Angelia H.
Google
Let me tell y’all about our experience at Byrds in Newport News, VA today… 😒
My cousin, one of my bike friends, and I went there for brunch. When we arrived, the manager told us there would be about an hour and a half wait before we could be seated which was fine with us.
There were four groups ahead of us, and they got seated pretty quickly. While we were waiting, we noticed several empty tables, but we didn’t say anything we were just talking amongst ourselves. Then we overheard the manager telling the hostess there were two groups ahead of us and each group had a party of two.
After about 40 minutes, we were still waiting, and there were at least five open tables. The manager wouldn’t allow the hostess to seat us, even though the two groups she mentioned never came back. But we stayed patient.
About 10 minutes later, the hostess was finally able to seat us. We asked if we could sit at a different table that fit us better. She said yes, but here comes the manager again saying no because the seating was separate. So we moved without a problem.
While we were waiting to place our order, we went live on social media to talk about our experience so far. That must’ve hit a nerve, because the manager walked over and asked my cousin if there was a problem because she seems like she had an attitude and if we still wanted to eat there. I told her we were a little upset, but everything was fine.
Fast forward, my cousin and friend ordered tea to go. My cousin took a sip and pulled curly black hair out of her mouth. 😳
We called the waitress over just to inform her of what has happened, and no we weren’t trying to get anything for free. The waitress than proceeded to tell the manager. The manager laughed, then came over to tell us that no one in her kitchen had that type of hair basically accusing us of putting the hair in the tea ourselves.
I asked her if that’s what she was saying, and she looked me dead in my face and said yes.
Mind you, I have two braids, my cousin has dreads, and my friend has straight hair. The hair was curly and black. 🤨
We asked her to check the cameras, and she said she would, but she never did while we were standing there. Instead, she kept trying to argue and “explain policy,” whatever that meant.
Then she asked my cousin if she wanted to speak to the owner. My cousin said yes, and as the manager walked off to go get her, she laughed.
When the owner came out, my cousin asked if they could speak privately so other customers could check out. The owner said no, told us to get out, and said we wouldn’t be back.
And she’s absolutely right, because we won’t. 🚫
That was one of the most unprofessional, disrespectful, and embarrassing experiences I’ve ever had at a restaurant.
If y’all ever plan to eat at Byrds in Newport News, VA, just know, the food might not be the only thing left with a bad taste. 👎🏽