After you eat at a certain restaurant on a frequent basis, you become...a Regular.
Some people, like me strive for this status. The Regular position can work wonders not only to get good service, but can also lead to discounts and other breaks from your favorite restaurant.
At Starbucks a Regular can walk in and have their drink made to perfection without ordering. If you're Regular at most restaurants and the servers know you they will anticipate what you plan on drinking and bring it to you when they come to greet your table. If you're a Regular at Chipotle you may be able to get a break on the meal or free chips and salsa.
What happens when Regular service turns bad? I have experienced this on a frequent basis. I reach the coveted level of Regular and then I somehow turn into a "friend/buddy" of the server and things change drastically. For some reason many restaurants and servers are convinced that if you are a "Regular" that you don't need the same treatment/experience as everyone else.
When I was at First Watch last week, the server came to our table and didn't greet us. She then wanted to know if we were ready to order because "We should know what we want". The server didn't share the specials, and then dropped the check while we were half way through our meal. This is not the first time it has happened and I've had a similar experience at many different restaurants.
Do they expect I will just keep coming back because I always have? If anything, the "Regulars" should receive better service than everybody else, not less because "they always come in."
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The "Regular" Service
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It's rare for me to be anything but a regular because I always get the same thing and only go to the same places. I love the fact that I can walk in, and be greeted by EVERYBODY. I never order anything the way it is on the menu which results in recognition not only by the to-go people, but also by the guys in the kitchen, and the hostesses if I call in my order. It's great!! There is, however, one problem place. When I go, the manager knows me so she usually doesn't greet me or talk to me or anything, she is USUALLY on her cell phone(I don't know, she could be talking to a different store, but still, cell phones are sketchy when you're working, I think). She just sees me, says "8.54" and we're done. Sometimes I can't tell if it's because I am young(ish) or because I come so often. It's weird, though. So I try to go to the place in Tampa as often as possible and avoid the Clearwater location. So, yeah, being a regular is great...and we deserve a special amount of respect for our dedication.
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