Month: November 2019

First Watch Review

Edit: It was suggested that I develop a rating system for my reviews. If you’ve already read this review before, scroll down to the bottom for my rating.

Most review the food, but since there are a lot of food reviews, I am reviewing the place itself, but from an accessibility stand point.

I am in a wheel chair, have been for some many years now, and while many places are, or are supposed to be, accessible, they meet the minimum standards for accessibility, which are not always comfortable from a realistic view.

This is my review of First Watch cafe in Bowie.

To begin, though the entrance double doors have an odd 90 degree landing from outside door to inside door, the host stand is close enough that someone is always happily there opening the inside door and greeting, That I’ve never had to try to navigate that opening.

Once inside, the tables and chairs are not crowded so it is not a hassle getting around.

Other restaurants, when the host is taking you to your table, they walk normally (Quickly), and navigate or weave around, sometimes walking through our past areas you cannot, or are difficult to, follow. The employees here are more situationally aware. Hosts have led me to my table, walking at a place that was comfortable for me to follow, not too slow not too fast. A few times, when they were about to walk past a tighter area, they stopped, looked at my chair, mentally evaluated the room, then choose a more comfortable route. This small consideration, while probably having a small, if any, meaning to the more able, made a huge impact on my experience.

The bathroom situation was also a huge addition. Along with the standard handicap accessible men’s and women’s rooms, they also have two handicap accessible family bathrooms. Though each has only one toilet, they are huge with the necessary ADA compliant bars and everything. They are family rooms, so if you need assistance in the bathroom, it is comfortable for both you and your care giver.

In all, because I had no accessibility issues, I was free to have full enjoyment of the delicious foods.

In all, I give First Watch Cafe ♿️♿️♿️♿️♿️ handicapped placards out of 5 for comfort and accessibility.

Myong Dong Korean Restaurant Review

Edit: It was suggested that I develop a rating system for my reviews. If you’ve already read this review before, scroll down to the bottom for my rating.

This is my activity review of Myong Dong Korean Restaurant. Myong Dong is a Korean restaurant located off Baltimore Avenue in Beltsville, MD.

Most review the food, but since there are a lot of food reviews, I am reviewing the place itself, but from an accessibility stand point.

I am in a wheel chair, have been for some years now, and while many places are, or are supposed to be, accessible, they meet the minimum standards for accessibility, which are not always comfortable from a realistic view.

The door at the entrance to Myong Dong is wide enough and the side walk has enough room that a lone chair user can open the door to get in.

Once inside, the tables are not close together so a chair user can easily get around even if the restaurant were full of diners.

Pulling up to the table was easy, just moved a chair out of the way, and I was able to get my legs all the way under the table while keeping them on the foot pads (I am 6’1″ tall my legs are not short).

Unfortunately I didn’t use the bathroom so I didn’t get a look.

In all, the experience was one that I was not reminded that I was in a wheel chair.

I give Myong Dong ♿️♿️♿️♿️ Handicapped Placards our of 5 Since I didn’t get to the bathroom.

Nando’s Peri Peri Review

Edit: It was suggested that I develop a rating system for my reviews. If you’ve already read this review before, scroll down to the bottom for my rating.

This is my accessibility review of Nando’s Peri Peri which is a Peruvian/South African restaurant.

Most review the food, but since there are a lot of food reviews, I am reviewing the place itself, but from an accessibility stand point.

I am in a wheel chair, have been for some years now, and while many places are, or are supposed to be, accessible, they meet the minimum standards for accessibility, which are not always comfortable from a realistic view.

While the entrance has two doors, they are not heavy as to give a lone wheelchair user a struggle, and the inside door is far enough from the outside door that it gives a sort of “landing” between the doors that they aren’t in your way. But even so, there is always a greeter who is happy to open the door for the disabled and abled alike.

Once inside, the run up to the counter to order, which is at the, relative, back of the restaurant is comparatively short, and wide enough that you (in the chair) can approach the counter with, and next to, a companion.

From the order counter it is an easy wheel around to the dining room. You don’t have to worry about taking your food with you as they begin making it to order and will bring it out to you.

The dining room is not congested, so wheeling around takes little effort, and once at the table it is easy to move a chair out of the way to wheel under and sit comfortably.

The bathroom is standard and has an easily accessible, and private handicapped stall. The only issue is that it’s the only toilet in the bathroom. In the men’s room there is a urinal. My wife did not go in the lady’s room.

In all, the only thing I needed to concern myself with was the level of capsaicin in the food I wanted to deal with.

I give Nando’s Peri Peri ♿️♿️♿️ Handicapped Placards out of 5.