Politeness over the mediocre quality of served dishes at restaurants.

I don't go to restaurants where that happens.

I agree with you that one should let the kitchen know if a dish was not good, but I would be too embarrased except in an extreme case (such as Evan's bottle of vinegar -- though I don't drink alcohol).

However, when they ask me if the food is good, I tell them honestly if it's really great (which I expect when I eat at a restaurant). Otherwise they get an unenthusiastic ("it's okay", or "it's fine," by which I mean "acceptable.") I suppose if it was really bad I'd say something. But again, I don't go to restaurants where that happens.

And if I am in a low-class restaurant because I'm with friends, I say I'm not hungry and eat nothing. I'd rather eat a good meal at home later than waste calories and appetite eating mediocre food. If a restaurant serves food that's not as good as I'd get at home, I wait to eat until I am home. Skipping lunch never hurt anyone.

 

As I get older, I have become less likely to "let it go". It usually isn't the food though...it is the service. I am not a picky eater...but I expect sevice to be better as you go "up" the cost chain. Also, my oldest has been a server for 3 years and she is my standard now (I think she is excellent).

The other day I ordered the Strawberry Shortcake at "Tumbleweed's". I did not like it and told the server. But I also told her there was nothing wrong with it, I just didn't like it. My wife thought it was fine. The manager came out all concerned. I didn't ask for anything since I told him it was a matter of taste. I prefer sweet biscuits (there's is a plain biscuit with a glaze coating) and I like non-crunchy strawberries with sugary sauce. Kinda like the way my mom made it.

Anyway...I am rambling. I don't tolerate mediocre service....too many restaurants can make good food to tolerate it.

 

Good/bad tips (for service) and good/bad comment cards are helpful too. There is nothing snobbish about it, you are providing a valuable service. Plus, as was stated earlier, there are many occasions in which you will get some free food out of the deal.

 

If I am trying something new and the taste isn't quite to my liking, me personally, I keep it.
But, there is nothing wrong with sending back ill-prepared food. Restaurant owners would much rather you return food than to go away unhappy with the quality and never return.

A couple of weeks ago we were out to dinner with some friends at a mid-priced joint with a good reputation – I had been there several times. The she friend is allergic to a certain type of nut (I don't remember which). She carries an antidote in her purse because it is that serious. She had her heart set on a certain dish . . . which, according to the menu, is prepared with “that†nut. She asked the waiter, who said, “absolutely, it can be prepared without that nut.†The friend reiterated the seriousness of her allergy. The waiter went and asked the chef, came back and said all would be OK, so, she ordered the dish. When it came, she dug around to make sure, then took a couple of bites. After playing around with her food a little more, she found one of “those†nuts!

Of course she returned the dish. Instead of the waiter taking the plate, the restaurant's policy is to have the chef personally come retrieve it and deliver the replacement. Now that is personalized service! He apologized profusely several times, made her another plate of the same (without nuts this time), and then apologized a few more times.

They not only comped her meal, they comped the entire table.
We left what would have been twice the tip . . . afterall, it wasn't the waiter's fault - and he had to spend extra time on us.
Because of the way they handled the situation, they did not lose a customer.

 

Consumer studies show that most people don't complain during a bad experience, but don't come back and also tell their friends about it, so I'd say that most people vote with their feet. I fall into this category. I don't often complain unless it's really bad. Like others here, I hate to look pompous.

Tom

 

I eat out often (maybe 3-5 times a week), restaurants of all ranges, but for the most part, stick to the Carrabba's, Outback's, Long Horn's, Olive Garden's for non-special, daily dinners/meals. I'm pretty much with doc on this, it varies and depends upon the situation...

There are some generalizations for me though: I'll never yell at waitstaff (unless it's something really bad and blatant), and I'll almost always tip heavily, as MOST don't want to wait tables, and are just trying to make a living...

When my parents lived in NYC, we used to eat out so much, I never appreciated a good restaurant. My dad would sometimes (often it seemed..lol) blow-up, and I mean REALLY blow-up on the waitstaff if the service was off by even a hair. Never really saw the point in getting worked up over it, if it's that crappy, I just usually get up and leave and tell the Maitre'd why, and that's the end of it...

 

If something is undercooked or obviously not right I would probably send it back. With good service and food comes good tips though..besides a good meal, a full water glass is big for me.

My friend gave me the best compliment ever, she said because I cook so well that sometimes I must be disappointed at a restaurant. I try to look at every dining experience as a chance to learn and enjoy the company.