This restaurant needs an enema. I have given them multiple chances only because it's the only pub in town with such a great outdoor space, and I can't get enough of their cheese curds, but after today's shitshow, I'm DONE.
The last 2 times I have gotten the same horrible (I mean AWFUL,) server. Curly hair, bedazzled jeans, zero personality or ability to connect with other humans, totally ok with sub par tips. Today we were meeting with a group of possibly 10 ladies for a women's support group just forming here in the Grand Valley, they didn't have space for us on the patio so we chose a long table in the bar. As luck would have it we got the crap server, ordered a water and a tea, and then waited for 15 minutes to get them while she took care of 3 tables on the patio. When we finally got them, she didn't bother bringing a straw, spoon, or any sweetener for my friends iced tea. At that point we flagged down another server and asked if she would be willing to take our table, and explained honestly why we were asking.
The server proceeds to approach the manager, and they go in the back of house, and a minute later the other server in question goes back there. There really wasn't any reason for this, all you have to say is that table requested my service, you're welcome to take one of mine in exchange. So this made the situation awkward. My friend waited 45 minutes for a WRAP, and it was explained to us but they had a couple large parties, but I didn't see more than a couple six tops out on the patio, and honestly it's not my problem you decided to short-staff yourself on Cinco de Mayo. As soon as the new server dropped the food off, she explained to us that she was going on a lunch break, and coming back to be the night bartender, and that the other girl was going to be our server if we didn't move outside. We decided just to except her service, and hopefully things might get better. We were more than wrong. She was passive aggressive, rude, and when I asked her whether or not they had chips and salsa, she just looked at me said "yes," and walked away, I was OVER IT. We grabbed all of our supplies and decorations off the table and went outside.
Fortunately the girl who had the picnic tables under the tent was an absolute angel, took excellent care of us, and had no problem having the other server transfer our tab to her.
No, I don't have a "can I speak with the manager haircut," I've been a bartender and a server for 20 plus years (12 of those years in Portland, OR,) and after a five-year hiatus, I am back in the food and service industry locally. I know good food, I know what good service looks like, and unfortunately I am very aware of what horrible service looks like. 3 years ago this place was actually a decent place to hang out with good service, and I'm not sure if there's been an ownership or management change, but it sucks.
Sadly, the people in this town don't have a whole lot of options for this type of venue, but I work too hard for my money, to throw it at some bitchy server, in a mediocre Brewpub with lacklustre beer. read more