What's the Best and Worst Restaurant Service you've had?

[MrNewportCustom]

Best: In the late '80s, a friend and his wife treated me to dinner for my birthday. It started with a problem, but Dane more than made up for it and gave us the best service we've ever known.

The three of us had ordered baked potatoes with our steaks. Dane (because of his incredible service, I'll never forget his name) took our orders and left. When he returned with our meals, he informed us that the chef had just burnt the last potato and asked if I wanted a substitute. I opted for the fries. (Dave and Angie got their potatoes.) We all odered milk with our meals, he brought filled glasses as soon as he saw any one of them empty. They ordered a hot fudge sundae for me. Dane never left us wanting for anything, yet he wasn't intrusive.

Because of the potato incident (and probably my birthday), Dane charged us for only two meals, for none of the milk, knocked my fries off the bill, and the sundae was free. Which brought the bill total to about twenty-five dollars - less than half what it should have been. We tipped him another twenty dollars. I tossed in a ten spot, myself.

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Worst: I was in a restaurant, a few years ago. I placed my glass at the edge of the table and it took the waitress ten minutes to pick it up and take it to the drink station. Which was directly behind me. She then returned to the folks at the next table and talked for another ten minutes. Then she went back to the drink station, filled my glass and returned it to me.

Trying to be kind and thinking they might be friends she hadn't seen in a long time, I asked her if she knew the people at the next table. She said she didn't. When my date and I left, I left a note for her: "I looked for you all through the meal, you look for the tip." I didn't leave a tip.

My date had left her jacket in the booth, and when she went back to get it, the waitress was reading the note. She said the waitress was angry, and told her she should have given us better service. (I would have gone in for her jacket, but she just said, "Oh! My jacket!" and ran back inside. )


Lee
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"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me." - Noel Coward

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I've had lots of good service. New Jersey is the land of the diner so I've eaten in too many to pick just ONE "extra mile" form of good service!

The worst -- at a resturant in New Hope, PA. Very snobby. I don't think they had any intention on serving us because we didn't look like we had money. The person I was with kept asking the waiters that were walking by when we'd get served and they all brushed it off with a "One minute" or "Let me find out." Whatever. It wasn't busy at all. We sat there for 15 minutes watching everyone else around us get served. We went to Starbucks instead.

 

[MrNewportCustom]

I've had lots of good service. New Jersey is the land of the diner so I've eaten in too many to pick just ONE "extra mile" form of good service!

The worst -- at a resturant in New Hope, PA. Very snobby. I don't think they had any intention on serving us because we didn't look like we had money. The person I was with kept asking the waiters that were walking by when we'd get served and they all brushed it off with a "One minute" or "Let me find out." Whatever. It wasn't busy at all. We sat there for 15 minutes watching everyone else around us get served. We went to Starbucks instead.

You just reminded me of a similar exprience in a Phoenix Dennys. I went in, sat down, and watched the people who came in five minutes after me get their meals. I stood up, said out loud, "If you don't want my business, just tell me" and walked out. Went to Burger King, instead.


Lee

 

[LizzieMaine]

I don't think I've ever had bad service in a restaurant -- maybe I'm just lucky or maybe it's just that I never go to snooty snobby places: if there aren't any entrees under $10, I don't even bother to walk in the door.

I get the best service at the lunchroom downtown -- I don't even have to say anything, the moment I sit down, there's a cup of tea set in front of me, and five minutes later, two scrambled eggs, a side of sausage, and white toast. What more could you want?

 

[DeeDub]

The best was at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Del Mar. The servers didn't hover over us but magically appeared whenever we needed a refill, fresh napkin, or whatever. And the food was heavenly.

The worst may have been at a Furr's Cafeteria. I had chosen a dish of spinach or collard greens; something leafy and soft. I took a bite and heard an unexpected crunching sound. I reached into my mouth and pulled out half a june bug, then the other half. After several attempts to flag down a server, a waitress finally stopped by. I showed her the dismembered insect and she picked up the dish and the bug parts and said, "Oh, let me take that away for you." I never saw her again. When I told my story to the cashier, she just shrugged. Nobody even offered to take the contaminated dish off my bill. I never went back there again, that location or any other Furr's restaurant.

On the plus side, at least they didn't try to charge me for the protein supplement.

 

[patrick1987]

Hm, I've never associated bad service with snooty restaurants. Seems like they are trained to provide the best service unobtrusively. Worst, a diner where we were ignored, except for the rude comments overheard about me and my mom: we ended up going to the counter to order something to be brought to the table, and I had a birthday whilst waiting for the food, which was the wrong thing, another before we got the check, never got a second cup of coffee, naturally, and no one cared, of course. And she was really a waitress.
Best, at a restaurant at the Marriott in Louisville Kentucky last summer. It was not cheap but we were on vacation at an Army Reunion and wanted to splurge. It was nice being pampered and spoiled so it was worth it. The food was excellent.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I don't know if it's because I live in a bigger city, but unless I go to one of the higher end restaurants in the city, service is typically not great.
At the moment I can't really recall a very bad service experience. But it is often the case that I go into a restaurant and wait at least 10 minutes before the server comes to introduce herself and take a drink order. It's about another 10 minutes to get the drinks and place a food order. Meals tend to be longer due to the constant waiting around for things like refills on drinks or the check.


One restaurant around here that I have always had outstanding service at is Legal Seafoods. Ok maybe I'm a little biased because it was once a family business. But, even though we are no longer on the front lines of the restaurant I still go there, a lot (much to my parents dismay but you can't beat the food and the service). The service is always friendly and fast, yet I never feel rushed when I am there. You never have to ask for a drink refill, the servers know the menu and always offer their recommendations for both food and wine, and the food is always perfectly fresh and cooked to order. They are also willing to accommodate any changes to dishes, no questions asked. This is why I recommend all out of towners to visit this restaurant, even if it's just for a small lunch. Nothing beats oysters and bloody mary's on a Sunday morning

As for the best meal and service of my life, it was at a small restaurant in Old San Juan Puerto Rico. I was with my Mom, Dad and Hemingway Jones. We were tired and thirsty from walking all day. We were greeted at the entrance by the owner. He brought us to the back of the restaurant, a covered patio with over grown foliage and old plastic tables. He sat down at the table with us and said "you don't need menu's, just tell me the kinds of things you like, and I will prepare it for you". He asked us questions about the different things we would like. Then he and the boy who worked for him brought us out plate after plate of the freshest most delicious food I might have ever tried. He brought out a plate of gigantic shrimp grilled to perfection, layers of herbs between the shell and the meat, heads still on. He convinced us all that the shrimp head was a delicacy and we must try it. We all did out of respect for him, even my Mom did!! It was interesting to say the least. Anyway, we must have had 10 different dishes, each one different and incredibly delicious. He made us his specialty drink, his take on a Mojito yet it was made with Vodka, fresh made lemonade, sugar in the raw and mint. They were quite the thirst quenchers!! The owner of the restaurant sat with us while we ate, even though there were other customers in the restaurant. He told us all about Old San Jaun, and the different foods we were eating. It was an experience I will never forgot. The location, the food, the service, and the people I was with all made for an unforgettable experience

Every meal in Rome and Venice was amazing too. Always great service and great food. Oh how I can't wait to return!!

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Hm, I've never associated bad service with snooty restaurants. Seems like they are trained to provide the best service unobtrusively.

I feel the same, I don't associate bad service with "snooty" restaurants either. My parents are "foodies" (I hate this term, but use it for lack of a better one). I have the pleasure of going to a lot of different kinds of restaurant, all different price ranges. I don't think I've ever had an unpleasant experience at a "snooty" restaurant. A good example of this is The Oak Room, next to the wonderful Oak Bar in the Copley Fairmont Hotel. I had the pleasure of going there with MK while he was visiting Boston. The food was outstanding, and the service was as well, in both the bar and the restaurant. Did I think it was an expensive restaurant, yes. Did I think it was worth it and will I go back there? Of course! Yes the company added to the wonderful time. But, my grilled lamb chops were the best lamb chops I have ever had, even better than the ones I cook. I think I recall Hemingway Jones, Dalexs, and MK, all enjoying their meals. MK was looking for something in particular, and the waiter made sure he got it. I didn't think the high prices made this restaurant snooty, I didn't feel like the servers had any sort of snooty attitude. If anything it was a very elegant experience, added to this was a wonderful vintage feeling, which led to a perfect evening that couldn't have been better. No, not snooty at all.... In these restaurants you aren't just paying for good food, you pay for good service as well. I don't think the owners of this type of restaurant would tolerate anything but high class, respectable behavior from both their employees and their customers.

 

[Samsa]

The worst was at a Big Boy around where I live. It was late at night, and there were hardly any other customers in the place. It nonetheless took the waiter an obscene amount of time before he even took our order, and I don't think he once came back to check on us after we were served. That's the only time I did not leave a tip.

As for best? I honestly can't think of any particular time. I am not at all picky. As long as someone comes in a reasonable amount of time, and there is nothing grossly the wrong with the food, I will be happy. There are more important things to worry about, especially considering that millions of people in the world seldom get the opportunity to have strangers prepare and serve them food.

 

[beaucaillou]

My .02

I just can't *not* pipe in with an industry perspective...

I'm not really sure what "snooty/snobby" places means. It sounds like a generalization, especially if the places are rarely or never frequented by those making the statement.

Mostly high prices occur in restaurants because of, 1) quality of ingredients (and really, how do you place a price tag on what you put *into* your body... more or less of course), and 2) training and ability of the Chef. Gastronomy/Cuisine is no different than any other art form, and at it's best can be more engaging and outstanding because it synthesizes almost all of the senses.

Yes, there is something to be said for the places that, "know you," but I've almost always worked in 3-4 star restaurants and would term none of them as 'snooty' or 'snobby' just because of the price tag. It is my job to "know" my regular guests, and I have (and had) many of them. They feel it is important to plunk down a significant amount of money weekly or even daily to eat incomprable cuisine, and in turn receive the most amazing service they've ever had. Dining can be an entire production.

Now, I love a good diner as much as the next gal/guy, perhaps even more because I can so strongly appreciate the roots/guts and soul of them, but comparing fine dining and a diner is like comparing 'Spider-Man 3' to 'Citizen Kane': both have their merits, but one will change the way the particular medium is approached in the future.

The way I have treated my guests is to treat them like family. I treat them with kindness, warmth, familiarity, professionalism, and respect. I read and anticipate their needs, and provide the kind of service that each table desires. ...Some want to be entertained, some want privacy, some want instruction and education... Of course, not all servers or restaurant folk do this, but I can honestly say that in the fine dining establishments I've worked in, service was bar-none in that way... it's the only way to ensure repeat business!

Good service isn't *exclusive*, it's inclusive, and engages everyone and wants even the least seasoned diner to have the best possible experience. That's why places like Charlie Trotter's consistently get national U.S. service awards.

I understand this thread, but it is hard to read blanket generalizations about my industry, as I imagine it would be for anyone. When I was a server, and even now as a Sommelier, I feel confident in saying I provide unparalleled service.

Some of mine and my co-workers finer moments include: running out of one sixtyblue in Chicago in January in only my work uniform with no coat and down the street during a snow storm to buy one of my guests a six-pack of Guinness because that is what he wanted and we didn't sell it.

Running out of the same restaurant to the wine bar across the street to get a particular herbal tea (that I knew for certain the wine-bar manager drank and kept in her office drawer) for a guest who I overheard mentioning to her co-diner that she loved. (She was elated to see it appear after her entree.)

Driving sick patrons home in my car after my shift more than once.

Driving a sick patron to the hospital because they weren't sure if their insurance would cover an ambulance.

Giving guests regular baseball/football/basketball scores secretly during their meals so that their co-diners weren't aware of their dual interest.

Pretending a particular patron hadn't been in each earlier night of the week with a different date.

Pretending to not know that a particular patron wasn't dining with their wife/husband.

And on, and on...

I firmly believe in never making amateur diners feel uncomfortable about the dining process, and in explaining each step of the meal and wine service if they seem overwhelmed and unclear. Any reputable place will do the same.

I'm not saying that bad service doesn't happen... in fact, I see it often and it makes me cringe, but I also hate to see fine dining establishments being judged just for being high-end; that's wholly unfair to me. The service that I and many of my peers provide really is *that* good. The same as it is in many diners and truck stops around the country.

 

[K.D. Lightner]

I've had such good service in most restaraunts through the years, it would be difficult to single out one place or experience.

The worst? One time, my mother, who was visiting me in NYC, and a friend stood for an hour and a half in a trendy restaurant near Lincoln Center, waiting for a table. They seated people after us who were in parties of four, finally explaining to us that their tables were for four and we were three (guess they wanted the most money they could get). We left, ate in a simple cafeteria and I never went into that restaurant again.

One time I dined in a restaurant in Hillcrest (San Diego). It was a new restaurant, had just opened for business. I was the only customer there. The wait person staff of three seated me, served me, and then all three of them commenced to stand a few feet away and watch me eat my meal. Un-nerving! I guess they were bored or maybe they wanted to make sure I had everything I needed, but -- talk about overkill. Never went back there, either.

karol

 

[SpitfireXIV]

the best service i had was in a Denny's about 20 years ago. just a simple breakfast, but this waitress made sure my coffee cup never ran low... she was quite stealth about it too. but, that's the only time i think my tip ever was greater than what my tab was.

as for worst, i try not to remember those times...

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I don't know if any comments are directed towards me, but here's *my* 2 cents to clear up any confusion:

-NOWHERE in my post does it say all high-end resturants are snobby and give bad serivce. I was speaking of ONE PARTICULAR PLACE.

-The price tag was not an issue, since there was a full menu right outside the door! We knew the prices going in and we had the money, trust me. What's a fun day in New Hope, PA without money??

-The WAIT STAFF just didn't seem to have any time for us, yet we sat and watched them serve people who came in after us. How would that make you feel? I'll never forget it because I've never experienced anything like that before (being from NJ and used to excellent diner service!) We asked TWO waiters when we'd be served and they basically brushed us off with "One minute" or "Let me find out." The way they said it gave me the impression they had no intention of finding out. I'll say it -- they were very SNOBBY in their tones.

-Please don't assume I'm generalizing and think all high-end resturants are snobby and give bad service. I've been to plenty in my life and have no complaints about any of them except this ONE PARTICULAR RESTURANT! The thread was, afterall, tell us your best and worst resturant service!

 

[beaucaillou]

I don't know if any comments are directed towards me, but here's *my* 2 cents to clear up any confusion:

-NOWHERE in my post does it say all high-end resturants are snobby and give bad serivce. I was speaking of ONE PARTICULAR PLACE.

-The price tag was not an issue, since there was a full menu right outside the door! We knew the prices going in and we had the money, trust me. What's a fun day in New Hope, PA without money??

-The WAIT STAFF just didn't seem to have any time for us, yet we sat and watched them serve people who came in after us. How would that make you feel? I'll never forget it because I've never experienced anything like that before (being from NJ and used to excellent diner service!) We asked TWO waiters when we'd be served and they basically brushed us off with "One minute" or "Let me find out." The way they said it gave me the impression they had no intention of finding out. I'll say it -- they were very SNOBBY in their tones.

-Please don't assume I'm generalizing and think all high-end resturants are snobby and give bad service. I've been to plenty in my life and have no complaints about any of them except this ONE PARTICULAR RESTURANT! The thread was, afterall, tell us your best and worst resturant service!

AJ: I wasn't trying to single you out, or to assume anything. I had just read through the thread and wanted to put in my thoughts. That's all.

 

[MrNewportCustom]

Thank you, Amy Jeanne and Beaucallou.

As you said, Amy Jeanne, "One Particular Place." That is the theme for this thread.

The two bad experiences I've mentioned haven't stopped me from patronizing those establishments. The first was in a very popular place that is always busy. But, the waitress's service was still inexcusable. Seeing her talking to the folks at the next table meant that my date and I weren't the only ones not getting good service. But, her service didn't turn me away from that particular establishment forever. I've never patronized it much, because of its popularity: I just usually don't like loud, crowded restaurants, regardless of service or price. Which is not to say I won't go to one when invited or it's the consensus vote.

The Dennys experience, on the other hand, was during a time when there were very few customers. Yet, I've been to several other Dennys restaurants in the years since - that one experience didn't drive me away. But when the entire staff ignores a person . . . again, inexcusable.

I'n general, I've gotten good or great service just about everywhere. And I tip comensurately. I love tipping large, and have been known to double a tip for good service. And on many occasions, I've sought out the manager to compliment my server. I've even suggested giving raises to a few servers.


Lee
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Now. Back to the topic. . . . NEXT!

 

[Tomasso]

Yes, there is something to be said for the places that, "know you,"

While I agree with all that you've written, you understate this point. It's a cold hard fact of life that a significantly higher level of service is afforded to regulars (and celebrities), particularly in obtaining desirable tables during prime time.

 

[Fletch]

There are two times when your marginal utility as a customer, and potential tipper who needs to be treated well, is very low:
1) When the restaurant is almost full.
2) When the restaurant is almost empty.
These are the times that truly test good service. Unless there's a quality, well motivated waitstaff, you're not likely to be treated very well at either time. When things are hopping or when things are dead, one more or less party is not likely to matter much.

The best service (and some of the best food) I have ever had was at Aureole in NYC, a 3-star place where I used to lead a jazz group. We were treated just like the big spenders even tho we were "comp" on everything. We made an effort to tip, too, tho we couldn't keep up with the plutocrats.

The worst was probably at a Bob's Big Boy on Wilshire Blvd. in Hollywood in midafternoon, 1987. I was waited on by a very solicitous and well-spoken young South Asian fellow whose mind was evidently on stardom (or possibly on drugs). After I said "bacon cheeseburger" and he carefully repeated "bacon cheeseburger," he returned 45 minutes later - with a BLT. I said "keep it," paid for my milkshake and walked.

 

[Smithy]

Some of the best restaurant service I've had happened recently when I was in Melbourne, Australia in transit to Norway. We were staying at The Australian Club (a gentlemen's club) and the service was five star as was the food.

Worst I've had was a Szechuan place in Auckland on Parnell Road, hugely rude, unhelpful and rubbish. Shame as the food was good, however I never went back.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I'm not saying that bad service doesn't happen... in fact, I see it often and it makes me cringe, but I also hate to see fine dining establishments being judged just for being high-end; that's wholly unfair to me. The service that I and many of my peers provide really is *that* good. The same as it is in many diners and truck stops around the country.

No offense meant, although I can see how my comments earlier could be seen as a sweeping generalization. I should qualify my remarks, then, to reflect that my own experiences with high-end places -- quite limited though they are -- have been less than satisfying. I've got a fine ear for when I'm being high-hatted, and it doesn't exactly add to my enjoyment of the meal when a waiter shoots me a look when I ask him to explain what a particular item is, and if it's possible to have the onions left out (I'm violently allergic, so this is a necessity.) I can put up with a lot of things, but superciliousness over supper isn't one of them.

 

[DeeDub]

Sometimes the Quality of the Customers Counts

This thread has me reminiscing about past dining experiences. One particular experience came to mind in which the customers were as much a part of the service as the restaurant staff.

When I was in the Navy, I had a habit of wandering away from the waterfront areas to find out how the real people lived. One evening in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, I found myself in a nice restaurant at the top of a tall building. Like most Americans, I have a tendency to expect to find at least one English-enabled person everywhere I go. Unfortunately, that was not the case in this exclusively Chinese restaurant.

The waiter and I could not come up with a way to communicate, so he started an impromptu conference with literally all the patrons around me. Then he started bringing dishes of food to my table. The soup was intriguing, but I couldn't figure out what it was. Another conference assembled and came up with the English word "seaweed".

I would not have ordered seaweed soup had the menu been in English. It has since become one of my favorites. For that, I can thank the friendly citizens of Kaohsiung.