We went to Kay's Country Kitchen on Sunday after church as a family, looking to enjoy a late…read morebreakfast/brunch. I've been here before and have usually had a good experience. We normally sit in the open patio/sunroom area, which has a really nice country-style atmosphere, and the food has always been good. Our waiter was also very nice, courteous, and attentive, so I have no complaints about the service he provided.
Unfortunately, this visit was very different because we were seated directly in front of the area where the kitchen staff was cooking, prepping, and washing dishes.
Throughout our meal, I could hear several members of the kitchen staff joking around and talking loudly. Horseplay among coworkers normally wouldn't bother me, but the language being used was extremely vulgar. Most of it was being said in Spanish, and I got the impression they assumed the customers nearby didn't understand Spanish.
One phrase in particular, "a la verga," was being repeated constantly -- "vete a la verga," "a la verga esto," "a la verga lo otro," over and over again. Without getting into a literal translation, it is an extremely vulgar phrase, roughly equivalent to repeatedly saying things like "fuck that, fuck him" and roughly translated to they can eat a dick, he can eat a dick, they can eat a dick.
I was sitting there with three young children who understand Spanish, trying to enjoy eggs and hash browns with my family while listening to this language coming from the kitchen over and over again. That's simply not appropriate in a family restaurant.
Eventually, I got up and approached the kitchen staff myself. I politely asked them, in both Spanish and English, if they could please keep the vulgar language down because I had young children with me. The employee who had been using the phrase the most acted as though he didn't understand what I was saying and then pointed me toward another employee wearing a blue polo.
I explained the same thing to him -- that we were trying to enjoy a family brunch and could clearly hear the constant vulgar language. Unfortunately, he seemed uninterested, appeared to be in a hurry, and essentially brushed off my concern. I didn't believe he was the manager because I would hope a manager wouldn't handle a legitimate customer concern that way.
I later spoke with the actual manager, who told me she would address the issue with the kitchen staff, which I appreciated.
The food was still good and our waiter did a great job, so my complaint isn't about them. It's specifically about the professionalism of the kitchen staff and the way my initial concern was handled.
My recommendation to families with young children would be to ask to sit as far away from the kitchen area as possible. And if you hear this type of language, say something. Employees should be able to joke and enjoy working together, but repeatedly using extremely vulgar language loud enough for customers and children to hear is unacceptable in a family restaurant.
