Allan R.
Yelp
Let me begin by saying the food is good. They make the mundane, gourmet-ish. Our server was friendly and efficient. The ONE STAR rating is for one rude lady in the staff.
My family and I were looking for a quick bite, and since we rarely frequented the Sacramento area; we searched for something that looked interesting. That's how we ended up in The Rind. We chose to sit outside because we had our dogs with us. We were promptly seated, and served water; good start. Shortly after, our orders were taken. Then the long wait. My wife went in to follow-up our orders. Our server said that it was coming out. Then this lady RUDELY BUTTED IN asking "What are you here for?" My wife simply said that we were just following up our order because it seems to be taking quite some time. A minute later, same lady comes out, ACCOSTING us, saying "ARE WE OKAY HERE? Was your server not good, etc., etc." I answered back, "Nah he's good, it's just that our order is taking too long." To which she asked QUITE RUDELY, "WHY, ARE YOU IN A HURRY?" I restrained myself, "Yes!" And she retorted back still, "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD US!"
This is where that voice in my head said, WTF kind of an approach is that to customers who merely followed up on their orders. And what business did she have asking if we were in a hurry? I think she took one look at us, and the way we were dressed, and quickly decided that were not classy enough. The point is the food took TOO LONG to come out. I would have understood if they said that all orders are prepared from scratch, or had we been told that they have an X number of minutes for prep time. I would've gladly waited. I always used to tell my HRM students, expectation management is key to good service.
Our server came out shortly with our food. He asked nicely if we were okay. I said that it wasn't him, he was good. It was that RUDE LADY, who shouldn't be in contact with customers or even be in front of house. Maybe she'll do better bussing tables, or washing dishes.
Good meal ruined. I gave TWO STARS for the "atmosphere." There's some bad juju out there, even our dogs were uncomfortable and uncharacteristically restless. There's something about the big tree in front of the establishment, then again that's just me.
All in all, good food brings customers in. Bad service keeps them away. Again, not our server (tall guy, sorry forgot to ask your name, you treated us well). IT WAS THAT RUDE LADY that ruined it for the restaurant named after food peelings.