Our Readers Weigh In On What Bothers Them Most About Local Restaurants

My most recent blog was designed to serve two purposes: first, to let me rant a bit about the annoying things I see most frequently while dining out at local restaurants; and secondly, to give our readers a chance to weigh in on their biggest frustrations. Well, did our readers ever weigh in! And I hope the restaurants are listening!

MT writes:

• I’m bothered by “high-end restaurants that charge to substitute a side. If I’m paying top-dollar for an entrée, why should they care if I wanted mashed potatoes instead of scalloped potatoes, for example. They don’t cost more (if it’s some “special” side dish I can understand). The dishes are not pre-plated with sides (hopefully). So it doesn’t take any more effort to put one on the plate instead of another.
• A good example is Jasper’s. My wife and I love the place, and have been there several times. They make it a point on their menu that they will charge to substitute a side. If I’m paying $25+ for an entree, why is it an issue to substitute one .50 cent lump of food for another? It won’t stop me from going back, but it’s irritating.”

JC writes:

• I’m bothered by “servers who ask, “did you want your change?” when picking up the check and payment. I usually say, “Yes, every damn penny, and reduce the tip accordingly.
• Tables that wobble. This is a problem at restaurants in all price ranges and it is so easily eliminated. Restaurant equipment suppliers all have little wedges that are easy to use and very inexpensive.
• Loud music and TV that’s on even though no one is watching!
• Having to ask for the check. The wait person should be attentive enough to determine when diners are at certain stages of their visit and anticipate drink refills, taking away empty plates, and having the check ready!

AG writes:

• What really bugs me is when a restaurant keeps the dining area freezing cold and expects a customer to not be pissed off when their food gets cold two seconds after it arrives at the table. If I wanted cold food then I would grab frozen meat out of my freezer at home!

AC writes:

• When the manager stops by to “see how you are doing”, yet doesn’t introduce him or herself. Really? How hard is it to start with, “Hi, I’m Mike and I’m the manager and I just wanted to make sure everything was OK?” You assume when someone in a suit stops by and asks “everything OK?” that they are the manager, but what if it’s just somebody dressed up and asking people how they are?

Rob responds:

Another thing that kills me is when the manager walks around to each table in succession and asks “is everything OK?” Yet, from my extensive experience, especially at chain restaurants, if something is NOT okay, that manager is probably not prepared to act on it. My advice to restaurants: don’t have your managers ask that question unless they are empowered to immediately act and solve customer problems.