Best Customer Service in Brandon Contest: The Final 4
Vote for your favorite local businesses, leave a comment and write a review to help them become our customer service champ.
After an intense weekend of voting, four local businesses remain in Patch’s Best Customer Service tournament.
We started with 64 businesses in mid-March, and our readers have chosen these four as the heavyweights of customer service in Brandon. This week, the final four businesses will go head to head to crown a champion, and they need your support to go all the way.
We caught up with the four businesses this week and asked about the secret to their customer service success. Follow the links below to see what they had to say:
- Q&A with A Caring Touch Skin Therapy
- Q&A with Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium
- Q&A with Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill
- Q&A with Morningstar Electric
Voting ends at noon Saturday, March 31, and championship scoring is now in effect. The two businesses that get the most votes, comments and directory reviews before voting closes will advance to the finals. In the semifinals and finals, each poll vote is worth 1 point, each favorable comment is worth 20 points, and each favorable directory review is worth 50 points.
Each reader may vote once per day in the poll, and may leave one comment and one directory review per business. (You are welcome to leave as many comments as you would like, but for voting purposes we will count only the first comment and review you leave in favor of each business.) Any ties will be broken in overtime.
To leave a review for a business, search for the business name in the Brandon Patch directory, or click on the business name below to go straight to its directory listing:
- A Caring Touch Skin Therapy
- Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium
- Uncle Mike's Smokehouse
- Morningstar Electric
Good luck to all our competitors!
About this tournament: The 64 participating businesses joined Patch before the March 11 qualifying deadline and were selected based on their ratings in the Brandon Patch directory. Want to join Patch? Here's how.
Tammy Morningstar
7:32 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium rates superior in customer service. Love them!!
Jan Dunlap
7:42 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
I have been shopping at the Rolling Pin since forever! I love the personal service while shopping there and Chef Dave carry's the best new appliances and kitchen gadgets anyone could want. Thanks Rolling Pin that's why I keep coming back!!
Dave West
8:31 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tammy, you are so sweet. Ok, we will pay our bill for your last trip out to us! LOL Thanks Chef Dave
Joanne Christenson
1:45 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
love love love the rolling pin - I have had to do so much overtime so I can feed my rolling pin class addiction...Chef Dave is the best!!!
Taralynn
9:14 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Rhonda at A Caring Touch represents the epitome of customer service!
Rhonda Mcdaniel
9:56 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thanks Taralynn!
Louis Reele
9:43 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Uncle Mikes Smokehouse is great, their staff is top notch!
Louis
Real Lawn Service
Simone Karakash Tolley
11:34 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Thanks Louis :)
Jeanette Acevedo
7:22 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Morningstar Electric takes care of all of my electrical needs both at home and in my office. I know their customer service is the best having experienced it for myself. I'm almost a regular with all of my crazy old house electrical needs. Vote for Pedro...I mean VOTE FOR MORNINGSTAR ELECTRIC! They really are heads and tails above the rest.
Tammy Morningstar
8:41 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you, Jeanette.:)
Simone Karakash Tolley
7:59 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Rhonda from a caring touch rocks! She is sweet, experienced, knowledgable and like her business says... Caring! Vote A Caring Touch (and Uncle Mikes Smokehouse) for the final two!
Neisa Casillas
8:30 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Rolling Pin has the greatest staff and always find the best chef's to teach their fun and informative classes. It's always nice to go to a place where you are always greeted with smiling faces.
Rolling Pin
2:11 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you Neisa. We pride ourselves on great customer service with a smile.
Adam Roth
8:59 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
I have been going to the Rolling Pin for 2 years now. They have a very friendly and knowledgeable staff and a huge selection of products. I have also attended many classes and have learned so much! Lots of fun.
Rolling Pin
2:12 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you Adam for your kind comments.
Linda Parrott-Jessup
9:40 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Rolling Pin is a great place to take a date, whether you watch the chef cook your dinner or if you participate in the cooking, the food and atmosphere is always wonderful and you can purchase the tools that were used in the preparation right there in the store!
Rolling Pin
2:12 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you Linda.
Betty Huth
10:00 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
It is hard to comment on just one of the two businesses - A Caring Touch Skin Therapy and Morningstar electric - since both are outstanding in their customer service and their involvement in the community. they are also good friends, so give them both points for my comments.
Tammy Morningstar
10:19 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you, Betty! I agree with you....I love Rhonda with A Caring Touch Skin Therapy as well. It makes it tough being up against someone you feel gives excellent service as well! Either way.....we are all winners!!
Rhonda Mcdaniel
3:12 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tammy with Morning Star is great. Your right we are both winners. I know that Morningstar has outstanding customer service. And the relationship that I have built with Tammy is undeniable.
Debbie Walton
10:24 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Morningstar Electric offers outstanding customer service; they are consummate professionals, and are available for your residential or commerical needs 24/7. They are also very community minded, quietly helping out in Brandon and surrounding areas. I highly recommend, and have referred, them many times.
Tammy Morningstar
10:28 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you, Debbie!
April Oxford
10:30 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Uncle mikes smokehouse is the best place, the staff is friendly and the food is wonderful.
Simone Karakash Tolley
1:02 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thanks April :)
George
10:46 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Morningstar Electric are very efficient and concise with their service. I rate them at 5 Stars.
Tammy Morningstar
10:54 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thanks, George.
Ben Meyer
11:38 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Vote for Uncle Mikes. They have great service and are very friendly!
Simone Karakash Tolley
1:10 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thanks Ben!
Jordan Adams
12:20 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
I love uncle mikes, great place to have fun. Food is amazing.. Staff is awesome..
Jordan
Simone Karakash Tolley
1:10 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thanks Jordan!
L. Jackson
12:36 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Vote for A Caring Touch Skin Therapy. Rhonda is amazing to say the least. Her customer service is impeccable.
Rhonda Mcdaniel
3:13 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you Ms. Jackson for those kind words.
Ann Bayandrian
12:48 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
#1 Customer Service by far would be Uncle Mike's Smokehouse best food in Brandon n best place 2 eat with family! They have activities 4 all ages. The kids love it especially because the owners give the kids food 2 feed the fish very friendly staff!
Simone Karakash Tolley
1:04 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thanks Lu Ann!
Sabine Sanders
2:01 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Took a cooking class with my husband at the Rolling Pin ...what a treat :-) we will be back ...also great customer service they know there stuff ...
Rolling Pin
2:13 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you Sabine
Kelly Bock
2:06 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Morningstar Electric is Fantastic! I was so impressed with their professionalism when dealing with them at my place of work that I hired them for work around my house. They were prompt, got the job done in a timely manner and were very clean. I will definitely be calling them the next time I need electrical work done around the house.
Tammy Morningstar
2:35 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you, Kelly! We love you all over at the Rolling Pin!
Alicia Lopez
3:20 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Rhonda from A Caring Touch Skin Therapy is absolutely wonderful. She has wonderful customer service... she makes you feel at home when you come in to treat with her. I went to see several dermatologists before I came to see her and went to several different spas and no one got it right...but Rhonda did because she actually cared, listened to my story, and mixed in her expertise and knew just what to do. Thanks Rhonda!!!
Rhonda Mcdaniel
3:34 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thanks Alicia for the wonder words. This means so much to me!
Edi Shapiro
3:26 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
I have been going to Uncle Mike's Smokehouse since it opened. The atmosphere is awesome and the food is great. They have the BEST service around with the most friendly staff that always make sure you have everything you need. Keep up the good work guys. Be seeing you soon!
Joanne Christenson
3:40 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
love love love the rolling pin - I have had to do so much overtime so I can feed my rolling pin class addiction...Chef Dave is the best - 1 year ago I could not boil water, now I actually made my own ravioli and gnocchi - !!!
Rolling Pin
9:28 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thanks Joanne!
Yuli
7:13 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Uncle Mikes not only has great BBQ and service, but also lots of southern style dishes. I recommend their hog wings, and smoked wings, which are excellent!!! We always go on Fridays, cause they have beer and cornhole for the men, and line dancing for the kids and ladies.
Bernie
7:16 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Morningstar Electric has done several projects for me and I have been very happy with their service and attitude. They have done an outstanding job for me.
Tammy Morningstar
9:36 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you, Bernie!
Bob Hintze
7:18 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Ken and Tammy at Morningstar Electric have excellent customer service. They really pay attention to the customer and get the job done right, the first time.
Tammy Morningstar
9:37 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you, Bob!! We love Waypointe Property Inspections!
Rhonda Mcdaniel
8:37 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Uncle Mike's is a great place to meet your friends, bring your family, listen to music and enjoy great food. Great customer service. Vote for Uncle Mike's.
Simone Karakash Tolley
1:02 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Love you too Rhonda! Thank you for the great words!
Lisa Casalino
9:39 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
I love Uncle Mike's~ :)
Tracy Page
9:45 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Uncle Mikes is the place to be. We love it =)
Darlene Seufzer
9:52 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Uncle Mikes great atmosphere, service and food! And Simone is nice to look at too!
Tanya Doran
10:04 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Uncle Mikes Smokehouse is a great place to hang out with family and friends! GREAT food and owners that deeply care!!! Excellent service, great staff and delicious food!
Anna Dukes
10:23 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Rhonda at A Caring Touch is awesome!!!
Tanya Doran
10:28 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Morningstar Electric has excellent customer service! They care and pay attention to the customer. PLUS they know how to get the job done right, the first time!!!
Tammy Morningstar
10:55 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Thank you, Tonya! Its just a matter of time before I can start seeing the awesome gang at the Riverview Chamber again!! I really miss you all!
lauren l
10:31 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Uncle mikes has great service and great food!
Hugo Aviles
10:47 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
great food...amazing people...UNCLE MIKES ROCKS!!!
Sarah Piety
11:21 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
I LOVE Uncle Mike's, They have the best food and the best staff of any place I have been to in a long time!!! And it feels like home everytime I go.
Debbie Kirkland
11:25 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Uncle Mike's Smokehouse has the BEST BBQ chicken I have ever had anywhere!!
Spencer Coelho
12:34 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Uncle Mikes is the best BBQ in Tampa Bay
William
1:21 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Morningstar Electric is a great company and provides excellent service!
Tammy Morningstar
2:02 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Thank you, William.
Harout 'Harry' Keshishian
2:27 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Uncle Mike's Smokehouse has the best customer service and the staff are very friendly and acomidating! We had a large group of 20 one night and they arranged the tables and catered 2 everyones needs very quickly! They made our night and the food was excellent!
Sharon Gwozdz
3:11 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Uncle Mike's Smokehouse has the best food and best customer service in town!!!
Sharon Gwozdz
3:13 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Rhonda at A Caring Touch Skin Therapy truly is a master in her field. She has more certifications than I count!
Bev Harbord
3:43 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Morningstar Electric ROCKS!! We just had an electrical issue serviced and resolved...quickly and professionally. They always add such a positive to our community as well!
Tammy Morningstar
6:33 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Thank you for the kinds words, Bev. I am so happy we were able to help.:)
MS
9:45 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Morningstar Electric is the best! They are so professional and courteous! I recommend them when people ask me who to contact for electrical issues.
Tammy Morningstar
12:33 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thank you, Michelle for your kind comments and referrals.
Aimee Ford
10:41 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Morningstar Electric offers excellent customer service! I appreciate their professionalism and quick response to my estimate request.
Tammy Morningstar
12:45 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thank you, Aimee!
Janett fardon
3:29 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
awesome service! the owner actually took the time to come to my table and make sure everything was perfect for us! Don't see that much often!
Janett fardon
3:32 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
^^ Uncle Mikes
Katrina
3:38 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Uncle Mikes all the way!!!! best hog wings ever!!! <3
Dolores feister
3:43 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
I go ever night for poker night on Wednesdays sooo much fun! Thanks Uncle Mikes for a wonderful experience!
Isabell Strawder
3:47 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Simone is soo awesome such a wonderful staff thank you guys!
Ashley Abercrombie
3:51 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Stopped in a few weeks ago for red solo cup. Such a great time!
Marie PRocise
6:56 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Morningstar electric is the best customer service, they have exceptional service, on time, does an excellent job, explains the problem and how it is fixed, wonderful people, wonderful service, wonderful work
Tammy Morningstar
12:01 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thank you, Fred and Marie!
L. Gulley
8:16 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Rhonda's customer service is outstanding. He knowledge of skin is amazing.
Rachel Marie
9:10 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Uncle Mike's is by far the best of the best! The food is great, the music is great and the staff are wonderful! It is a place where my friends and family can go to relax after a long work week. We walk in the door and all of the kids run up to Uncle Mike and Simone and give them big hugs! It is an over great great place for everyone!!!
Sandi B
9:54 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Rolling Pin is the best place to go to when you are looking for anything you desire for the kitchen. Their staff is always so helpful and always willing to go that extra step.
Anson D
10:03 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
If you are a foodie then this Rolling Pin is the place to go. They have everything you need to stock your kitchen.
Cliff Williams
10:04 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Rolling Pin has the best cooking classes. They are always fun and informative and make the best date night. Good Luck!
Nick
10:11 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Morningstar Electric has great service and is the only company I use and refer.
Tammy Morningstar
12:01 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thank you for being a loyal customer, Nick.
Richard
10:13 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Love the Rolling Pin. Chef Dave and the classes are informative and the kitchen store is stocked with so many kitchen tools to make any kitchen a gourmet kitchen.
Ashley F.
10:59 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Uncle Mikes staff is amazing. great food and great environment.
A Mcdaniel
11:06 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Rhonda at A Caring Touch has worked wonders for my skin. Her knowledge and customer service are unparalleled by any other.
Melissa
11:12 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Rolling Pin is Great! Best selection of kitchen goodies anywhere! Also, love the cooking classes.
T Kyles
11:13 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Rhonda at A Caring Touch is amazing. She makes sure to stay educated on the newest and best techniques to offer her clients.
M Mcallister
11:23 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
There is no one better than Rhonda, as her slogan says your skin is her business and she makes sure her business looks great!
Rosalin
11:38 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Went to country night last night sooo much fun! Thanks Uncle Mikes for knowing how to put on a good time!
Taylor
11:43 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Love going to Uncle Mikes on Friday nights to play Corn Hole such a great experience!
Cristina
11:47 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Uncle Mikes is the best place in Brandon for food & entertainment!
J Harvey
11:57 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
I would recommend Rhonda to anyone. Make up, tanning, waxing, facials, she is an expert at all areas involving the skin.
Chris Taylor
1:52 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Jason,
Thanks for being such a good watchdog! The votes were counted at noon, and we also need to tally the points for all of the comments and reviews. Both of the polls were very close. Thanks to everyone who participated. Who's ready for the finals?
Jason
2:50 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Ok Thanks Chris!