Exceptional food ruined by cold, isolating, and exclusionary treatment…read more
I woke up this morning and headed toward McDonald's for breakfast, but when I pulled in, I saw the Omelette House and decided to give them a try.
I'd seen them on my gmaps and and Gemini inquiries and figured this should be a good relaxing, welcoming spot!
Lesson learned: not all mom-n-pop diners are unconditionally welcoming mom-n-pop diners, lol!
I walked in with my service dog, Boeba, and waited to be seated.
The waitress led us to our booth--which happened to be the absolute last booth in the building, distanced by an empty booth from every other customer in the restaurant.
As the only African American person in the establishment, being shoved into the far corner left me feeling completely compartmentalized, isolated, and hidden away. It was like the restaurant version of Dirt Dancing and I'm Baby...in the corner!
People should never feel like shelved categories or be socially isolated when going out to eat.
The entire seating arrangement felt entirely exclusionary, uncomfortable, and unwelcoming from the start.
The waitress was functional and stoic, to say the least.
When she took my order, I requested a cheddar and sausage omelette with sautéed mushrooms for myself, and a plain sausage and egg patty dish for Boeba.
She informed me that he wasn't allowed to eat in the restaurant--and since you can't argue with company policies, his order was set to come in a to-go box.
When she returned with my food and shortly after with Boeba's, I noticed she had made unrequested alterations to his meal.
I hadn't asked for any changes, so I asked her to bring the actual meal I ordered for my service dog.
Between the so-so customer service and the uncomfortable atmosphere, I felt like I shouldn't even be there.
After eating just a few potato slices, I asked for another box to take my food go.
She returned quicker with that to-go box than for any other request I made during the visit.
Her efficiency to get me out spoke decibels and volumes.
The warmest interaction of my entire visit was with an older gentleman sitting at the bar while I paid my check--he honestly should be their greetings trainer!
Upon paying, I wasn't presented with the opportunity on the bill or terminal to leave a tip, so I handed him $3 cash (the service wasn't great, but I had to tip something!).
He shook my hand, thanked me, and complimented Boeba for his trained demeanor.
That single customer made my visit just a little bit better.
The omelette was exceptional and Boeba loved his breakfast too, I will not be back.
Great food does not excuse making a customer feel isolated, compartmentalized, and subjected to exclusionary treatment.