistics of a clean and working bathroom are completely covered. Congratulations, Pinocchio's! You do not fail the toilet test.
Regal Cinemas: Edgemont, PA
Name: Regal Cinemas
Website: http://www.fandango.com/regaledgmontsquare10_aaebq/theaterpage?wssac=58&wssaffid=11481_REGWebsite
Type: Movie Theater
Location: Edgemont, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: One toilet, one urinal
Regal Cinemas opened quite awhile ago, and I still remember my first movie experience there. I thought it looked like a giant space station, and I had never been in stadium seating (for a film) before. To this day, Regal is by far the nicest theater in my neck of the woods (the UA in King of Prussia is better, but it takes upwards of a half hour to get there). A movie theater is hard to keep clean ... could they at least get the bathroom right? Let's find out.
Cleanliness
The first thing I noticed was urine all over the toilet seat of the stall I went into. However, I know this to be the fault of the kid who was there right before me, so I really can't fault the staff for it. However, it also smelled awful, and there were puddles EVERYWHERE. Not a very good start.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
The bathroom I used is directly connect to the "walk here and find your theater" hallway. The stall is deep enough to give you some protection against wandering eyes, but the urinal is IMMEDIATELY next to it. Also, there is always a line when you only have two receptacles, and you end up crowding around the urinal and sink. Sorry folks.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Flushing
The flushing was blissfully normal. At least something was right.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
AIR DRYERS. COME ON. Air dryers are the worst invention of all time. Plus, there is a giant trash can near the door. Why is the can there if there aren't any paper towels to throw in it? And yet somehow, it was still more than half full.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
In a surprising turn of events, the mirrors were excellent. A giant wide mirror over the sinks, and a tilted mirror on the opposite wall for checking out your shoes and whatnot. Amazing!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Music
No overhead music or sounds to be heard. This is especially annoying since there tend to be several people in the bathroom at the same time (unless you're an insane person who leaves a show halfway through to take a pee). Frustrating.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
Sorry Regal, you get no Tilt points today. The bathroom experience was just not enjoyable at all.
Result: no points
Score: 2.0 out of 7 (28.6%)
What This Means For You: This bathroom is good for one thing: getting your business done before you head home from a movie. I wish I had gone at home or at dinner so that I wouldn't have had to put up with this nonsense. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Website: http://www.fandango.com/regaledgmontsquare10_aaebq/theaterpage?wssac=58&wssaffid=11481_REGWebsite
Type: Movie Theater
Location: Edgemont, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: One toilet, one urinal
Regal Cinemas opened quite awhile ago, and I still remember my first movie experience there. I thought it looked like a giant space station, and I had never been in stadium seating (for a film) before. To this day, Regal is by far the nicest theater in my neck of the woods (the UA in King of Prussia is better, but it takes upwards of a half hour to get there). A movie theater is hard to keep clean ... could they at least get the bathroom right? Let's find out.
Cleanliness
The first thing I noticed was urine all over the toilet seat of the stall I went into. However, I know this to be the fault of the kid who was there right before me, so I really can't fault the staff for it. However, it also smelled awful, and there were puddles EVERYWHERE. Not a very good start.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Privacy
The bathroom I used is directly connect to the "walk here and find your theater" hallway. The stall is deep enough to give you some protection against wandering eyes, but the urinal is IMMEDIATELY next to it. Also, there is always a line when you only have two receptacles, and you end up crowding around the urinal and sink. Sorry folks.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Flushing
The flushing was blissfully normal. At least something was right.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
AIR DRYERS. COME ON. Air dryers are the worst invention of all time. Plus, there is a giant trash can near the door. Why is the can there if there aren't any paper towels to throw in it? And yet somehow, it was still more than half full.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
In a surprising turn of events, the mirrors were excellent. A giant wide mirror over the sinks, and a tilted mirror on the opposite wall for checking out your shoes and whatnot. Amazing!
Result: PASS (1 point)
Music
No overhead music or sounds to be heard. This is especially annoying since there tend to be several people in the bathroom at the same time (unless you're an insane person who leaves a show halfway through to take a pee). Frustrating.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
Sorry Regal, you get no Tilt points today. The bathroom experience was just not enjoyable at all.
Result: no points
Score: 2.0 out of 7 (28.6%)
What This Means For You: This bathroom is good for one thing: getting your business done before you head home from a movie. I wish I had gone at home or at dinner so that I wouldn't have had to put up with this nonsense. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Winner's Circle Sports Grille: Edgemont, PA
Name: Winner's Circle Sports Grille
Website: http://www.winnerscirclesportsgrille.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Edgemont, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, two urinals
The Circ is a pantheon of suburban culture in West Philly. Stuck halfway between a bar and a restaurant, the Circ hosts trivia every week and has a giant projection screen for your favorite team's game. They also provide little audio boxes so you can hear the commentary from either the "main game" or any one of 5-10 smaller screens. The food is pretty good, and the staff is friendly. So, does the toilet match the drapes?
Cleanliness
As a long time Circ patron, I was expecting it to be sort of messy when I went in last night. I was pleasantly surprised to find no puddles, odors, or trash. For an average place like this to pull off cleanliness is quite a feat.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
Good news: the bathrooms are in a separate hallway! Bad news: if you sit on a toilet, you can see the entire bathroom unobstructed (and vice versa!) I really like the hidden-away approach here, but it's insane that you can barely hide yourself while dropping the kids off at the pool. I don't know what to say.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Flushing
Standard, normal, and worked as expected. You're not going to come out feeling like a new man, but it gets the job done.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Yikes, big problem here. They avoid the death trap of air dryers, but there is a terrible pump towel system that forces you to touch the same wet lever that everyone before you had used. Also, forget about using the door handle with towel still in hand, because the two are about 8 feet away from each other.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
Not full-length, but definitely full-width. You can see yourself well if you only start existing 4 feet off of the ground. Also, the mirror directly points at the door, so anyone walking in catches a full glimpse. I hope you like everyone at the bar watching you scrub your fingernails.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
Overhead music! Unbelievable! As an extra bonus, if there is trivia or a sports game on the big screen, you get that audio instead of lame muzak. It isn't loud enough to cover the worst deposit, but for the most part it's very servicable.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
I definitely have to give a shout-out to one very cool bonus here: the urinals have a corkboard above them, and the staff posts that day's Sports section from the Philly Inquirer. No one wants to be looking around (or looked at) when they're peeing, and distracting them with columns about the Eagles is a perfect solution. I can't give the highest Tilt marks here, but a half-point is well-earned.
Result: .5 points
Score: 4.0 out of 7 (57.1%)
What This Means For You: Somehow, the fine folks at Winner's Circle managed to impress me. The bathroom is quite standard on the surface, but the Sports page posting and overhead music go a long way. Also, the hallway leading to the bathrooms is big enough to accomodate long lines, even if it doesn't come up very often. I have no pause in recommending this bathroom, and would advise to NOT wait for the comfort of your own home.
Website: http://www.winnerscirclesportsgrille.com/
Type: Restaurant
Location: Edgemont, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: Two toilets, two urinals
The Circ is a pantheon of suburban culture in West Philly. Stuck halfway between a bar and a restaurant, the Circ hosts trivia every week and has a giant projection screen for your favorite team's game. They also provide little audio boxes so you can hear the commentary from either the "main game" or any one of 5-10 smaller screens. The food is pretty good, and the staff is friendly. So, does the toilet match the drapes?
Cleanliness
As a long time Circ patron, I was expecting it to be sort of messy when I went in last night. I was pleasantly surprised to find no puddles, odors, or trash. For an average place like this to pull off cleanliness is quite a feat.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
Good news: the bathrooms are in a separate hallway! Bad news: if you sit on a toilet, you can see the entire bathroom unobstructed (and vice versa!) I really like the hidden-away approach here, but it's insane that you can barely hide yourself while dropping the kids off at the pool. I don't know what to say.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Flushing
Standard, normal, and worked as expected. You're not going to come out feeling like a new man, but it gets the job done.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Yikes, big problem here. They avoid the death trap of air dryers, but there is a terrible pump towel system that forces you to touch the same wet lever that everyone before you had used. Also, forget about using the door handle with towel still in hand, because the two are about 8 feet away from each other.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Mirrors
Not full-length, but definitely full-width. You can see yourself well if you only start existing 4 feet off of the ground. Also, the mirror directly points at the door, so anyone walking in catches a full glimpse. I hope you like everyone at the bar watching you scrub your fingernails.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
Overhead music! Unbelievable! As an extra bonus, if there is trivia or a sports game on the big screen, you get that audio instead of lame muzak. It isn't loud enough to cover the worst deposit, but for the most part it's very servicable.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Reviewer Tilt
I definitely have to give a shout-out to one very cool bonus here: the urinals have a corkboard above them, and the staff posts that day's Sports section from the Philly Inquirer. No one wants to be looking around (or looked at) when they're peeing, and distracting them with columns about the Eagles is a perfect solution. I can't give the highest Tilt marks here, but a half-point is well-earned.
Result: .5 points
Score: 4.0 out of 7 (57.1%)
What This Means For You: Somehow, the fine folks at Winner's Circle managed to impress me. The bathroom is quite standard on the surface, but the Sports page posting and overhead music go a long way. Also, the hallway leading to the bathrooms is big enough to accomodate long lines, even if it doesn't come up very often. I have no pause in recommending this bathroom, and would advise to NOT wait for the comfort of your own home.
Kildare's: West Chester, PA
Name: Kildare's
Website: http://www.kildarespub.com/main.htm
Type: Restaurant
Location: West Chester, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: One toilet, two urinals
Kildare's is a Philly franchise of Irish pubs. There are a few within driving distance, and they're always a fun time. The night life is actually pretty substantial, which is surprising for such a nice and calm-ish restaurant. Today I ate their "European Union burger" which was pretty damn tasty. Okay, on to the real business.
Cleanliness
The bathroom is fairly clean, although the floors were wet and the trash can was overflowing. It certainly didn't scream "highway rest stop cesspool", but I wouldn't eat a dinner off of the floor either. This is a no-contest to me.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Privacy
Here is where the problems begin. First of all, the door opens directly into the space of whoever is using the sink. The two urinals are pretty wide-open, with the urinals themselves extending less than you might expect (and no dividers in between). The door of the stall shows too much detail as well. If you work for the CIA, this is not where you want to conduct any sort of meeting.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Flushing
I only used the urinal, but that was all I needed to be completely skeeved. In the grand tradition of the 18th century, the urinals DO NOT FLUSH. Instead they are angled downward "enough" to drain whatever you're dispensing. I don't care if the stall had a scientific revolution of flushing technology, these urinals are awful. Also, the urinal cakes somehow smelled WORSE than a normal bathroom does.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Dryers
Okay, Kildare's did do one thing extremely well. The soap AND towel dispensers were both wave-motion-activated, and the trash can was right next to both the sink and the door. Quite a great example of how this sort of thing should work.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
NO MIRRORS. NO. MIRRORS. Are you kidding me, guys? There wasn't even a reflective surface to be found. I wish I could give negative points here.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
On the plus side, the bathroom is fairly close to the speaker/DJ system, so you get a lot of incidental noise masking the very presence of the john. On the minus side, NO OVERHEAD MUSIC.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
I have to be fair here; the decor was very nice in this bathroom. Interesting signs highlighted both cool beer logos and Irish history. If this were a cleaner and/or bigger bathroom, the atmosphere would be a great plus. As it stands, it simply saves it from being a true dumpster.
Result: .5 points
Score: 2.0 out of 7 (28.6%)
What This Means For You: If I had to give a quick summary, this bathroom is like putting a delicious chocolate icing on top of a gym sock sandwich. The design is completely backwards, and the lack of real flushing in the urinals makes it feel like a barn or something. Weird smells, a million paper towels in the trash, barely enough floor space to stand still ... someone missed the interior design train big-time. The signs on the wall were neat, but that doesn't make up for an extremely piss-poor (pun intended) effort. Definitely go to Kildare's for the food, but hold it on the ride home.
Website: http://www.kildarespub.com/main.htm
Type: Restaurant
Location: West Chester, PA
Occupancy: Multiple
Porcelain: One toilet, two urinals
Kildare's is a Philly franchise of Irish pubs. There are a few within driving distance, and they're always a fun time. The night life is actually pretty substantial, which is surprising for such a nice and calm-ish restaurant. Today I ate their "European Union burger" which was pretty damn tasty. Okay, on to the real business.
Cleanliness
The bathroom is fairly clean, although the floors were wet and the trash can was overflowing. It certainly didn't scream "highway rest stop cesspool", but I wouldn't eat a dinner off of the floor either. This is a no-contest to me.
Result: NO DECISION (0.5 points)
Privacy
Here is where the problems begin. First of all, the door opens directly into the space of whoever is using the sink. The two urinals are pretty wide-open, with the urinals themselves extending less than you might expect (and no dividers in between). The door of the stall shows too much detail as well. If you work for the CIA, this is not where you want to conduct any sort of meeting.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Flushing
I only used the urinal, but that was all I needed to be completely skeeved. In the grand tradition of the 18th century, the urinals DO NOT FLUSH. Instead they are angled downward "enough" to drain whatever you're dispensing. I don't care if the stall had a scientific revolution of flushing technology, these urinals are awful. Also, the urinal cakes somehow smelled WORSE than a normal bathroom does.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Dryers
Okay, Kildare's did do one thing extremely well. The soap AND towel dispensers were both wave-motion-activated, and the trash can was right next to both the sink and the door. Quite a great example of how this sort of thing should work.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
NO MIRRORS. NO. MIRRORS. Are you kidding me, guys? There wasn't even a reflective surface to be found. I wish I could give negative points here.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
On the plus side, the bathroom is fairly close to the speaker/DJ system, so you get a lot of incidental noise masking the very presence of the john. On the minus side, NO OVERHEAD MUSIC.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
I have to be fair here; the decor was very nice in this bathroom. Interesting signs highlighted both cool beer logos and Irish history. If this were a cleaner and/or bigger bathroom, the atmosphere would be a great plus. As it stands, it simply saves it from being a true dumpster.
Result: .5 points
Score: 2.0 out of 7 (28.6%)
What This Means For You: If I had to give a quick summary, this bathroom is like putting a delicious chocolate icing on top of a gym sock sandwich. The design is completely backwards, and the lack of real flushing in the urinals makes it feel like a barn or something. Weird smells, a million paper towels in the trash, barely enough floor space to stand still ... someone missed the interior design train big-time. The signs on the wall were neat, but that doesn't make up for an extremely piss-poor (pun intended) effort. Definitely go to Kildare's for the food, but hold it on the ride home.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Fresco Pizza & Grill: Newtown Square, PA
Name: Fresco Pizza & Grill
Website: http://www.frescopizzagrill.com
Type: Restaurant
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Occupancy: Single
Porcelain: One toilet
Fresco is a nice, relatively new grille in Newtown Square. It's tucked away in a weird new shopping center by the intersection of West Chester Pike and 252. I particularly enjoyed their burger the last time I went there. But you can read that information elsewhere. Let's get to the bathroom.
Cleanliness
The bathroom here is quite clean. I didn't notice any "hourly cleaning checklist" that you sometimes see, but you can tell it's maintained on a regular basis. I saw no toilet paper or towels on the ground, nor were there spills of any kind on the ground.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
The room is single occupancy, which I tend to prefer. There is a Catch-22 with the location, though: the bathrooms are tucked in a very narrow hallway to the left of the kitchen. The upside is that you are secluded from the eating area, so that neither party (diners and bathroomers) will disturb each other. The downside is that the hallway is quite cramped, so you end up having to form a single line for the women's and men's rooms. This makes for several awkward glances and remarks. You also have to do the walk of shame past everybody once you're done your business. However, the overall hidden feeling and comfort that it brings overwhelms the discomfort of people waiting for you to wrap it up.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
The flush is a typical lever mechanism. It worked as expected, and the flush was substantial but not overpowering.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Fresco uses a "wave your hand around like an idiot until the towels come out" device. Thankfully they use towels at all, instead of those awful air-powered pieces of junk. The trash can is small, but they make up for it with the overall frequent maintanence, so it doesn't overflow.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
Being a single occupancy, there is only one mirror, expectedly positioned above the sink. My memory may be failing me, but I recall it being tilted downward. Still, it didn't give you many options for checking your entire head-to-toe appearance, which is unfortunate.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
If there was any music playing, it was bled-through from the main dining area. For shame, Fresco! This was made slightly better by the fact that no one could hear you anyway since you're in a little hallway, but anyone waiting their turn outside is sure to get some collateral noise.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
The toilet paper is on this small, free-standing spinner that was quite classy. I didn't see any spare rolls around, but they seem to keep up the place on a regular basis, so I can't imagine it being a problem TOO often. Also, there was a handy Lysol spray bottle sitting next to the door, which I rarely see in public facilities. The decor was bright and high-class, making for an enjoyable atmosphere. I hate when you go to a nice restaurant and the bathroom makes you feel like you just pulled over from the highway in New Jersey. I can't give my highest marks, but it was still a nice upgrade from your average john.
Result: .5 points
Score: 4.5 out of 7 (64.2%)
What This Means For You: I would definitely recommend the bathrooms at Fresco. The warm atmosphere made up for the annoyance of the small hallway. No one was waiting for me when I was done, but I could hear the guy before me and I didn't like it. If they added a bigger mirror and some overhead music, this bathroom would get the highest of honors. For now, it is simply above average.
Website: http://www.frescopizzagrill.com
Type: Restaurant
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Occupancy: Single
Porcelain: One toilet
Fresco is a nice, relatively new grille in Newtown Square. It's tucked away in a weird new shopping center by the intersection of West Chester Pike and 252. I particularly enjoyed their burger the last time I went there. But you can read that information elsewhere. Let's get to the bathroom.
Cleanliness
The bathroom here is quite clean. I didn't notice any "hourly cleaning checklist" that you sometimes see, but you can tell it's maintained on a regular basis. I saw no toilet paper or towels on the ground, nor were there spills of any kind on the ground.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Privacy
The room is single occupancy, which I tend to prefer. There is a Catch-22 with the location, though: the bathrooms are tucked in a very narrow hallway to the left of the kitchen. The upside is that you are secluded from the eating area, so that neither party (diners and bathroomers) will disturb each other. The downside is that the hallway is quite cramped, so you end up having to form a single line for the women's and men's rooms. This makes for several awkward glances and remarks. You also have to do the walk of shame past everybody once you're done your business. However, the overall hidden feeling and comfort that it brings overwhelms the discomfort of people waiting for you to wrap it up.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Flushing
The flush is a typical lever mechanism. It worked as expected, and the flush was substantial but not overpowering.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Dryers
Fresco uses a "wave your hand around like an idiot until the towels come out" device. Thankfully they use towels at all, instead of those awful air-powered pieces of junk. The trash can is small, but they make up for it with the overall frequent maintanence, so it doesn't overflow.
Result: PASS (1 point)
Mirrors
Being a single occupancy, there is only one mirror, expectedly positioned above the sink. My memory may be failing me, but I recall it being tilted downward. Still, it didn't give you many options for checking your entire head-to-toe appearance, which is unfortunate.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Music
If there was any music playing, it was bled-through from the main dining area. For shame, Fresco! This was made slightly better by the fact that no one could hear you anyway since you're in a little hallway, but anyone waiting their turn outside is sure to get some collateral noise.
Result: FAIL (no points)
Reviewer Tilt
The toilet paper is on this small, free-standing spinner that was quite classy. I didn't see any spare rolls around, but they seem to keep up the place on a regular basis, so I can't imagine it being a problem TOO often. Also, there was a handy Lysol spray bottle sitting next to the door, which I rarely see in public facilities. The decor was bright and high-class, making for an enjoyable atmosphere. I hate when you go to a nice restaurant and the bathroom makes you feel like you just pulled over from the highway in New Jersey. I can't give my highest marks, but it was still a nice upgrade from your average john.
Result: .5 points
Score: 4.5 out of 7 (64.2%)
What This Means For You: I would definitely recommend the bathrooms at Fresco. The warm atmosphere made up for the annoyance of the small hallway. No one was waiting for me when I was done, but I could hear the guy before me and I didn't like it. If they added a bigger mirror and some overhead music, this bathroom would get the highest of honors. For now, it is simply above average.
Welcome to Commode Node.
You may remember me as that guy who writes at The Burrito Stand. Well, I'm back with another blog, but this one is a little different. This one is about bathrooms.
That's right, bathrooms. If you're picky and OCD like I am, then you enjoy knowing ahead of time what you're in for when it comes to a lavatory. Lucky for you, I'm here to help. I will be writing up reviews of the different bathrooms I encounter, based on the following criteria:
~ Cleanliness: Obviously, this is a big one. How clean is the bathroom? Is there a nice air freshener routinely masking our horrible odors, or are there dank paper towels strewn about and a woft of South Philly in the air?
~ Privacy: Single occupancy, or multiple? Are there little separators between urinals? Can you easily see through the cracks in the stall walls?
~ Flushing: Is there a lever, knob, or button? Is there one of those sensors that does it automatically? Is the flush splashy and incomplete?
~ Dryers: Paper towels or heat-based dryers? Are the trash cans convenient or hidden, and are they overflowing with awfulness?
~ Mirrors: Can you see most or your body in the mirrors, or will you risk dragging a piece of toilet paper back into the establishment on your shoe? How much effort does it take to make sure your fly is up?
~ Music: Is there sound coming through on the overhead speakers, or are you left alone with your shame in a loud, echo-filled chamber of flatulence?
~ Reviewer Tilt: The "wild card" category, where I arbitrarily decide how much I enjoyed my bathroom experience.
Now, as you might assume, most of the bathrooms reviewed will be at restaurants. However, don't rule out malls, retail stores, or Quik-E-Marts.
I hope you enjoy this blog. I'll sure enjoy writing it.
That's right, bathrooms. If you're picky and OCD like I am, then you enjoy knowing ahead of time what you're in for when it comes to a lavatory. Lucky for you, I'm here to help. I will be writing up reviews of the different bathrooms I encounter, based on the following criteria:
~ Cleanliness: Obviously, this is a big one. How clean is the bathroom? Is there a nice air freshener routinely masking our horrible odors, or are there dank paper towels strewn about and a woft of South Philly in the air?
~ Privacy: Single occupancy, or multiple? Are there little separators between urinals? Can you easily see through the cracks in the stall walls?
~ Flushing: Is there a lever, knob, or button? Is there one of those sensors that does it automatically? Is the flush splashy and incomplete?
~ Dryers: Paper towels or heat-based dryers? Are the trash cans convenient or hidden, and are they overflowing with awfulness?
~ Mirrors: Can you see most or your body in the mirrors, or will you risk dragging a piece of toilet paper back into the establishment on your shoe? How much effort does it take to make sure your fly is up?
~ Music: Is there sound coming through on the overhead speakers, or are you left alone with your shame in a loud, echo-filled chamber of flatulence?
~ Reviewer Tilt: The "wild card" category, where I arbitrarily decide how much I enjoyed my bathroom experience.
Now, as you might assume, most of the bathrooms reviewed will be at restaurants. However, don't rule out malls, retail stores, or Quik-E-Marts.
I hope you enjoy this blog. I'll sure enjoy writing it.
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