Do you just eat it or send it back?
 

When you go out to eat, and you order your food, if it's not right, do you send it back or do you just eat it. A friend of mine will just eat it, because he said he thinks the server could be having a bad day and could do something to it.

I've seen hidden cameras on talk shows and I did see some disgusting things that were being done to customers food.

Me personally, I always send it back if it's not what I ask for though.
What about you? Do you just eat it or send it back?

If it is out and out not what I ordered, I would probably send it back, but if it's basically what I did order (i.e. steak and it's not done how I like it (rare, medium, etc.)), then I just eat it, because you never know what "extra ingredients" will be added in (spit, loogies, or any other liquid which could house Hepatitus A).
I wouldn't want to take that chance. But then again, I'm not too particular about how I like my steak done.

eta: I am always extremely polite to the staff, to the point where, when I place my order, I say, "May I please have.....?", not "Can I get?" which I think is a bit boorish and rude.

I refuse to pay $$$ for something I didn't ask for.

I send it back. I used to be a server, so I make it a point to be polite to the server regardless of whether or not my order's correct. Even if you don't send it back, the server could easily be spitting the food, especially if the customer's being an asshole. It's easier to just be patient and nice.

Lots of restaurants have cameras inside the establishment now to monitor how the employees are performing.

My husband is a very experienced chef. Simply put: you should NOT send it back. What you should do, is order something else, or ask for another plate. Never, NEVER talk down to the help. Even if they don't spit in your food or do something else, they could still just keep making your dinner service miserable by ignoring you, etc. My husband always cringes when one of our family members or friends sends food back. Unfortunately, you'd like to think that all restaurants have stellar service, clean adequately, and know health codes. Unfortunately, that is not the case in today's society.

lol

I very rarely send anything back, but sometimes the server recommends something that I really can't stand, so I'll apologetically request something else. I've never had a problem because I'm always very nice about it. Then I'll add a generous tip for the trouble.

Ditto. I also find that if you make it sound like you don't think its their fault, everyone is happier. "Oh, I think the kitchen accidentally put alfredo on my pasta when I ordered marinara. Do you mind asking them if they could fix it for me please?" We both know the server screwed up, but if they think I'm not going to take away from their tip, they're usually super nice about it. This actually happens to me all the time, I have terrible luck with always getting my order out wrong!

Yeah...as someone who HAS worked in a restaurant, I'm perfectly comfortable sending food back. Like OTW said, however, I also make a point to always be nice to the server. Regardless of how bad a day someone's having, if you're ncie to them they'll be good to you too.

Kathykd: why in the world does your husband say that? I'm not being snarky, I really just can't imagine why you wouldn't send something back if it's their mistake.

I send it back.

Yesterday, the waitress brought me a salad that had bacon bits. I immediately told her that I could not eat it and sent it back. She brought me back a regular one without them. I thanked her and later told the cashier how good a service I got regarding this.

I send it back, but I am always polite to the wait staff (ie - try to smile, say "please" and "thank you" constantly).

I am usually the difficult person at the table who has to order everything on the side so, when my food is exactly as I ordered it, I generally tip above 20%.

This isn't always true. When I was waitressing, one of the waitresses clearly (well, she DOES have fancy writing, but I could tell the difference) wrote "Ruben" on the ticket, and the cook read it as "Ravioli" and made Ravioli for her order.

Also, I loved the guys in the kitchen, but all steaks came out well-done, no matter what you wrote on the ticket.


Amazingly enough, and knock on wood, I've never had my order screwed up - well, except when I ordered tuna salad from the restaurant I worked at and the guys in the kitchen made it chicken salad instead, just to eff with me. But don't worry - revenge was had. One of my favorite being bringing them the Pepsi they asked for in 5 shot glasses, instead of a normal cup.

My husband and I recently went to a nice (read really f-ing expensive) Steakhouse and when the waiter brought me my food, she asked me to cut into it and then she took out a little flashlight to shine on it. Well I had ordered it medium-rare and as soon as I cut into it, she said that it was NOT medium rare- it was medium well. So she took the plate back and had the kitchen re-make the steak. I would have just eaten it the way it was!

The manager ended up coming over to apologize and he comp'ed our appetizers.

So, no, I don't usually send it back but this time the waiter sent it back for me!

I've NEVER heard of that happening, I hope you tipped her well!

^^^
We did tip well- over 20% including what the appetizers would have cost. It was a great dinner, but I doubt we can afford to go back anytime soon!

Well, to be perfectly honest, even if you are POLITE, there are waiters and waitresses who could care less, and would still get annoyed by you sending something back. Because he has worked in the business for so many years, it's easier to simply order something else, as opposed to sending it back, and not getting what you WANTED in return.

Obviously, being polite helps on many occasions, but if you catch someone on an off day (which will happen, many times) you may get more than you bargained for. I hate to be so negative, but to be perfectly honest, this is just the way we view restaurant service. Like I said, we'd all like to believe that the business is excellent, but if you've worked in it long enough, you don't see the world through rose-colored glasses anymore.