Old woman yells at cloud. No table service and bus your own table!!!!! 2 options on menu
Posted by Slight-Bowl4240@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 76 comments
I want to walk into a restaurant, be seated and handed a menu. Then be given time to decide between a variety of options. Not just pizza or tacos. I want the server to bring me a plate of food. I want to be given eye contact and a smile. Then get up and leave and not have to worry about cleaning up.
Does it exist anywhere anymore???
Wild_Read9062@reddit
Ma’am, this is a Wendy’s.
alpacamade@reddit
I'll join you. I think I understand what you're looking for, an experience one can no longer find. My mother used to take us to certain independently owned restaurants, usually serving something other than burgerfriespizza.
One ordered a drink while reading the menu. The waitress brought bread or an table-share hor d'oeuvre. Food was served in courses; soup, salad, entree, dessert. Dessert was part of the meal, not optional. However; one could ask for sherbet or sorbet instead of the house dessert.
Waitstaff did not clear the course until the last fork was down across the top edge of the plate. The bill was not presented, until signaled for by the host of the dinner, usually the person who ordered the wine.
My mother took us to these restaurants for brunch or lunch, to teach us manners, polite behavior in public, and how to interact with waitstaff. She did the same when we went shopping, and I can remember a time where one was served a cup of coffee or tea while shopping in a Salon not a ready-to-wear store.
Mom could not afford dinner, so lunch. Waitstaff knew each table would be there an hour, so tipping meant something and the owners of the restaurant were greeting and seating you, they often would greet you by name. There were no child friendly mini-theme parks in the restaurant. None of the chain restaurants named in comments, are this type of restaurant.
There are two from my childhood I remember very well; Ted's and Sid's By The Seaway. Bon appetit 🍹
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Thank you! This is what I’m talking about.
Everybody else in the comments calling me the problem! 😂
alpacamade@reddit
I have to remind myself, my mother raised me, not everyone else. I also have to remind myself, those younger than I did not have the benefit of stable "social norms." The sad facts are, profit drives public facing businesses. Shaving a little off the side, or bottom, won't be noticed by the customer, allegedly. That's why there is no butter mint or peppermint on your receipt tray.😉
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Yep, totally. I totally notice down to the lack of peppermint
GrowlingAtTheWorld@reddit
IHOP, Bob Evan’s, Cracker Barrel, Waffle House, Cheesecake Factory…where do you live that you don’t have diners?
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
All of those are gone by me!!’ We never had WH.
GrowlingAtTheWorld@reddit
I could add to the list but they are more regional diner. I think florida must like the sit down and eat experience. My favorite is right on the water and have a great black bean burger on the menu and falafels among other more traditional fare. They do serve tacos but no pizza. Maybe look for smaller local eateries.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
We loved our time in Florida for exactly this reason. So many restaurants with good service!!!
Jas62021@reddit
Man I miss IHOP. We’ve somehow still have an actual Denny’s nearby 😅
GrowlingAtTheWorld@reddit
We got 2 IHOPs but our Denny’s closed down. We got a Perkins which is very similar tho.
Bubbly_Following7930@reddit
You should pick a different restaurant then.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
I’m not by myself sir
Bubbly_Following7930@reddit
That seems to be a conversation you should have with them, then. The fact that you're going to places without service doesn't mean they don't exist.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Good point.
Western-Calendar-352@reddit
That’s still literally any actual restaurant that isn’t a fast food chain. Nothing has changed.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Name one
madtownjeff@reddit
Olive Garden.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Oh yes!!! Totally!!!! Thank you
Western-Calendar-352@reddit
Nobody here knows where you live.
But either you live in an unprecedented food desert, or you are picking the wrong places.
Panera Bread, Dominoes etc are not restaurants, they are fast food, quick serve chains.
merkthejerk@reddit
Pretty much any decent restaurant does this. Even some bars.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Panera Bread doesn’t serve you. You order at a counter, go get your own food AND buss your own table. So a lot of other places are doing the same thing.
madtownjeff@reddit
Yeah, that's called "Fast Casual". More than fast food, less than a sit down restaraunt.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Ahhh yes!!!
merkthejerk@reddit
Did you even read my comment? As a fellow gen xer you’re not going to win this. Maybe you’re just frustrated as many of us are but holy fuck you sound like a whiny millennial or Gen Zer. In my life Panera has NEVER come to the table and taken an order. Maybe you should get out more or just stop with the semantics.
TakeTheThirdStep@reddit
Your rant is because Panera Bread doesn't offer table service? Let me guess, your doctor also does not offer appetizers?
madtownjeff@reddit
I can easily think of a 1/2 dozen place within walking distance of my house where I can get this kind of service.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Your lucky!!! It’s so rare! It’s a dying thing!!!
merkthejerk@reddit
The more I think about this you don’t sound like a Xer. Good work bot.
Jas62021@reddit
It is not. My mom lives in a “big city suburb” Just last week I visited her and had a lovely meal at a locally owned restaurant, with an amazing menu.
merkthejerk@reddit
I bet you’re not counting Panera Bread.
madtownjeff@reddit
Haven't set foot in a Panera in over a decade.
madtownjeff@reddit
I think you are jumping from "There is nothing like this near me." to "This doesn't exist."
beardofmice@reddit
My response. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=so-psheCuFY
LayerNo3634@reddit
Exists lots of places. I personally prefer to order at a counter and throw my trash away to save the tip. Just yesterday ate out and had a very friendly waitress.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Good for you! I’m bringing a family.
tharesabeveragehere@reddit
I don't understand taco pizza...if someone wants a taco, get a dang taco.
Makes just as much sense as sushi spaghetti.
TakeTheThirdStep@reddit
Taco pizza is delicious though. They were especially great on the old Pizza Hut buffets back in the day.
ONROSREPUS@reddit
I am standing on the hill with you. Taco pizza is awesome. If you ever have a chance try one from a Godfather's Pizza.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
No I mean every place nowadays only serves one item of a variation thereof.
Taco Locos. You can’t get pizza, Dominoes. You can’t get tacos
While I’m not faulting this and know how to choose, sometimes I don’t know what I want until I get there!
ONROSREPUS@reddit
Just to go Applebee's.
general-illness@reddit
Our local Mexican food place knows us by name and are super friendly and cool.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
No shade
Jas62021@reddit
Where are you that this is a problem with every single restaurant?
In my small city alone we have several thriving restaurants with full actual menus, decent smiling waitstaff, and plates full of delicious food. From chains to small niche places. Even our local breweries have decent menu options and great service.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Big city suburb. We have a poor food culture overall
Foamfollower_65@reddit
Oldest GenX here.
I really don't care how I order or get my food.
I love online menus. I love not having to use the light on my phone to read a menu. I love being able to resize the menu to make the print bigger.
I don't need to look anyone in the eye to order my food.
potsofjam@reddit
Where are you going? Are you only frequenting your local Pizza Bell? You making a run for the Italian border? You Voglio del Pizza Bell?
Top-Molasses7661@reddit
This is my experience every time? Do you live in some kind of restaurant desert?
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Yes it’s fast fresh everywhere around me. Even the mom and pop shop only does hamburgers!!!!
Robviously-duh@reddit
where is this place so we can avoid?
Jas62021@reddit
For more than one reason
Professor-genXer@reddit
Do you at least have the benefit of living in an area with a lower cost of living?
I live in a hcol area and there is no shortage of restaurants. From fast food to diners to sushi bars, steak houses, all varieties of ethnic cuisine, vegetarian etc. If you’re spending $$$ you can have all the food and service your heart desires.
Lumpy-Detective-1978@reddit
Go to an old-fashioned diner. They still exist. The food is cheap and not fancy. The servers call you baby and there's no QR codes anywhere.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
There’s only one near me and it only seats 9 people at a time 😂
Lumpy-Detective-1978@reddit
That's tiny! I am lucky to live where there are many diner options. Still popular here in the Cincinnati area... lots of old folks around.
TheLawOfDuh@reddit
If you’re not experiencing these things then you are choosing restaurants that are not the right choice for you. Not to be mean but that’s on you…a personal responsibility. If you’re unsure ask at the front when you enter (or check online) and if it’s not your style, bolt. Lots of traditional diners still exist. Maybe just not many in your area. Do a little homework before going out to get some suggestions. Not only will you get the experience you want but the suggestions might even be leads to some of the best restaurant experiences you’ll ever have. Treat yourself.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I like driving around to find
CharZero@reddit
Driving around is an expensive hobby these days.
sumbozo1@reddit
Mom, it's a taco truck. That's all we get
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
But I wanted a salad!
banjono@reddit
F&B has had it rough since COVID. In my area, just as we were getting it all back together, we got hit by Hurricane Helene. Next time you feel like this, remember that it's just food service and not a doctor's visit, and take comfort in that.
OptiGuy4u@reddit
DM me your zip code. I'd love to see what's around you.
Ianthin1@reddit
This really sounds like a local business problem. Even in the ultra small county I live in there are half a dozen places that fit that bill. The only places around here I can think of that are like that are fast food. One place is a diner that’s been open since the 30’s and you do order at the counter, but someone brings you your food and busses the tables.
ScapeyourownGoat@reddit
Ma’am this is a Wendy’s
AppropriateAmoeba406@reddit
Ma’am, stop going to Wendy’s.
worstpartyever@reddit
Where is your location? In some areas, counter service is the norm (customers order at the counter and servers bring their meal to the table.) Especially since COVID.
If you truly want full service and a wait person, you’ll probably have to go to more expensive restaurants.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
I’m in a big city suburb. Every place is fast fresh for the office drones
KrofftSurvivor@reddit
Have you tried... not going to McDonald's?
TheJokersChild@reddit
Not without a 20% tip nowadays.
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
No everything is corporate chain hells and bring your own food breweries!!!
Excellent-Seesaw1335@reddit
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
😂😂😂
Oiggamed@reddit
What seems to be the problem, officer?
Slight-Bowl4240@reddit (OP)
First world problem shame
krakatoa83@reddit
This is called a restaurant. They’re everywhere.
silvermanedwino@reddit
You’re picking the wrong places.