# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/161 "2015-10-03T04:04:38Z")
Wow, not a single neutral cite. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/162 "2015-10-03T04:23:00Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > You stayed there? It was Christmas day, and literally the only game in town. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/163 "2015-10-03T08:38:21Z")
Due to circumstances too mundane to explain, I found myself with enough time during my junior year of high school to have breakfast every morning at an Eat’n Park (the superior Pittsburgh-based version of the Denny’s style family restaurant). I had tea and toast, the total was $1.99, and I’d leave $1 as a tip. Not much, but still 50%. Soon, two friends began joining me, and we’d all have the same meal, and leave the same tip. We weren’t rowdy or anything, we’d mostly do homework or study, then leave just in time to catch the bus. After Christmas break, we started getting slower and slower service, no matter where we sat. It wasn’t like we needed frequent check backs, we didn’t get coffee so we didn’t need refills, just order taken, order brought, check left. (You pay at a cashier.) But it was harder and harder to get our food in enough time to finish eating before the bus came. Finally I asked, and the manager said “our servers say that you and friends don’t leave appropriate tips. I can’t force them to prioritize kids who take up a table and don’t make it worth their while. Eat breakfast at home.” Apparently we were supposed to be leaving more than $3 in tips for $6 worth of bread and hot water. Who knew? It’s been 27 years and I haven’t set foot in that particular Eat’n Park since. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/164 "2015-10-03T10:26:52Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/165 "2015-10-03T10:30:54Z")
> [@tumbleddown](#): > > Due to circumstances too mundane to explain, I found myself with enough time during my junior year of high school to have breakfast every morning at an Eat’n Park (the superior Pittsburgh-based version of the Denny’s style family restaurant). I had tea and toast, the total was $1.99, and I’d leave $1 as a tip. Not much, but still 50%. Soon, two friends began joining me, and we’d all have the same meal, and leave the same tip. We weren’t rowdy or anything, we’d mostly do homework or study, then leave just in time to catch the bus. > > After Christmas break, we started getting slower and slower service, no matter where we sat. It wasn’t like we needed frequent check backs, we didn’t get coffee so we didn’t need refills, just order taken, order brought, check left. (You pay at a cashier.) But it was harder and harder to get our food in enough time to finish eating before the bus came. Finally I asked, and the manager said “our servers say that you and friends don’t leave appropriate tips. I can’t force them to prioritize kids who take up a table and don’t make it worth their while. Eat breakfast at home.” > > Apparently we were supposed to be leaving more than $3 in tips for $6 worth of bread and hot water. Who knew? It’s been 27 years and I haven’t set foot in that particular Eat’n Park since. It wasnt the percentage just the amount. A restaurant needs to make so much money on every table so lets say your table earned a waiter $3 in maybe an hours time. As opposed to another table with 4 patrons buying $10 meals and leaving $6 tip and they turn over the table twice an hour so $12 an hour. I know the issue of college students coming into a place and parking themselves for all nighters can become a big problem. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/166 "2015-10-03T10:57:39Z")
I don’t drink cow milk, but even so, I really think it’s odd ordering milk in a Chinese restaurant. Milk isn’t used in their cooking, why would they have it on hand? ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/167 "2015-10-03T12:36:05Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > It wasnt the percentage just the amount. A restaurant needs to make so much money on every table so lets say your table earned a waiter $3 in maybe an hours time. As opposed to another table with 4 patrons buying $10 meals and leaving $6 tip and they turn over the table twice an hour so $12 an hour. There’s only one problem with that theory. It was breakfast, and the most expensive item on the menu was probably about $6. (It’s $8 today.) If we’d ordered _that_ every day, we would’ve left the 1980s standard 15% tip, $6 x 3 x .15 = $2.90, which, rounded up, would’ve been the same $3 we were already leaving, and we would’ve needed to be there longer, because it would’ve been more food. > [@](#): > > I know the issue of college students coming into a place and parking themselves for all nighters can become a big problem. I’m sure it can. But we were 3 quiet high school girls who were there for a half hour at 6:30 in the morning, as often as not reading Bibles while we ate our toast. > [@kayaker](#): > > I don’t drink cow milk, but even so, I really think it’s odd ordering milk in a Chinese restaurant. Milk isn’t used in their cooking, why would they have it on hand? It may be odd, but there’s no excuse on the planet for mocking a guest for their order. The rudeness was beyond unwarranted. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/168 "2015-10-03T12:50:03Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > It wasnt the percentage just the amount. A restaurant needs to make so much money on every table so lets say your table earned a waiter $3 in maybe an hours time. As opposed to another table with 4 patrons buying $10 meals and leaving $6 tip and they turn over the table twice an hour so $12 an hour. > > I know the issue of college students coming into a place and parking themselves for all nighters can become a big problem. Years ago I had a coworker who was also attending law school PT. He still lived at home. His home was too small and noisy for him to study properly. He’d attend class during the day, work his 5-9 shift at the store, then go to our local IHOP (which was open 24/7). He always had “his” table in a quiet corner. He’d stay there half the night studying and drinking coffee. IIRC he was never asked to leave because not only would he order a meal, but he was as generous as he could afford with the tips. He got to know everybody there. He would never step in there on a weekend night, that’s for sure. During the week? No problem. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/169 "2015-10-03T12:54:57Z")
> [@Abner\_Ravenwood](#): > > Welp, now it appears that Friendly’s uses hard ice cream for their Fribbles. I guess they got rid of the distinction between the milk shakes and Fribbles. No more frappe cans with the milk shakes. > > [http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/bottom\_line/2013/03/friendlys-changing-fribble-recipe.html](http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/bottom_line/2013/03/friendlys-changing-fribble-recipe.html) > > [http://www.friendlys.com/menu/ice%20cream/treats-and-drinks](http://www.friendlys.com/menu/ice%20cream/treats-and-drinks) How sad. I loved their milkshake, served with half in a glass, and half in the frappe can. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/170 "2015-10-03T13:02:11Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > I forgot about the time when my now ex-husband and I went for a late dinner at a mid-priced restaurant around here. Their closing time was 10pm and we were seated at around 9:30. At 10pm were the only customers left in the restaurant, and they started their closing routine. They even had the nerve to start vacuuming, and asked us the lift our feet as they vacuumed under the table. We joked about that one for years afterward. I’m in the camp that thinks they should stop accepting new customers in time for the staff to get out, although I wouldn’t order anything especially slow if I know I am coming in late. Anyway, we sometimes go late to a local Japanese place. I think it’s mostly fun by an extended family, although there are a few staff who don’t look related. They always seem happy to seat us, and serve us, even when we show up late. But sometimes we see them close down and wash the sushi bar as we eat. And then, all the staff gathers at a big table to eat their supper. They eat much more interesting food than what is on the menu. If they’ve started to eat, I usually don’t ask for the bill until it looks like they are finishing up their meal. They’ve never started cleaning the customer-take area until after we are gone. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/171 "2015-10-03T13:10:20Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I don’t drink cow milk, but even so, I really think it’s odd ordering milk in a Chinese restaurant. Milk isn’t used in their cooking, why would they have it on hand? I drink cow milk almost every day, and I also think it’s odd. I’ve never noticed milk on a Chinese menu, and would never think to order it at a Chinese place. Most Chinese adults are lactose intolerant, and it’s just not used in Chinese cuisine. Still, it’s inexcusable for the waitress to be that rude to your face. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/172 "2015-10-03T13:11:41Z")
Grumble grumble, I missed the edit window. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > They’ve never started cleaning the customer-take area until after we are gone. Customer-table Swype. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/173 "2015-10-03T13:21:31Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I drink cow milk almost every day, and I also think it’s odd. I’ve never noticed milk on a Chinese menu, and would never think to order it at a Chinese place. Most Chinese adults are lactose intolerant, and it’s just not used in Chinese cuisine. > > Still, it’s inexcusable for the waitress to be that rude to your face. Is it possible the woman was just totally weirded out by the request? Cultural differences/benefit of the doubt? I am friends with a local Chinese family who have a restaurant. They’ve said things that totally blew me away, then on further discussion I’ve found they were just being blunt (as is their wont) and were surprised what they said could be taken negatively. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/174 "2015-10-03T13:51:26Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > This is complete bullshit. Under the law, restaurants are required to pay you enough to either meet the Federal minimum wage or the State minimum, whichever is higher. > > You made more than $3.63/hr, liar. Federal minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour. **Sunshine and Smiles** is from Maryland, according to his/her profile. State minimum wage for tipped employees in [Maryland](http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm#Maryland) is $3.63 per hour. Dipshit. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/175 "2015-10-03T13:57:47Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > Federal minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour. **Sunshine and Smiles** is from Maryland, according to his/her profile. State minimum wage for tipped employees in [Maryland](http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm#Maryland) is $3.63 per hour. **D’Anconia** is right in that the minimum wage is the same for tipped employees. Employers are allowed to partially offset that with a credit for tips, but they can only credit tips actually received (and the employee has a legal duty to report tips received, to the penny, neither lowering the amount to cheat on taxes or raising the amount to allow the employer to steal wages). It is flatly illegal for a tipped employee to go home with anything less than the normal minimum wage. But **Sunshine and Smiles** is right in that this is widely flouted. ---
**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 3, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/176 "2015-10-03T16:46:29Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Then I had one lady who must have forgotten to put our appetizer order in early. She brought out the appetizer and 30 seconds later brought out our full meals. It was just me and my SO so we wanted the time to nibble, etc. Then she miscalculated our check, and then disappeared when it came time to pay it for 20 minutes. Rushing patrons through meals so as to increase profits has become so common at one of the restaurants that I frequent that I’ve taken to not ordering my entrée until I have finished my appetizer. Mad Chef 1: I asked room service for a burger, no relish, not pickles. A burger arrived with relish and pickles on it, so I asked for another burger without relish or pickles. A few minutes later the chief pounded on my door and called me out to fight: “I’ll kick your ass you #%&!” He was fired, and not long after that the restaurant closed, which led to Mad Chef 2. Mad Chef 2: Once there was no longer a hotel restaurant, I drove into town to a steak house, where I ordered a medium steak. A blue steak arrived. I returned it and asked for a medium steak. A black steak arrived. I asked for the check for my drink. The chef marched out and started screaming at me about the steak costing him $20. Not long after that the restaurant closed. That led back to the restaurant where Mad Chef 1 worked. Hotelier: Fortunately for me, the hobby of the owner of the hotel where Mad Chef 1 worked was to cook steaks, and I’ve had a couple of jobs as a cook, so often when one of my visits coincided with one of his trips to the city (a day’s drive away) where he usually purchased some excellent steaks, we’d have a grand time, preparing and sharing a fine meal, so all’s well that ends well. Cult restaurant: About thirty years ago, I had lunch at a restaurant in Billings, Montana. I was sat at a booth and told to use the telephone on the wall to call in my order. While waiting for and during my meal (which was remarkably bland), a group of girls in diaphanous gowns danced ring-around-the-rosy in the middle of the restaurant, while a woman preached. While I was paying, the waitress asked if I had been saved, and handed me some religious literature. Anyone else been there? Was it a cult group? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/177 "2015-10-03T18:05:06Z")
This falls in the good and weird category. I work at Sony with a guy who’s a strict vegan. Last month our department went out for lunch to celebrate shipping a game, and since the vegan guy was the producer on the title we asked him for recommendations so he could enjoy his own celebration lunch. We wind up at a vegan place in Inglewood. We’re the only white people in the joint, but everyone is cool and the food is great. Halfway through lunch the owner announces that it’s time for some entertainment, so she stands on a chain in the middle of the dining room and sings _The Star-Spangled Banner_ in a beautiful operatic voice. Everyone cheers and claps and she climbs down off the chair, takes a bow, and goes back to working behind the counter. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/178 "2015-10-03T18:25:06Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Cult restaurant: > > About thirty years ago, I had lunch at a restaurant in Billings, Montana. I was sat at a booth and told to use the telephone on the wall to call in my order. While waiting for and during my meal (which was remarkably bland), a group of girls in diaphanous gowns danced ring-around-the-rosy in the middle of the restaurant, while a woman preached. While I was paying, the waitress asked if I had been saved, and handed me some religious literature. Anyone else been there? Was it a cult group? That’s in the right area for [Church Universal and Triumphant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Universal_and_Triumphant). No idea if they had a restaurant in Billings. ---
**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 3, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/179 "2015-10-03T18:33:01Z")
I figured this thread wouldn’t last long before multiple posters began educating us on the Oppression Of Waitstaff, which apparently is supposed to nullify gripes about bad/weird restaurant experiences. > [@Anaamika](#): > > Oh my god. I forgot the best and weirdest experience I ever had at a restaurant…The cook comes out and starts singing. I wouldn’t care if the reincarnation of Caruso came out to serenade diners; I am down on all forms of strolling/singing/dancing entertainment by staff or hired musicians. A quiet piano in another room is acceptable, maybe. The worst experience I had in this regard was at a place in West Virginia where we stopped for lunch. Staff members assembled at an open space in mid-restaurant, country music began blaring, and they started _line dancing_ (this apparently is [not unique](http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34352-d3163403-r169171507-Texas_Roadhouse-Kissimmee_Florida.html) among certain kinds of restaurants). Thankfully Mrs. J. and I were almost done eating and got the hell out of there ASAP. I guess I’m just not a fun patron. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040/180 "2015-10-03T18:46:58Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > The worst experience I had in this regard was at a place in West Virginia where we stopped for lunch. Staff members assembled at an open space in mid-restaurant, country music began blaring, and they started _line dancing_ (this apparently is [not unique](http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34352-d3163403-r169171507-Texas_Roadhouse-Kissimmee_Florida.html) among certain kinds of restaurants). Thankfully Mrs. J. and I were almost done eating and got the hell out of there ASAP. I once had a coworker whose primary source of income was from owning such a roadhouse near Andrews AFB. Got free food and half my drinks free whenever I was there. Place has since burned down. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-bad-and-weird-experiences-at-restaurants/733040.md?page=10)