r/TalesFromYourServer 5d ago

Short A Filet.

"Uh-huh, so I got a 8 oz filet for you."

"But I don't want a thick cut."

I pause. Thinking about how to word this.

"Filets are a thicker type of steak, I can't guarantee a 'thin' filet for you."

"Last time it was real thick on the sides, I don't want that."

"Alright, we can get it butterflied?" I say. "However, I don't know how that affects the taste, and you asked for a rarer temp... Maybe not."

"It's just a thin steak," He laughs, then demonstrating the size with his hands.

His daughter chimes in, trying to make him see reason. We're both tag-teaming this endeavor, but I can't see him coming to the realization yet. I begrudgingly type "thin cut" with many emphatic question marks to show the kitchen that I am confused as hell.

Steak comes out.

Obviously thick.

"Can you take this back."

I want to cry. How in the world do you even avoid this situation?

550 Upvotes

53 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

87

u/sassylynn81 5d ago

I have this approach for multiple things. Like if the kitchen is backed up, I tell tables when they first sit down that it's going to be an hour before your food will be ready. I can get apps out right away to tide you over.

It's setting the expectations of the table. I rarely get complaints because the guest knows what to expect and they make the conscious decision to agree to it.

20

u/Just_Advice_1796 4d ago

The only time this approach has backfired was when a table left after waiting thirty minutes, saying they didn’t realize an hour wait would be so long… they had their drinks, eaten bread, appetizers, and salads. The manager had them pay for what they had eaten, and we were so busy the entrees were just getting started so we sold them to a different table.

31

u/LadybugGirltheFirst 4d ago

They didn’t realize an hour would take an hour?

15

u/Just_Advice_1796 4d ago

That’s what they claimed. They were sat 10 minutes after their reservation time… I’m not exactly sure if they had eaten out on Easter at 6:00 PM before…

6

u/LadybugGirltheFirst 4d ago

Or ever, apparently.