When going out to dinner goes wrong

Vince · 01-24-2006, 03:00 AM

So you're at a restaurant, eating your meal. So far, the service has been decent but unspectacular, and you're eating your first course, a salad.

Halfway through the salad, you find a hair in it.

What do you expect the restaurant to do about it?

Vince · 01-24-2006, 03:05 AM

Comp = Discount it, make it free, void the payment, etc.

Just in case.

Danny · 01-24-2006, 03:35 AM

Is this hair long? Blonde? Short, dark and curly? Is the chef hot?

Raiders Army · 01-24-2006, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny Drickman

Is this hair long? Blonde? Short, dark and curly? Is the chef hot?

Good questions.

Comp the salad and offer a discount on the rest of the meal.

Bee · 01-24-2006, 06:49 AM

comp the salad and replace it if it's obviously not your hair.

PilotMan · 01-24-2006, 07:24 AM

As a former restaurant manager, typically you do what the customer wants. Generally speaking, you should offer to replace the salad, and comp the salad, unless the salad is part of the dinner, then you would discount the meal by 10-20%.

Most of the time I just pull the hair out and keep eating. You eat more things that you don't know about and you manage to live through it. Big deal.

Samdari · 01-24-2006, 07:41 AM

I once found a piece of broken glass at the bottom of a pint of beer. They replaced the beer, and then the manager came over to talk to me. I expected at least the beer to be comped, probably the entire table's bar bill. Instead, she gave me her card. Mind you, I could have swallowed a piece of broken glass due to their negligence, and I got a business card.

Butter · 01-24-2006, 07:44 AM

Maybe the manager thought you were hot.

Samdari · 01-24-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Maybe the manager thought you were hot.

She was not.

panerd · 01-24-2006, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotMan

As a former restaurant manager, typically you do what the customer wants. Generally speaking, you should offer to replace the salad, and comp the salad, unless the salad is part of the dinner, then you would discount the meal by 10-20%.

Most of the time I just pull the hair out and keep eating. You eat more things that you don't know about and you manage to live through it. Big deal.

Agree with both. My friends and family are always grossed out when I pick out a hair and then continue eating. But being a former restaurant employee and watching those "Caught on Tape" television shows, eating food that touched a hair is far less risky than sending food back to a busy kitchen. Not saying it's right, but I know the reality of a pissed off cook.

Obviously though the manager should make the salad free.

Bee · 01-24-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panerd

Agree with both. My friends and family are always grossed out when I pick out a hair and then continue eating. But being a former restaurant employee and watching those "Caught on Tape" television shows, eating food that touched a hair is far less risky than sending food back to a busy kitchen. Not saying it's right, but I know the reality of a pissed off cook.

Obviously though the manager should make the salad free.

My wife sends food back a lot and I just shake my head. From everyone I know who has worked in a restaurant and all the stories I've heard, the only way I send food back is if it's something that would kill me to eat it.

DanGarion · 01-24-2006, 08:09 AM

Here is my exeperience from a place went used to go too. I posted this on the http://local.yahoo.com reviews.

Quote:

I Will Never Go Back (To the HB Fred's Again)!

I was a pretty happy with Fred's up until my last visit. After checking with the hostess who said the way was 15 minutes, we waited 25 minutes, and then I checked back with the hostess and our name wasn't on the list. We waited about 10 minutes because of this mistake. Once we were seated it took about 15 minutes to get our waitress to take our order. Another 20 minutes later our food arrived. The food was good but everything else began to go downhill. During our entire meal the waitress never came back and no one in party was ever given a refill on our drinks, nor were we asked how our meal was. We finished our meal the waitress came by and went to get me a refill of my coke. When she handed me the glass something looked wrong with it but it didn't register with me at first. As I drank the coke I saw slimy stuff in it and realized that my glass was not only USED but had remnants of sludge from food! I nearly vomited from this experience but I was able to control myself. As we waited 20 minutes for our check I asked another waitress if they could get me a manger. Some guy that looked like he was "in charge" came over and I explained to him that we were not happy with our experience. His reaction was brush me off and giving me his business card saying he'll take care of me next time we come in (whatever that means). He didn't take my name, and he didn't offer to comp our dining experience that was horrid. He got us our check and another 15 minutes went by as we waited for the "waitress" to take our money. Overall we were at the place for 2 1/2 hours just for a meal for two with nothing special. This was the worst dining experience I have ever had in my life and I highly doubt it will be beat. We will never go to Fred's in Huntington Beach again, but we have gone to the one down in San Diego in the Gaslamp District and had a pleasant experience.

larrymcg421 · 01-24-2006, 08:19 AM

Hair in my food? I want a fully comped meal. This has happened to me twice at restaurants (and it was definitely not my hair either time.) One restaurant comped the full meal. The other comped the side item and replaced it with another side item. Guess which restaurant I still go to?

Maple Leafs · 01-24-2006, 08:31 AM

We were out for a team lunch the other day and a guy bit into his chicken curry and hit something hard. It was small and clear, seemed like glass but not sharp. When he told the waitress, she mentioned that the chef likes to work with beads as a hobby and probably had one stuck to her clothes that fell into the food. That was it... not even an apology.

timmae · 01-24-2006, 09:23 AM

easy one... demand full comp, make a scene. If they do you right then take it for what it's worth. If they do you wrong, never go back and tell everyone that you can how bad of an experience you had there. My experience has been the honest, reputable joints will back you, their customer, as much as they can as they want your repeat business. This is where corporate america can take a hit pretty hard...

Kodos · 01-24-2006, 09:50 AM

I think the guys wanting a comped meal are ridiculous. Sure, comp and replace the salad, but it was just a freaking hair. Hell, it may have been YOUR hair.

My old evil boss would always send food back and/or hassle waiters. She would also "banter" with them as if she'd known them for years. I can only imagine what she's ingested over the years...

Icy · 01-24-2006, 10:15 AM

I had a bad experience a few months ago. A new big shopping center was open in my city. I went there with my wife and a couple of friends and after getting out of the cinema, we found a nice Italian restaurant. We took sit and waited like 15 minutes for a waiter to attend us. Then he took note of what we wanted, we waited another good 20 minutes, then he came and told us that two of the things we asked for as dinner were not available (why did he wait 20 minutes to tell us??) ok, we started to get a bit pissed but it was too late to look for another restaurant so we chose other dishes. After 30 minutes more (one hour already) the waiter took the menus... for 3 persons, not bringing why i asked for. I waited 5 minutes more, but i saw him talking with other waiters, not bringing more food.

- I asked him: Excuse me, where is my menu?
- and he looked like surprised... umm i brought all that you asked for...
- me: Well you didn't, we are 4 persons and you brought 3 menus, don't you think something is wrong? can you please take a look at the note you took?
- waiter: ahh you're right, i'm sorry, i'm going to tell the cooker to cook your meal.
- me: Umm ok, but please not 30 minutes again.

Then the waiter went to the kitchen, we waited for 10 minutes more, i told my wife and friends to start to eat their meal ir it would get cold. Then he came back.

- waiter: i'm sorry sir, but the kitchen is closed already.
- me: what?? you forgot to bring my meal after an hour and now you're telling me that you can't bring me another thing because the kitchen is closed?
- waiter: yes sir, the cooker told me that.
- me: Umm ok, please bring here your manager.

Then a guy younger than me wearing an expensive suit came (probably the owner son, no way he could be a manager elsewhere).

- manager: What happens here?
- me: Well we waited for over an hour to get our dinner, then the waiter took only 3 menus instead of four and now he says that the kitchen is closed and that i won't have any meal.
- manager looking to his cell phone: and what do you want me to do?
- me: What? i expect two things, first the menu i asked for an hour ago, and second at least an excuse from you.
- manager playing with his cell phone: i dont' have anything to be excused and the kitchen is closed already.
me (getting more and more angry): Are you telling me that after an hour waiting and after a few mistakes from your staff, you're leaving me without dinner?
- manager (with arrogance): well it's not my fault.
- me: It's not your fault?? aren't you the manager? aren't you supposed to control your employees? to who should i complain then?
- manager (looking elsewhere): well i will bill only 3 dinners, why are you complaining?
- me: Of course you will only bill 3 dinners, because your waiter only brought 3 dinners!!
- manager (with arrogance and again not looking at me): do you need anything else sir?
- me (standing up really furious, and i was twice as big as the guy): what else do i need?? i want the claims book and i'm going to bring it to the consumer office because your poor service.
- manager (suddenly losing his arrogance and getting nervous): Why? what kind of bad service?
- me (starting to think that somewhere must be a hidden cam as this was unreal): are you joking me? are you asking me what kind of bad service? what about not bringing my dinner after 1 hour waiting, and then instead of offering a replacement you basically told me to fuck off? please bring here the claims book, i'm going to write all this out. And just for you to learn a bit from this, just saying that it was a a mistake, offering your excuses and even a sandwich, you would have avoid my note on the book, but you acted like and asshole and that is my biggest complain.

Then the manager started to look for the official claims book (that every restaurant, shop etc must have), he was so nervous, not able to find it. Finally he did, brought the book, he offered us to not to pay the whole dinner, and i said ok thanks, but while writing it all in the book, and we left the restaurant but of course with the claim note wrote on their book. That will bring them problems the next time the inspection visits them (and i guess also when his boss reads it).

That was the last time i was really close to hitting somebody. I can handle human mistakes (even when the waiter was so stupid) but i can't handle arrogance when i'm right and when i'm paying for a service. I wonder if that guy have ever heard that about the customer being always right

Lathum · 01-24-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samdari

I once found a piece of broken glass at the bottom of a pint of beer. They replaced the beer, and then the manager came over to talk to me. I expected at least the beer to be comped, probably the entire table's bar bill. Instead, she gave me her card. Mind you, I could have swallowed a piece of broken glass due to their negligence, and I got a business card.

In many stated it is illegeal to comp alchohol.

that being said she should have done more...

Lathum · 01-24-2006, 10:22 AM

[quote=Kodos]I think the guys wanting a comped meal are ridiculous. Sure, comp and replace the salad, but it was just a freaking hair. Hell, it may have been YOUR hair.
QUOTE]
I agree with this. Obviously the salad should be replaced and comped but why should the rest of the meal be free?

Once a restuarant starts comping food like that word gets out really quick and all of a sudden there is alot of hair in alot of food.

DanGarion · 01-24-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodos

I think the guys wanting a comped meal are ridiculous. Sure, comp and replace the salad, but it was just a freaking hair. Hell, it may have been YOUR hair.

So what do you think in my case?

Kodos · 01-24-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangarion

So what do you think in my case?

Yours is a lot less forgivable than a hair in a salad.

Mustang · 01-24-2006, 10:58 AM

I've had a waitress grab my dinner plate and empty it into a carry out tray while I was still eating. I didn't say anything until 3 minutes later because it was one of those 'Did that just fucking happen' moments.

Still never beat my all time best... ordering a Big Mac and forgot to put the 2 patties into it...

theclassic · 01-24-2006, 11:01 AM

It's almost best to avoid eating out. Unless you know the chef at the place you are dining at. I worked at a 4 star resort that was always rated highly for it's dining experince. My job wasn't in the kitchen, but I had to pass through it frequently. Since I was a third shift employee I was the only one who would be in there. Sometimes at night I would notice that somebody would leave the desert fridge open and some of the cheesecake would be brown around the edges. I was tempted to just throw it all out, but than I probably would get fired. I noticed fish heads sometimes floating in the dish water or even on the floor. I also noticed glasses soaking in the dish water overnight. And they would put every kind of garbage imaginable in the dish water. The kitchen also smelt like garbage since nobody ever shut the outside door by the dumpsters. The grill looked like the ceiling of a cave with all kinds of burnt pieces of left over meat and fat. One time I drank some juice out of the juice machine even though I wasn't suppose to. I figured what the hell nobody is around and I was thristy for something other than water. Well I felt sick over my two day weekend from it.

This was a four star resort. I don't hold much promise for really any other place.

Desnudo · 01-24-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclassic

It's almost best to avoid eating out. Unless you know the chef at the place you are dining at. I worked at a 4 star resort that was always rated highly for it's dining experince. My job wasn't in the kitchen, but I had to pass through it frequently. Since I was a third shift employee I was the only one who would be in there. Sometimes at night I would notice that somebody would leave the desert fridge open and some of the cheesecake would be brown around the edges. I was tempted to just throw it all out, but than I probably would get fired. I noticed fish heads sometimes floating in the dish water or even on the floor. I also noticed glasses soaking in the dish water overnight. And they would put every kind of garbage imaginable in the dish water. The kitchen also smelt like garbage since nobody ever shut the outside door by the dumpsters. The grill looked like the ceiling of a cave with all kinds of burnt pieces of left over meat and fat. One time I drank some juice out of the juice machine even though I wasn't suppose to. I figured what the hell nobody is around and I was thristy for something other than water. Well I felt sick over my two day weekend from it.

This was a four star resort. I don't hold much promise for really any other place.

Damn man, you should report that place to the inspection board, that sounds disgusting.

PilotMan · 01-24-2006, 11:10 AM

You guys don't even want me to get started on my experiences here. It should really have it's own thread.

Example, I had an employee jump a customer in the parking lot. Thats good enough for now.

Desnudo · 01-24-2006, 11:15 AM

By chance for complaining about a hair in the salad? I'd just take it out and keep eating personally.

Danny · 01-24-2006, 11:16 AM

I found a short black curly hair in my cinnamon french toast once. The plate was empty by the time the check came.

larrymcg421 · 01-24-2006, 11:16 AM

If I think it could reasonably be my hair, then I would accept a comp of the specific item. But in the two cases I mentioned, it was a different color hair. And hair in my food is fucking nasty. It doesn't simply ruin the side dish, but it ruins my whole appetite.

I spend alot eating out, and I tend to eat at similar places quite a bit. Places that treat me well, they get constant business from me and more than make up for the cost of one comped meal. Places that try to haggle over how much a hair is worth on my check are not worth my time.

KWhit · 01-24-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icy

Then the manager started to look for the official claims book (that every restaurant, shop etc must have), he was so nervous, not able to find it. Finally he did, brought the book, he offered us to not to pay the whole dinner, and i said ok thanks, but while writing it all in the book, and we left the restaurant but of course with the claim note wrote on their book. That will bring them problems the next time the inspection visits them (and i guess also when his boss reads it).

Can you explain more about this claims book? I've never heard of such a thing. Have others used this tactic to get satisfaction or report egregiously poor service?

Icy · 01-24-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KWhit

Can you explain more about this claims book? I've never heard of such a thing. Have others used this tactic to get satisfaction or report egregiously poor service?

I don't know if that exists in the USA, i was talking about my country Spain. Here every bussines (shop, restaurant, garage, etc etc) must have an official claims book, the customers have the right to ask for that book if they don't like anything and fill in that book why they think they have been poorly atended. That book is required by the goberment inspection when they go to the bussines, and if they have a lot of legit claims, they could be fined. The customer keeps also a copy of the paper he filled in that book and that could be used in a possible sue as other customers in the bussines can sign in as witness.

ISiddiqui · 01-24-2006, 12:10 PM

Wow... that's a great idea. I wish some states mandated that (its not like it would be a killer expense for businesses or anything).

Karlifornia · 01-24-2006, 12:19 PM

A hair in my food? If it's laying on top of some french fries, ah who cares. If it's in my bowl of soup...ehhh..I'd want the soup replaced...I wouldn''t really care if it were free as long as I didn't have to pay for two soups. I don't get jollies from being condescending to waitstaff, though I know some people who do.

sterlingice · 01-24-2006, 12:59 PM

Wow, it never ceases to amaze me the number of assholes in the world and those who brag about it. It's not like their big, sweaty, hairy cook is sitting there saying: "HAIR! FALL INTO MEAL!" It's an honest mistake. Then again, maybe it's not- if you've been an asshole like that the entire time you've been there and are the type who would demand comp'd meal and make a scene enjoy what you've injested that you didn't know about on your returned food.

I'm with the Rigellian. The extent that I expect is maybe a comp'd salad but most likely, I'll just pick the hair out with a utensil I'm not using.

Of course this is also dependent on the class of restaurant. If it's a pizza, I'm happy when the guys haven't spit (or worse) in it. If it's a high class place, the standards are higher. I think everyone should be required to work retail for one summer and food service for a summer. It's just 3 months and won't kill anyone but it will give you a lot more respect for the people working those jobs.

SI

JonInMiddleGA · 01-24-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sterlingice

It's just 3 months and won't kill anyone but it will give you a lot more respect for the people working those jobs.

Not so fast there, be careful what you wish for.

I did my time (and then some) in retail, and if anything it made me much more critical of what I see in retail today. I know about the various stresses but I also learned that its usually as easy to do something right as it is to do something wrong.

bbor · 01-24-2006, 01:04 PM

This is an easy one...you comp the food without question.As a former restaraunteer you want repeat business and a good name....so it costs you a few bucks...big deal.

JonInMiddleGA · 01-24-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

It doesn't simply ruin the side dish, but it ruins my whole appetite. ... I spend alot eating out, and I tend to eat at similar places quite a bit. Places that treat me well, they get constant business from me and more than make up for the cost of one comped meal. Places that try to haggle over how much a hair is worth on my check are not worth my time.

What you said.

Hammer755 · 01-24-2006, 01:08 PM

I went to a restaurant this weekend and was bowled over by their consideration. We were eating with some friends that we hadn't seen in awhile, so after we ordered there was a good bit of conversation. After what only seemed like a few minutes, a manager came to our table and asked how we were doing. He apologized that our meal was taking so long and offered to half-comp our meal. He then later followed up with another apology and free ice cream for all of us at the table.

I'm not sure if we simply lost track of time catching up, but I wouldn't have given a second thought to the time it took to get our food.

sterlingice · 01-24-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Not so fast there, be careful what you wish for.

I did my time (and then some) in retail, and if anything it made me much more critical of what I see in retail today. I know about the various stresses but I also learned that its usually as easy to do something right as it is to do something wrong.

Don't get me wrong- there's a lot of things that can be improved. But you come to realize there are a lot of things outside of employee control and if you can't see that, then you're just really self-centered (oh, hey, have we met, I'm SI, JiMGA, you say

).

For instance, when I worked retail, a classic trick I remember was for people to take something that was obviously out of place- say a $100 hard drive moved by someone earlier in the day over the $20 sound card tag- and bring that up to check out and act indignant that it wasn't $20 and blame us for not keeping our store clean.

This strikes me as that kind of instance- it's not like the cook knows a hair fell out, otherwise, he wouldn't put it in there (or so you hope) as it's something obvious that could come back to reflect poorly on him. So, self interest, if for no other reason. If the cook really wanted to get back at you (and we're assuming we're not talking about Mickey D's, but somewhere the cook's have a slightly higher), a hair is not how they would do it. It's not intentional and it's something not entirely unavoidable or threatening- I fail to see where it's a big deal unless the world revolves so solely around you in your mind.

SI

Vince · 01-24-2006, 01:39 PM

Well, there's a story behind this thread. I'm a waiter, and this recently happened to one of my guests.

My manager was informed that my table had found a hair in their salad. She explained it to me, and told me she would take care of it. When I went to print out the party's bill, the salad was still on the check. I took my manager aside (away from guests and other employees), and asked her why the salad was still on the bill, saying that if I had gone to a restaurant and found a hair in my salad, I sure as hell wouldn't expect to pay for it. She explained to me that we are running a business, and we can't expect to give out free food all the time, or our guests will start to expect it. She then continued to say that she would comp the salad if they complained, but not before then. I was speechless...I felt that at the very least the table shouldn't have to pay for their salad.

I was livid, afterwards. I didn't feel right delivering the check to the table, so I asked my manager to do it. The party paid for their $90 meal, and also left me a $2 tip. I'm surprised I got any tip at all.

Bee · 01-24-2006, 01:45 PM

Your manager is an idiot.

DanGarion · 01-24-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclassic

It's almost best to avoid eating out. Unless you know the chef at the place you are dining at. I worked at a 4 star resort that was always rated highly for it's dining experince. My job wasn't in the kitchen, but I had to pass through it frequently. Since I was a third shift employee I was the only one who would be in there. Sometimes at night I would notice that somebody would leave the desert fridge open and some of the cheesecake would be brown around the edges. I was tempted to just throw it all out, but than I probably would get fired. I noticed fish heads sometimes floating in the dish water or even on the floor. I also noticed glasses soaking in the dish water overnight. And they would put every kind of garbage imaginable in the dish water. The kitchen also smelt like garbage since nobody ever shut the outside door by the dumpsters. The grill looked like the ceiling of a cave with all kinds of burnt pieces of left over meat and fat. One time I drank some juice out of the juice machine even though I wasn't suppose to. I figured what the hell nobody is around and I was thristy for something other than water. Well I felt sick over my two day weekend from it.

This was a four star resort. I don't hold much promise for really any other place.

Wow that's bad. I used to work at McDonald's years ago (gez I'm feeling old only 13 years ago) and I can honestly say I would have been perfectly fine eating there. We did a great job keeping the place clean. Yes there were times things got a little dirty but we always did out best to make sure the food prep areas were kept up.

JonInMiddleGA · 01-24-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sterlingice

For instance, when I worked retail, a classic trick I remember was for people to take something that was obviously out of place- say a $100 hard drive moved by someone earlier in the day over the $20 sound card tag- and bring that up to check out and act indignant that it wasn't $20 and blame us for not keeping our store clean.

Except that, in my experience, that isn't any more often a "trick" by the customer as it is a "trick" of the store as an intentional bait-and-switch or simply lazy & sloppy proper maintenance of shelf displays.

Quote:

It's not intentional and it's something not entirely unavoidable or threatening

But it IS unacceptable to present an item in that manner, at least to most people (and everyone I've ever known outside of FOFC) and that's what makes it appropriate for the restaurant to attempt to make amends in some fashion.

gkb · 01-24-2006, 02:09 PM

I would expect the meal to be comped. If I cared enough to complain about the hair, the manager should be willing to give me a free meal. It doesn't cost them that much and it generates a lot of goodwill.

As a former Taco Bell manager (that job sucked) I was once asked by a very pissed off customer to come out to the lobby so he could show me something. I followed him to where he and his wife were eating; she was sitting there with her hand over her mouth. I figured this was going to be bad and yep...he turned back the fold of a soft taco she had bitten into and there were maggots in the meat. Needless to say I comped their meal and most certainly did not offer a replacement soft taco...

gottimd · 01-24-2006, 02:14 PM

I expect to be blown by the hottest female hostess. My wife doesn't agree with my thought process. And I end up just getting a comped salad and a pissed off wife.

Toddzilla · 01-24-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangarion

Here is my exeperience from a place went used to go too. I posted this on the http://local.yahoo.com reviews.

FUCK that - I'm walking out on the check in full view of the manager the second he/she blows us off. Let them call the fucking cops - I'll have the health department show up as well and then we'll see how courteous the manager gets.

theclassic · 01-24-2006, 03:08 PM

Maybe it's just Wisconsin, or my part of Wisconsin, but food sanitation seems to be a low priority. My girlfriend works at some place where they cleaned the bathroom with the dish brush over this past weekend. This is the same place that leaves hot dogs in the hot dog tray for a season. Over the summer big black ants found there way into the slushee machine, and I'm certain they didn't discover it for awhile, and people ended up drinking ants. The building is also run down, I have seen numerous spots of mold on the outside. Lucky for any patron the place is going to get bulldozed soon. I work for the city and sometimes I honestly feel like reporting them. I remember one time I was there, I actually said something to my girlfriend about it, and I didn't know her boss was around the corner, but after I said that he started mopping the floor. Something he never does.

Philliesfan980 · 01-24-2006, 04:11 PM

Former waiter here for 6 years throughout High School and College @ Chili's! (Its terrible now)

Its a no brainer... you certainly comp the salad, and probably take 50% off the entire check. Chili's was able to do this because they actually encourage their managers to take such action when situations like this occur. The story is different when you go to a small , non chain resteraunt though. From my experiences, I've never gotten anything comped, no matter what the situation. I've had steaks cooked well done that I've asked for Medium Rare. They simply take the steak , take it to the back, and recook it, and 10 minutes later, after my wife is done eating, I have my steak.

Its funny, I have had times where mangers have comped "overcomplaining guests" (ie, the type that complain if "this item is too spicy"), but I've never had anything comped, no matter what the situation.

Oh, back to the original situation, I'd probably just stop eating my salad. I wouldn't continue to eat the salad, but I'd just look at it like "Hey, its a dinner salad that is a small warmup to my dinner, should it be this way? No, of course not, but its not worth making a fuss over". Now if I go to a fancy restaurant, and its my main course, I'm expecting a replacement, and a slight comp, but nothing too drastic. More importantly, I just want an apology.

JonInMiddleGA · 01-24-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

More importantly, I just want an apology.

Bingo again.

I don't really insist that the restaurant, employee or manager, really give a shit.
I just expect them to at least put in the effort to pretend they do.

Raiders Army · 01-24-2006, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Hair in my food? I want a fully comped meal. This has happened to me twice at restaurants (and it was definitely not my hair either time.) One restaurant comped the full meal. The other comped the side item and replaced it with another side item. Guess which restaurant I still go to?

Neither, since you don't like to go to restaurants that serve hair?

Raiders Army · 01-24-2006, 05:25 PM

Dola, if you have a fully comped meal and you pay nothing, do you still tip 20%?

View Poll Results: What should the restaurant do?
Comp your entire meal.	18	17.82%
Comp the salad, replace it, and offer a discount on the rest of the meal.	31	30.69%
Comp the salad and replace it with a new one.	36	35.64%
Replace the salad, but discount nothing.	8	7.92%
Slap you in the face with a trout while laughing at your misfortune.	8	7.92%
Voters: 101. You may not vote on this poll

01-24-2006, 03:05 AM	#2
Vince Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Willow Glen, CA	Comp = Discount it, make it free, void the payment, etc. Just in case. __________________ Every time a Dodger scores a run, an angel has its wings ripped off by a demon, and is forced to tearfully beg the demon to cauterize the wounds.The demon will refuse, and the sobbing angel will lie in a puddle of angel blood and feathers for eternity, wondering why the Dodgers are allowed to score runs.That’s not me talking: that’s science. McCoveyChronicles.com.

01-24-2006, 07:24 AM	#6
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	As a former restaurant manager, typically you do what the customer wants. Generally speaking, you should offer to replace the salad, and comp the salad, unless the salad is part of the dinner, then you would discount the meal by 10-20%. Most of the time I just pull the hair out and keep eating. You eat more things that you don't know about and you manage to live through it. Big deal. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops.

01-24-2006, 07:41 AM	#7
Samdari Roster Filler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Cicero	I once found a piece of broken glass at the bottom of a pint of beer. They replaced the beer, and then the manager came over to talk to me. I expected at least the beer to be comped, probably the entire table's bar bill. Instead, she gave me her card. Mind you, I could have swallowed a piece of broken glass due to their negligence, and I got a business card. __________________ http://www.nateandellie.net Now featuring twice the babies for the same low price!

01-24-2006, 07:44 AM	#8
Butter Coordinator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dayton, OH	Maybe the manager thought you were hot. __________________ My listening habits

01-24-2006, 03:35 AM	#3
Danny General Manager Join Date: Jul 2001	Is this hair long? Blonde? Short, dark and curly? Is the chef hot?

01-24-2006, 06:49 AM	#5
Bee Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fairfax, VA	comp the salad and replace it if it's obviously not your hair.

01-24-2006, 08:19 AM	#13
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	Hair in my food? I want a fully comped meal. This has happened to me twice at restaurants (and it was definitely not my hair either time.) One restaurant comped the full meal. The other comped the side item and replaced it with another side item. Guess which restaurant I still go to? __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

01-24-2006, 08:31 AM	#14
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	We were out for a team lunch the other day and a guy bit into his chicken curry and hit something hard. It was small and clear, seemed like glass but not sharp. When he told the waitress, she mentioned that the chef likes to work with beads as a hobby and probably had one stuck to her clothes that fell into the food. That was it... not even an apology. __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

01-24-2006, 09:23 AM	#15
timmae College Starter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago	easy one... demand full comp, make a scene. If they do you right then take it for what it's worth. If they do you wrong, never go back and tell everyone that you can how bad of an experience you had there. My experience has been the honest, reputable joints will back you, their customer, as much as they can as they want your repeat business. This is where corporate america can take a hit pretty hard... __________________ Interactive OOTP 15 Dynasty (Single Season) CHAMPION!! Oh yeah... Happy New York Day everyone!

01-24-2006, 09:50 AM	#16
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	I think the guys wanting a comped meal are ridiculous. Sure, comp and replace the salad, but it was just a freaking hair. Hell, it may have been YOUR hair. My old evil boss would always send food back and/or hassle waiters. She would also "banter" with them as if she'd known them for years. I can only imagine what she's ingested over the years... Last edited by Kodos : 01-24-2006 at 09:57 AM.

01-24-2006, 10:15 AM	#17
Icy Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo - Spain	I had a bad experience a few months ago. A new big shopping center was open in my city. I went there with my wife and a couple of friends and after getting out of the cinema, we found a nice Italian restaurant. We took sit and waited like 15 minutes for a waiter to attend us. Then he took note of what we wanted, we waited another good 20 minutes, then he came and told us that two of the things we asked for as dinner were not available (why did he wait 20 minutes to tell us??) ok, we started to get a bit pissed but it was too late to look for another restaurant so we chose other dishes. After 30 minutes more (one hour already) the waiter took the menus... for 3 persons, not bringing why i asked for. I waited 5 minutes more, but i saw him talking with other waiters, not bringing more food. - I asked him: Excuse me, where is my menu? - and he looked like surprised... umm i brought all that you asked for... - me: Well you didn't, we are 4 persons and you brought 3 menus, don't you think something is wrong? can you please take a look at the note you took? - waiter: ahh you're right, i'm sorry, i'm going to tell the cooker to cook your meal. - me: Umm ok, but please not 30 minutes again. Then the waiter went to the kitchen, we waited for 10 minutes more, i told my wife and friends to start to eat their meal ir it would get cold. Then he came back. - waiter: i'm sorry sir, but the kitchen is closed already. - me: what?? you forgot to bring my meal after an hour and now you're telling me that you can't bring me another thing because the kitchen is closed? - waiter: yes sir, the cooker told me that. - me: Umm ok, please bring here your manager. Then a guy younger than me wearing an expensive suit came (probably the owner son, no way he could be a manager elsewhere). - manager: What happens here? - me: Well we waited for over an hour to get our dinner, then the waiter took only 3 menus instead of four and now he says that the kitchen is closed and that i won't have any meal. - manager looking to his cell phone: and what do you want me to do? - me: What? i expect two things, first the menu i asked for an hour ago, and second at least an excuse from you. - manager playing with his cell phone: i dont' have anything to be excused and the kitchen is closed already. me (getting more and more angry): Are you telling me that after an hour waiting and after a few mistakes from your staff, you're leaving me without dinner? - manager (with arrogance): well it's not my fault. - me: It's not your fault?? aren't you the manager? aren't you supposed to control your employees? to who should i complain then? - manager (looking elsewhere): well i will bill only 3 dinners, why are you complaining? - me: Of course you will only bill 3 dinners, because your waiter only brought 3 dinners!! - manager (with arrogance and again not looking at me): do you need anything else sir? - me (standing up really furious, and i was twice as big as the guy): what else do i need?? i want the claims book and i'm going to bring it to the consumer office because your poor service. - manager (suddenly losing his arrogance and getting nervous): Why? what kind of bad service? - me (starting to think that somewhere must be a hidden cam as this was unreal): are you joking me? are you asking me what kind of bad service? what about not bringing my dinner after 1 hour waiting, and then instead of offering a replacement you basically told me to fuck off? please bring here the claims book, i'm going to write all this out. And just for you to learn a bit from this, just saying that it was a a mistake, offering your excuses and even a sandwich, you would have avoid my note on the book, but you acted like and asshole and that is my biggest complain. Then the manager started to look for the official claims book (that every restaurant, shop etc must have), he was so nervous, not able to find it. Finally he did, brought the book, he offered us to not to pay the whole dinner, and i said ok thanks, but while writing it all in the book, and we left the restaurant but of course with the claim note wrote on their book. That will bring them problems the next time the inspection visits them (and i guess also when his boss reads it). That was the last time i was really close to hitting somebody. I can handle human mistakes (even when the waiter was so stupid) but i can't handle arrogance when i'm right and when i'm paying for a service. I wonder if that guy have ever heard that about the customer being always right Last edited by Icy : 01-24-2006 at 10:19 AM.

01-24-2006, 10:22 AM	#19
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	[quote=Kodos]I think the guys wanting a comped meal are ridiculous. Sure, comp and replace the salad, but it was just a freaking hair. Hell, it may have been YOUR hair. QUOTE] I agree with this. Obviously the salad should be replaced and comped but why should the rest of the meal be free? Once a restuarant starts comping food like that word gets out really quick and all of a sudden there is alot of hair in alot of food.

01-24-2006, 10:58 AM	#22
Mustang Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wisconsin	I've had a waitress grab my dinner plate and empty it into a carry out tray while I was still eating. I didn't say anything until 3 minutes later because it was one of those 'Did that just fucking happen' moments. Still never beat my all time best... ordering a Big Mac and forgot to put the 2 patties into it... __________________ You, you will regret what you have done this day. I will make you regret ever being born. Your going to wish you never left your mothers womb, where it was warm and safe... and wet. i am going to show you pain you never knew existed, you are going to see a whole new spectrum of pain, like a Rainboooow. But! This rainbow is not just like any other rainbow, its...

01-24-2006, 11:01 AM	#23
theclassic n00b Join Date: Dec 2004	It's almost best to avoid eating out. Unless you know the chef at the place you are dining at. I worked at a 4 star resort that was always rated highly for it's dining experince. My job wasn't in the kitchen, but I had to pass through it frequently. Since I was a third shift employee I was the only one who would be in there. Sometimes at night I would notice that somebody would leave the desert fridge open and some of the cheesecake would be brown around the edges. I was tempted to just throw it all out, but than I probably would get fired. I noticed fish heads sometimes floating in the dish water or even on the floor. I also noticed glasses soaking in the dish water overnight. And they would put every kind of garbage imaginable in the dish water. The kitchen also smelt like garbage since nobody ever shut the outside door by the dumpsters. The grill looked like the ceiling of a cave with all kinds of burnt pieces of left over meat and fat. One time I drank some juice out of the juice machine even though I wasn't suppose to. I figured what the hell nobody is around and I was thristy for something other than water. Well I felt sick over my two day weekend from it. This was a four star resort. I don't hold much promise for really any other place.

01-24-2006, 11:10 AM	#25
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	You guys don't even want me to get started on my experiences here. It should really have it's own thread. Example, I had an employee jump a customer in the parking lot. Thats good enough for now. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops.

01-24-2006, 11:15 AM	#26
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	By chance for complaining about a hair in the salad? I'd just take it out and keep eating personally.

01-24-2006, 11:16 AM	#27
Danny General Manager Join Date: Jul 2001	I found a short black curly hair in my cinnamon french toast once. The plate was empty by the time the check came.

01-24-2006, 12:10 PM	#31
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Wow... that's a great idea. I wish some states mandated that (its not like it would be a killer expense for businesses or anything). __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

01-24-2006, 12:19 PM	#32
Karlifornia Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	A hair in my food? If it's laying on top of some french fries, ah who cares. If it's in my bowl of soup...ehhh..I'd want the soup replaced...I wouldn''t really care if it were free as long as I didn't have to pay for two soups. I don't get jollies from being condescending to waitstaff, though I know some people who do. __________________ Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW) http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com

01-24-2006, 12:59 PM	#33
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Wow, it never ceases to amaze me the number of assholes in the world and those who brag about it. It's not like their big, sweaty, hairy cook is sitting there saying: "HAIR! FALL INTO MEAL!" It's an honest mistake. Then again, maybe it's not- if you've been an asshole like that the entire time you've been there and are the type who would demand comp'd meal and make a scene enjoy what you've injested that you didn't know about on your returned food. I'm with the Rigellian. The extent that I expect is maybe a comp'd salad but most likely, I'll just pick the hair out with a utensil I'm not using. Of course this is also dependent on the class of restaurant. If it's a pizza, I'm happy when the guys haven't spit (or worse) in it. If it's a high class place, the standards are higher. I think everyone should be required to work retail for one summer and food service for a summer. It's just 3 months and won't kill anyone but it will give you a lot more respect for the people working those jobs. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

01-24-2006, 01:04 PM	#35
bbor Pro Starter Join Date: May 2001 Location: toronto	This is an easy one...you comp the food without question.As a former restaraunteer you want repeat business and a good name....so it costs you a few bucks...big deal. __________________ Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob.

01-24-2006, 01:08 PM	#37
Hammer755 High School Varsity Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Houston, TX	I went to a restaurant this weekend and was bowled over by their consideration. We were eating with some friends that we hadn't seen in awhile, so after we ordered there was a good bit of conversation. After what only seemed like a few minutes, a manager came to our table and asked how we were doing. He apologized that our meal was taking so long and offered to half-comp our meal. He then later followed up with another apology and free ice cream for all of us at the table. I'm not sure if we simply lost track of time catching up, but I wouldn't have given a second thought to the time it took to get our food. __________________ I failed Signature 101 class.

01-24-2006, 01:39 PM	#39
Vince Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Willow Glen, CA	Well, there's a story behind this thread. I'm a waiter, and this recently happened to one of my guests. My manager was informed that my table had found a hair in their salad. She explained it to me, and told me she would take care of it. When I went to print out the party's bill, the salad was still on the check. I took my manager aside (away from guests and other employees), and asked her why the salad was still on the bill, saying that if I had gone to a restaurant and found a hair in my salad, I sure as hell wouldn't expect to pay for it. She explained to me that we are running a business, and we can't expect to give out free food all the time, or our guests will start to expect it. She then continued to say that she would comp the salad if they complained, but not before then. I was speechless...I felt that at the very least the table shouldn't have to pay for their salad. I was livid, afterwards. I didn't feel right delivering the check to the table, so I asked my manager to do it. The party paid for their $90 meal, and also left me a $2 tip. I'm surprised I got any tip at all. __________________ Every time a Dodger scores a run, an angel has its wings ripped off by a demon, and is forced to tearfully beg the demon to cauterize the wounds.The demon will refuse, and the sobbing angel will lie in a puddle of angel blood and feathers for eternity, wondering why the Dodgers are allowed to score runs.That’s not me talking: that’s science. McCoveyChronicles.com.

01-24-2006, 01:45 PM	#40
Bee Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fairfax, VA	Your manager is an idiot.

01-24-2006, 02:09 PM	#43
gkb High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Colorado	I would expect the meal to be comped. If I cared enough to complain about the hair, the manager should be willing to give me a free meal. It doesn't cost them that much and it generates a lot of goodwill. As a former Taco Bell manager (that job sucked) I was once asked by a very pissed off customer to come out to the lobby so he could show me something. I followed him to where he and his wife were eating; she was sitting there with her hand over her mouth. I figured this was going to be bad and yep...he turned back the fold of a soft taco she had bitten into and there were maggots in the meat. Needless to say I comped their meal and most certainly did not offer a replacement soft taco... __________________ BALLERZ YO, fo shizzle. - QuikSand

01-24-2006, 02:14 PM	#44
gottimd Dearly Missed (9/25/77-12/23/08) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: DC Suburbs	I expect to be blown by the hottest female hostess. My wife doesn't agree with my thought process. And I end up just getting a comped salad and a pissed off wife. __________________ NAFL New Orleans Saints GM/Co-Commish MP Career Record: 114-85 NAFL Super Bowl XI Champs In memory of Gavin Anthony: 7/22/08-7/26/08

01-24-2006, 03:08 PM	#46
theclassic n00b Join Date: Dec 2004	Maybe it's just Wisconsin, or my part of Wisconsin, but food sanitation seems to be a low priority. My girlfriend works at some place where they cleaned the bathroom with the dish brush over this past weekend. This is the same place that leaves hot dogs in the hot dog tray for a season. Over the summer big black ants found there way into the slushee machine, and I'm certain they didn't discover it for awhile, and people ended up drinking ants. The building is also run down, I have seen numerous spots of mold on the outside. Lucky for any patron the place is going to get bulldozed soon. I work for the city and sometimes I honestly feel like reporting them. I remember one time I was there, I actually said something to my girlfriend about it, and I didn't know her boss was around the corner, but after I said that he started mopping the floor. Something he never does.

01-24-2006, 04:11 PM	#47
Philliesfan980 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Exton, PA	Former waiter here for 6 years throughout High School and College @ Chili's! (Its terrible now) Its a no brainer... you certainly comp the salad, and probably take 50% off the entire check. Chili's was able to do this because they actually encourage their managers to take such action when situations like this occur. The story is different when you go to a small , non chain resteraunt though. From my experiences, I've never gotten anything comped, no matter what the situation. I've had steaks cooked well done that I've asked for Medium Rare. They simply take the steak , take it to the back, and recook it, and 10 minutes later, after my wife is done eating, I have my steak. Its funny, I have had times where mangers have comped "overcomplaining guests" (ie, the type that complain if "this item is too spicy"), but I've never had anything comped, no matter what the situation. Oh, back to the original situation, I'd probably just stop eating my salad. I wouldn't continue to eat the salad, but I'd just look at it like "Hey, its a dinner salad that is a small warmup to my dinner, should it be this way? No, of course not, but its not worth making a fuss over". Now if I go to a fancy restaurant, and its my main course, I'm expecting a replacement, and a slight comp, but nothing too drastic. More importantly, I just want an apology.

01-24-2006, 05:25 PM	#50
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	Dola, if you have a fully comped meal and you pay nothing, do you still tip 20%?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)