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.
Monday, April 13, 2009
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.
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