We've been to Stroud's Rock Cafe multiple times. Though it has been years since we've been, generally the staff is friendly and the food is good. Today, our waitress was not just rude, but went out of her way to be rude.
[For context, I want to mention I'm in liver failure. This affects my memory and decision making.]
When you arrive at The Rock Cafe, they have 2 doors. A solid black door (at the back of the building) and a door with a window on it (at the front of the building). I had forgotten they changed their entrance to the solid black door. So, I tried opening the one with the window and it was locked. A lady (who would be our waitress) opened the door, rudely inquired if there was something wrong with the other door (which she knew there wasn't), and stated I was at the handicapped entrance. Now, I will state they do have signage on the doors. But, in my defense, customers are going to be naturally drawn to a door at the front of the building with
a window on it versus a solid black door at the back of a building.
I admit, I didn't fully read the sign on the front door (I just saw the words "handicapped entrance" and an arrow). But, instead of having any understanding about this, the waitress stood in my way and lectured me regarding which entrance I should use. I apologized and immediately started to walked to the correct entrance and she said she would let me in, but didn't move out of the way and continued the lecture. So, I started to walk towards the other entrance a second time, at which point she finally decided to let me in, what seems to be her personal entryway.***
I brushed this off and tried to enjoy a meal with my wife. For the remainder of our meal, the staff was there. That's all I can really say. They did their job and that's it. My wife (who arrived before me) commented on a waiter who took our drink order before I arrived. He had come by to ask what she wanted to eat and she told him she was waiting for me, at which point he just turned and walked off without saying a word. I mean, it's not horribly rude, but not polite either. Later, after we had finished our meal, the same waitress from before commented on the cuteness of our service dog. And, my wife started to respond to her, and the waitress literally walked away from my wife as she was talking to her. They were having a polite, upbeat conversation, that the waitress initiated, and the waitress walked off AS MY WIFE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE. They were not even busy at the time. The same waitress had no issue having a several minute long conversation with the people sitting behind us, but apparently 30 seconds was the limit for our table.
*** For the record, I HAVE HAD AN OKLAHOMA STATE HANDICAP PLACARD FOR OVER 15 YEARS. While I can walk, I have difficulty with it at times as I've had 18 surgeries in my life, 4 on my brain stem and spine. I suffer from a lot of nerve damage and weakness (especially in my legs) as a result. And I find it incredibly offensive that some waitress would just assume someone isn't handicapped because they're standing. Luckily, today was one of my better days and I didn't need to sit down immediately. If I had, going through a waitress/bouncer for admission through a handicapped entrance is HIGHLY inappropriate, and probably not even legal.
Next time, just let the customer in the door. If you want to be a jerk, tell them it's the handicapped entrance so they know for next time. Or, better yet, don't lock the door. Because if there were a fire, making customers run down a hallway by the kitchen, where the fire would likely be, seems like an issue. There is no reason to stand in their way, be rude, or take it any further.
But, it won't be my concern. Because this was my last visit to The Rock Cafe. read more