I have been a loyal customer of this restaurant for years. My friends and family also eat here regularly, and until yesterday I had always received exceptional service. That's why this experience was so shocking and disappointing.
The problems started shortly after we were seated. My two children and I waited for service while multiple tables that arrived after us were greeted and served first. I remained patient because I understand restaurants get busy.
Later, my children wanted to play one of the arcade games but needed a dollar. I politely asked if I could borrow one and either reimburse it through my tip or be charged for another item. In the past, staff members had been happy to help with similar requests. This time, our server, Anthony S., who identified himself as a supervisor, refused. While I was disappointed, I accepted his answer. He was under no obligation to accommodate my request.
Afterward, I privately told the hostess that I felt Anthony had been rude. I intentionally did not confront him because I wanted to avoid creating a scene in front of my children and other guests. Yes I was passionate and called him a name. It's my opinion and I have the right to express how I feel. But again, I didn't tell him anything in order to squash the situation and move on.
Instead, Anthony approached my table and confronted me in front of other customers. He demanded to know why I had called him an insult and accused me of "assaulting" him. I explained that expressing an opinion to another employee is not assault and that I had never confronted him directly. Rather than de-escalating the situation, he continued arguing with me in front of my children.
The conversation became increasingly uncomfortable. Anthony repeatedly told me that he didn't owe me anything and had no reason to go out of his way for me. I explained that while he certainly wasn't required to do me a favor, great customer service is what creates loyal customers. At that point, I simply wanted to pay my bill and leave.
I asked for my receipt, but instead of ending the interaction, Anthony returned and continued confronting me. As a woman alone with two young children, I felt intimidated by the situation. He eventually told me to leave the restaurant and continued following me toward the exit while the confrontation continued.
The following day, I called hoping to speak with management. Anthony answered the phone, identified himself as a supervisor, and told me I would need to speak with the general manager because he couldn't discuss the incident.
I want to be clear: this review is not about being denied a dollar. Employees have every right to say no. It is about how I was treated afterward. No customer should be publicly confronted, argued with, accused of something they didn't do, or followed to the door while trying to leave--especially in front of their children.
If management truly wants to understand what happened, I encourage them to review the security camera footage. It will show the interaction from beginning to end.
After years of being a loyal customer, this experience left me feeling embarrassed, intimidated, and deeply disappointed. Unless this is addressed, I won't be returning, and I hope no other customer has to experience what my family did. I also wish I would've recorded him. In the future, I encourage people to record rude interactions like this with their waiters. I hope this is not swept under the rug. It is not OK for men twice your size to aggress women in this fashion. read more