Know this, friends: 2007 will be the year that we learn everything there is to know about the business of Chinese takeout in NY. It's a dark, dirty business, but not one we'd even consider shutting down, for fear that our lives would be thrown violently off the axis on which we rotate if such a thing were to happen. It just might be fun to know about it, no?
Which brings us to the business of today and a morsel of genius of the highest order. Perhaps you recall an East Village Chinese takeout joint (CTJ) called Rosie and Tang? Said chicken and broccoli source was a standby for people like Keith Kin Yan, who admits to being quite picky about his Chinese food delivery and happy to have found Rosie and Tang.
So one day, Mr. Keith phones his favorite CTJ and something is off: "First it took them forever to pick up the phone, they had to ask me for my address, which they never did before once they had my phone number on their system and the lady on the other end of the phone didn't seem to know what was on the menu. I figured it was someone new so I ordered and waited for my food."
And then, it's get worse: "Two hours later the delivery guy finally shows up, not the usual guys that delivers, but since it was raining really heavy out I gave them a pass on the lateness and figured it was just a shitty night for them. Then the shocker, the food was completely off standard, like night and day! It wasn't even in the same containers they usually use, the food was just bad.
To recap, CJT has taken a nosedive, something these places tend to do from time to time. Suspicion of foul play sets in. Back to Keith:
"Then I realized they didn't say the restaurants' name when they answer the phone, something was fishy...Then yesterday I was taking a cab home and as we passed 10th and 4th, I saw that Rosie was closed! Another Chinese delivery place took their number, and have been pretending to be Rosie! They've gone as far as trying to offer what was on their menu.Genius. Today we get one step closer to understanding CJT math—and how those dumplings can possibly cost $1.75. Delivery expense: $1.40/hr/worker. Marketing costs: $100 payoff to Verizon for old, better CTJ's phone number.
· Phone Jacked [unrelatednews]
Related:
· Ollie's Workers To Sue Restaurant Over $1.40/Hr Wages [~E~]
· Eater: Saigon Workers v. Saigon Grill: Complaint Details [~E~]
