This was A Very Disappointing Experience That Left My Family Feeling Unwelcome…read more
I rarely write reviews like this, but what my family and I experienced at Metro Diner, located at 2777 W Main Street in Dothan, Alabama, deserves to be shared.
We arrived as a party of six, expecting to enjoy a nice meal together. Unfortunately, what should have been a simple family outing turned into an experience that left us feeling completely unwelcome, uncomfortable, and honestly, hurt.
We were seated, and that was the last bit of service we received. No one came to greet us, take our drink orders, or even acknowledge that we were waiting. Meanwhile, we watched servers walk past our table repeatedly while assisting other guests around us.
We waited patiently. We weren't demanding anything special. We simply wanted the same courtesy and service that everyone else in the restaurant was receiving.
What made the situation even worse was overhearing the servers going back and forth about who was going to take our table. It was clear there was some disagreement, and from where we were sitting, it appeared that no one wanted to serve us.
Can you imagine sitting in a restaurant with your family, listening to employees debate who has to serve you, while everyone around you is being taken care of?
My husband was ready to leave, but I asked him to give them a chance to make it right. I eventually got up, approached the servers, and politely asked, "Is anyone going to serve us?" I was told yes, but even after that conversation, the confusion continued, and no one came to our table.
At that point, we had seen and heard enough.
I want to be very clear about something. I am not someone who is quick to make an experience about race.
However, we were the only Black guests in the entire restaurant at the time, and when you are watching everyone else receive service while your family is repeatedly overlooked, it becomes very difficult to ignore how that feels. I cannot speak to anyone's intentions, but I can absolutely speak to the impact their actions had on us.
We felt unwanted. We felt dismissed. And most importantly, we felt like our presence was a problem.
We ultimately decided to leave and take our business to The Toasted Yolk next door, where we were welcomed and received amazing service. The difference in how we were treated was impossible to ignore.
Before leaving Metro Diner, I asked to speak with the manager, Jason. I explained everything that had happened and how disappointing the experience was. He appeared genuinely upset by what I shared, and I appreciated him listening.
However, his reaction could not erase what had already happened or how my family was made to feel.
As a restaurant owner myself in Atlanta, I understand that restaurants get busy, servers have disagreements, and things don't always go as planned.
I also understand that hospitality starts with how you make people feel the moment they walk through your doors. A guest should never have to beg to be acknowledged, question whether someone is willing to serve them, or leave an establishment wondering if their race played a part in how they were treated.
That is unacceptable.
I sincerely hope the owner of this Metro Diner location reads this review and takes a serious look at what is happening on the restaurant floor. There is clearly an opportunity for training, accountability, and a much-needed conversation about customer service and how every guest deserves to be treated.
My family and I will not be returning. And I would encourage anyone who experiences this kind of treatment to speak up and take their business somewhere they are valued.
At the end of the day, we weren't asking for special treatment. We were asking to be treated like everyone else.
And that should never be too much to ask.
DeBlair Tate, US Air Force, CMSgt