Kevin P.
Yelp
First know that I have worked both in retail floor sales and I have worked in leadership growing teams by as much as 600%. I have taught leadership and authored a book on leadership tools. I do not believe that the customer is always right, but I do believe that the customer is always the customer.
That being said, we ordered the 8 oz Filet Mignon, medium-rare, with baked potatoes. I also had the mushrooms per the menu description, others substituted different sides. I would approximate the time after ordering to be 15 minutes. The manager came out and explained that there was a "technical difficulty" in the kitchen and they would not have baked potatoes for about an hour. We all took the mashed potatoes instead. Things happen, right? I get it. No problem.
It was about another 45 minutes before our food arrived. We were never told why. Our server was more interested in other parties where they were drinking alcohol (we were not). I would assume the reason to be the increase in her tip because of elevated checks for their meals. As I was with guests, I did not make a scene to ask.
After the long wait, when I cut into my steak it was more like medium-well than medium-rare. Out of 6 of us, 3 were well overdone. We requested a fix and the manager came out to take them back with apologies. We were left our mashed potatoes and other sides.
The manager came out and said that since there would be an additional wait that he would offer us a free dessert. Now I have an eyebrow raised. The Chophouse is supposed to be more of an upper-end restaurant. Yes, you pay for food, but you also pay for ambience, and you most assuredly pay for service. This was not the service that we were paying for nor expected from such an establishment.
Another 20 minutes, and after we had eaten all the sides we were left when he took the steaks back, and our new steaks arrived much more closely cooked to our order. However, the attitude of our server had dipped significantly and she was still not giving us much attention due to the alcohol table across the way.
Our free desserts were delivered and were tasty. We also ordered coffee, which was less than hot. Nothing was said. I then ordered a refill on coffee. It took about 10-15 minutes to be delivered. Our server said she had to wait on a fresh pot to brew. She was less than truthful. This time, my coffee was room temperature.
When the check came, the desserts were still on the bill. We requested a fix. When the server brought the fixed checks back, it was evident she didn't like taking them off the bill. Her tone was snarky and mocking.
No, I, the customer, am not always right. But I AM always the customer. I get to choose where I put my dollars for a meal. It is people like me that pay your salaries, earn you bonuses at the end of the year or quarterly, and I have influence among many in our community.
I will give grace and forgiveness to you as individuals before you even ask. But I will not choose to spend my dollars in your establishment when there is a lack of good leadership and good customer service. Money is too valuable. So are relationships. And good food is always a strengthening bond of relationships. I value my time building relationships and my money too much to not be a good steward of how I spend both. You should too.