# Incredibly bad and weird experiences at restaurants **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 30, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040 "2015-09-30T14:25:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/341 "2015-10-07T01:40:15Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Lol, we used to do this in college. The dining hall was a very formal room, with a high ceiling, so it was a challenge to get the butter up there at all, let alone get it to stick. My friends and I did this in middle school only with wet paper towels in the girls’ bathroom. We threw one up there in seventh grade and it stuck to the ceiling. It was still there when we left in eighth grade. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/342 "2015-10-07T02:09:25Z")
> [@BrightNShiny](#): > > I’ve got another one. My friends and I regularly go to this all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ – you know, the kind where they bring you the raw meat to your table and then you cook it on your own grill at the table. > > So, when the grill gets too hot or is starting to have too much flames shooting out of it, a waiter will come by, use a tong to lift up the grill and pour cold water into it. I’ve always been told not to pour water onto hot grease, but that’s what they do here. > > One of my friends (let’s call her Julie) goes to this restaurant a lot. The waiters all know her by name. She also insists on being the one to manage the grill and put the meat on and take it off, because she has a particular way she likes it cooked. Which is completely fine with me. > > So, we’ve ordered another plate of meat. Julie goes to the bathroom. Her boyfriend goes out to smoke. The other friend also decides to go to the bathroom. I’m completely alone at the table when the new plate shows up. > > I figure I’ll just put the meat on the grill, so it’ll be cooking when everyone comes back. I’m being so thoughtful, right? So, I put the meat on and it’s cooking. And then I notice the flames are coming up. So, I try to flag down a waiter, since I’m not sure what to do. Finally, I get a waiter’s attention, but by the time he comes over, the flames are shooting way up through the grill. He grabs the tongs, lifts the grill up, and by this time, the flames are so high that I get out of my seat to avoid being singed. > > Then the busboy runs over with a pitcher of water. Now, picture this in slow motion. The busboy is all set to pour the water into the grill, while the waiter starts to shout “Don’t pour it!” But they happen simultaneously. So, the water goes in. FWOOMP! > > At this moment, all my friends have returned. And every waiter in the restaurant is crowded around the table trying to deal with the out of control flame. And of course, all my friends decide that I don’t know how to work the grill, and so I am not allowed to work it anymore. > > And the waiters agreed with them! I’ve been in there twice since it happened, and they call me “fire boy” and won’t let me have the tongs. ☹ I actually laughed aloud. I don’t have any great stories, but once when I took my soon-to-be wife to a fancy _pescado_ restaurant in Dallas, which is pretty much an oxymoron, I cut open my fish to discover a wriggling orange worm. Of course they immediately got me something different which was not fish, but they did NOT comp me the meal. And yes, inevitably, they went out of business pretty soon after that. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/343 "2015-10-07T08:45:45Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > No, out near Berkshire Mall. This was some years back; apparently it’s gone now, not surprisingly. It is indeed. Incidentally, that was one of the Denny’s that had previously been a [Sambo’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambo%27s). I’d eaten there in its Sambo’s days but was too young to give a report on it now. Perhaps the fact that my parents never took me back is sufficient evidence in itself. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/344 "2015-10-07T12:37:02Z")
[QUOTE=boytyperanma] Buca di Beppo, Indianapolis [/quote] > [@boytyperanma](#): > > Part of the company tradition was to have a staff dinner at Bucu di Beppo. > [@boytyperanma](#): > > Im undecided whether to boycott boca as a whole or just the one in Indianapolis. I do like Boca. Maybe they’re pissed off at you because you’re mangling their name? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/345 "2015-10-07T13:46:10Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Because the service sucked and they didn’t want to spend their money there. That’s too bad…the few times I’ve eaten at Buca have been wonderful. We have a Pope’s head at our Bucca. :eek: Do all the Buca’s have Pope’s Heads? Here: [http://www.bucadibeppo.com/about-buca/dining-experience/](http://www.bucadibeppo.com/about-buca/dining-experience/) The Pope’s head is on a Lazy Susan so he can rotate around and GLARE at all you sinners. I can’t imagine trying to sit there and have a meal! > [@D'Anconia](#): > > As you wish. > > Thank you for asking. Thank you so much, and you’re welcome! ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/346 "2015-10-07T14:44:54Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > The Pope’s head is on a Lazy Susan so he can rotate around and… …dispense pea soup? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/347 "2015-10-07T14:50:55Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > …dispense pea soup? Oh my fucking god that would be so awesome. You need to start this business venture RIGHT AWAY. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/348 "2015-10-07T15:30:04Z")
I wonder if they update the Pope head, depending on who is the current Pope? ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/349 "2015-10-07T15:44:40Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > [Adventures with Mac and Cheese](https://youtu.be/ovD178AhhSc) God, I hope this entitled little cock gets expelled. What an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/350 "2015-10-07T15:49:58Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > We have a Pope’s head at our Bucca. :eek: Do all the Buca’s have Pope’s Heads? Can you order a [pope’s nose](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4916997323_763c83bfc6_z.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/351 "2015-10-07T16:28:12Z")
Hopefully he’ll get mac and cheese in the lockup. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/352 "2015-10-07T16:36:19Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Quit serving Costco food! > > After watching shows like “Restaurant Impossible” where many times when they go back in the kitchen and you see Kirkland brands, and also being a Costco customer myself, I’ve gotten good at spotting Costco food at restaurants. > > We were at one such place that billed itself as an Irish family restaurant. Good, I like Irish food. But looking at the menu I didnt see anything particularly “Irish” and what was there looked very familiar. I ordered some and aha, it was the same food I bought at Costco, took home and heated up myself. And they didnt even bother to change the descriptions on the menu! > > If I want Costco food I’ll save money and eat it at home. Were they Irish bagels or what? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/353 "2015-10-07T18:43:54Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I wonder if they update the Pope head, depending on who is the current Pope? Asking the important questions. > [@Muffin](#): > > Hopefully he’ll get mac and cheese in the lockup. Probably, but I doubt it will be jalapeno mac n cheese. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/354 "2015-10-07T18:59:09Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > …dispense pea soup? As a bonus it could double as a fire suppression device during emergencies. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/355 "2015-10-07T19:08:43Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Quit serving Costco food! > […] > If I want Costco food I’ll save money and eat it at home. Yeah, they should serve Sysco food like all the other restaurants. I mean, ya can’t buy that down at the local box store! ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/356 "2015-10-07T22:18:33Z")
Buca di Beppo? Their food’s like Chef Boyardi directly from the can. Really bad. Just eating there once would be my horror story. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/357 "2015-10-07T22:28:04Z")
My worst restaurant experience was when I was driving to LA with my wife. We stopped in Davenport, Iowa…we were tired and hungry, so we asked a local for a good restaurant, he recommended the local holiday inn! We went there…absolutely horrible. plus, it was 8 PM…and we were the only people in the place. i guess bedtime is early in Davenport. The service sucked, too. ---
**Author:** ![Nelson\_Pike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Nelson\_Pike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nelson_Pike)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/358 "2015-10-07T22:31:47Z")
My parents told me they once went with another couple to try out a new restaurant. No problem with quick service on drinks and orders, but by the time they had finished placing the orders it was clear the waiter was not entirely sober. Since they were hungry they decided to assume everything would turn out OK so they stayed. Bad move. All four orders were brought to the table at the same time, and all four orders were wrong: something like instead of two seafood dishes and two beef dishes there were two chicken dishes, a ham dish and a turkey dish. They immediately informed the waiter of the mistakes, and he immediately replied in a none-too-friendly tone of voice: “You damn well did order what I brought you, and now your’re damn well going to eat it” and then he stalks off with a menacing look back at them over his shoulder. My mother was selected to go out to the car, start it up, and drive it to the front door, after which they all made a quick exit, leaving the unordered food untouched on the table, and the unpaid bill on the waiter’s check pad. ---
**Author:** ![Annoying\_Buzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Annoying\_Buzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoying_Buzz)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/359 "2015-10-08T03:35:07Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > The people with the authority to post such a sign are generally not closers and assume, if they think at all, that closing duties are compressible and if the restaurant closes at 10 and staff should be done and gone by 11, that will be true if they were dead from 8 on or if a bus of high schoolers pulled in at 9:55. A good sign that the owner is also one of the workers is that they include a “Last Order” time with the opening and closing times. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/360 "2015-10-08T03:42:14Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Buca di Beppo? Their food’s like Chef Boyardi directly from the can. Really bad. Just eating there once would be my horror story. I know, right? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040.md?page=19)