We come to this location all the time, usually before or after a movie at the nearby Cinemark, and…read morewe've always had great experiences... until last night.
We went to see the Mario movie because it was $6 Tuesday, and the movie ended a little after 9, so we rushed over knowing Hopdoddy closes at 10. When we walked in, they were already mopping floors with chairs up on tables on one side, but there were still a few people eating in the bar area, so we figured we were okay.
We ordered a Thunderbird bowl (dressing on the side), the burger of the month, the Smothered Texan (free, because we're Legendary status) a doble fina margarita with a tajín rim, and a Sam Adams draft. I checked the time when we finished ordering--9:34 on the dot--because it already felt like the kitchen was trying to shut things down early.
We sit down, chatting, all good... until we realize our drinks haven't come. We're seated in the bar area, so we can literally see the bartender chatting with a couple, NOT making drinks. Then our food arrives. Still no drinks.
I ordered a chicken patty, which typically takes longer to cook, so there's really no reason for food to beat the drinks out. I check the time again and it's 9:45. I'm about to get up, but I see the bartender finally pouring the draft, so I wait it out.
Then I realize my bowl came with no dressing at all, so I get up to ask for it. On my way back, I pass the drink pickup area and see my husband's beer just sitting there... next to my empty margarita glass. Meanwhile, the bartender is back to chatting instead of finishing the drink.
I had planned to just grab the drinks myself to save the server a trip, but instead I'm standing there trying to get the bartender's attention--or at least hoping he'd mix the margarita while he talked. He eventually noticed me and started making it, but by then my food was sitting at the table getting cold, so I went back to sit down.
I didn't even get a chance to take a picture of the Smothered Texan because by the time I got back my husband was almost done with it.
The drinks finally arrived at 9:50. And to add insult to injury... the tajín rim was barely there.
Honestly, I waited tables all through college and I get that it's annoying when people come in close to closing (especially on a Tues) but the experience shouldn't feel like you're inconveniencing the staff for being there. Between the missing dressing, the drinks sitting untouched, and the bartender prioritizing conversation over service, the whole night just felt off.
Disappointing, especially since this has always been one of our go-to spots.