Honestly, corporate anything usually sucks, and Big Al's is no exception. My partner and I live close by and love to play in slider alley, but have found that the level of service really depends on the staff scheduled. The whole premise of slider alley is to have the VIP experience, which essentially consists of a server taking your order at the lane versus having to go to the bar to order a drink. Well, it seems that we only get service when Christian is working. Even when he is not scheduled in slider alley he seems to be the only person that opens his eyes and realizes that we are serving ourselves by walking up to the bar and ordering drinks. Supposedly, there's always a server "assigned" to slider alley but we spent 3 hours and literally were not greeted by one server other than Christian, and that was just in passing. He ended up taking over and serving us and it wasn't even his section. He apologized profusely and did everything in his power to make it right. And, honestly, if it weren't for Christian and Armant, at the front desk, we wouldn't be back, but they've both made sure to make things right with us on multiple occasions. To give you some perspective, we NEVER complain unless it's so bad there's no other choice. I've been a bartender/server for over a decade and you guys have some all-stars and some major weak links. The blonde with dreads is polite but everytime she's the server in slider alley it's absolutely terrible. I'm talking about having to harass her for water, a drink (don't even bother expecting to order food because it's not happening unless you order it from the bar yourself, thus wasting bowling time you paid for--not cool), and your check. I'm sorry but, I always, ALWAYS, tip 20% across the board unless you are literally showing zero effort or awareness of your table's needs. My partner even gives me a hard time about my excessive tipping. I've worked in the service industry and I know how horrible it is when, despite your best efforts, for whatever reason, things aren't working out with a table. That is not what's happening here! There seems to be less than zero effort given. It seemed that she was actively avoiding eye contact to avoid serving us, which I've never witnessed in a service atmosphere before. It makes me think that she clearly doesn't need the money because she can't be bothered with any of her tables. It literally blows my mind! If it weren't so blatantly obvious that she's trying to avoid serving us, I'd have no other choice but to assume she's dealing with new kitchen staff, or whatever, but it's undeniably apparent that that is not the case. Not to mention no apology or acknowledgement about the lack of service. For the entire 3 hours we were there I saw her multiple times just hanging out, joking around with other employees, not serving a single person in slider alley except for someone who was apparently a co-worker. The off-duty colleague was actually more helpful-- helping me find a certain ball without my even asking-- than the assigned server was. We didn't even realize he worked there until he mentioned it in passing. At the end of the day, not everyone is cut out to be a server and there are a few people employed at your establishment that are driving customers away. The ONLY reason we've continued to come back is because either Christian or Armant have made it right every single time. I appreciate that a corporate organization would give their shift leads (I'm assuming that's what Christian is, and if not, why the heck not??) the power to make things right at their discretion, as that rarely happens in a franchise, and it makes a huge difference in customer experience. Literally, the first experience we had at this particular Big Al's was terrible and if it weren't for Christian and Armant we would have never come back. We think they are both the un-sung heroes of your organization, and will be happy to continue supporting Big Al's with our weekly bowling habit if you keep them both around. Without them, you will undoubtedly have TONS of unhappy customers. And to the woman with the blonde dreads, please find something that suits your personality better! I can tell you've got a lot to offer, it just doesn't seem like the hospitality industry really works for you. And, I mean all of this in the most supportive way possible. Please do you, girl! read more