Do you just eat it or send it back?

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

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.

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.

[justabeachbrat]

Having worked as a waitress, steak house, while in college, I had no problem if people wanted food sent back if it was not what they ordered/or how they wanted it cooked. Getting pissed off at the waitress, no. I send stuff back if order is messed up, but am polite about it. A friend won't send a messed up order back but will go on and on about it, to the point I want to say, check please. I have asked to her to either send food back or just tone it down, and she says she doesn't want to get anyone in trouble.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

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!

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

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

It does happen. The more chances you have to go to nice (dimly lit) restaurants -- you will get the "flashlight treatment" AND the good service from the front of the house that goes along with that.

[Tom Earp]

The servers do just that, serve! They do not cook. Be nice to them as they work thier rears off and be very helpful in most cases. A smile and thank you is a great place to start.

Two things I cannot stand, bad food and poor service!

If it is not right send it back and state why or what is wrong with it.

If the service is bad, do not be bitchy about it, just do not tip well, they do not desearve it!

If the server is great, they get a much bigger tip from me along with a smile and a thank you!

They work for a living just like the rest of us do. Do the job right and the rewards follow!

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

It does happen. The more chances you have to go to nice (dimly lit) restaurants -- you will get the "flashlight treatment" AND the good service from the front of the house that goes along with that.

I was at Morton's one night for a work-related dinner meeting in the private dining room sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. These things are the best -- not only do I get loads of pens, post-its, and highlighters from this company...they pay for my steak and wine too!

Anyway, I ordered my filet Medium-Rare. When I got it, it was Medium-Well. I hate dry steak. I knew that I wasn't paying for my meal (the Pharma company's credit card was!) so I didn't play diva. Still, the server looked absolutely mortified that my order got screwed up and quickly took it back to the kitchen. He returned 2 minutes later with the GM, who presented me with a $50 gift certificate for my next visit. Not only that, he told the Pharma rep that they'd be comp'ing my meal.

[Benzgirl]

It depends on the definition of "not right".

If they brought me broccoli instead of green beans, I wouldn't send it back. I would bring up the error, not to be mean, but as a "training opportunity" (lingo from work). I would let them know that personally it was not a big deal since I like both veggies.

Now, if you brought be steak instead of chicken (I hate steak), I would send it back. If I ordered something and they put yellow mustard on it without my asking, I also would send it back.

Either way, don't blame the server. They didn't buy the food, they didn't cook the food and they didn't mix your drink. Always treat your servers like royalty, and they will do the same to you. Case in point, a few of us went out for pizza last night, and the waitress kept apologizing for the delay in the kitchen. We told her it was ok since we were in no hurry and taking the time to visit. I saw her talking to her mananger, and he sent appetizers out for us complimentary. We were not expecting the extras, but this was a very nice gesture.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Either way, don't blame the server. They didn't buy the food, they didn't cook the food and they didn't mix your drink. Always treat your servers like royalty, and they will do the same to you. Case in point, a few of us went out for pizza last night, and the waitress kept apologizing for the delay in the kitchen. We told her it was ok since we were in no hurry and taking the time to visit. I saw her talking to her mananger, and he sent appetizers out for us complimentary. We were not expecting the extras, but this was a very nice gesture.

I waitressed for a short time at a restaurant that was horribly slow at getting food out - especially on Saturday night. I had a table of younger girls (low 20's) come in, and I warned them that it was going to be a pretty long wait. I checked on them constantly, and I kept their drinks filled, and them updated how long the wait was going to be. They ended up leaving me a $20 for about $30 of food.

the majority of the time whatever i ordered turns out good. There has been a few instances that it has happened and if your polite and nice about it then it turns out well. The times i had sent it back it turned out correct. Though there have been times with friends who send it back and they have gotten snotty attitudes from the server

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

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.

Still, I must disagree. As a waitress, I'd be much more aggravated if the customer ordered a completely different dish. It's a headache for me, for the kitchen and for the manager who has to change the tab. It takes more time, which - regardless of the fact that they decided to completely change their order - means a lower tip, 99% of the time. If I bring back a steak and say, "Hey guys, this was done wrong, can we get it redone?" it'll take the shortest time possible. Entering another dish into the system puts it to the back of the line. I can ask them to rush it, but it's a pain for everyone.

Point is, I'd be pissed if someone ordered a completely different dish.

As to your last sentence quoted, if I order a new dish I'm not getting what I wanted, am I?

[kathykd2005]

That's not what I was insinuating, at all. What I meant by my last sentence was, getting something disgusting in return for being annoying and saying, "This isn't what I wanted, re-do it." I don't think you're understanding what I am saying here, or maybe we're just coming from two different perspectives. From my husband's perspective, he would rather have--as a chef--made something else for the customer if it was not to their liking, as opposed to taking back a piece of meat that was probably cold by the time it was returned, and put it back into the oven. Also, if a waiter/waitress is not in a good mood, he or she could drop it, or do something else (more disgusting) to it on the way to the kitchen.

Of course, there is always the option of "tipping" the server well, but in some instances, some people take offense to that--it could backfire; they may think you are talking down to them, and want to do something even worse to your food. Now, I'm not saying this is always the case, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Because my husband has worked in kitchens for many years, he knows what really goes on back there. I could tell you horror stories about some of the best restaurants, but no one wants to hear that. Just be careful when you go to a restaurant--that's all I'm saying.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

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.

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

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.

These comments, and others you have made, are absolutely horrible and ridiculous. And for your husband to be telling you these things, then he must be guilty of them too.

Originally Posted by AGDee

I took my kids to Buffalo Wild Wings last week and my daughter ordered a different sauce for her boneless wings than she usually does. Turned out, it was way too hot for her. When the waitress came by to ask us if everything was ok, I started to tell her that the sauce my daughter ordered was too hot for her and I was going to ask if I could order an additional plate for her but the waitress said, before I could finish "I can get her a different one!" I tipped her very well. It didn't seem fair that they had to toss a whole plate of food like that and I was willing to pay for a new order, but they were great about it.

Bdubs is pretty good with their service on things like that.


Coming from a manager of a pretty decent restaurant, I'd rather a customer complain to the server or a manager if something is not right. Then we can do something to fix the problem and keep the customer happy and wanting to come back. If something isn't right, SEND IT BACK. But don't send it back for stupid things, like there isn't enough romaine in your salad. Or that you didn't know there was seasoning on the steak... duh??

I one time had a customer call two weeks later to complain about something and I told her that if she had talked to a manager at the time we could have helped her out... she didn't remember what the server looked like or her name and when I told her that I'd need to know who it was to take care of the problem she accused me of not caring about her problem. If you plan to call back and complain about something, PLEASE remember the server's name or what they look like! Better yet, complain at the time of the incident, not later. And let us know how you like your food. That can help us managers and owners fix things that need fixing.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Either way, don't blame the server. They didn't buy the food, they didn't cook the food and they didn't mix your drink. Always treat your servers like royalty, and they will do the same to you. Case in point, a few of us went out for pizza last night, and the waitress kept apologizing for the delay in the kitchen. We told her it was ok since we were in no hurry and taking the time to visit. I saw her talking to her mananger, and he sent appetizers out for us complimentary. We were not expecting the extras, but this was a very nice gesture.

A few of us went out to Friday's one day after the movies and everything came out wrong. It wasn't the servers fault, and when we spoke to the manager, we made sure that he was aware of it. We had what would have been a $60 bill comped down to something like $30, plus free desserts. We tipped the waitress like it was $60, and we tipped her something like 25% or 30%. Now every time we go that she is working we have her, and she more or less knows our orders (unless we don't get our usual stuff) and we get our drinks without even having to ask sometimes. It's really great.

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

That's not what I was insinuating, at all. What I meant by my last sentence was, getting something disgusting in return for being annoying and saying, "This isn't what I wanted, re-do it." I don't think you're understanding what I am saying here, or maybe we're just coming from two different perspectives. From my husband's perspective, he would rather have--as a chef--made something else for the customer if it was not to their liking, as opposed to taking back a piece of meat that was probably cold by the time it was returned, and put it back into the oven. Also, if a waiter/waitress is not in a good mood, he or she could drop it, or do something else (more disgusting) to it on the way to the kitchen.

Most states, putting something that has been cut into/bitten into into a microwave is against health code, they actually are supposed to make you a whole new one.

[AGDLynn]

Last night I ordered one of the new "specials"..a steak with mushrooms and burgundy sauce; the menu said it came with asparagus which I absolutely can't stand so I wanted the loaded baked potato instead. They brought the asparagus and the potato! Now my hubby has leftover asparagus!

Once at a Mex. rest., it took 2 times for them to get my order right.

I don't usually get upset if they bring the wrong food; just don't take 30 minutes when the rest. is almost empty.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by Buttonz

A few of us went out to Friday's one day after the movies and everything came out wrong. It wasn't the servers fault, and when we spoke to the manager, we made sure that he was aware of it. We had what would have been a $60 bill comped down to something like $30, plus free desserts. We tipped the waitress like it was $60, and we tipped her something like 25% or 30%. Now every time we go that she is working we have her, and she more or less knows our orders (unless we don't get our usual stuff) and we get our drinks without even having to ask sometimes. It's really great.



Most states, putting something that has been cut into/bitten into into a microwave is against health code, they actually are supposed to make you a whole new one.

I know what they are "supposed" to do, but a lot of times, they don't do it. I am not understanding what people are not getting about this...

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

These comments, and others you have made, are absolutely horrible and ridiculous. And for your husband to be telling you these things, then he must be guilty of them too.

Way to be accusatory. Look, if you don't want to be aware of the facts, which is that a lot of restaurants are not up to health codes, then so be it. I'm just telling the OP that on many occasions, it's not the best idea to send a plate back to the kitchen. Like I said earlier, if people want to keep believing that these things don't happen, then you put your own safety as far as eating goes in danger. Haven't you ever watched Gordon Ramsey's "Kitchen Nightmares"? Well, I'm telling you that yes, these sorts of things DO happen in real life. This is WHY we have health inspectors coming to places and shutting them down. I've seen it happen, I know it does. Keep thinking what I'm saying is "horrible" and "ridiculous" if you want to, though.