Has this happened to you?

[Gunny]

Yesterday I had a mid-morning appointment with an audiologist at the VA That wrapped up around noon, no big thing, just listen to sounds at different frequencies and such. So I decided to have lunch at a place called Chuy's, they serve Mexican food or Tex-Mex.

When I go to the VA I do not dress up, clean sweat pants, Long t-shirt, socks and sneakers. I wear a baseball cap w/ Retired Marine on it, short hair think I look presentable.

I was seated at a small table for two and given my menu. I watched others around me get their chips and salsa but not me. Then I notice the server (young female) Talking to someone who turns out to be the manager and looking directly at me. Someone other than my server brought my chips but still no salsa. As one server passed I asked to speak to the manager. This guy about 30 comes over and asks what I need. A  server would be nice. Then I ask him why the conversation about me. At first he denies it , then tells me someone looking like me walked a check a few days ago.

I have a short fuse. I tell him to bring me the bill for my untouched chips and water. He apologizes and tells me he will handle my order himself. I tell him to take his chips, his menu and any order and shove them up his ass. He remains silent so I put 5 on the table and leave.

Was it because I hadn't shaved in a few days? Sweatpants? 

I called their Corporate Office and spoke to the District "Coach", they don't call them managers. Offered me a free meal. I told him I didn't want free food, I wanted to be treated like any other customer. 

Rant over... Chuy's In Arlington.

 

[Canine]

Never happened to me,but I usually wear a Navy cap.

 

[Gunny]

Maybe that's why.

 

[speedhighway46]

If that were me I would seek help with my anger issues.

 

[mayble]

Given the info provided:
It was probably because you looked like the guy who walked out on a check a few days ago.
Some poor server had to pay for the guy's meal out of her own pocket, and I wouldn't blame her if she didn't want to feed him again.  Unfortunately for you, you bear a resemblance.
Maybe there is more to the story, but I don't understand why you didn't accept the manager's explanation and chose to take it as a personal insult.

 

[Gunny]

Ah, anger issues. Yep I have a few. But being ignored and not being served without me knowing why does in fact bother me. Never raised my voice.

If I did look like someone who stole from the restaurant then call the cops or ask me to leave. Don't just ignore me and allow me to sit there waiting.

I may be in the wrong, but since I have never walked a check and just wanted a meal, I don't see it.

Thanks for the answers, food for thought.

 

[cyndi]

I worked in the food service industry for years. Illegal or not servers are often responsible for the unpaid checks. The waitress went immediately to the manager.correct action on her part. Although more discretion would have made a huge difference. The manager should have come over and spoken to you immediately. Not to accuse but to get a read on you. Manager's reaction was all wrong.

I used to love being going out to eat and being waited on. But they don't train like we used to. It's all about the upsell, not the customer. That's what they train.

 

[Gunny]

That's true Cyndi, actually wasn't that big of a deal, what bothered me was being ignored. My not eating there will not affect their bottom line one iota. I do feel for the server if she had to pay for some thief's meal.

Just another day in Paradise.

 

[Almost There]

I got the ignore treatment not once but twice in two different locations of a nationwide chain restaurant.

Both times I was dressed moderately in traveling clothes - jeans, t-shirt, hair tied back, sneakers. Both times I was travelling alone, single, at least middle aged...   and female.

The first time I waited over 45 minutes for a table when I'd been told a 20 minute wait - they 'lost' my name on the list at the front. Then I waited another 20 minute for a server. It was NOT that busy. I complained to a manager and was comped my meal.

So I tried another location (okay, so I liked their food... ). Seated okay for time but given a really poor seat right next to the serving station. Again waited for at least 20 minutes for a server. This is not a case of having gotten me a menu and water and then left me, it was nada, no server at all. Menu was supplied by hostess that seated me. I finally got someones' attention, got a manager and finally a server. Placed my order and again waited another 20 minutes for my food. When it arrived it was cold. I again got the manager who offered to replace the meal but didn't offer to comp it. I'd eaten most of it already because I was damned hungry by the time it arrived. I'd have eaten cardboard by then... :dodgy:

Guess what!!

I won't grace the doors of any of their establishments again, I don't like their food THAT much!! Obviously, they allow their staff to 'profile' their clients. Old lady eating alone, not terribly well dressed = bad tip. NOT!!!

I may not make a dent in their bottom line but I refuse to patronize places that allow that to happen. Once I could have written off to a bad day but not 2 different locations.

 

[Ella1]

I won't grace the doors of any of their establishments again, I don't like their food THAT much!! Obviously, they allow their staff to 'profile' their clients. Old lady eating alone, not terribly well dressed = bad tip. NOT!!!
I may not make a dent in their bottom line but I refuse to patronize places that allow that to happen.

That would/could be me too--so please name the chain/joint, so I can avoid it too!
Thanks

 

[Almost There]

That would/could be me too--so please name the chain/joint, so I can avoid it too!
Thanks

It was Cracker Barrel!

I was dismayed by the attitude of the staff!

In both cases I had chosen the restaurant not only because of the their food and prices but because they were within walking distance of the motels I was using. It was a road trip before I had the van.

 

[GotSmart]

My whole family worked food service at one time or another.  

The worst tippers are usually dressed up.  Sunday lunch is when you were lucky to make wages.  

Small change, bible tracts, and judgemental notes.  

Single people were the easiest. 

My oldest worked at Cracker Barrel, and the attitude of the manager is what runs the staff.  No wait staff has to pay for walk outs.  I believe there are laws.  

A call to corporate will fix any problem, as well as get you free dinner coupons.  

If you feel you are being ignored, just ask for the manager.     If the problem is not immediately solved, then corporate.  Ex military carries a lot of political weight.    Remember, lowering the voice has a greater effect than raising it.  

 

[Vacilador]

Has anyone else noticed that being a solo diner sometimes gets you the newest server, seating at a tiny table or near the buscart / kitchen door, or indifferent / neglectful service?  It's almost a financial equation:  one diners' tips, even if 25%, don't match the tip potential of a group of four. Fortunately it's not all the time.  

And you are SO right about upselling!  The only time to ask for a meal recommendation anymore in a new place is to guage honesty.  "Highest priced entree" starts me wondering - that if there is dishonesty right away what more will be coming and what other revenue-enhancers and cost-cutters are in place.  Cheaper ingredients? Longer leftover hold times? Funny arithmetic on the bill? Substitutions?  Recycling the chips or bread from one table to the next?

 

[Gunny]

Vacilador, you bring up a valid point. I'm single and eat out a lot. I have had that table right by the kitchen entrance for the servers. Now when I am led there I just shake my head and we go find a decent table.

I have a Texas Roadhouse Steak place next door and when I go there I just sit at the bar. I don't drink but I tip well and the bartender knows it so service is okay.

 

[ccbreder]

I'm an old veteran, also. I don't shave every day anymore. I often wear loose fitting faded t shirts and worn jeans. I dine alone as GF is vegan. I sit at the bar to avoid children. Plus I do like a glass of wine or two. I leave generous tips, very generous, do to personal remembrances. I have noticed a waitstaff's self fulfilling prophecy "old men like that don't tip, so i can't be bothered". Many times i am left feeling may be i don't exist as they walk past and don't even acknowledge the seat is full. Thankfully that is a rare thing and most servers become very glad to meet me. But my list of restaurants to avoid, does grow. That is all we can do. Move on.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

It's been many moons since I ate out at a restaurant.

I used to eat out all the time when I was working as an armored car guard.  It's funny how walking into a restaurant in a police style uniform with a gun on your hip will get you immediate good service.  And frequently, a half-price discount!