Food Review

[Army_of_One]

We just had dinner for the 1st time at the new place on the east side that used to be the depot or whatever. 1st of all the big screen in the bar area is the bomb. This will be a great place to watch Monday night feetball.

We were seated and the guy who seated us (maybe the owner/manager) told us they were shorthanded so our service might take awhile. (an understatement) At that point he probably should have helped out and took our drink order but no dice on that one. We sat there for 11 minutes (I timed it) before we got our drink order taken. It took another 6 minutes to get the drinks (2 beers and 2 glasses of water (which came 3 minutes after the beer)). Before our drinks even arrived the girl wanted to take our dinner order. I told her I would like to wait on my drinks first and the appetizer. The appetizer was the potato skins. Yuck...killed with cheese. They put orange slices on the plate for decoration...can't figure that one out. It comes with Ranch according to the menu but we had to ask for the ranch. Wife had the coconut shrimp which was pretty good. She asked what kind of sauce came with it and the girl didn't have a clue. I had the chicken fried steak and rings. Both were average and not as good as Montana Mikes. I ran out of water for about 6 minutes before the girl came back. (by this time there was only one other table so the "i'm busy" excuse didn't fly.) I gave the girl a $50.00 to pay for a 39.00 meal. For change she brought me back a $10.00. I guess she either expected a $10.00 tip or no tip. I don't blame her totally though this is just poor training. I won't go back until football season and then only to watch football and drink beer. The bottom line is that no matter how good the food is (average) if you have untrained people waiting tables it ruins the entire dining experience. They should spend MORE time training their staff. There is MUCH more to waiting tables than writing down an order and half assed getting it to the table..... GRADE: D

[notyoubob]

I think there are three things every young person should do before settling down on a career: 1) Work as a trashman, so you will understand that if I almost get it in the dumpster it's good enough doesn't cut it. 2) Work at a job where you have to rely on tips and know that withholding or lowering a standard tip because of poor service, food or drink may not be the fault of your server, and 3) own your own business, even if it's small so you understand every $20 bill isn't yours.
Army, what percentage tip did you leave?

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by notyoubob

I think there are three things every young person should do before settling down on a career: 1) Work as a trashman, so you will understand that if I almost get it in the dumpster it's good enough doesn't cut it. 2) Work at a job where you have to rely on tips and know that withholding or lowering a standard tip because of poor service, food or drink may not be the fault of your server, and 3) own your own business, even if it's small so you understand every $20 bill isn't yours.
Army, what percentage tip did you leave?

Well, the bill was 39.50 and I left her $8.00. I usually tip 20% and actually I very seldom blame the server....I blame the management. I don't like to punish the server because unless they have a bad attitude and in that case I just speak with the manager....Servers that aren't trained don't know any better because they don't know what right looks like thanks to their training or lack there of. I blame the management and consequently will not eat there anymore.

I have waited tables a lot...even when I was at Fort Sill back in the day I moonlighted about 30 hours a week as a shift manager at a large mexican restaurant. Our manager was a Nazi so to speak. He demanded perfection. We had 2 weeks of training to include memorizing the menu and ingredients prior to being allowed on the floor. There was little room for error or you would be cut and sent home. Great service can make up for average food but poor service will ruin you dining experience regardless of how fantastic the food is.

[youngwhippersnapper]

I'd have to say that I rate the quality or service at the Hitchin' Post about the same as this new Depot restaraunt. I'll admit that the last time I was there they were unusually busy. But, I do east there semi-frequently up until about 2 months ago. And even then, on their slow nights service was sub par.

I feel bad for the truckers who bust their ass keeping our country rolling. When they have little alternative but to eat at this establishment. Obvious bad attitudes from the wait staff. Slow service in general even on slow days.

Quality of food is outstanding though. But like it was said in a few of the previous entries under this topics. Quality of food is easily marred by quality of service.

[Army_of_One]

Last night I was in Amarillo and ate at "On the Border". The young lady that served us was fantastic. Before I left I asked for the manager and let him know that her service was aweseome.

[hoarsewhisperer]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

Last night I was in Amarillo and ate at "On the Border". The young lady that served us was fantastic. Before I left I asked for the manager and let him know that her service was aweseome.

WE DISCOVERED ON THE BORDER IN WICHITA LAST FEB.! IT'S WONDERFUL!

[Value Pack]

We were seated and the guy who seated us (maybe the owner/manager) told us they were shorthanded so our service might take awhile. (an understatement)

Almost the same here for us. We could see the writing on the wall, so after a long time for the drinks and would have been much longer for the food order, we walked out on them. Told them to cancel the order. We would go elsewhere.

This location may be cursed. Have always received poor service at this location no matter what or who the management.

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

Last night I was in Amarillo and ate at "On the Border". The young lady that served us was fantastic. Before I left I asked for the manager and let him know that her service was aweseome.

AOO, does your wife know you were "on the border" with some "young lady"???
You better be careful in Amarillo!! Don't tell anybody that you know me!!

[Quietly]

I've eaten at Central Station a few times and have no complaints about the food or service. There was one time when our food orders took longer than usual to arrive, but at least the server warned us when we were seated that they were running behind. (I can tolerate a long wait up to a point if I'm warned up front, but I can't stand it if I wait ... and wait ... and wait and the server doesn't tell me the reason for the delay until I'm angry and ready to walk out.) I try to give a place a few tries before I decide to boycott it, but my patience with poor service is rapidly dwindling.

The customer service problem isn't limited to just one place — I've had bad service at nearly every restaurant in town at one time or another. I don't know what the solution is —*maybe a hospitality training program will help.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Quietly

The customer service problem isn't limited to just one place — I've had bad service at nearly every restaurant in town at one time or another. I don't know what the solution is —*maybe a hospitality training program will help.

Bad customer service is about the norm at most any business in Dodge City!