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Obviously there's some history between the two of you, but I agree. If you order something and it's not prepared as you requested or as described on the menu, then that's a case to talk to the server and have the meal corrected. If it's a case that you ordered something and you don't like it, that's not the restaurant's responsibility, that's on you. They usually do want to make sure you have a nice meal, but sending a perfectly good meal back and expecting to be comped for it because it's not to your taste is not cool.
I am on board with this concept and restaurant etiquette completely
But seeing as how I am 0 for 56 yrs ... I doubt I am personally shipping back a meal to the kitchen because I didn't like it
I have only sent food back twice in my 64 years, and both were for very good reasons.
One time at Stuart Anderson's Black Angus, my steak arrived and more than half of it was fat. The manager came over and was so appalled that she not only had my entire meal replaced and comped,but she did the same for my husband (and his was fine) and comped BOTH meals. We were loyal Black Angus customers, anyway, and until they went out of business, that is where we always went for steak.
The other time was because the beer battered shrimp I ordered was so underdone that the batter was still wet and doughy -- so that, needless to say, I could definitely still taste the beer. Yuck!
Last edited by katharsis; 10-31-2017 at 02:03 PM..
I don't send food back because I don't trust cooks to not do something gross to my food. But....
In Sept I did an exception when my friend and I ordered burgers, and it came back way too underdone. First time there so I didn't know what to expect. But the cook station was in front of us, so I sent it back to be cooked longer while I watched the cooks like a hawk. Normally, I wouldn't do this ~ I'd just do without.
Last week I ordered an omelet from a place that makes exceptional ones. I ordered two cheeses in it, and this time I literally couldn't find cheese in it, although the cook swore to the waitress that he put it in there. I did not want it send it back but I asked her if she would please discount it, which she did. No sense in paying for extra ingredients that weren't there. This restaurant has been hiking prices regularly, so I hope they're not getting stingy on portions, too.
I don't send food back because I don't trust cooks to not do something gross to my food. But....
In Sept I did an exception when my friend and I ordered burgers, and it came back way too underdone. First time there so I didn't know what to expect. But the cook station was in front of us, so I sent it back to be cooked longer while I watched the cooks like a hawk. Normally, I wouldn't do this ~ I'd just do without.
Last week I ordered an omelet from a place that makes exceptional ones. I ordered two cheeses in it, and this time I literally couldn't find cheese in it, although the cook swore to the waitress that he put it in there. I did not want it send it back but I asked her if she would please discount it, which she did. No sense in paying for extra ingredients that weren't there. This restaurant has been hiking prices regularly, so I hope they're not getting stingy on portions, too.
I am in the same camp - in the back of my mind I really do not want that uneasy feeling of thinking some disgruntled cook gets the opportunity to 'get even' with me for sending something back to his kitchen.
That and the fact I am not really that picky of an eater = I can tolerate most any over cooked or under cooked item. As well as I can usually eat and thing added or left out also ( within reason )
I was given a bad burger at Culvers.. the onion, mushroom, swiss burger.. it was missing all the mushroom and onions and the burger patty was overcooked.. I tell ya Culvers burgers are great until they are not. Eating that overcooked burger left a psychological distaste for Culvers in me even though that was the first subpar burger I've gotten from them.
These days getting a good restaurant burger is difficult because for legal reasons they want to overcook them so I make them myself.
I WILL send my food back to the kitchen if the food is too cold. I despise dishes that arrive at my table just barely warm. Especially soups.
I also would send back meat that is too raw or too tough to even cut into ( it happened, sadly), or when is way too salty to be enjoyable, or when something is really wrong with my meal (hair, insect, food swimming in grease etc. ) And why not? When the waiter comes to your table and ask if everything is ok, that's the moment you should voice your concern. In a polite way. Most chefs will appreciate it. They cook to please you, no? They want your business.
Other than that, I will go through the unsatisfactory meal, but never come back.
I've sent food back a few times. I'm not going to accept something that's inedible. I don't want a replacement. If the kitchen can't produce a decent meal the first time around, I don't want to see what happens in round two.
Sadly this is true. I won't pay for something inedible, but as others have stated you can't give them another try.
I've sent food back a few times. I'm not going to accept something that's inedible. I don't want a replacement. If the kitchen can't produce a decent meal the first time around, I don't want to see what happens in round two.
Round two...priceless!
I won't send anything back even at FF places.
There, I just ask for a refund and refuse a new one.
It hasn't happened to me, but what happens if a nice sit-down offers to rectify their mistake by making you another, but you politely decline, so they say you will be charged for the full uneaten meal regardless, since they offered to make it right?
I'm guessing that would be a good time to have your iPhone in the record mode before you discuss it with them?
I have only done this once. I remember at a nice restaurant I ordered a steak, MR.
It came well done. I asked the waitress to have it done correctly (burned crisp). It came back almost raw. I sent it back again (I have never done this before). It came back half cook well and the other raw (put in the microwave). The waitress says, "well that is what medium rare is, half cooked half raw" comical!
I won't send anything back even at FF places.
There, I just ask for a refund and refuse a new one.
It hasn't happened to me, but what happens if a nice sit-down offers to rectify their mistake by making you another, but you politely decline, so they say you will be charged for the full uneaten meal regardless, since they offered to make it right?
I'm guessing that would be a good time to have your iPhone in the record mode before you discuss it with them?
I doubt any restaurant would dig their heels in and take than stance.
It would obvious lead to a scene in the dining room and could alienate other diners from returning ever.
99.9% would eat the loss - apologize to the customer and toss the food.
I have never had a service industry job and that's what I would do if I were the mgr.
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comical!
