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Do you ever send food back at a restaurant?
Asked at Massachusetts Street on October 26, 2009
“Absolutely. If it’s not the food I ordered or there is something wrong with it, there is no reason not to.”
“I do if it comes with things I didn’t order on it, or asked to be left off, or if it’s cold or undercooked.”
“No, I do not, because I’m too embarrassed to.”
“Yes, I do, because some of the food has meat in it and I don’t know that.”
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Comments
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hujiko (anonymous) says…
Depends
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
I have sent food back to the kitchen when it is wrong and/ or not what I ordered, but I have never really thrown it at the restaurant, except this one time at Long John Silvers, but I blame that on stomach flu. Never eaten there again.
I attribute that to the sloe gin effect, once bitten, twice shy.
RoeDapple (anonymous) says…
Ohhh, Ret! Last sloe gin I drank was in '65! Still choke thinking about it.....
rando1965 (anonymous) says…
yep sure have had to send the same order back twice the hashbrowns were still cold and soggy and was nice about it but was still asked to leave ,cause the chef couldnt get it right it was my fault
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
tanaumaga (anonymous) says…
"I will have the curly fries with a buffalo burger...if the fries are not curly, I will send it back. If the burger is not a buffalo burger, I will also send it back."
flux (anonymous) says…
Thats because you had been drinking and it was late.....Rando
kung_pao_chicken (anonymous) says…
Corrina said,
“Yes, I do, because some of the food has meat in it and I don’t know that.”
...but if she doesn't know that some of the food has meat in it, then how does she know that some of the food has meat in it. Better that you stay home, girl.
autie (anonymous) says…
dang bob...that's two in a week...
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Autie -
I've read that usage agreement from top to bottom, bottom to top, back and forth, and front and back and nowhere did I violate any part of it with my post. I was merely discussing the aphrodsiac properties of Sloe Gin and my unsuccessful attempt at employing those in high school.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
"Wait a minute, raisins aren't supposed to have legs!"
prospector (anonymous) says…
Yes
Bob, the trick is to have her drink it. Remember, a little is good, a lot is great, and to much will get ugly.
BABBOY (anonymous) says…
Sure, not very often however (which is good)
labmonkey (anonymous) says…
Have you ever seen the movie "Waiting"? Hell no would I ever send food back.
labmonkey (anonymous) says…
Something tells me that Corina is one of those militant vegatarians who will yell at you for eating meat.
Easy_Does_It (anonymous) says…
I have left a resturant before I even was seated. I asked the wrong thing and I could tell they were spitting on my food before I ordered.
The bartender above must never look behind the curtain.
beerguy (anonymous) says…
When I saw cockroaches running in between my feet at Jade Mongolian I walked out before getting anything. Jade Garden is the same way, they both have gotten shut down multiple times for health violations.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
Yes, we have, when steak is undercooked or over cooked or cold. Hubby hates to, but I will.
autie (anonymous) says…
as I recall, that sloe gin was something "those" kind of girls drank.
parrothead8 (anonymous) says…
labmonkey (Anonymous) says…
Something tells me that Corina is one of those militant vegatarians who will yell at you for eating meat.
Something tells me labmonkey is one of those gut-level reactionaries who will judge you for sounding silly. ;)
sgtwolverine (anonymous) says…
Apparently there's something wrong with me: I've never had to send food back. I try to avoid doing so unless it's absolutely necessary, and I can't recall a time it's been absolutely necessary.
I have complained about poor service, but only once.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Autie - Yes, they were from Oklahoma.
staff04 (anonymous) says…
Any decent restaurant WANTS you to send food back if there is a mistake in its preparation. I'm not really talking about chains and buffets and the like, but good restaurants want to make everything just the way the guest wants it. If we don't send food back that isn't prepared correctly the restaurant has no way to learn from the mistake and make things right with the customer.
Oh, and don't lie about food allergies just because you don't like a certain ingredient, just ask for it to be left out if possible. They know you aren't allergic to garlic and are laughing at you for claiming you are.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Staff -
So I should quit telling waiters I'm allergic to brussell sprouts?
acg (anonymous) says…
Only meat that's undercooked. I can't have my steak bleeding and so many places want to serve it rare to med rare. I know how that's supposed to be how meat is cooked best, but uck, if it's laying in a pool of blood I can't handle it.
puddleglum (anonymous) says…
never send food back-especially to a kitchen in this town....when it comes back-chances are high that it has been 'tainted'
gccs14r (anonymous) says…
I'm pretty tolerant, but I'll send stuff back if it's egregiously wrong. I do think about where I am before I do, though, and will just suck it up if I think sending it back will do more harm than good.
George_Braziller (anonymous) says…
I have sent back a meal three times. All three were at Freestate Brewery --- the same night! First time they brought me something I hadn't ordered, second time the steak was colder than the silverware, third time it was warmer, but so tough I couldn't even cut it with a steak knife.
I finally gave up and told the waiter I'd just finish my salad and call it done. Went home and ate a cheese sandwich.
missmagoo (anonymous) says…
the last three times I've been to Longhorn I've had to send my filet back. seriously.. medium well should not be bleeding!! i miss the good ol days of customer service where someone came over to your table and apologized or offered you something for the inconvenience. this last time the waiter said "oh wow, that looks more like med rare.. i'll see if he'll cook it more for you.." and he took my plate back and they put my steak on a new plate.. but completely scraped off my uneaten mashed potatoes!! everyone was done eating by the time my steak came back so i didn't bother asking for my potatoes. sheesh.
gccs14r (anonymous) says…
"And any place that takes back an undercooked steak, only to cook it some more and serve it to you again should be immediatly put on the do not attend list. Steak likes to be cooked once, and once only."
Had that happen on my last visit to Texas Roadhouse in Topeka. The previous visit I had to send one back for way too much fat. I'm not likely to go back again. Too bad, because they used to be pretty good.
snoozey (anonymous) says…
How karmic - the last time I ate downtown I was served the wrong order - but it sounded pretty good when it came by and turned out to be quite tasty. Life is to short to waste time trying to control all - take a breath and learn to love the little surprises !
George_Braziller (anonymous) says…
Little suprises can be fun, but when your order is screwed up three times in one evening (and it goes from bad to worse) there is a limit to how much "fun" you're willing to endure.
Eride (anonymous) says…
"Defender (Anonymous) says…
And any place that takes back an undercooked steak, only to cook it some more and serve it to you again should be immediatly put on the do not attend list. Steak likes to be cooked once, and once only."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
My only question is how a steak can be undercooked? Following that is why anyone would go to a place like Longhorn for a steak when they can make one several times better at home?
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
So is sloe gin the switch for "that" gene?
maxcrabb (anonymous) says…
About those who "never send food back because it will be messed with", get a pair.
I've worked in many kitchens, and only the lowest of cooks with little self esteem and no sense of work ethic will mess with food. (so maybe i opened myself up on that one!)
But seriously, I've never messed with some ones food. I've literally had eggs thrown at me, driven to the same house 3 times to bring the 'right' drink, cried as I microwaved the 'undercooked' prime rib (!), and never stooped so low as to seek revenge. It's my job, why bother? I'd rather show the customer that I can get it right, than to lower myself to passive aggressive protest.
thebcman (anonymous) says…
Having been a cook in a well-known family restaurant in JoCo for 21 years, I would advise everybody to suck it up and NOT send it back. You don't even want to know what goes on back there.
sundancewierdo (anonymous) says…
mom and pop joint in ottawa...
Fried chicken is on special...
it was so horrible, we didn't bother to send it back. there couldn't possibly be anything else in that kitchen we would want to eat. someone insists that it shouldn't go to waste. we box it up, tear it off the bone, and put it in vito's dish. the dog wouldn't eat it! wanted nothing to do with it. needless to say we haven't been back...
Meatwad (anonymous) says…
No. But I usually just won't go back to that restaurant and I'll warn other people to avoid it, or at least avoid that particular dish.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
I only send it back if they have mixed up my steak with ACG's! I can't stand meat that is not swimming and mooing in its own blood.
I'm pretty easygoing but cannot tolerate a medium-well steak when I've ordered it blood rare. I am always very polite to the waitstaff about it, though, and want to b****slap anyone I hear who puts a waitress through the wringer over a cooking error--especially the pompous asses who are purposely loud enough for the entire room to hear.
Of course, if she's the one being snotty, all bets are off... but usually, the waitstaff--and the cooks--want to please the customer and appreciate being told politely if there is a problem.
Machiavelli_mania (anonymous) says…
Yes, i send it back if it is too salty.
Machiavelli_mania (anonymous) says…
I should have done it at Pepper Jacks, but I just walked out instead. Then placed them on a black list my friends and I maintain.
1029 (anonymous) says…
Sometimes if it doesn't taste as good as I imagined it would after seeing it on the menu.
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
Doesn't the cook spit in your food if you send it back?
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
1029~ You know the restaurant is going to go down in flames if the picture on the menu actually tastes better than the dish of the same name that is brought to you.
Multi~ Oh, well... I'll just have to wonder how that marriage turned out. PS~ I believe you meant to post that on the "What scares you" thread. ;-)
Liberty_One (anonymous) says…
Defender (Anonymous) says…
"I can make a FAR better steak at home than almost any where I have been. Incredibly hot cast iron skillet, simple seasoning, roaring hot oven, perfect steak every single time. I'm not bragging, it's just way easier than I ever thought possible. Fills the house with smoke though!"
I do the same thing--did you happen to watch Good Eats?
Liberty_One (anonymous) says…
I've worked at several restaurants and people send back food--it's not a big deal. Most of the time it is because the food was cold/undercooked or their special order--like no mayo--was incorrect. Don't be afraid to send food back for something that's a big deal, they won't mess with your food.
BTW, the best way to avoid having a problem with your food is don't ask for special things like add this and no that. That's the biggest source of screw-ups. Just order what's on the menu as is. If there's something on it you don't like order something else.
mekojo (anonymous) says…
I have worked at several restaurants and I know what goes on beyond that door. I just ask them to take it away and that it tasted awful or wasn't what I ordered. I refuse another plate and tell them that I am fine. I finish my drink and they make an attempt again to replace the entree and I again refuse, then they usually remove the item from my ticket. I would rather eat something I know is good and at home. Cooks and waitstaff do know of the things that go on in the kitchen. It isn't a pretty thing.