March 3, 2010
Me and my hubby eat out quite a bit. Last month we ate at Red Lobster, Chillis, Pekin Wok and The Olive Garden(Saturday night) I'm not going to lie, Red Lobster had the best food. I love Lobster, Crab legs and Pineapple Shrimp! Chillis-well it was ok, nothing to write home about. Pekin Wok is always good to go to if you want to eat buffet. But the Olive Garden!! It really took the cake. Their waitstaff is wonderful. Polite, attentive, friendly...I can't remember the last time a waiter/waitress waited on us hand and foot. It was a nice change to see. And It wasn't just us, I saw other waiters and waitress at other tables, and they were all doing a very proffessional job. Kudos to the Olive garden for training their waitstaff the right way
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theman28374 3 years, 2 months ago
My wife and I also eat out quite a lot. Last month we ate at Chilis, Olive Garden, Ten Ya, and Ashtens and just Sunday nite we ate at Applebees. Chilis was definitely good with the manager meeting everyone at the door to welcome them, Olive Garden is always great food and wonderful staff, Ten Ya is one of the tops in the county with my favorite being Ashtens, but Applebees let me down in a big way. We sat down and it took almost ten minutes before were asked what we wanted to drink. I was ok with that as I'm a very patient person and always give the waitstaff the benefit of the doubt. Once the waiter came he was pretty good from there on out. I had a couple of drinks from the bar which wasnt very busy and it took about 10 minutes for each of the two drinks to be brought (I had a bottled beer). We noticed it was beginning to get busy so we went ahead and ordered our entrees. It took about 40 minutes to get them to us. Meanwhile I noticed a group of golfers who had been there longer than us receive their food and 2 of the six guys obviously received the wrong entrees. Even during all of this I was pretty ok, (I dont like to rush through dinner) so the wait was ok for me, even though most would have called the manager by now. What really set me off was toward the end of our dinner a couple sat down beside us and the lady ordered her dinner. Once the dinner arrived they sat for a moment and finally flagged the waiter down for silverware, he went to the front and then to the kitchen and said "Im sorry all of our silverware is either being used or in the dishwasher" and handed her a plastic fork. I didnt call the manager but know I should have but by this time I was ready to go. I wont be back.
Poundman 3 years, 2 months ago
Agree with Applebees, service is horrible and the food only slightly better. My wife and I haven't eaten at Ruby Tuesday in over two years due to repeatedly bad service, the food was ok but no one cared.
We love Valentis, Olive Garden, Chilis and Tripps. Beefeaters is always god but we haven't been in a while.
The new El Chapala is 10X better now that it has moved beside Wedgies, can't remember their new name. Their old building was dilapidated but what could they do, they were apparently just tenants.
theman28374 3 years, 2 months ago
I agree about the new El Chapala it is very good. Just go during lunch and you will see many others agree! Beefeaters has always been a favorite but my go to is still Tripps. Great and friendly bar staff and always great food. Applebees needs help and fast.
NCgirl 3 years, 2 months ago
We went to Olive Garden a couple of months ago and, I agree, the service was good. But, the food was just OK to me. I'll go back and try it again!
I was at Chili's for lunch this week with client's and the service was lacking. The waiter walked up to our table & didn't even speak (???), so I just spoke up and gave him my drink order, etc. He never smiled the entire time. I wanted to say something, but I didn't want to make my clients uncomfortable. About half way thru our meal, he brought us drink refills and was so clumsy with them that he spilled soda all over the table and all over my clients eye-glasses that were on the table. He did not apologize....he just brought us extra napkins....and I then proceeded to clean up the mess. My salad was 'sad'. The manager did come by our table 2 or 3 times asking if everything was OK (too many times if you ask me) and I let my clients speak, because, yet again...I did not want to make them uncomfortable. Chili's has never been a favorite of mine, but the client wanted to go there, so that was where we went.
Tripps is, by far, my favorite 'chain/franchise' restaurant!!! Good service, great food! Very consistant!
I must go try the new 'El Chapala'!!!! I'm excited to hear that you all like it....looking forward to some good mexican food!!!
Poundman 3 years, 2 months ago
You will always get some up and down service at the "cheaper" establishments, just know your not paying for premium.
Although we haven't dined there in a while The Italian Table is awesome!!
The Soda shop in SPines is awesome too.
For a great sandwich The Village Deli in Pinehurst is TOP DOG!!
We will also miss The Eastover Diner, enjoyed the veggies and homestyle cooking.
The new El Chapala is what it is, budget Mexican with an awesome taste!!
We have been going out of town for some simple taste lately, K&W in Fnam and Andys in Sanford have been frequent visits.
AllNatural 3 years, 2 months ago
NCgirl, we had a similar experience at Chillis. I mean the waitress seemed a little sourly. She paid more attention to the couple behind us (although it wasn't her table--but she knew the people.) She only refilled my glass once and when they brought my half rack of ribs...Sad, sad sad. The manager who was a little too fiendly kept coming to our table. It was most bothersome, we could barely eat without him coming over ever 2 minutes.
And like I said, The Olive Garden had the best wait/waitress service, but the food was just ok. On the other hand, Red Lobster (the one in Raleigh) food was deeee-licious but the wait service was just ok. Now if I could just switch those two up, I would have been in heaven. By the way, we left the best tip at the olive garden cause they were awfull nice.
Do you tip based on service or the food?
MTBIKING 3 years, 2 months ago
A good lunch or dinner experience is San Felipes in Aberdeen. I suggest the Arroz Con Pollo (chicken and rice) with grilled onions. They always have good service and good food. I also have had some less than great experiences at Applebees. I find myself eating there about once every two years. Although recently my wife and I phoned in a To-Go order and service was quick. My wife's meal was great; mine was average. As far a Chillis goes we must get the same manager, but I don't find him bothersome I think it is quite polite. We actually had a table that smelled like feet (due to cleaning it with a stank dish rag) one time and when the manager came by I brought it to his attention and he politely got us another table. The wait staff is usually good. Olive Garden is alway good they have great food, and great wait staff. I really like there soup and salad all you can eat.
I tip based on the service.
KGB2006 3 years, 2 months ago
Gratuity is based on a percentage of the total bill for service received. Most servers receive approximately 3$ an hour from most proprietors who provide table service. Servers rarely receive a payroll check with a postive amount from the employer, the amount is usually equal to or less than 0. The servers hourly wage and weekly tips are calculated together to determine taxable income and the deductions usually exceed the amount of the total hourly wage earned. Servers are dependent on gratuity based off the check totals of customers served. The amount of gratuity is customarily based on a minimum of 15% of the check total however, most servers strive to exceed expectations and look for earnings at or above 20% per check total. Good servers suggestive sell and try to increase check averages as they are commissioned sales people.
Most consumers have received less than adequate service. When service is poor, customers should complain to management, poor service can have the most damaging effect on a business. Proprietors cannot fix something they do not know is broken.
A well trained and committed server will deliver exceptional service however if it is the servers impression the dining experience is not positive where there may not be a repeat visit, the server should enlist management to help protect the customer business. It is the servers duty to communicate with management in the event a customer is less than overly satisfied. A customer expereince ranked as "fine" should be measured as less than adequate. Servers should strive to delivery exceptional service and receive exceptional responses. Customer responses received with little enthusiasm should be reviewed as an unsatisfied customer.
The goal of every server should be to earn repeat business, looking for positive customer comments and word of mouth advertising from all guests. If the server does not strive toward providing exceptional and invite repeat visits, management should be made aware their establishment provides mediocre service and the gratuity should be measured as such.
AllNatural 3 years, 2 months ago
MTBIKING:
LOL at your table that smelled like feet! I would have thrown up.
GoldenDreams 3 years, 2 months ago
Another really nice restaurant is the I95 house in Southern Pines. They have a lot of vegetarian dishes for those who are interested, and in general, very healthy entrees. The service was attentive when I went there.
Can anyone tell me about Ashten's? Is it worth a visit?
theman28374 3 years, 2 months ago
Ashtens is my favorite in the county! Nice staff and wonderful food. Not the cheapest by far here in Moore but definitely one of the best! I highly recommend it. I know Ashley VanCamp and she and her staff are wonderful. You will enjoy the atmosphere and the wonderful and local dishes they prepare there. Enjoy!
foregolf 3 years, 2 months ago
I agree with just about all of the comments posted but I do not see my favorite restaurant listed. Ninas, in Olmstead Village, is a family run establishment, with outstanding food and service. If you have not been, give them a try! I highly recommend their Ninas Bisque and Salad Trio for lunch.
NCgirl 3 years, 2 months ago
@AllNatural - I tip based entirely on customer service, never on the quality of the food. The food already comes with an established price and if the quality isn't good, I'll bring it to the manager's attention.
If the servers offer excellent/good service then I will tip between 20% & 25%. If the service is just OK, then I will tip 15%. If the service is bad, then I will leave a very, very small tip to make a point.
I've waited tables before in my lifetime and it is hard work, but if you offer REALLY GOOD service you can make REALLY GOOD money!
I've never understood why a server doesn't go above & beyond to offer the best service that they can, KNOWING that their wallet will reflect the type of service they provide at the end of the day.
If I'm served a 'bad' meal, but the service was good, I'll more than likely give the restaurant another chance. If I'm served a 'decent' meal, but the service was bad, I may not go back....'bad' service can ruin a perfectly good meal.
tneal14 3 years, 2 months ago
To me, Applebee's is like sit down fast food. Not very good. Some of the worst service ever. Olive Garden is always great-service & food. Tripps is great. Once I had a very rubbery shrimp cocktail that tasted old & like it was unwrapped in the fridge for a while-but other than that-the rest of the food was delicious & the service wonderful. Beefeaters-service/food GREAT. Chili's-I won't miss it. Dugan's Pub-wonderful food & service. I want to go to Nina's. I have heard nothing but rave reviews. I heard 195 is awesome too. Go to Raffaele if you want SUPERB pizza!!!
tneal14 3 years, 2 months ago
I too have had the displeasure of smelling the stank dish rag & the greasy gray mop that made our area smell like rotten toe jam feet. Like I said-won't miss it.
ladylane 3 years, 2 months ago
As for the dirty dish cloth always, always, always use clorox, or bleach in your dish, and mop water. It is a given if you're clean. I have a birthday this month my daughter wants to take me out where is Ashtens located. Bad experience at Applebees I ordered the sample platter and I know it was one someone got and did not want I could look at it and tell it wasn't freshly made and this was 10 years ago during the bad snow storm I will never go back. The one in Sanford is great. Tripps is my daughters favorite in Moore county.
trod2009 3 years, 2 months ago
I also have the same complaints for CHILI'S and APPLEBEES, I have never really received good service or food at either one except when ChILIS first opened. I always have a good experience at Bonefish, food wise and service. I also enjoy 360 which is located on hwy 1 near pizza hut.
wannabeserver 3 years, 2 months ago
wow,, has any one here , without the chain service,, really dined out? try , the ITALIAN TABLE , in 7 lakes,, by far, and people , realize, if , you got up from those CHAINS, went back in, they would have no idea who you are,, and , dear , waiting on you hand and foot,, whom do you think you are?,, a 12 dollar meal at the olive , i might be a waiter,, i am not your servant,, and , most here, are right,, bad service , equals bad tips,, btw,, i am quite sure, i have given each one i have ever had the pleasure of serving , the best service i could offer,, my name is GREG,, AND I AM A WAITER
tneal14 3 years, 2 months ago
I heard the Italian Table was very nice as well as Mr. P's (over there near Nature's Own). I really like Ironwood but I think you're paying for atmosphere.
wannabeserver 3 years, 2 months ago
kgb,, guess what?well trained and committed, should i bark next time you arrive ?? and it is 2dollars and 13 cents,, its amazing people like you , have an article about the amount of $$$$$$ we can make,, may i ask,, if the waiter jumps and dances to your wishes,and the customer left 3 $$ on a 356.34 bill,, what is your sage advice?
NCgirl 3 years, 2 months ago
@wannabeserver - I, for one, have visited The Italian Table several times and always recommend it to people who are new to the area. Good food, good service...there is a passion there that is hard to find.
I'm not sure what you seem to be so upset about. As patrons of restaurants, we are just asking for what you should be giving all along - GOOD SERVICE! If you have been giving AND still are giving good service, then you know what we are talking about here. Good Service, warrants Good Tips - Great Service, warrants Great Tips - Bad Service, deserves Bad Tips or no tip at all.
And just to be clear on your profession (of which I appreciate when it is done well, just like any other profession): Wait staff - are those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers — supplying them with food and drink as requested. Waiting on tables is part of the service sector.
Wondering if you'll be my server when we dine out tonight??? ;-)
njnqueen 3 years, 2 months ago
I know Quiznos is not a "sit-down" resturant, but as far as fast food places go, they have the friendliest staff, especially the young guy with the slight beard and "smiling braces". I always leave a tip 'cause he makes me feel welcome.
NCgirl 3 years, 2 months ago
I just discovered that we can 'Review & Rate' restaurants/businesses here in our area by clicking on 'The Marketplace' in the header at the top of the screen. So, here's your chance to give compliments where compliments are due!!! AND, to also, demand better service from those establishments that have lost contact with the phrase "Customer Service".
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