Now I am what you'd call a regular when I choose a restaurant of business I like and want to support I tend to shop or spend my time and money in that particular place on a regular basis. I am very particular about the restaurants I go to, food is not the biggest thing I look for at a restaurant my biggest draw is excellent waitresses.
I never realized until a year ago that going to a restaurant could be enjoyable other then to just eat great food. But realized that if I maintained going to the same restaurant I got to know the waitresses and began to tell a serious difference in the quality of service I was receiving at certain restaurants.
No I'm not talking going to Hooters or Sammy J Peppers for the eye candy and sitting in the seat where the most attractive waitress covers. To me looks aren't what make service great and you can have the hottest waitress in the world but she can be the snobbiest dumbest waitress in the world.
About a year ago a sports bar called "Origional Joes" opened in my city. I decided to check it out when I did so my waitress introduced herself and asked my name. Took my order and gave me outstanding service. When I went back a week or so later I got the same waitress and she remembered my name, pretty soon I had a second waitress who did the exact same asked my name and actually started conversations with me.
Long story short I found myself in that restaurant more and more, the two great waitresses after only about 2-months not only remembered almost everything I ordered, but began suggesting foods based on the types I liked to eat. They remembered exactly what I drink and offer suggestions for how to get the best deal.
One day I was walking through the mall and one of the waitresses came up to me, she was like "I know you often order Chicken wings, well were doing a promotion coming soon where we will be giving out coupons for a years supply of wings" I later found out the promotion was in play she then told me what time she was telling people to go "She was like I am telling everyone to come four hours early but if you come around 6 hours early nobody will be here yet" I showed up six hours and sure enough nobody was there at about four hours before the give away everyone flowed in.
That and of course these things
-I never even finish my drink before the waitress tops it up, my pop is never out for more then half a minute and not once have I had to ask for a refill.
-The waitress greets me by name every time I come into the restaurant
-Always remembers what I like to order, suggesting other foods I may enjoy and/or confirming my order. (Not the whole specials thing, I hate it when waiters try to sell you the specials, these waitresses actually know what kind of foods I like almost better then I do. They know I hate heat and heavy spices and other things while loving mushrooms , calamari and stuff) Every time they suggest something new I don't usually order it is great.
-Actually converses with you, I know how busy waitresses and waiters are but somehow they find time to actually talk to you. Sometimes sitting down and having a short conversation. Example I told the two waitresses at different times I was going on a missions trip to Thailand, once I got back they asked me how my trip went and one actually wanted to see pictures.
-Never got my order wrong, not even once!
-Put up with my friend who's an ass hole, we've got horrible service before at other restaurants because he is one offensive annoying person.
I rarely tip at restaurants unless I get service that is amazing. But at this restaurant with the two greatest waitresses in the world I tip 15%-20% something I never do. I recently found out one of the waitresses was quitting, she was the first waitress who served me at opening the one who tipped me off to the coupon deal cared to see my Thailand pics etc....etc... I gave her a 300% tip for her final day.
Today when I go to the restaurant I intentionally sit in the area my favorite waitress covers, she has suggested other waitresses who work different shifts who do a good job. Funny thing is they are both aware they are the best waitresses at the restaurant, when I tipped the waitress 300% I told her she was the best waitress I have ever had , she told me in fact she was told that about a dozen times that day. She also said in the week before she was quitting she made more in tips then any pay check she had made prior. She then suggested that I try to get the other great waitress from now on.
Is it sort of weird that I go to a restaurant solely for the waiting? In all my years of eating out I have only had two waitresses and one waiter who are actually this good. I'm not sure if you live in a small town I am sure the waitresses and waiters remember your name, but I live in one of the biggest cities in British Columbia and the Origonal Joes bar is always packed 24 hours a day. To get this kind of service isn't something I find often.
Today I choose to go to that restaurant for the service, even though the food is not as good as certain other places. Fact is I would much rather eat a meal enjoy it with amazing service then eat a better tasting meal where I get lousy service. Anyone else found themselves going to certain restaurants for their service (Waiters/Waitresses)?
Or does the waitress/waiter not really effect your choice in restaurant?
-JC7
"In God We Trust - In Games We Play " - Joel Reimer
