It’s been a while since I’ve posted. But duh, you already knew that. So what have I been doing? Well, a lot actually. Those that know me are saying, “Yeah right, you don’t even work!” Those that really know me are saying, “You’ve probably been working 100 hours a week.” Both are true, in some aspect or another.
The truth is that we have both been working way more than usual, but that’s not what this is about either. Enough of the fluffery bit of rambling Rusty, get on with it! Ok ok. With both of us working way so much, we have been eating out a little more. No big deal, right? Well, I have noticed a change in the food service industry. Just who is my waiter anyway?
I never know….seriously. Friday night we went to Chez Nous. I’ve written of Chez Nous in a previous post, please go read–and go eat! It’s excellent. Quite a drive from us, but well worth it. A quaint little French restaurant in Humble, Chez Nous has such a good steak that they didn’t bring a steak knife with it–and I never asked for one. My fork was sufficient. Now I don’t know if this was an oversight on the help, or just arrogance (I’m hoping the latter), but YUMMMMY!
Back on topic. I still don’t know who received my $22 tip. We never lacked service, but there were four different waiters/waitresses that served us throughout the evening. WHY???!! I don’t know why this drives me batty, but it does.
The same also occurred at Flemings in the Woodlands. Now, I know what you are thinking. Maybe these fancy steakhouses just have floating servers to wait on everyone. Hmmm, perhaps. Except Mi Rancho Cantina is not a fancy steakhouse; this is where I noticed it the most. We had one person seat us, which is standard. We had another take our drink order. We had another take our drink order (no that’s not a repetitive typo). We had another take our appetizer order. Another took our food order, and two separate people brought our food. WAIT! A completely different person brought our check. Ay caramba!! I nearly ran out of fingers counting our servers!
I am not complaining, really. I am just curious. What happened? Does anyone else notice this trend? I remember when you had a host(ess) and a waiter–only. Not a team! I do not require a team of servers, I’m really not that needy. Anyways, weigh in, I would love to hear if any of you have experienced this also. Again, I’m not complaining, just curious–and I hope I don’t end up like the cat.
Funny you posted this, because I happened to be with you and Susan at Mi Rancho on one of the occasions you’re referring to. I think I have an answer as to why there are numerous servers, instead of the typical one server. When your dad and I eat out at a restaurant that we visit on a regular basis, we do our best to get to know management and the wait staff. Our TIPS (to insure prompt service) are then hand delivered to our server.. We tend to pay in cash rather than plastic and do not leave a tip on the table. In doing so, the server can put this cash in his/her pocket without management or other wait staff knowing. Therefore, not having to claim it toward their tips at the end of the night. Most food establishments serving “dine in” food share tips. In my opinion, it’s complete BS when other servers may not or do not meet patron standards. Soooo, why reward a substandard server? We do not when at all possible.
My take on why there are numerous servers at a restaurant is this: If there is not just one server to tip, the patron has no alternative but to leave the tip on the table, or, use plastic by writing in the tip to be divided amongst other servers at the end of the night. BINGO, all servers are then treated equally. I think management has implemented this change to keep people honest and lower stress issues among the staff.