I am not one to complain about the choice of restaurant, especially with that big of a group. But I sincerely hope those who are visiting the southland from the various points of the compass take the opportunity to get some more authentic Mexican Food. Maybe Del Taco or Jack in the Box.
I can’t go, drat it all, but if I may butt in:
I don’t think SHAYNA is saying only 60 people can go to the restuarant. She’s saying a maximum of 60 can be in the Cecil Adams, lets-all-sit-together group. Presumably, El Torito is also open for other business, and there is nothing to prevent other people from having dinner there as well. And if, totally by coincidence, you happen to run into 60 or so of your closest friends . . . well, you’ll just have to walk over to say “hi.” Then you can sit at your own table and throw tortilla chip at them. 
I swear to you I am NOT trying to be in any way contentious, and I completely appreciate your hard work and the way you are trying to do this the best and most effective way… But I really, really need to know…how in heavens name can it possibly be construed that they are doing anyone any * favors * ? Are they not in the business of selling food and drink? Is it not in their best interests to sell as much food and drink to as many people as possible? In what way does or should it matter to them one bit if the people in question know each other?
I am well and truly stumped and lack the imagination to understand how we should be grateful that they are willing to take our money. Someone enlighten me?
Weirddave and I agree… they are not going to be saying: “Oy! More people to buy food and drink from us! How much does that suck!” I’m telling you, they are just covering their asses on the reservation thing. If five extra people show up and they actually have the chairs to seat them, what are they gonna do, say “No, you can’t eat here or talk with your friends!”
stoid
Also, as I said originally and has since been mentioned, good tips go a very long way to making sure everyone loves you.
. . . and yet, complain you do. Or at least, snipe about how inauthentic the food is.
SHAYNA has worked damn hard to put this together. If you think you can find a better forum for a group of sixty – one that will let you all sit together, treat you well, is both convenient and not too expensive, and has food you personally approve of – I’m sure she’ll be willing to let you handle the arrangements next time.
I really really want those who aren’t on the list or are offering to give up their seats to come along and eat. Just ask for a table near the big group of weirdos.
Stoid, what’s so hard to understand about “please don’t take advantage of the courtesy they’ve extended us by giving us a reservation in the first place when THEY DON’T TAKE WEEKEND RESERVATIONS as a rule, let alone for SIXTY PEOPLE?”
Listen, I’m not trying to be a bitch here, but you are being contentious - and given the fact that you aren’t even attending, I’m not sure why the flip it matters to you? Do you just LIKE arguing your “point” because you think you’re right?
This restaurant is in MY neighborhood. I’M the one who made the reservation so they’re taking MY word for it that when they asked me to limit the party to 60 and I said I would that I’ll stick to that. I’ve hosted a previous dopefest here and I may want to host another one or more in the future. I don’t want them saying no the next time I ask for a reservation they don’t ordinarily even take, because the last time I did I took up 10 extra tables than I said I would - tables that would surely turn over faster with “regular” patrons coming and going than they do when large groups are involved!
Jodi, your idea is a great one and I thank you for sharing it. If anyone else wants to come to El Torito for dinner, by all means, do so. But I’M not going back on my word to the manager, who has been extremely nice to me.
Stoid, I’m not answering any more of your posts in this thread. You want to argue your point, do it somewhere else. Thank you.
Jodi, have I said yet, how disappointed I am that you aren’t coming to this thing? 
Jill, hang in there girl. The amount of appreciation that MOST of us have for your efforts FAR outway the anything that the FEW that feel they have to complain have to say.
Jodi, you’re great. Sure you can’t come?
See y’all soon,
Jim
I’m not looking for any response, just answering you:
Because if I accept what you say as the absolute gospel, then I, and anyone else who was on the fence, ( since I had not made a final decision about whether I was attending or not) now feel as though I have been told that ** I am not welcome at the main gathering, period, ** and that if I should decide I want to come and meet * everyone * , my only option is to stand around outside and say goodbye to people as they are leaving, given that this is the ** only ** gathering at which virtually everyone will be in attendence. And it seems unreasonable, not of you, but of the restaurant, to simply refuse to accomodate anyone who shows up who exceeds the 60 original.
See, now that is an actual reason they may not wish to serve us. Which is all I was asking for in the first place, since I could not imagine one.
stoid
I didn’t want anyone to forget this part:
Moderator’s Notes: Well, this is a first. I’ve never had to post a reminder in a Dopefest planning thread asking folks to hold their tempers in check. Can y’all do me a favor and chill? I’d appreciate it. You’ll save me some stomach acid; that ulcer is killin’ me.
And I have a simple solution for you, Stoid. If you find you do want to get together with these folks, simply e-mail one of them, get a cell number, ask 'em where they might be after dinner, and go there. You don’t hafta meet 'em at the restaurant. Sheesh.
Shayna, thanks so much for schmoozing the restaurant into accomodating a group of 60 dopers.
Ok, but what about tongue? Is tongue ok? 
OK, another six-pager. I’m gonna close this one, and open a new one.
Hopefully the last one. My ego almost got stuck in the door as I walked in tonight.