Not sure how many of you have ever patroned Dallas restaurant Catfish Blues, but I know many of you have because I’ve either seen you there, mixed you a beverage or know you personally.
Anyhow, after quitting my bartending gig there last week, I decided to let everyone know the underhanded, slick trickery and wool pulling that goes on at the establishment.
For one, Catfish Blues does not sell Catfish. It sells a kind of fish called Swa Fish. (I may be spelling it wrong.) A fellow chef friend of mine ( that works at another restuarant) told me that Swa fish tastes like catfish, the fillets are bigger, there are no scales and its alot cheaper than catfish. Many of you had asked me or told me that the fish tasted “funny.” This may be why.
Secondly, Catfish Blues has health code violations. A fellow employee told me that the freezer didn’t work. Therefore, at night, all the food goes in the cooler, and frequently it goes bad in the processs. Which explains why some of you have been served, slimey greens, sour red beans, etc.
Thirdly, not only is Catfish Blues’ liquor license suspended, (At least that’s what the owner told us,) but chances are if you’ve ordered a premium liquor drink, you were served well liquor instead, yet still paid the premium prices. On many occasions, other employees told me they witnessed personnel pouring well liquor (cheap liquor) into Grey Goose, Ciroc, Crown Royal, Ketel One, Titos, Patron, Grand Marnier bottles and etc. So chances are, if you’ve ever ordered a drink from there and it tasted funny (because you know what you’re Crown, Ciroc, Patron, etc tastes like) you very well may have been served well liquor. Personnel also salvaged old liquor bottles and TABC stickers, which is illegal and explains why the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission has already paid visits to the restaurant, confiscating money, and etc.
Fourthly, Catfish Blues does not pay their employees on time. Which is the initial reason for my frustrations, as well as present and past employees. At the time of my decision to quit the restaurant, I was informed that the rent was overdue, the liquor license was expired and we would have to wait on our paychecks. Some employees have not been paid all their earnings for the past four weeks. And have even heard owners and personnel making rude comments about how they have the money, but still won’t be paying anyone.
Lastly, not only are employees not getting paid on time, but several employees were never given tax forms to fill out at the time of employment. Yet, taxes are being taken out of their checks.
There are many speculations as to why employees aren’t getting paid, liquor isn’t being bought, phone and cable is being turned off, margaritas machines don’t work, etc. However, I won’t elaborate on any rumors.
In conclusion, it feels good to get this all off my chest. Like I said I quit the establishment and was tired of not only watching hard-working employees get cheated out of their money daily, but also watching customers be fooled and not getting what they paid for.
Your comments are welcome.