Importance of Service?

[HondaB18]

Lets say there are two restaurants, one has mediocre food but good service while the other restaurant has above average food but okay service. Which would you order from?

[vietkid_2006]

Good service will always be the better restaurant. it's how you get people to come back.

[crazymikey]

Of course I'm going to go back somewhere with fantastic service.

When I'm treated like a nobody or a number, there's no emotion or care in the service and it's not a memorable experience.

For instance, I go to the Tim Hortons by my work EVERY day. I'm on a first name basis with some of the workers there. I walk in every day, they pretty much know what I'm going to get. Sometimes even give me free stuff. And on top of that they're chatty and cheerful. Makes a nice start to my day to be greeted and sociable with pleasant people like that.

It's little things like that which make you appreciate the service and that some people actually care.

[mozzandherb]

Honestly, if they have good food I would go back even if they had shitty service because the next time you go you might get a better service and hopefully the food will still be as good.

[PointBlank]

I don't go out and eat just for the fact that someone is serving me, it's all about the food.

[2.2litrebeater]

As long as they arent complete asswipes im going to the place with the better food.

[accordztech]

id find a new place that has both.

[deevergote]

Good food can make up for bad service to a point... but only so much.

Of course, I was a waiter for a very long time, so I'm both very critical and very understanding. For me to consider service "bad", the server has to be very obviously incapable of doing their job.

[DrLove'sKuDang]

I would prefer good food. And if the service sucked, they get a shitty tip.

[crazymikey]

if the service sucks, chances are you're at a place with mediocre food anyways.

[deevergote]

That's very true. I used to work at Bennigan's... the service sucked, and the food sucked. I mean, it was "good" in the McDonald's sense of the word... but it wasn't good food, and the kitchen was incompetent. The service was lousy not only because the staff was poorly trained, but also because they management was nearly nonexistant, the place was ALWAYS understaffed, and the food was so incredibly cheap that a table of 2 could eat for $15... and a $3 tip (20&#37 was about all a server could expect for that table... and they rarely got it. With 6 tables at a time, $3 each on average, and only about 3 table rotations in a shift (if they're lucky), the servers were looking at a $50 night at best in many cases. Not a whole lot of motivation to do a good job!

[deevergote]

That's very true. I used to work at Bennigan's... the service sucked, and the food sucked. I mean, it was "good" in the McDonald's sense of the word... but it wasn't good food, and the kitchen was incompetent. The service was lousy not only because the staff was poorly trained, but also because they management was nearly nonexistant, the place was ALWAYS understaffed, and the food was so incredibly cheap that a table of 2 could eat for $15... and a $3 tip (20&#37 was about all a server could expect for that table... and they rarely got it. With 6 tables at a time, $3 each on average, and only about 3 table rotations in a shift (if they're lucky), the servers were looking at a $50 night at best in many cases. Not a whole lot of motivation to do a good job!

After Bennigan's, I worked for Outback Steakhouse for a year. The entire corporate structure is superior. The servers are properly trained (I opened the store, and I had a WEEK of classes and practice, and tests...), the food is moderately priced (so a table of 2 can easily have a $40 check), the restaurant is always properly staffed, the management is supportive and knowledgeable, and the kitchen is competent. Service at an Outback Steakhouse is in general very good for these reasons.

[HondaB18]

Good food can make up for bad service to a point... but only so much.

I agree, and to how much is what I want to figure out. Between a take out place and a dine in restaurant I'm guessing the service is more important for a dine in.

I would prefer good food. And if the service sucked, they get a shitty tip.

I agree but during these tough times, tips are getting less and less even if the service is fantastic. Employees are getting stiffed more than before, it doesn't really encourage them to give 110%. I know that for every 4 bad tippers there may be 1 good one.

if the service sucks, chances are you're at a place with mediocre food anyways.

What if this place with good food is sorta like a hole in the wall?

[crazymikey]

Well if it's a small hole in the wall restaurant, I would expect it to have better service. Because the place is smaller and maybe less busy, the staff has more time and effort to spend on you.

[HondaB18]

Well if it's a small hole in the wall restaurant, I would expect it to have better service. Because the place is smaller and maybe less busy, the staff has more time and effort to spend on you.

What if it is fairly busy and the employees are understaff?