Is it your birthday? Pray it isn't on a weekend...
I enjoyed celebrating a friend of mine's birthday back in January here, and found out that they provide one wing for each year you have been around the sun. My birthday was on Saturday the 29th, so I thought what a great way to celebrate.
Having been there before, I remembered it is not a huge place, so I figured I should plan ahead. I called on Thursday prior to make reservations for 8 people at 4:30pm., and was prompted to listen to their rules and policies for the Birthday Functions. The rules are pretty simple, must be 21 (I guess no kids birthdays here), wings cannot be taken home, and served in increments of 10, and up to 4 flavors, blue cheese and veggies are extra, free Rusty Nail Stadium cup (can be refilled once at no extra charge), with the purchase of soda, beer or Blue Hawaiian Birthday Cocktail. 18% gratuity automatically added based on total check. Cannot separate checks and subject to revision... oh.. one last thing NO RESERVATIONS.
Okay, so I thought 4;30 is not going to be much of an issue as it's kind of the early bird hour, and this gave us time to enjoy wings and head out afterwards. Me and my other half were early to arrive (3:55) advised we planned on having a birthday celebration for 8 people at 4:30. The nice hostess took my name, and advised we would have to wait for the rest of the party to arrive. First issue: There is no place to wait... the bar area is not large, it was already 90% occupied, it wasn't bad for the two of us, but when the rest of the party started rolling in, it made it very difficult to wait at the bar for a table. A few of us had to go out side because it was so crowded and since there were no seats at the bar, we were occupying what little aisle there was there. I advised the hostess when 75% of us were there, and was told to let her know when we all arrived. One would think it would behoove them to seat us and clear up space for patrons and waitstaff that were trying to get food out, but what do I know? I have never worked in a restaurant before, nor do I have common sense.
Slowly the rest of the party arrived, and unfortunately a few extras who said they were maybe's on the original FB posting of the event. They seated 8 of us at the table that would have comfortably would have sat 6, and then gave us two extra chairs. The waitress was nice, took our orders of wings (Insane, Thai Chili, Sweet Heat & Garlic Parm) and our drink orders. Unfortunately she neglected to ask if there was anyone who was not eating wings, and missed the initial opportunity to take orders from other party guests. She returned with the beverages, grabbed the additional orders and then left. When the wings came out, there was some confusion, we were brought wings that were not what we ordered, but then were told they were what we ordered, and was explained the assisting waitstaff was new and didn't know what the wings were (Hot instead of Insane, Honey BBQ instead of Sweet Heat, etc). Please educate your staff on what they are serving, I know they all look a like, but it is important when that is one of your main specialities you know what you are serving.
The wings/Food: Honestly, they are pretty good, are the most spectacular, amazing wings I have ever had? No, they are tasty but some of the wings (the wing especially) are really small, The flavors are good, I avoided the Insane ones, but my insane friends had them, and they enjoyed them. For the other food that was ordered (typical bar fare) from what I heard it was good. I had ordered The Cuban and was very disappointed, the pork was dry as a bone, I did not see or taste any ham on it, and the bread was more burned than toasted. Due to the size of the table we were given, two of our party members were forced to eat their HUGE salad out of the bowl while holding it because there was no room on the table.
The Service: The service was pretty good, the waitstaff was pretty attentive, although there was a time or two where they had come back and grabbed an order for one person (beverage) but neglected to see if anyone else needed something. I can understand the automatic 18% gratuity added to the tab, but the experience did not warrant much more on top of it.
What irks me... NO RESERVATIONS, and about 30 minutes before we were done, there was a reserved placard placed on the table next to us.
If I ever return, it will be when I am 100 so I will have forgotten most of this experience and not care much about the one to come. read more