Tonight, Dad and I went out to eat. We didn’t want to go to the usual haunts, so we decided to go to the Denny’s on East State Street in Hermitage. The menu isn’t the same as the other fast food joints so it would be different.
We arrived at about 5:30 ish. It took as a few minutes to be seated because most of the wait staff was carrying chairs into the party room. Note, that at that point no customers could be seen in the party room. We talked as the waitress brought our drinks. As we were ordering, Brother Ron and his family came in. They were seated at a table diagonal to ours but with a different waitress. It was 5:45 pm. I know this because I sent him a silly text about who they let in the restaurant (time stamped). Their waitress took their order promptly.
Two gentlemen were seated right after us and right beside us. They ordered food to go. We had the same waitress. They actually ordered before we did. About 10 minutes or so went by. Ron’s clan got their meals and began eating. After about 20 minutes, I sent Ron another text saying that our food must have been held up because Dad ordered seasoned fries or was that “Next Summer” Fries. 25 minutes… Still no meals. We only ordered burgers and fries. Hmmmm. The two gentlemen next to us got up and went to the counter, picked up and paid for a bag of to go food and left.
By this time, I’m starting to worry that Dad’s surgar might drop because he’s already taken his Insulin. The waitress hasn’t even stopped by to check if we’re ok or say sorry for the delay or anything of the sort. Our waitress finally appears carrying a to go bag. She says to the other waitress, “Did thos two black guys leave?” The other waitress reply “Yes.” To which our waitress set the to go bag up on the drink island and trotted back to the kitchen. She reemerged with our dinners. I told Dad “These better not be cold.” Sure enough… the fries were less than warm. I broke a piece of bacon off my bacon/cheeseburger… It was cold. I broke a piece of burger off. It was lukewarm. Dad’s was the same.
I went up to the counter and requested the manager. He came out. I explained that we had waited 30 + minutes for our food and it came out cold. He immediately copped an attitude and proclaimed that he had been cooking all evening because of a party in the back. I called him on that one. I said something to the effect of “Then how did my friend’s family of 4 have their order taken after ours and got their food quickly.” He again quipped that he was doing what he could because of the party in the back. I said “So you aren’t going to do anything about this?” I turned to Dad and said “Come on Dad. We’ll go to McDonalds.” I turned back to the manager let him know that we would not be paying for any of this. Our waitress just stood their with an unconcerned look on her face. As we left, I told the manager that I would report him to corporate Denny’s. I did just that when I got home. Don’t mess with me when it comes to dealing with mother ship companies. It’s what I do all day… everyday.
I’ve had customer service training and I know the restaurant business isn’t easy. All he would have had to do is say something to the effect of “Let me go make you new burgers. I’ll bring them right out.” I would have been happy and considered it an adequate resolution. I would have even paid the bill. Between his attitude and complete lack of effort, I”m taking this one to the top. I demanded written apology from the manager when I filed my complaint.
Denny’s at 2079 East State Street, Hermitage PA is now on my ROLR list… Restaurant Of Last Resort unless I get my apology. A few free meals probably wouldn’t hurt either.
~End of Rant~
… This is going to be posted on their Facebook and Twitter as well.
~Cappy