#sorrynotsorry
Member
Almost everything I order has slight modifications. Any good chef will happily do something like that. It's their job. It's poor hospitality not to. I won't say I wouldn't return, but I would go less for sure.
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If a sit down restaurant denies you a simple special order, do you stop going?
- Thread starter entremet
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mullet2000
Member
Same, outside of asking for certain things to be excluded from time to time.
The fun in going to a sit down restaurant is trying the menu as the chef has prepared it. Fast food, sure, I'll pick and choose what I want though.
The manager gave a pretty reasonable answer here. They need the eggs for the special, and don't want one request for an egg on a burger to snowball into multiple. If someone likes the restaurant enough to spend $500 a month (!!!) at it, it seems insane to me that this would be a deal breaker for them.
Where do you think he does all his posting?
GoldenEye 007
Member
I've worked in restaurants too. Requests are always on a case by case basis, but if it is something so extremely simple, it isn't a big deal and certainly isn't worth disappointing a customer.
I know some places get off on being snobs and denying simple modifications, but overall, this isn't the norm.
There's a place in Berkeley that only offers one kind of pizza a day with no substitutions. It's very popular. And tasty. Called cheeseboard.
Skellig Gra
Member
haha /mindblown
Baron von Loathsome
Member
Order the burger and the waffle special and tell them to hold the waffle between their knees.
entremet
Member
Yes. The total bill was 71 bucks at the time.
The burger was not 71 bucks lol.
Oh and it's not me. I swear.
Cheeseboard is so good. Damn it, now I miss Berkeley.
PrivateWHudson
Member
I almost always request a change of some kind when eating out and can't remember ever being declined. Depending on the change, and the reason it's denied, I could see not going back again. Something like an egg...such an easy thing to add, but imho, not a big deal. But if it's a big deal to him, then yeah, he shouldn't go back.
I like corned beef special grilled up, so I usually ask for a Ruben with coleslaw instead of sauerkraut. If a place I frequent said NO, I would go again. A little thing for most, but a deal breaker for me.
I like corned beef special grilled up, so I usually ask for a Ruben with coleslaw instead of sauerkraut. If a place I frequent said NO, I would go again. A little thing for most, but a deal breaker for me.
How the fuck do you spend $75 on a restaurant unless you're paying for like 4 people? And $500 a month? Damn, that's more than I spend on food period in a month.
As for the special order, I wonder if the place just doesn't do special orders? I'm confused as to why the manager specifically turned that down but maybe he was under orders not to do it because of the waffle and egg special they were doing.
As for the special order, I wonder if the place just doesn't do special orders? I'm confused as to why the manager specifically turned that down but maybe he was under orders not to do it because of the waffle and egg special they were doing.
The posts about eating meals the way the chef intended would have more validity if it were not a burger. We've all had burgers and know what they taste like with a variety of different toppings. I doubt the chef at this particular restaurant created a transcendent take on the burger that needs to be experienced without alteration.
entremet
Member
Some industries you need to wine and dine business.
GoldenEye 007
Member
eggs aren't some rare ingredient in season 2 weeks a year
Special orders can be a major pain in the ass. We have no idea what else went on that night. Chefs can be characters and this may have been the straw that would have broken the camel's back. I would ask but totally accept if they said no. If I want an egg on my burger I go to the place that puts an egg on my burger.
milanbaros
Member?
A menu should be a list of what the chef and his team are happy to provide for you not the opening offer in a negotiation.
Sho_Nuff82
Member
Both sides are being unreasonable here.
Spending a lot of money at a restaurant does not entitle you to special treatment. And honestly, you could buy a $10 burger and a drink every day for a month and run up a $500 tab, it's not an exorbitant amount of money. Threatening to stop coming to a place you love because of one little thing seems like a crazy overreaction. Hell, asking to see the manager seems like a crazy overreaction. Kitchens are usually willing to accommodate people to a degree. To the extent that they are not, you are free to simply order something else.
On the other hand, it's one fucking egg. As a manager it's your job to know who your regulars and big tippers are (this is assuming the guy is a true regular and a big tipper). Offering a to comp a $70 meal, rather than parting with one measly 10 cent egg out of principle is a terrible stance to take for business and for general customer service. You put that egg on his sandwich, you charge him $1.50 extra, you smile. you nod, you say "have a great day, sorry for the wait", and you send your runner down the street buy a fucking dozen more eggs.
Sounds like two egos clashing over the pettiest of nonsense. Jimmies were rustled.
Some places will explicitly state on their menus that no substitutions are allowed on certain entrees and specials. A lot of times the little things just break the assembly line of churning these things out, other times yes, it's a food integrity thing. No, we can't make you a gluten free deep-fried burger, next question. No. we're not going to put ketchup and mayo on your artisanal chicken pesto.
Spending a lot of money at a restaurant does not entitle you to special treatment. And honestly, you could buy a $10 burger and a drink every day for a month and run up a $500 tab, it's not an exorbitant amount of money. Threatening to stop coming to a place you love because of one little thing seems like a crazy overreaction. Hell, asking to see the manager seems like a crazy overreaction. Kitchens are usually willing to accommodate people to a degree. To the extent that they are not, you are free to simply order something else.
On the other hand, it's one fucking egg. As a manager it's your job to know who your regulars and big tippers are (this is assuming the guy is a true regular and a big tipper). Offering a to comp a $70 meal, rather than parting with one measly 10 cent egg out of principle is a terrible stance to take for business and for general customer service. You put that egg on his sandwich, you charge him $1.50 extra, you smile. you nod, you say "have a great day, sorry for the wait", and you send your runner down the street buy a fucking dozen more eggs.
Sounds like two egos clashing over the pettiest of nonsense. Jimmies were rustled.
Some places will explicitly state on their menus that no substitutions are allowed on certain entrees and specials. A lot of times the little things just break the assembly line of churning these things out, other times yes, it's a food integrity thing. No, we can't make you a gluten free deep-fried burger, next question. No. we're not going to put ketchup and mayo on your artisanal chicken pesto.
LOL, I can't imagine wanting to do business with someone if they call out the manager, delaying food for everyone else in the party and making them feel awkward, just because they can't get a special order.
Oh I agree. If I was owner in that situation I would make an
My guess is that the manager is running a tight ship with his inventory. Worrying about not having enough eggs for the waffle specials before the next shipment of food is a legitimate concern. It's a delicate balance.
Skellig Gra
Member
If it were me, as I mentioned earlier, I'd be more concerned about other people seeing the special order and then wanting to do it themselves. You risk alienating ever patron in the restaurant.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
Good chefs combine specific ingredients and cooking methods for a reason. Refusing to alter a recipe does not make them a bad chef.
Count Dookkake
Member
Can't go to a restaurant that's been burned down.
kavanf1
Member
I worked in a reasonably high end restaurant for three years, the idea that they would be running on such thin margins that giving someone an egg would be problematic seems ludicrous. Especially if it was a well known customer. Just charge them a stupid amount for it and be done with it. This sounds like a combination of poor customer service and overly prescriptive rules.
That said, an egg on a burger? What is wrong with this guy?
That said, an egg on a burger? What is wrong with this guy?
Yes, but surely it's better to run the risk (not certainty) of running out of the waffles one order earlier, which will lead to a customer ordering something else or possibly leaving as opposed to comping a $71 meal and still having an unsatisfied customer.
Eggs on burgers are great. Eggs on pizza are also great.
Usually restaurants are very accomodating to my requests, but then again my requests usually amount to a change of side dishes. Like Fries instead of Spätzle or the other way around. Both items already on the menu.
That being said I'd be perplexed as well, especially if they had an egg special at the time a single egg on a burger shouldn't be an issue.
That being said I'd be perplexed as well, especially if they had an egg special at the time a single egg on a burger shouldn't be an issue.
Skellig Gra
Member
Was it from Yahoo Finance?
adamantypants
Member
Dude that's dumb lol. Just give him the damn egg.
There was this sushi place my ex and I used to go to all the time. Eventually the chefs knew us by name and just started making all kinds of weird shit for us. Sushi wasn't the best in this city, but their friendliness always won us over.
There was this sushi place my ex and I used to go to all the time. Eventually the chefs knew us by name and just started making all kinds of weird shit for us. Sushi wasn't the best in this city, but their friendliness always won us over.
entremet
Member
Original story
http://theduncangroup.com/blog/the-six-thousand-dollar-egg
The comments are not kind lol
http://theduncangroup.com/blog/the-six-thousand-dollar-egg
The comments are not kind lol
Fried Food
Banned
It's a chain restaurant, ain't no chef making shit there. Just charge him extra and give him the damn egg
Again we don't know what the situation is for that restaurant at the time. I definitely agree that it's worth losing that one order of waffles though.
As silly as it sounds, comping his meal is not a bad alternative either. Sure the house loses out but it'll definitely keep the customer coming back.
Edit: I hope.
Edit 2: Oh it's a chain? It might be a corporate decision then.
maybe the chef was just having a particularly bad day and people didn't want to argue with him, head chefs can be pretty scary.
if mister eggburger wanted an egg just be cheeky and take the comped meal and then order something that includes a fried egg and do the manual labor of putting it on himself, hee haw
if mister eggburger wanted an egg just be cheeky and take the comped meal and then order something that includes a fried egg and do the manual labor of putting it on himself, hee haw
I remember over a year or so ago, my family and I went to a nearby On the Border. I was a vegetarian (now going into veganism) so I asked for the cheese enchiladas without the chili con carne on top. Now we go to this specific OTB a lot and had made that request several times and it was always done without needing to speak to a manager or anything. This time though, the server looked confused and said that she would need to speak to a manger to see if it was possible. When she left to ask, we all just kinda laughed because it had never been a problem before. Thankfully it was okay'd and we continue to eat there.
Tom Nook Sawyer
Member
Dude, you're missing out. Some of the best burgers I've had added eggs to them. It's not *that* uncommon
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
"By the way, we left immediately and went next door to Whole Foods, a gourmet grocery store. Our motive was to check on the price of their eggs."
What a dink.
Nice to put a name with the username, Hi Todd.
Who doesn't know the price of eggs? Also, does Whole Foods sell artisan eggs suspended in water?
Risible
Member
The story makes NO sense whatsoever. Why on earth would they comp you a $71 meal over a ten cent egg? I call bullshit.
That being said, I would totally discontinue going to a place if I was regular and they refused a simple request. It's virtually no effort whatsoever to put an egg on a burger.
You are paying a premium to eat out, and your wishes should be accommodated.
When I was 19 or so I used to frequent a deli near my place of business every day. I spent at least $15 a day there for 6 months or so. One day I asked for an extra tea bag in my tea because I wanted some extra caffeine. The owner charged me double for the tea, so now instead of the already hugely marked-up $1.50 I usually paid he's asking for $3.00 just because he put another five cent teabag in there. When I mentioned it he acted like he was doing me a favor for even granting my request. I politely thanked him, took my food, and never stepped foot in the place again. He threw away a customer that had spent $75 a week at his place over a teabag worth pennies.
edit: finished looking at more replies and I'm astounded at how many people are defending the restaurant. It's not entitled to want your food a certain way especially when you are generally paying a huge premium for food when eating out.
That being said, I would totally discontinue going to a place if I was regular and they refused a simple request. It's virtually no effort whatsoever to put an egg on a burger.
You are paying a premium to eat out, and your wishes should be accommodated.
When I was 19 or so I used to frequent a deli near my place of business every day. I spent at least $15 a day there for 6 months or so. One day I asked for an extra tea bag in my tea because I wanted some extra caffeine. The owner charged me double for the tea, so now instead of the already hugely marked-up $1.50 I usually paid he's asking for $3.00 just because he put another five cent teabag in there. When I mentioned it he acted like he was doing me a favor for even granting my request. I politely thanked him, took my food, and never stepped foot in the place again. He threw away a customer that had spent $75 a week at his place over a teabag worth pennies.
edit: finished looking at more replies and I'm astounded at how many people are defending the restaurant. It's not entitled to want your food a certain way especially when you are generally paying a huge premium for food when eating out.
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