Chatter

By Arthur Trim

January 29, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this

We now only have 2 restaurants we patronize because of bad customer service!! I a town with a hundred plus eateries within 5 miles of our home, there are only TWO. It is a genuine shame that so few companies care about their customers! Poor customer service is now the general rule not the exception!

By Anonymous

January 29, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this

I haven’t had any trouble with customer service at any restaurants in my area. People are generally friendly. Working retail I sometimes get off work late and go into a restaurant close to closing and they are still friendly. I think there are more coupons being offered but the service has always been good.

By Anonymous

January 29, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

I haven’t had any trouble with customer service at any restaurants in my area. People are generally friendly. Working retail I sometimes get off work late and go into a restaurant close to closing and they are still friendly. I think there are more coupons being offered but the service has always been good.

By getrich83

January 29, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this

Good Customer Service: GA Hwy 20 Chick Fil A BrownsBridge Rd. - Dunkin Donuts Stone Crest Mall - Chick Fil A GA Hwy 20 - Arby’s Stone Crest Mall - Panera Bread Piedmont Road- Varsity Salem Road - McDonalds GA Hwy 20 - Burger King

So-So/Can Improve Customer Service: GA Hwy 20 - Piccadilly GA Hwy 20 - Zaxby’s GA Hwy 20 - Krystals GA Hwy 20- Pizza Hut

Bad Customer Service: GA Hwy 20 - Wendy’s GA Hwy 20 - Silver Dragon II Riverdale Road - Silver Dragon Covington Industrial- Walmart Dogwood Connector- Walmart GA Hwy 20 - Poppa Johns Ga Hwy 20- Dominos Pizza Browns Bridge Rd- McDonalds Paul Coverdell Cafeteria 6th Fl

Caveat Emptor On All Stores & Fast Food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Steve Rosberg

January 29, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this

I go out to eat quite regularly and i very rarely receive bad service. 99% of the servers i encounter are very good and want to do a good job. I think most of the people who say they keep encountering bad service at restaurants are the problems themselves. Servers are not your personal slaves. If you treat them with respect and kindness, they will treat you the same way. Also, dont be hard to please. Order your food and drinks, be nice, and go home. Oh, and by the way, i’m NOT a server. Havnt been for over 20 years.

By Crackertime

January 29, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

My wife and I have blacklisted several restaurants due to poor service or substandard meals.

I’ve stoppped going to Chik-fil-A for breakfast on my way to work for example. Two days ago, my platter - which usually consists of a chicken patty, scrambled eggs, a biscuit, and some gravy - came in a used container and no biscuit. By used I mean it had lettuce in it and under the eggs. Gross.

Near home, several Decatur places have been blackballed: Cafe Lily - bad service, Ted’s - bad service and overcook bison, and Thinking Man’s Tavern - never even met any staff.

Some continue to rock and in our rotation for our three nights out a week: Universal Joint, Watershed, Vinocity, The Brick Store, Kavarna, Mojo’s Pizza, Mezcalito’s, and Taco Mac.

Of those we enjoy the best is Vinocity.

By Crackertime

January 29, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this

My wife and I have blacklisted several restaurants due to poor service or substandard meals.

I’ve stoppped going to Chik-fil-A for breakfast on my way to work for example. Two days ago, my platter - which usually consists of a chicken patty, scrambled eggs, a biscuit, and some gravy - came in a used container and no biscuit. By used I mean it had lettuce in it and under the eggs. Gross.

Near home, several Decatur places have been blackballed: Cafe Lily - bad service, Ted’s - bad service and overcook bison, and Thinking Man’s Tavern - never even met any staff.

Some continue to rock and in our rotation for our three nights out a week: Universal Joint, Watershed, Vinocity, The Brick Store, Kavarna, Mojo’s Pizza, Mezcalito’s, and Taco Mac.

Of those we enjoy the best is Vinocity.

By Hera

January 29, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this

I can not understand why I am supposed to pay 20% more than the menu cost of a meal for someone to bring it to me from the kitchen. Why? Why? Why? The server has absolutely nothing to do with how my meal is prepared or when it is ready to be served. So, why am I paying more than the cost on the menu? This is just begging. Let the employer pay the employee. If the server thinks I have stiffed him because I leave 10% or less, let him take it up with his employer, not me. Seriously, why should my $20.00 meal, which I assume covers the cost of the food and the overhead be jacked up to $24.00? I don’t pay it. You should stop paying it too. Then employers would pay employees what they are worth.

By Crackertime

January 29, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this

My wife and I have blacklisted several restaurants due to poor service or substandard meals.

I’ve stoppped going to Chik-fil-A for breakfast on my way to work for example. Two days ago, my platter - which usually consists of a chicken patty, scrambled eggs, a biscuit, and some gravy - came in a used container and no biscuit. By used I mean it had lettuce in it and under the eggs. Gross.

Near home, several Decatur places have been blackballed: Cafe Lily - bad service, Ted’s - bad service and overcook bison, and Thinking Man’s Tavern - never even met any staff.

Some continue to rock and in our rotation for our three nights out a week: Universal Joint, Watershed, Vinocity, The Brick Store, Kavarna, Mojo’s Pizza, Mezcalito’s, and Taco Mac.

Of those we enjoy the best is Vinocity.

By Poop

January 29, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this

Went to Craft recently and had poor service at an expensive restaurant.

I can’t believe so many people are commenting on their fast food “restaurants”. You don’t even tip there!

By Jodi

January 29, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

Cascade Road/Camp Creek has the worst service…I have to go north for courteous employees and service.

By NJ

January 29, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

Gridiron Grill in Newnan, bad service and terrible food - food sucks

By Blue Devil

January 29, 2009 3:15 PM | Link to this

To Hera @ 2:53 PM:

If you come into my restaurant once and stiff me(or a co-worker) don’t come back. Waiters make $2.13/hr in Georgia and waiting jobs are a dime a dozen. We’re not afraid to f with your food. I’ve waited off and on over a 6 year period and my memory for bad tippers is like a beartrap.

By Mike D

January 29, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this

I’ve quit El Azteca on Roswell Rd for meeting friends out after work. Been there several times where we had no food or drink and the staff was watching Mexican wrestling or soccer.

Also quit patronizing several resuarants in my Johns Creek neighbor hood - not because of service - but because the price of their food had begun to far exceed the quality of what we were getting.

By Becky

January 29, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this

I’ve never had really bad service at a sit down restaurant..As for customer service at a fast food place, forget it..Chik fil A is the only “fast food” place that has good service..

Hera, people like you don’t need to be going out to eat anywhere other than a fast food place..

I’m willing to overlook lots of things from the wait staff, if they will at least look at me & aknowledge me..Such as running out of my drink, needing steak sauce, etc..I’ve been a waitress before & basically if they smile & say I’ll be right there, I”m ok..

By K

January 29, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the restaurant business gets away with paying their staff hardly nothing and expect them to earn tips to make it up. In addition, they make them do work such as wrap napkins, bus tables, fill salt/pepper shakers all for 2.13/hour. The law needs to change. I tip 15% for as is service, and 20% or sometimes more for good service. No service get 10% or less. Couponing has increased which makes it cheaper for the two of us to eat out vs. groceries. I waited tables in college and understand the xxxx they go thru sometimes. The Tavern at Phipps chain is the worst for treating their workers bad, but guess the money makes up for it. I have noticed the niceness indicator has gone up at Chickfila, but they changed the chicken tenders to some yucky vendor. Nasty, greasy and not all white meat. Pls. change back to your other vendor. Also noticed other restaurants cutting back on portions and quality. Those, we never go back. It is competitive these days and you have to give your customers big bang for the buck. If you do, they will be loyal and will still be a customer in good times or bad.

By Economics101

January 29, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this

To Hera:

If everyone stiffed the servers as you suggest, then the restaurants would have to pay them what they’re worth. This would increase the restaurant’s overhead which means that $20 meal you enjoyed would now cost $24.

So, would you rather decide what a server gets paid based on their service to you, or would you rather have the restaurant decide that for you - regardless of how bad your service might be?

I suggest you stop stealing from the servers who work for you and start paying them a fair wage via an appropriate tip.

By steve

January 29, 2009 3:38 PM | Link to this

I’ve never understood why the law allows businesses to pay their servers $2.15 or so an hour. It makes absolutely NO sense to me. Servers should at the very least make a paid on the clock wage of minimum wage and no less….not counting tips. I know the ratioanle behind it is the servers make up the rest of their money is by the tips. So what!!!! If you have an employee on the clock they should be making at least minimum wage. And dont forget, I’m NOT a server. Have not been for over 20 years.

By Zubie

January 29, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this

F-U Hera…I suggest you take your 10% tips,food stamps and welfare checks and stay in your government provided free housing!!

By Reality

January 29, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this

Hera, servers can legally be paid less than minimum wage, usually about 2 something an hour. If patrons don’t tip them they will not be able to make a living. They often put up with a lot of crap from the kitchen and patrons alike. Get over yourself.

By Bama

January 29, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this

It’s a tight economy, I am really scrutinizing how, when and where I spend my money. The restaurants we frequent have certainly seen a drop in patrons. Personally, I am tired of temperamental and entitled waiters who think they are better than the people they serve, so if I feel like I am spending $75 to $100 for a mean I do expect the common courtesies. I frequent a Panera between my office and my workplace, typically I check my orders but this day I walked out without checking my order. My daughter and I eat at this Panera 3 to 4 times a week. the lazy Panera employee decided that the Panera way to serve the french onion soup was too much for him and he did not include the parmesan cheese and croutons with the order. I called back and said that was egregious because it is just onion soup with out the other ingredients. The manager said you’re the lady with the glasses, I said yes it is. He apologized profusely and asked me to come by for a free soup. I told him once I get burned it takes a long time for me to walk back into the same restaurant. I said you know I like the seafood gumbo at Jason’s deli and he begged me to come back. I went back on a day the manager was not there a possibility we discussed when I made my complaint. Well I walk in and ask for this asst. manager who is out and the store manager comes to speak with me and I explained what the situation to him. He looked at me like I was a lying dog and now you can’t get me into a Panera anywhere. I was so embarrased. The asst. managers last words were I do not want to lose you as a customer, well they have.

By KJ

January 29, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this

We’re not afraid to f with your food. I’ve waited off and on over a 6 year period and my memory for bad tippers is like a beartrap.

You do realize that this qualifies as an act of terrorism, right? Better hope you don’t get caught.

If you’re this obsessed with remembering bad tippers and exacting revenge on them, perhaps this isn’t the right job for you.

By Mad's Mom

January 29, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this

I find that the independently owned, non-chain restaurants generally have better customer service.
I have never been a part of wait staff but know most work hard for their customers. I use coupons but always tip on the original cost of the meal, not the discounted price.

By PJ

January 29, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this

My comment is, as an African American woman I get “not so good” service here in Georgia. I believe (and heard from my white friends who are servers) that we don’t tip well. But you get the tip according to how good the service is. Why prejudge me?I then get “not so good” service from white servers. Especially white men. Then I get “great” service from black servers and end up tipping them very well 30% because I’m happy to be treated well. Because of this, not the recession, I stop eating out unless I’m out of town. Also, I enjoy all people, my family is also of mixed heritage. Why is the color of your skin still so important in America?

By amy

January 29, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this

Hera, You are an idiot.

By Becky

January 29, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this

I waited tables for almost 15 years & no matter how bad the tip was, I never did anything to a customers food..That just shows a lack of manners & good sense…

By Anonymous

January 29, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this

I work in retail and have never waited table, but I can say that people are all about instant gratification these days. Everyone wants you to bend over backwards and kiss their a* and it is getting pathetic. When you come into my store and I acknowledge you as I am already with a customer and you want to stand there and complain because I didn’t drop everything to assist you…I hope you walk out. I am paid hourly not commision so yes I do love helping people but if you are a complete a*hole to me then it won’t hurt my feelings when you leave. Unfortunantly, waiters don’t have this option and are forced to make a living off tips and putting up with your stupidity. Acknowledge we when I come into your restaurant and be generally friendly and you will get a big tip out of me.

By Roger

January 29, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this

As a regular American I think anyone who treats anyone shabily based on race is disgusting. I like good American service whether it be from a person that white, black red, brown or yellow!

By Rene

January 29, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this

We have really cut back on going out to nice restaurants lately, so visiting a sit-down restaurant is a treat. So far, customer service seems to be a bit better. We had a wonder waiter at Macaroni Grill (West Cobb) last night. I agree with the other that ChikfilA has good customer service. In regards to the food, I think the quality is suffering as restaurants try to find less expensive options. Unfortunately, it shows.

By Meg

January 29, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this

I haven’t been to Chik Fil A since we went there for lunch one day, placed our order, paid for it, and went to seat our kids. When we got back to pick up our tray a couple of minutes later, it was empty. They had given OUR food, that we had PAID for, to the other customers in line because we didn’t pick up the tray fast enough (it was jsut a couple of minutes!) I’ll never eat there again. Seriously, our paid-for food was handed out to fill other orders!

By Anonymous

January 29, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this

I also know several people who work in fast food, restaurants, and deli’s who will quickly f**k with your food if you are rude. A sandwich down their pants relieves their stress real quick, you really should think before you p** off someone who is making your food.

By AtlantaNative

January 29, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this

I’m a creature of habit and generally frequent a couple of my favorite spots over and over. They know me and the wait staff and owners interacts as if we are close friends. They also know I tip well, generally 20%+ for good service. But, mess with me or give me attitude and your butt is out of luck. I don’t expect to be treated like a king at a fast food or self-service joint, but if I’m sitting down and you’re taking my order…I expect friendly and attentive service. Nothing more…and nothing less. I’ll even forgive the wait staff if the food sucks…just treat me well.

By FoodSnob

January 29, 2009 5:25 PM | Link to this

Here is one for the ages - recently I was having lunch in my favorite provisions store in west Atlanta. After ordering an entree, a side, an appetizer and a drink, my bill totaled $23. Realizing that my take home and heat entree did not have an oven proof container (even though my other two items - side and appetizer did), I asked for an additional one. The cashier (which also happened to be the front end manager - I eat there alot) told me the paper containers were just too expensive, and could not be given out for free. Being in the food industry for 20+ years, I know for fact that the container is expensive for those type of paper products. But costly when it comes to paper goods means the difference between 4 cents and 12 cents. Seemingly marginal for a $23 lunch to a regular customer….Miffed to say the least.

Oh yea… but the food was best ever and usually is… so when the cashier offered aluminum foil - I did not bother to even vent. Took my delicious fried chicken, mac and cheese, and wings and ate every last bit of that $23 lunch!!!

By katherine

January 29, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this

Pet Peeve: If I say thank you and the server says “no prob”. Makes me crazy (ier!) Why not “You’re welcome” or “Happy to help you” or something like that?

By jim

January 29, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this

The worst customer service I’ve ever seen is the KFC at S.Cobb and E-W Conn…and Yum Foods doesn’t care…they won’t ever respond to complaints!

By AtlantaNative

January 29, 2009 5:39 PM | Link to this

I agree and hate ‘no problem’ .. it better darn well not be a problem….if I’m saying thank you!

By your turn

January 29, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this

avoid the chains, compliment the server to the manager, tip fairly- don’t let your child run crazy. Hang up from your cell phone before your talk to your server. If you would act, like you would like quest in your house to act…then, you will have a great time. If you lack courtesy and simple grace- please remain at the food court in the Mall

By cynthia

January 29, 2009 6:27 PM | Link to this

Generally speaking, the economy notwithstanding, you will receive good service if you respect the server. A smile, a please and a thank you go a long way. Should you receive poor service, by all means politely tell the server and the manager in specific terms what are your complaints.

By Chick-fil-A's Doing Right

January 29, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this

Katherine makes a good point. I, too, don’t like it when I thank a food server (or anyone) and their reply is “no problem.” As a consumer, I hope they don’t view helping me as a problem.

See the related ajc.com article on Chick-fil-A’s success [Chick-fil-A ‘blessed’ with increased sales].

The article states: “Company employees are already known for responding with “It’s my pleasure” to customer thank yous.”

Thank you Truet Cathy and company for retaining good manners and civility (plus a lot more) among your restaurants. Good guys do finish first sometimes!

May your company continue to be richly blessed.

By FXO

January 29, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this

Hera,

You are an idiot!

Stay home and eat frozen foods!

Now go back to your cave!

By AlishaAA

January 29, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this

Dunkin Donuts in Morrow on Jonesboro Rd. has the rudies service people…from the red-neck, female manager to the no-English-speaking servers. Don’t dare go to the drive-thru during peak hours. Your order will be ALL wrong!

By By Anonymous

January 29, 2009 6:58 PM | Link to this

Good customer service in restaurants hasn’t improved, it’s actually gotten worse. Bad customer service in restaurants fall back on the management team who doesn’t do anything to improve customer service in the first place. If you have managers who use profanity directly at an employee and managers who would tell an employee another manager doesn’t like them then I can see how bad customer service would be displayed towards customers. This happened to my daughter at her place of employment recently at Ruby Tuesday’s in Hampton Ga on Tara Blvd. Since she made a complaint with the corporate office the management team retaliated and ended up firing her today. What a joke of a management team. There are a lot of people in management positions that need not be there at all. They lack one important trait which is human relation skills.

By jim

January 29, 2009 7:27 PM | Link to this

The KFC at E/W Conn and S. Cobb has the worst service I’ve seen at a fast food place….and the owner, YUM, could care less, they don’t ever respond to complaints!!!

By Lou

January 29, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this

After dining at LaGrotta Ravinia in Dunwoody many times over the years for both casual dinners with my husband and friends and special occasion dinners, three friends and I had a bad experience with the wait staff this past fall. With hardly anyone in the restaurant on a weekday evening and several waiters just standing around, our water glasses were not refilled, the pepper grinder and cheese grater were not offered for salads and pasta dishes, and the main waiter’s attitude was completely indifferent to the four of us. I wrote a polite letter (e-mail)of complaint to the management and have yet to hear from anyone at LaGrotta. Needless to say, my friends and I have not been back. We tipped 20% but the waiter deserved nothing. I’m always amazed at wait staff who depend on tips for their wages and yet customers so poorly. Isn’t that going against their livelihood? For the record,we were all well educated,middle-aged women with excellent manners having dinner before attending a theatre performance at nearby Georgia Shakespeare Company. We shall be arranging future dinner/theatre gatherings, but LaGrotta will not be on our list.

By Lou

January 29, 2009 8:56 PM | Link to this

After dining at LaGrotta Ravinia in Dunwoody many times over the years for both casual dinners with my husband and friends and special occasion dinners, three friends and I had a bad experience with the wait staff this past fall. With hardly anyone in the restaurant on a weekday evening and several waiters just standing around, our water glasses were not refilled, the pepper grinder and cheese grater were not offered for salads and pasta dishes, and the main waiter’s attitude was completely indifferent to the four of us. I wrote a polite letter (e-mail)of complaint to the management and have yet to hear from anyone at LaGrotta. Needless to say, my friends and I have not been back. We tipped 20% but the waiter deserved nothing. I’m always amazed at wait staff who depend on tips for their wages and yet customers so poorly. Isn’t that going against their livelihood? For the record,we were all well educated,middle-aged women with excellent manners having dinner before attending a theatre performance at nearby Georgia Shakespeare Company. We shall be arranging future dinner/theatre gatherings, but LaGrotta will not be on our list.

By Hungry Mofo

January 29, 2009 9:14 PM | Link to this

I love most any bbq. But I just can’t take Sonny’s dried out crappy ribs and chicken. You can add sauce till your blue in the face and it won’t help. You just wind up p** out your ass 10 minutes later! I have tried many times to eat their all you can eat ribs, and, everytime you get your second helping, they pawn off their old, dried up ribs on you! Evertime! All Sonnys I have eaten at pull this crap.

Good bbq can be found at Spiced Right in Norcross on highway 29. It’ great food and good service too. Wish they had their buffet back.

By econo-me

January 29, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this

Hera, You are an idiot.

By FoodNash

January 29, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this

Great food and Service in Conyers/Covington - Mad Dogs Bar-B-Q, Toyoko Japanese, Daruma, Outback, Smileys, Papa;s Buffet, Chik fil a, Longhorns, Los Charros, and in McDOnough Italian Oven and La Parilla

Bad food and even worse service - Stalvey’s, Thomas’ Buffett, Salem Rd McDonalds, Salem Rd Dunkin Doughnuts, Zaxbys, Wendys, I Love Sushi, Frontera

By martin stuart

January 29, 2009 11:28 PM | Link to this

the tip system is the system that works best to get good service. If every server got paid the same, after 30 years in the industry i can assure you the service would be rteally bad.

I have noticed the difference in service from the same employee between banquets, where the server gets a set pay, and ala carte, where the server gets tipped.

The individual who tips less than 10% is making a really big mistake if that person goes to the same restaurants. Lord knows what they have eaten with their food.