Monday, March 20, 2017

T Stands For Bad Restaurant Experience


The day started when my foodie friend Sally wanted to try this Mexican restaurant on the east side of town someone had told her about.

However, when we got there, I got out to look inside because I kept thinking it was an empty building. 

Even the outside seat was in disrepair, and on closer inspection, I noticed only a few of the booths were still in place.

So we cut our losses, and Sally, still wanting Mexican food, decided on 

Margarita's, always a busy place,

and never anywhere to park without walking quite far.

Once inside, we were immediately seated by the hostess.  That was the last we saw of her.

Soon, another person brought us chips and our water (with lemon).  We never saw her again, either.  It was a large menu, and took Sally awhile to read it, because she couldn't see in the dim light.  Our waiter was by three times, and finally took our orders.  At that point, Sally also asked for more water so she could take her pills.  The water never came.

The food came by way of another server, and we once again asked for water so Sally could take her pills. She never got more water, just the first glass when we were seated.

I was over half finished with my sour cream cheese enchilada I ordered without chicken when I realized I hadn't taken any photos.  I never found much sour cream, either, even though the distracted waiter promised extra cheese and sour cream in lieu of the chicken.

Sally had a taco salad.  Both our meals were $7.00 (USD) and ordered from the lunch menu.

Now there is something you need to know about Sally.  First, she never, ever complains.  Second, she makes (yes, MAKES) me figure 20% of the bill so we don't cheat a waiter, then we split the bill and tip.  However, this day, we waited and waited and waited for our check, but like the water, it never showed.  I got up and went to the register and requested to pay.   As we waited for the waiter to bring the person running the register to arrive, Sally walked up and I asked what sort of tip to leave.  Much to my surprise, she said "NONE."  My thoughts exactly!

Whether a good T day or not, it's time to share your drink related post this week.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.  Old photos are acceptable because they may be taken at any time, and don't even have to be taken this year!  BTW, next Tuesday is Sally's birthday, so I'll be taking her to her choice of places to eat.  



27 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Oh dear, that was not the best restaurant experience. It's so annoying when restaurant staff don't look after their guests. I know they always have lots to do, but it's part of the job. I wouldn't have given a tip either! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

~*~Patty S said...

What a shame your visit went so badly.
Seems things were not running smoothly there at all.
Tips should be earned not just given.
Guess you can cross this place off your list.
Happy T Day anyway dear E.
Happy to be joining in this week.
oxo

CJ Kennedy said...

Too bad the first place was abandoned. At least the experience made good blog fodder.

Tip is actually an acronym. T.I.P.S. it means to insure prompt service. Since you didn't get good service, you shouldn't leave a tip. Also, drop a word to the manager? I've found if I have poor service, a tweet directed to the company usually gets a response and an apology.

chrissie said...

sounds like a really bad place to go Elizabeth, I am sure you won't be going there again

Have a Happy T Day

Love Chrissie xx

Let's Art Journal said...

That wasn't a fun experience, especially (as you explained) if Sally's response was not to leave a tip. I totally agree that tips should be earned and not just given :-) . Anyhow, I'm so glad to share a drink with you today and I'm wishing you a fun and Happy T Day! J :-)

johanna said...

so sorry about your bad experience - and i also agree: tips should be earned. try to Forget and move Forward to the next Restaurant.
have a great week, elizabeth!

Meggymay said...

What a day, one restaurant empty and the next leaving a lot to be spoken about with the service you never received.
I also agree about the tip, it must be earned.
I think I may have been asking to see the manager.
Anyway, I think that place won't be visited again.
Happy T Day and I hope today will be a good one.
Yvonne xx

My name is Erika. said...

We have a place named Margaritas in our neck of the woods, and unfortunately the food there is never very good. I wonder if they are related, but from the way the words margarita is written on the building, I don't think so. Nothing worse than bad service. Even if the food could be better, I find that's still not as bad as having bad service. You would think people who rely upon tips would be well aware of that. Sorry it didn't work out. I bet a lot of people will tell you the same thing about that restaurant. So I hope you enjoy your T day twice as much since your restaurant visit was not good. Hugs-Erika

Jeanie said...

Oh, it sounds so good -- till you read your words instead of the menu! I'm sorry it was a bad experience but I know that won't stop you from trying another restaurant next time!

Linda Kunsman said...

So sorry for yet another bad restaurant experience. I would not have tipped either. I am really picky about going out to eat because I do love GOOD food and LOVE to cook so I try and look at online reviews as well as get references from friends. Only wish I could take you both to our favorite Mexican restaurant-you would NOT be disappointed. But, keep on trying, and happy T day!

Lisca said...

Oh dear, not good at all! I hate it when staff are like that. The result is that I would never come there again, however good the food might have been. But when staff are attentive and friendly, I tip generously.
Well, next week will be extra special on Sally's birthday. Wish her a happy birthday from me. (Mine is on Thursday)
Happy T-Day,
Lisca xx

Halle said...

So frustrating to go out and have a bad meal...doesn't matter if it's the food or the service...just frustrating.

pearshapedcrafting said...

What a disappointment for you both! I only tip now for service that is really good - which seems to be less and less! I hope Sally got some water for her pills - I have the same problem when I am out! I hope you don't think I am rude but I am off to bed now and will be back in the morning! Hugs, Chrisx

Carol said...

Bad service really ticks me off. I used to be a waitress and I know it can be hectic and out of control at times... But it is mandatory to at least let your customers know what is going on and do your best to take care of them. I don't leave tips for bad service...unless I happen to have a penny on hand and I'll leave that.

jinxxxygirl said...

Well thats terrible Elizabeth....After all my years working customer service theres one think i wont tolerate and thats bad customer service... good for you not leaving a tip...now i can be lenient...say the restaurant is new or the waiter is new and they are just getting their sea legs but other than that i expect my tea to be kept full and if you promise me your bringing something you better bring it...OH and the appetizer on the rare occassion i order one better come before the meal...lol I HATE it when the appetizer arrives at the same time as the meal... Happy t day dear!! Hugs! deb

kathyinozarks said...

Thank you soo much Elizabeth for your kind comments on my two posts-green eggs-sounds fun lol My husband has so many forms of arthritis since childhood that it is really catching up with home even more so now- (getting older does not help) so I totally understand
I may start up my cast iron cooking post more this summer again and see what develops.
I ended up taking my crochet apart down to the foundation stitches some how I added stitches not realizing it and when I looked at the photos mine were not quite right going back-looking nicer now.

we do not go out to eat much any more-where we live is a factor and my gluten free diet is an issue in a rural area-but when we do go out for a treat I am not happy if the meal isn't perfect-or at least almost so--
thanks so much for hosting this event I am really enjoying visiting everyone thanks

Rike said...

Yes, I agree to give no tip when the service is such bad! I think you will never visit there again?!
Happy T day anyway!

Pen Sunshinepen said...

Goodness what a nightmare. I remember when I was in america several years ago on a coach trip - the coach stopped off for a meal - so far so good = apart from the meal was awful. The waitress's kept on saying Have a nice day was the meal OK ... so after the 4th time of this comment I said the meal was terrible, and with that I got a full refund.
When I got back on the coach everyone else said they wished they too had complained. :(

Anyway a story I remmeber. x

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

Good for you for not leaving a tip. Here's another idea in case you ever have a bad experience like this again. Leave a penny or a nickel tip. No tip at all could be a mistake - you just forgot. A penny is an obvious insult and complaint.

I wonder if they have new management because such disorganization is usually a sign or poor management. Is this the same Maragarita's you've gone to before? It's a shame - you go out for a relaxing meal and some fun and leave frustrated AND thirsty!

Happy T-day, Elizabeth! Hugs, Eileen

Divers and Sundry said...

Well, bummer! First one closed, and it sounds like the second one should follow. Management needs to do a training review to make sure the system doesn't leave the customers hanging. My bet is that it's not just that one waitress.

Dianne said...

so frustrating when the service is less than you hoped for! they must have been very busy if the parking lot was full, but of course that is no excuse. Poor service will quickly kill business. But it only takes one staff person to make the whole process out of whack... Now you've made me hungry for Mexican food! ;) Hope you can have some soothing tea to improve your day! ♥

Krisha said...

What an irritating place to have lunch, poor Sally, I hope she got to take her pills!
A tip??? My tip would be.....don't go back there, and I think I would have gotten hold of the manager and told them so....and why!

Your food looks good, and now I can't wait to meet my friend tomorrow for lunch, as they have picked Mexican food.

Happy T-day

Sandra Cox said...

That is really too bad. I'm sorry you had such a negative experience.

da tabbies o trout towne said...

Bleu & squiggles...we R sorree yur mom N her friend hada crap azz time at thiz place......chalk that up aza never go two again N pass de werd along ! ☺☺♥♥

Karla B said...

Whar a shame huh!I am sorry you had such an awful experience my friend.Here we only give tips if we like the service.Remember that place and never go there again, my friend

Sami said...

That first restaurant certainly looks unloved and abandoned, I can't believe they would attract any customers.
As for the bad experience at the second restaurant I'm glad you left no tip, they didn't deserve to be rewarded for bad service!

sheila 77 said...

What an experience. But at least you got an entertaining blogpost from it.
How annoyng that you couldn't even get your glass of water. I would have got up and chased them to get one. Taking pills at the right time is important.
A question, Elizabeth. Does Sally read your blog?
Thanks for your post about these trips to restaurants, I love reading about these different places.