The following is, in my opinion, an example of inappropriate owner behavior, a step away from one of Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares.
I had previously given this diner a fair review and have always been happy and polite to people. However, as I was leaving in a crowd, this noon, and asked a patron blocking the door: "Excuse me, dear, you're right in the doorway..." in a friendly tone, she smiled and jumped out of the way, she being about 13. However, her out of control parent rushed over angrily, accosted me physically and threatened to kick my ass for telling her "... you're right in the doorway". He insisted I couldn't say that to HIS daughter.
I asked him why he didn't move her when I first said "Excuse me, dear", he instead got in my face an inch away and threatened me again. I said: "Hey, knock yourself out, but right now I feel like calling the cops or talking to P(the owner)", and I tried to dodge him, but he got in my way again so I planted my feet. He seemed to pale a bit as I said: "I'm not leaving until you apologize or I'll call the cops" and he started screaming at me to "Just walk away, get the F out of here you a**hole!", then runs over to P(THE OWNER) and says: "Get this guy the F outta here!"
The owner, P, uncomprehending of the situation, runs over and demands I leave or be banned from Vicki's (oh "woe is me"). I said: "Peter, I did nothing, this guy attacked me out of the blue and threatened me!" To which Peter screamed at me to just leave, I said: "Man, I really want to call the cops, this is ridiculous!", still in a polite tone, and he shouts: "You call the cops, you're banned, call them outside" and "We're done, just get out! This is my restaurant". Apparently, P the owner, can be a real jerk and a half.
Meanwhile, still blocked by patrons entering, I had to ask them to step aside, so I could leave. In my opinion: An example of an out of control owner and an out of control restaurant. This appears to happen daily, the place is too small and the crowd doesn't know to wait on the street as the owner lets them lounge in the entry, blocking people exiting and noisily bothering those eating, and causing problems. I have seen a lot of customers complain about this behavior. Two that I know were so offended they won't eat there any more.
I've even been standing in line to pay and had hostesses come up and ask me bluntly to "please move" because they needed to get past me, without so much as a smile. How was I to know by standing in the mandatory queue to pay, that I was blocking their way. (I'm handicapped, btw).
The patrons all thought the situation was funny, my being thrown out for being polite, while the incoming patron screaming, threatening bodily harm, and being abusive, gets support from this out of control owner. In my opinion, there is definitely something wrong with P(the owner). He really should seek anger management classes or something. After many years of my eating at this place, he owes me a fervent apology for being blind sided and inappropriate.
Nonetheless, that's the last time I'll eat at Vickis. It's not safe, in my opinion! Meanwhile, in my opinion the food is nothing to write home about, its ok. And the bus boys who pour coffee refills often pour regular coffee into decaf, and the other owner takes umbrage to diabetics who, under the table, inject in her restaurant, telling them to go into the bathroom and risk infection, unaware that diabetics are allowed to do so when they are required to by MD. The waitresses are very good.
Yet, It's amazing. No freedom to exit, no freedom of speech, disdain for those with a handicap, and utter abuse from the owner. The owner, as I was just served and hardly part way into a turkey burger and salad, came over to me a few months ago during one such busy day, and insisted I give up my table as soon as possible, as it seated two and I was only one, and he needed it. Apparently he doesn't like parties of one and has terrible self control problems. That I eat there every day for lunch was irelevent to him. When I had arrived, the place was nearly empty.
Another time, as I was a party of one, he insisted I take a table that has a bad leg in the front corner, that is so rickety, it spills your soup and coffee to sit at it. He proped it up with plastic props but it still spilled hot coffee on the table. Nonetheless, he lied and said he had to use the table next to it "For a large party" and then sat a party of one at it. I can understand room management, but replace or fix the broken tables, for gosh sakes! I probably occupy a table for no more than 15-18 minutes. But no one likes the rickety table. Except Peter, apparently. Either that or unaware of my handicap, he judges me as a wierdo. There's no excuse for that, either.
Apparently, he judges each patron on their economic potential and disregards the rules of propriety. Shame, shame, Vickis, this behavior won't get you any friendship read more