I am from Ottawa and was visiting Montreal briefly. On December 15, 2025, at approximately 9:36 PM, I visited the A&W located at 3457 Park Avenue, Montreal.
We ordered a Double Teen combo with two extra 3oz patties and sat at the high chairs, where we had a clear view of the food preparation area. While watching the staff prepare our order, I was shocked to see the employee handling raw meat directly from the freezer with his bare hands, and then without washing or sanitizing his hands, he proceeded to touch ready-to-eat buns and cooked burgers.
This is a clear and serious case of cross-contamination and a major food safety violation.
I immediately brought this to the attention of the cashier. Her reaction was extremely concerning—she appeared completely unbothered and was wearing earbuds while serving customers, which is highly unprofessional. When I explained what I had witnessed, she responded in an unpolite and dismissive manner, even saying, “What is the problem with that? The other customers do not know about that and they did not see what you saw.”
That response was absolutely unacceptable. The issue is not whether other customers noticed—it is about basic food safety and public health. This made me seriously question whether the staff at this location have any food handler certification or proper training at all.
As a former A&W employee and someone who currently works in the food service industry, I can confidently say that this behavior is completely unacceptable and against all food safety standards.
We were offered a replacement, which we refused, and instead requested a refund. I left the restaurant extremely angry and disturbed by how little regard the staff seemed to have for customer safety.
Although I no longer have the receipt, this incident can be verified through CCTV footage between approximately 9:39 PM and 9:55 PM, which will clearly show what occurred.
This situation is alarming, and I sincerely hope it is taken seriously. No customer should ever be exposed to such blatant negligence and disrespect.
Ashley Torda
Very disappointing experience. We placed an order and clearly saw a staff member handle a raw patty and then immediately touch the bun and other food items without washing hands or changing gloves. This is a serious food safety concern, so we brought it to their attention.
Instead of apologizing or correcting the issue, we were met with a rude and dismissive response, asking “what our problem was” and telling us to just ignore it because they didn’t see anything wrong, even though other customers had already ordered and would be eating that food. No corrective action was taken after we raised the concern.
I also work in the food industry, so I am familiar with food safety rules and proper handling procedures, which made this situation even more concerning due to the risk of cross-contamination from raw meat.
After that, we were offered replacement food, but we declined because we no longer felt confident that the food would be handled properly, and we were worried that the same unsafe practices could happen again.
On top of that, the cashier was wearing earphones while working, had a poor attitude, and was talking behind the counter. Even though we may not fully understand the language being spoken, it raises concern that other customers might understand it, especially if similar comments are made about them. This is unprofessional and inappropriate in a customer-facing environment.
Ali Hossen
Deepak and akshat are best , they serve us very nicely and quickly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amadou Diallo
It’s a good restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Misha Borisenko
I ordered a burger and it had no filling, just buns.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
fateme salemi
Last time I was here they gave me under cooked hamburger that went to garbage. Also the people who were making the food had no hygiene.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Juliette Fong
Felix was so efficient watching him work was like a chorography, a beauty to beyond and he is a young man who understands and gives customer service. I told him if I owned a business he is the worker I would want to have.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Eugen Mescheryak
Usually a fine place, but recently been running the two same clerks. They are very rude. Didn't ask for my drink of choice, gave me root beer. Refused to change it to diet Cola, because apparently I need to specify now (all other employees would ask right before pouring it)
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Georgia Lazaratos
Very positive experiences. Have been going twice a week for awhile now, food is fresh and delicious, staff is kind. I love their chef oeuf bacon, love their coffee, teen burger combo is delicious. Veggie burger is also fantastic.
Vegetarian options: They have a delicious veggie burger
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Combo Double Teen Burger Double Teen Burger Combo, Teen Burger Teen Burger
Emotional Eats Mtl
Super friendly and kind staff. Fresh food. Tastes excellent. Cannot be compared to other A&W in its entourage.
The waitress got angry because I asked her to change the container of my liquor for a cold glass glass. Really very strange reaction.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
D
Solid.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Radovan Vlach
The food is better during the weekdays. I would recommend other branches for your weekend lunch. It used to be my favorite place. Unfortunately, not anymore.
I am from Ottawa and was visiting Montreal briefly. On December 15, 2025, at approximately 9:36 PM, I visited the A&W located at 3457 Park Avenue, Montreal.
We ordered a Double Teen combo with two extra 3oz patties and sat at the high chairs, where we had a clear view of the food preparation area. While watching the staff prepare our order, I was shocked to see the employee handling raw meat directly from the freezer with his bare hands, and then without washing or sanitizing his hands, he proceeded to touch ready-to-eat buns and cooked burgers.
This is a clear and serious case of cross-contamination and a major food safety violation.
I immediately brought this to the attention of the cashier. Her reaction was extremely concerning—she appeared completely unbothered and was wearing earbuds while serving customers, which is highly unprofessional. When I explained what I had witnessed, she responded in an unpolite and dismissive manner, even saying, “What is the problem with that? The other customers do not know about that and they did not see what you saw.”
That response was absolutely unacceptable. The issue is not whether other customers noticed—it is about basic food safety and public health. This made me seriously question whether the staff at this location have any food handler certification or proper training at all.
As a former A&W employee and someone who currently works in the food service industry, I can confidently say that this behavior is completely unacceptable and against all food safety standards.
We were offered a replacement, which we refused, and instead requested a refund. I left the restaurant extremely angry and disturbed by how little regard the staff seemed to have for customer safety.
Although I no longer have the receipt, this incident can be verified through CCTV footage between approximately 9:39 PM and 9:55 PM, which will clearly show what occurred.
This situation is alarming, and I sincerely hope it is taken seriously. No customer should ever be exposed to such blatant negligence and disrespect.
Very disappointing experience.
We placed an order and clearly saw a staff member handle a raw patty and then immediately touch the bun and other food items without washing hands or changing gloves. This is a serious food safety concern, so we brought it to their attention.
Instead of apologizing or correcting the issue, we were met with a rude and dismissive response, asking “what our problem was” and telling us to just ignore it because they didn’t see anything wrong, even though other customers had already ordered and would be eating that food. No corrective action was taken after we raised the concern.
I also work in the food industry, so I am familiar with food safety rules and proper handling procedures, which made this situation even more concerning due to the risk of cross-contamination from raw meat.
After that, we were offered replacement food, but we declined because we no longer felt confident that the food would be handled properly, and we were worried that the same unsafe practices could happen again.
On top of that, the cashier was wearing earphones while working, had a poor attitude, and was talking behind the counter. Even though we may not fully understand the language being spoken, it raises concern that other customers might understand it, especially if similar comments are made about them. This is unprofessional and inappropriate in a customer-facing environment.
Deepak and akshat are best , they serve us very nicely and quickly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s a good restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ordered a burger and it had no filling, just buns.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Last time I was here they gave me under cooked hamburger that went to garbage. Also the people who were making the food had no hygiene.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Felix was so efficient watching him work was like a chorography, a beauty to beyond and he is a young man who understands and gives customer service. I told him if I owned a business he is the worker I would want to have.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Usually a fine place, but recently been running the two same clerks. They are very rude. Didn't ask for my drink of choice, gave me root beer. Refused to change it to diet Cola, because apparently I need to specify now (all other employees would ask right before pouring it)
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Very positive experiences. Have been going twice a week for awhile now, food is fresh and delicious, staff is kind. I love their chef oeuf bacon, love their coffee, teen burger combo is delicious. Veggie burger is also fantastic.
Vegetarian options: They have a delicious veggie burger
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Combo Double Teen Burger Double Teen Burger Combo, Teen Burger Teen Burger
Super friendly and kind staff. Fresh food. Tastes excellent. Cannot be compared to other A&W in its entourage.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The place is diligently kept clean
The waitress got angry because I asked her to change the container of my liquor for a cold glass glass. Really very strange reaction.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Solid.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is better during the weekdays. I would recommend other branches for your weekend lunch. It used to be my favorite place. Unfortunately, not anymore.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
I had a pretty decent experience from here
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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