As a woman in Illinois, who is proud of my rights and hope to see the best in every business, I have to share a completely disappointing experience with you.
This evening, 1-23-26, myself & 2 girlfriends came to this restaurant for appetizers & drinks. We sat at the bar and had exceptional service from the bartender Casey. He was kind, responsive, and quick with drink & food orders.
While we were waiting for our food my good girl friend, who is in the medical field, told me that the chainsaw was actually invented to cut the vagina open or the uterus open, to quicken birth procedures, (this is a fact, please look it up.) I made a joke to my 2 friends, in a private conversation, that men are not smart. It was just a joke about this insane fact that I just learned. I had 2 c-sections and almost died during the first one, I feel like I am allowed to make such jokes.
A waiter (a man with curly back hair - name not known), not someone working the bar or our bartender, walked over to us and proceeded to ask what we were talking about. I said, omg, did you know the chainsaw was actually invented for c-sections? As a mom who has had 2 c-sections, I was just shocked at the information. This man, once again, not our bartender, or in fact any bartender, just a waiter from the restaurant told me to 'tone it down.'
Completely taken aback with such aggression out of nowhere, I said, okay, we'll be quiet somewhere else. I spoke to our shocked, and frankly embarrassed bartender, to cancel our food order and explained that we would be leaving. Then I pointed out that my medical specialist girlfriend had 2 sips of her drink, and said we would like a refund for that as well. The 'waiter' said okay.
Casey tried to apologize and ask us to stay, which we declined in haste, we all were completely mortified and bewildered by how we were just spoke to. Then the 'waiter' handed us the bill, with my friend's unused drink on the bill. I said, she didn't have any of it, we need a refund. When I tried to show the full drink to the bartender, the 'waiter' said, 'I threw it away, because you shoved it at me.' Completely untrue, I didn't even touch the glass. And then he shouted at me that I was out of line for saying 'there's no more smart men.'
This was completely and utterly shocking as we were having a completely private conversation between friends. I had no reason to believe that anyone else was listening to us, let alone someone who should not have even been behind the bar. I have absolutely NO IDEA why this dining room waiter was even behind the bar, listening to our private conversation, which we were all teasing and joking.
And I responded quite angrily, 'as a man, you don't get to tell me to shut the eff up.' Then the woman bartender, possible manger proceeded to say we were ruining the bar atmosphere, which I stopped talking, paid our tab, & tipped our bartender, Casey, quite handsomely. And frankly, we cannot even be mad at the 'manager', because the waiter was so aggressive & quiet, she probably thought our outburst was out of nowhere.
As we were leaving, I heard a guest say, 'oh, they must be liberals' as the waiter laughed heartily as he continued to stand behind the bar. Again, I ask, why was he even behind the bar?
I am actually a second generation Raymes customer, my parents have been taking me here for years. In fact, I am the reason my friends and I were there, I spoke so highly of the establishment. This was my 2 friends' first time here, which will obviously be their last, not to mention every single person they will be speaking to about this. This completely unprovoked attack was absolutely sickening.
I truly have no idea why in the world the waiter decided to walk over to 'teach us a lesson' after eavesdropping on our private conversation. We were just joking amongst ourselves as moms on a night out. This complete disrespect to women was egregious and unnecessary.
What is even better, I have seen this waiter multiple times while eating in the dining room with my parents. I will be telling them about this matter, as well as anyone else I know who may darken your doorstep. Do with this information as you like, but as long as this person still works there, I will be on a personal mission to boycott your establishment. Respond however you may like, but this was disgusting and unforgivable.
Words cannot express how angry I am. I have loved your restaurant for years, but this behavior is unacceptable and I will be spreading the message everywhere. read more