quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
It helps if there's a lot of other restaurants around. I live next to Carytown . If a place is doing something seriously wrong, it won't survive the competition for very long.

excellent places to eat in that area, and all over RVA,,


venture over the river and try Laura Lee's on Semmes Ave,, it is awesome


fact is, unless I hit a fast food place (Chick Fil A , Popeye's or whatever burger joint is nearby when I stop to eat) the wife and I don't do chain or franchise places,

if we are spending the $$ to eat out, it will be a local place,

the only exception (and there is always an exception!) is Bonefish, and just our southside location, it is better than the other in town,

In general yes, but we were in South of the Border last night with 14 people the server was excellent, food delivered quickly only one
order mistake which was rectified quickly. She ran her butt off and was very attentive. I attribute it to a manger who has his act together, a great server and expeditor.

So with that said shining stars are still out there don’t give up hope.

quote:

Originally posted by MoreCowbell:
I look for the nearest Panera when I travel nowadays. I like their sandwiches and it's better than eating McDonald's or other fast food places.

They have some tasty stuff. I used to get their turkey sandwich until I looked up how bad it was for you. So much better tasting though!

I'm on the road a fair amount of the year and eat out often, mainly for work but, I enjoy a good meal out too.

Out here, food service is highly competitive, if you're good and you enjoy it, you can work yourself towards a Michelin-stared restaurant where you get benefits and a professional environment. The area has A LOT of food options, diners are pretty knowledgeable across a broad range of cuisines options and the economy is going good so, staffing at lower and mid-tier locations is a challenge. Bad restaurants and eateries stick around either because there's enough patrons who tolerate bad food/service, those patrons don't know any better or, the owners have a separate revenue stream that keeps that location afloat.

I avoid corporate themed eateries like the plague, there's nothing good at such places, if the menu is filled, from margin to margin or, has pictures, I become skeptical. Local restaurants I seek-out, besides supporting the local economy, these private places are more apt to strive for better service and fresh/local produce to support a solid menu.

my opinion:
more people than ever are eating out , these days,
instead of having one great restaurant, that makes 905 of the customers very very happy.

owners are opening two or three venue's and letting the quality and service slide way down.
they appease 46% of the customers and frustrate the rest of us.

siblings thoughts:
the job market is doing much better now, people do not want to A. work in the food industry for lower wages,
and B.
the people who will work for lower wages are no where near the creme of the crop,

uneducated, uninspired, unfriendly and under trained differently challenged are getting hired.

Yes ,

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
the job market is doing much better now, people do not want to A. work in the food industry for lower wages,
and B.
the people who will work for lower wages are no where near the creme of the crop,

uneducated, uninspired, unfriendly and under trained differently challenged are getting hired.

Yes ,

.


Mostly I blame managers.

Also, compared to inflation, waitstaff don’t make much money. That’s why the nice restaurants have better service, at least the waitstaff has the likelihood of making good tips.

I’ve always thought it was BS to pay them $2.25/hr + tips. What about the hours they work before & after serving. They should be paid minimum wage. Customers possibly tipping shouldn’t bypass federal law.

Speaking of buffets. Remember Lorraine??