"My husband and I have been here for breakfast/lunch numerous times. We have had only great experiences with the food and service until today.I arrived first, as my husband was wrapping up an errand. I inquired inside as to available seating outside (as there were empty tables with chairs turned upside down on them, but I wasn’t sure if it was just because it had earlier or something else). The host/manager I spoke to David, I think was rather dismissive in the way he informed me the tables were “clearly closed,” but I let it go and chose to be empathetic as they were very busy this morning. He eventually realized there was a table available outside that just hadn’t been bussed yet. Once the table was clean, the man he tasked with seating me was very polite (I didn’t catch his name) and let me know a server would be with me shortly.Our server, Susie, was prompt and beyond helpful, offering suggestions and recommendations in a very relaxed conversational manner, and I could tell she was like this with many of her tables.Unfortunately, right as we were wrapping up out meal, and elderly couple walked up and inquired with Susie about the two person tables I mentioned earlier. She didn’t outright tell them no told them everything was wet and ask if they were sure they didn’t want to sit inside. The older man was complaining about how cold the air conditioning can get, etc. and being quite adamant that they needed to sit outside. Susie had a hand on the upturned chair next to her and was clearly trying to figure out how to proceed in a way that wouldn’t upset the customers. I was about to intervene myself, because being unnecessarily unkind to service workers is a pet peeve of mine.Enter David, the gentleman I allowed a bit of grace earlier in the morning.One would expect him to address the customers, and inform them politely and apologetically that “Those particular tables aren’t available for service at this time, but I can seat you inside in x minutes. We would love to have you dine with us, but understand if that’s not the compromise you were looking for.” But no.Instead, he speaks to Susie not just an adult who deserves basic respect, but a team member who is facing the same stresses of a rush as anyone else working there like one would speak to a child they’re scolding. It was so off putting that the French toast I had so recently enjoyed suddenly felt very heavy and uncomfortable in my stomach.I’ve worked quite a few customer facing positions in food service, hospitality, and the health/wellness industries. I get rushes and bad days and being overwhelmed. And I really hope whatever it was that was weighing on him is resolved. But I also hope that at some point, he takes a moment to apologize to the team members he was so unkind to, and thanks them for showing him so much patience. If my husband hadn’t convinced me otherwise, I would have caused a scene.Maybe if you’re so frustrated having to deal with explaining the “closed” tables, put a sign out. Or stack the chairs away from the tables. Or do both. Literally anything other than being rude to people will probably work."
