Bad Resturant Service (A Rant)

[Coyote_Bandit]

This bothered me last night so much that I continued to think about it today. Wanted to share and get it off my chest.

Friend called as she was leaving work to ask if I wanted to meet her for dinner at a new Mexican resturant near her office. Neither of us had been there. I agreed provided she allowed me to pick up the tab seeing as how she is good to look after my house and critters when I find it necessary to travel.

We met at the resturant and were immediately seated. As expected, the resturant was a typical sit down resturant with a small bar - as opposed to some variety of fast food establishment. There was ample parking, plenty of other vacant tables and no one else waiting to be seated. From our table we could view the parking lot and the entry where folks might wait for seating. We were given a menu and placed our drink (non-alcoholic) orders. Drinks were served along with chips and salsa. We placed our order which was served in short order. Waiter was friendly and efficient up until this point.

About five minutes after our meal was served the waiter began to visit our table with great frequency - as if trying to rush us. It was still hours before closing, there were still other tables available and no one else waiting to be seated.

The waiter would be speaking to us while approaching our table. We could not hear what was said to us as he walked past the table in back of us. I found the conduct rude and disruptive. The best waitstaff approach the table and provide an opportunity for their customers to acknowledge their presence and pause their conversation before intruding. Not this fucker.

At one point I had a forkful of food and the fucker started to take the food that remained in order to box it for carryout. I've never before had somebody try to take my food while I was still fucking eating it.

Not once did the waiter offer to refill our drinks.

Since I didn't trust this bozo I opted to pay the tab with cash. Not surprisingly the fucker asked whether I wanted my change - change that would have provided him a very generous and completely unwarranted 50% gratuity. Of course, I wanted my change. Suddenly we were ignored. Took nearly 15 minutes to get that change.

The time that elapsed from when we walked in the door until we left was less than 45 minutes. When we left there was still ample available parking, no one waiting to be seated and several empty tables. It was at least 10 minutes after we arrived beforee our meal was served and then there was that 15 minute wait for change. My meal of vegetarian fajitas was gobbled down in 20 minutes or less.

Although I did not enjoy my meal I did leave a tip - standard gratuity and no more. I would not have done that but for the fact that I knew my friend would have done so. Her office is nearby and she may find it necessary to return. I won't. I find myself hoping this fucker has a lot more empty tables. He gives hardworking attentive waitstaff a bum rap.

End of rant.