F*cking food service

a guide on how to eat in a resturant and why your server hate you.

[freakingfoodservice]

So I work at intl house of pancraps. My managers are wack as shit. I don’t get my schedule until the night before which basically means I can’t have another job. I am obligated to work off the clock bc if you don’t you’re just fired. I got moved to foh 4 weeks ago and only today got my damn nametag. My shirt is too small and won’t button over my boobs. Also funny but lost faith in human intelligence: a lady called and asked if we were still legally “IHOP” and not “IHOb” sooo 🙃🙃🙃

Report that shit to the department of labor. Other than the stupid guest that’s just their jam.

But I’d be on the lookout for a new job. If you can do ihop you can do any other restaurant and get the shit beat out of you a lot less

[unfortunate-waitress]

Have you had any history with service dogs because I have one (I need him to live lol) and I love when waitstaff/retail employees ignore him (like you are supposed to) and then their manger/boss comes out and is like "Oh Puppy!!!" And tries to be the worst and the employe is just is so embarrassed and has to politely either ignore their boss or say something to them and then I have to like either be like hi yes pls stop or just make eye contact with the staff as the boss/manger just be like that

Yeah, my place gets them from time to time, actually! I know not to touch, call, coo, or try to distract a service dog because I am educated in that aspect, unfortunately a lot of people aren’t. We do get complaints from some about the dogs (even though they are seated at the complete opposite side of the restaurant, they somehow make it their business. It’s always a pleasure when I see them.

Except this one dog. This lady dyed it pink and carries it around in stroller and that little fucker barks at everybody who walks by. I honestly don’t think it’s a service dog, I just think that she doesn’t want to leave it at home because it’s not remotely trained to be in public.

[freakingfoodservice]

Ohh even if the pink yippy asshole is a service dog you can refuse service based on its training to be in public! Due to the fact you can’t ask for proof (and it doesn’t really exist) you can ask people leave if their dog isn’t behaving properly.

In restaurants this includes eating, begging or not laying/sitting under the table or strapped to the owners person.

One time my service dog and I went to a restaurant and another “service dog” barked at her so they were banned.

[unfortunate-waitress]

hi! i want to be a waiter (or potentially a chef) but I've heard the job is very taxing on the body - and my back hurts very easily (if i walk for too long or carry too heavy backpacks or stand on my feet or sit in some specific kind of chairs... the list goes on). do i need to turn towards another kind of job? how taxing is it really?

Alright, I’m gonna be honest. This job ain’t it, bruh. When I first started, my back, neck and feet hurt so much. To the point where I couldn’t sleep at night because I ached so much. Even with proper shoes, it still hurt like hell. Now, I have an advantage at amusement parks because I can stand on my feet for more than 9 hours without feeling a damn thing. However, Even when I don’t work for a couple of days in a row and I come back, my back and feet start to hurt within the hour. But like you said, you most likely can’t handle it.

Overall it’s not really that all taxing, but that’s becaus I’ve been a server for almost 7 years. I’m used to it. But that took some time to get used to.

I just don’t think this is the job for you because that first month is hell for your body to get used to and I honestly don’t want you to ruin your body for a job like this.

[freakingfoodservice]

I mean I think I had an advantage starting with bad joints and old man back because everyone else wasn’t used to being in pain all the time but I was used to pushing through it. Building muscle from working decreased my pain long term

If you have something like an inflammatory or degenerate issue where use is going to add damage to your spine than I’d look elsewhere.

Also find a chiropractor they’re fabulous.

[unfortunate-waitress]

My restaurant has a dress code of black cotton pants. Recently we have had a few new hires and they are all getting away with wearing leggings or black jeans. The company has always been really strict about dress code but none of these girls have been talked to about it. I would loveeee to wear leggings etc to work but I know if I did they would call me out immediately. I don’t know what to do about it (if anything) because I don’t want to get my coworkers in trouble, I more just want to join in

Then do it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

-A

[freakingfoodservice]

Join them and when called out be like oh I thought the policy changed because all the new girls are wearing any black pants, but anyways both leggings and jeans are cotton sooo step off and let me run around comfy

[unfortunate-waitress]

And speaking of food running, here’s a request from me to customers: don’t ask for stuff from your food runner. Just take a quick glance up to see if the person bringing the food is your server or not, and if not, wait for your server, they’ll be there very soon, I promise. I have piles of other hot plates that need to be run, I don’t have time to get a side of ranch and two refills and more bread — and if something is missing or came out wrong, all I can do is track down your server anyway.

I can understand where you’re coming from, but I think this totally depends on what restaurant you’re at and how they do things… I’ve worked somewhere that it was the runner’s job to get the little extra things after they drop food off, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

As far as the order being wrong then yes, absolutely wait for your server to get back to you! And DO NOT yell at the person bringing your food! They are just doing what they are being told to do, which is bring that plate to that table. 

I guess for customers it’s safe to ask for little extras if the person dropping your food asks if they can bring you anything else. If they drop your plate and quickly dip off then they probably have some other shit going on that they need to get back to. 

-A

[freakingfoodservice]

Yeah every restaurant I’ve worked in I’d encourage my guests to ask anyone who brought them anything because I might send someone to check on you if I’m caught up or my expo might be able to flag another server to bring you a coke.

Also expo does condiments and ran food at my last gig. So if I ran in ranch, my table didn’t get any because expo can’t read and was “too busy” to bring it when asked for it I’d be catching that food runner behind the dumpster their next smoke break.

[unfortunate-waitress]

If I have a table that speaks primarily Spanish (or other languages but Spanish for my story), do you think it’s okay to ask them if the food is alright, how they’re doing, etc in Spanish? I am a white American girl who speaks enough Spanish to do the customer service niceties, but I’m worried if like. A) it will just cause more confusion if I seem like I know more than I do and they try to ask something else and B) I will seem condescending. I’m asking bc like I want to give my tables a positive experience, especially those tables that might have to deal with shitty racist servers elsewhere, but I’m also worried that doing that will actually have a negative impact. I’m probably overthinking all of it but I try to think of little ways to make peoples days better and started wondering if that may be a way to or if itd just be annoying. Sorry for this being really rambly!

[freakingfoodservice]

A previous responder got this perfect. If you ask in English and they seem confused do your best in Spanish to clearify. Make sure you know how to specify you only understand a little.

[unfortunate-waitress]

What is the best way to get the attention of your waitresses? I know snapping is rude but like what else??

…Calling them by their name is a good start. 

[freakingfoodservice]

Politely saying excuse me when theyre NOT actively serving another guest. Maybe a small wave if they’re across the dinning room.

Also for the love of god please realize and utilize our coworkers.

[unfortunate-waitress]

I don’t see a problem leaving a restaurant when I have to wait to be asked what I want to drink for 40 minutes. Especially when there’s only 6 people in the whole restaurant l.

I see nothing wrong at all with that. A lot of people think that i’m all for servers because I am one, but I also eat out a lot. I don’t expect amazing service every time, but I at least expect an effort. Also, 40 minutes is way too long. You’re extremely patient. I’m not.

[freakingfoodservice]

That’s why if I’m absolutely in the weeds I’ll let guests know like I’m swamped and my grill cook is a moron it’s gonna take a while to feed you. Cause if they in a rush or starving they had an extra chance to bounce.

[unfortunate-waitress]

There is a mentally disabled young adult that comes into my work and he’s super polite and nice to wait on but he has literally never left a tip. This wouldn’t be an issue if I didn’t have to tip out on his meal, is there a nice way to go about telling him? I’m super passive but I’m literally paying to wait on him

Hmmmm….

If I were you I’d just let it slide dude. I’m almost 100% certain that he probably just doesn’t understand/is unaware about tipping.

If it bothers you THAT much then maybe if he has a caretaker of some sort that drops him off or something you could relay that message to them?

Idk man, like I said I’d just take it as a loss and go about my day.

-A

[freakingfoodservice]

Alternatively explain the situation to other crew members and the bosses and see if they’ll except not tip pooling on him due to circumstances. There’s a good probability that he’s on a super fixed income and might not be able to afford something that means a lot to his routine if he learns about tipping

[unfortunate-waitress]

Me leaving without filling up the sugar caddies in my section

[unfortunate-waitress]

sorry this is BOH related but i fucking hate the "never trust a skinny chef!" sentiment like girl im on my feet for 10-12 hours and am constantly either prepping or making food for your ass. you think i got time to fit in my 3 a day? like yeah i'm constantly tasting and seasoning but that isn't enough to turn me into your ideal chef boyardee charicature. you want me to look the part? go to mcdonalds instead so i have 5 minutes to consume some semblance of a proper meal during my shift lmao

Who is saying this to you?

If they’re customers then fuck them because they are still eating and paying for the food you prepare.

If they’re coworkers then DOUBLE fuck them because you wouldn’t be in the kitchen if you didn’t know what you were doing.

-A

[freakingfoodservice]

Also some of the best comfort food chefs have a cocaine habit and a moist cigarette behind their ear at all times.

[unfortunate-waitress]

Lady: is the chicken on this grilled chicken ceasar salad grilled? Me: literally in shock at the question that I read the description in our menu to check if it says something to the contrary. Nope. .... yes, the chicken on the grilled chicken salad is grilled. 🤔🙄🙄

LMAO

Doesn’t it feel like you’re getting punk’d when people ask you shit that can easily be answered by….just….. reading????

-A

[freakingfoodservice]

Not just what they can read this bitch said it out loud. She read it, comprehended it enough to relay it, heard herself say it and still asked it. Where the camera crew at? I didn’t sign nothing and I better not be on YouTube. I made Facebook take down me signing happy birthday you going down too.

[unfortunate-waitress]

1. I have NEVER greeted a table and said “Hi, my name is ____, we’re out of 1 item on the menu. 2. You asked for a refill, OF THE DECAF THAT I BREWED AFTER CLOSE, so you had something to sip on while you wrote this. 3. Bread isn’t free. (It was $.79 for 3 pieces.) 4. That’s fair, but it’s not on me that I told a manager that the menu price didn’t match the receipt price, and he didn’t bother to stop by. But he did comp the difference. 5. It was after close. I gave you a dessert menu when I shouldn’t have. The kitchen was CLOSED.

[freakingfoodservice]

Like who they think reading this shit other than me or the internet

[unfortunate-waitress]

What is up with people who order a ton of food and when I ask if they want some of it to come first they say “oh it can all come out as it’s ready” like.... that’s not... how that works....? I just have a course line button. The only places I know of that do that are tapas places? It’s just one of the many instances where I want to ask people if they’ve ever been to a restaurant before.

I guess it all depends on the restaurant and what kind of system y’all have. We use “aloha” and we can ring in apps, entrees and dessert all at the same time if we wanted to, so… 🤷🏾‍♀️

-A

[freakingfoodservice]

Every restaurant I’ve worked at you theoretically can do that but there’s no way to communicate that to anyone but the individual server, it’s a shit ton of work and it will fuck up multiple slips.

[unfortunate-waitress]

Um, people are mentioning getting breaks? I work as a server and I have never gotten a real break? Is that not normal...? Cuz I have 8 hour shifts sometimes where I don’t even get to eat or go to the bathroom. Smokers are allowed to go out though.

I’ve never had a real scheduled break either. I think it just depends on the establishment (and y’all are super lucky if you get them!)

And WHAT IS GOING ON with y’all and not going to the bathroom when you need to??? I understand during a rush it’s just not possible, but… afterwards? How are you working whole shifts holding your bladders? Do you not have work friends that can watch your section/register/whatever for a couple of minutes? I am truly concerned.

-A

[freakingfoodservice]

Fuck watching your section I’ll straight up leave and go pee and apologize to my tables after like I’m so sorry I’ve had to pee for 6 hours and couldn’t hold it. Y’all gonna not tip for that like they’ve peed too

[unfortunate-waitress]

A while back you said that you fake cry when tables are mean so you can get more money, what other weird things do you do to make more money? I need tips!

Ha! I still fake cry when people are assholes. It works best when it’s a big party. More people who saw that person yell at me, the more tips I get. Bitch, I needs that compensation for the hard times you put me through. 😂😂

Also, another weird thing I do is I wear fake freckles.

Fun fact about me, I am obsessed with freckles.

Like…it’s a problem y’all. I’m weird as all hell and i’m actually very surprised that this blog is this successful with how weird I am. But yeah, I use henna to make fake freckles and people think i’m cute.

And people like cute people.

I noticed that they cuter I look that day, the more they are patient, they are more willing to laugh at my stupid ass jokes, and most importantly, they tip more. Personality is a huge plus, which I have, and I personally think i’m the funniest bitch on this side of the Mississippi River, but then you look at the girl at titty bar who make hundreds a night and she has the personality of sparkling water and the fake laugh to match. The aesthetic of sparkling water is there but the taste is fucking trash and it’s time that we all admit that. Yeah, they say limes help, but do they really?? The answer is no. No they don’t. But some people just love that shit.

Being a server is a game and i’m playing that shit just right.

Joanne the Scammer WHO??! I’m the cutest catfish you’ll ever meet.

[freakingfoodservice]

You can tattoo them

[unfortunate-waitress]

A few things, as a server who hasn’t served in years and im doing it again. If it’s busy and you feel confident enough ; TELL YOUR TABLES YOURE NEW. It does wonders !!! I served 5 years ago and I just started serving again. When I tell people I’m new they will be WAY more understanding. And I KNOW this because I had tables where I didn’t tell them and they treated me like trash. I’m still trying to get into the swing of things and I try to let my tables know without making them feel nervous.

Good advice!

[freakingfoodservice]

This goes for anything effecting your serving ability. I’m a little slow today I’m back from an injury, I’m having a bad day but I’m happy to be here so please bear with me. Etc like people tip better when they feel a human connection.