This incident happened on 10/18/2026. The major problems had absolutely nothing to do with the food…read moreor server, as both were great. We were seated in the section closer to the patio with several other tables eating and enjoying themselves. As larger parties left, staff were setting up for a group of 14 (they kept saying this). They already had a table for ten, and an empty four-top next to us could easily have been added. Manager Ryan kept running back and forth, pointing at our table and the one next to us to the hostesses and apparently customers up front.
We had literally just paid our bill and were about to box our leftovers when an older man walked up and said to my family, "you know, they're waiting to put all of these tables together so that my family can sit and eat so you guys can leave now." This was a CUSTOMER, not an employee. We hadn't been sitting there more than five minutes after paying and had just received boxes from our server.
We were in shock and had no clue what to say. He waved his arms and walked away, disgusted that we were still there. Our server, Mariah, who was fantastic the whole time, was mortified. She rushed over, apologized, told us to stay as long as we wanted, and said she was getting management.
Ryan (the manager) went to the customer first to ask what happened but apparently said nothing about his behavior. He then approached us with, "Is there anything else you guys need before you leave?" We explained what happened. He said, "I heard from my server, that's wrong. You guys are welcome to stay but do you need anything else?" He mumbled something about speaking to the customer. I said I wished I hadn't paid my bill before this happened, and he laughed. No offer of a gift card to welcome us back for a better experience. Nothing. He walked away, then laughed with that customer before the man went outside while his family stayed.
I used the restroom before leaving while my family stayed at the table. Mariah apologized profusely again as we left, while Ryan stood smirking. Outside, the man was taking his jacket off next to his truck and said, "finally done?" My family asked me not to respond, so we walked toward our car in the opposite direction. Then his son said, "what, couldn't hold it so we could sit?" I turned around and told him how rude his father was to interrupt my family's meal as though he were the king of Bad Brad's and we needed to leave so he could dine. His son flew up from his perch on the rocks like a gargoyle, got in my face, grabbed my arm, and told me not to talk about his father in front of his kids. I told him to remove his hand. He kept screaming at me to leave. My family asked me to go, so we did.
I later called and asked for the manager. I was put on hold because "he was talking to the other table involved in the incident to smooth things over," according to the young carry-out employee. I asked, "smooth things over with them?" He said, "apparently." When Ryan finally came on, he answered, "what?" I identified myself, and he said, "yeah I know." What kind of response is that?
I asked for a refund, with Mariah's tip untouched because she did nothing wrong. Ryan claimed he'd spoken to the manager above him and couldn't do that. I asked, "How did you talk to the manager about a refund for me BEFORE I spoke to you, Ryan?" He replied, "I just did." I said it was insane that he hadn't even offered a gift card for us to come back and give them another chance. He laughed and said no.
I asked him to have the general manager call me. He said, "Why? I told you we can't do anything for you." I explained we'd been customers since the Shelby location opened, visited New Baltimore even longer, and also get carryout from Clinton Township. He said, "well, probably not anymore, right?" and laughed. Given how he bent over backward for them and treated us like garbage over what THEY did, I'm wondering if they were his family. We did NOTHING wrong. We ate, treated our server well, left her a great tip, and didn't cause a scene.
I called again Tuesday, since they're closed Mondays. I explained who I was and was told there were no managers on duty. How? I again asked for the general manager to call me. They said okay. I'm still waiting, over a week later.
We went to or ordered carryout from Bad Brad's about twice a month. We won't ever again. Don't worry, Ryan, you'll never see us again. I cannot believe management cares so little about longtime regular customers that they can't even return a call. I hope that party of 14 spent enough that one time to make up for us spending over $100 twice a month. Excellent business choices.
