Limited time availibility / Hourly rates

Great input, but like I said we are not going to do this, just curious on thoughts.

Ironically I had 2 different customers suggest it this past weekend that got the buzz going again, one was from Chicago ( assuming it might be a norm at some restaurants there ), the other couple was local

I know of a small place on Frankfort ave. that does this. They also won't let you have a table until your entire party has arrived. Although, I understand the reasoning behind it, I do usually feel rushed when eating there. I also get the same feeling that the "Soup Nazi" displayed in that Seinfeld episode because of the excessively strict regimentation this restaurateur constantly demands of her patrons.

But, I always go back because I like the food.

Or you could take the tack the owner of my restaurant takes; he instructs the camper to move to the counter. If the camper displays any attitude whatsoever, they are told to leave. Not kidding.

Sounds like those of us in the industry and those considerate foodies understand; and that the paradigm shift can only occur from the view of the customer. While servers perhaps should consider themselves lucky (?!?) to have a job (a comment from a non-server, perhaps?) those waiting table are much more often POOR tippers percentaged out to the ticket. Once the food is gone, the server is basically babysitting for free. There have been a hundred posts here about crappy tippers, I have yet to see any standard where the opposite is lauded to be the case. I have worked at CQ, and know the customers and the servers, and the salt within; I guarantee these servers would be worth enough salt to "know" their value of their customers. It is obviously a problem. And to the point that has been barely touched... the wait for the rest of the guests. And how many posts have been about waits? Caused by the restaurant? Or trying to plan around the behaviour of other guests?

Sounds like a perception issue on the part of the customer; and a sharing of these perceptions and our own view of the realities of the business might make an interesting Industry Standard. I'm all about the dining experience, but not at the expense of the other guests, and the livelihood of the business I am supposedly there to support. Perhaps an article addressing the "I bought this table and this service, and this electricity, and this bathroom, and all of the amenities of being a guest here, and have to right to stay as long as I want" viewpoint, and explaining how it affects EVERYONE in the business (all the way to management!) can remind folks that they are not the only ones who would like said table, said service, said food, etc. So many bad experiences recounted here (recently, Boombozz) and my own crappy experiences at Jack Fry's are a result of the restaurant's opportunity to handle situations created by these customers and their sense of entitlements. Of course, as Nora states, no serious restauranteur, or server for that matter, would begin to express their true feelings while taking care of these guests. So we are left with the opportunity to educate.

Marsha? You have a way with words to express industry views and attitudes in a non-confrontational way... up for the challenge?

Or you could take the tack the owner of my restaurant takes; he instructs the camper to move to the counter. If the camper displays any attitude whatsoever, they are told to leave. Not kidding.

where is this?

Or you could take the tack the owner of my restaurant takes; he instructs the camper to move to the counter. If the camper displays any attitude whatsoever, they are told to leave. Not kidding.

But your owner is such a sweet nice guy.

Thanks Steve. Me & Bonnie miss you. By the way (Our sweetheart of an owner doesn't know this), Bonnie will be retiring sometime very soon.

So many bad experiences recounted here (recently, Boombozz) and my own crappy experiences at Jack Fry's are a result of the restaurant's opportunity to handle situations created by these customers and their sense of entitlements.

I'm not sure I'm reading this correctly, and perhaps I'm making a false assuption that "recently, Boombozz. . ." is in reference to my relatively recent (early May?) post of a negative experience there. If I am misreading or you're not referring to my post, apologies, but if you are I take strong exception to the notion that I created that particular situation through some "sense of entitlement." That's just not true, and completely undermines and belittles the way my family and I felt after that particular incident.

Close rant.

Brad - I read that more as that camper's prior to you were sitting at tables that should have been yours.

Brad - I read that more as that camper's prior to you were sitting at tables that should have been yours.

Eh, no biggy either way. I was just grumpy this morning.

Brad, Brad Brad!!! As much as I like to argue, I know which avatars scare me from engagement! I assure you, your experience at the B Taproom, and its potential causes, were to my point, and in no way addressed towards yourself, or any other person who takes the time to show up at a joint, much less make a reservation and show up on time!

Brad, Brad Brad!!! As much as I like to argue, I know which avatars scare me from engagement! I assure you, your experience at the B Taproom, and its potential causes, were to my point, and in no way addressed towards yourself, or any other person who takes the time to show up at a joint, much less make a reservation and show up on time!

Heh. Thanks, Reagan. I realized soon after posting that I hadn't had my coffee and was just groggy and grumpy - I jumped the gun on that one. My bad, and after re-reading your point is well taken.

Ok, so I have been a member of this forum for quite a while now and I never post. I am, however, always reading others comments, complaints and explainations. I cherish the knowledge I have received. I had an experinece relative to this topic on Tuesday night and feel that I will feel better once I have released my thoughts. I met a group of friends from high school, some I had not seen in nearly 20 years, at Avalon on Tuesday. I was excited to try this place. I admit, I do love to eat local, but my budget limits where I go. We were to meet between 6pm - 7pm. We had a reservation for 7pm. Myself and another got there at 6:30, 3 of our party of 6 were already there but they were at the bar having some drinks and ordering appetizers. I was informed they were not seated yet because only half of the party was there. When there was 5 of us, we informed the manager. Now I know it was a beautiful night and I can respect people wishes to sit out, talk and savor the weather, but by 7:40 and still not seated, we got a little antsy. There were empty tables, just not tables that would sit six or that could be pushed together. The manager keep telling us, "i got three table that are due to get up at anytime". One person in my party offered to help get them to leave. At 8:00 pm, reluctantly, we gave up and went to see if they a table inside, they did. They had ALL tables empty, there was NO ONE else inside. Before we went inside, the manager suggested we settle our tab before we went inside. So, my friends that ordered from the bar would have 2 charges for the same place.

Once we were inside, all alone, we got to order and the food was good, one friend said the mussels were very good and the half order was plenty big. But I have to admit, that by the time we got our food, i had lost my appetite. The company was great, the service was ok and everyone seemed happy with the salads, entrees and desserts they ordered. No, salad or dessert for me. But when we left at 9:30 pm, I just did not have that warm fuzzy feeling I was hoping for. Like I said I can appreciate people wanting to sit out and enjoy the night air, but I felt cheated.

Sorry for my rant. I feel much better now.

". One person in my party offered to help get them to leave.

Welcome Connie !!

Unfortunately I have come across this several times, of course without any knowledge of it happening at the time.

Very uncomfortable situation