Submitted by Phil Roy.
This has happened three times over the past few weeks. My wife and I have gone to three different restaurants here in Lakewood. We went to breakfast at the Black Bear Dinner one morning and waited about 40 minutes after we ordered for our food to arrive at the table. When I questioned the waitress, she stated that they had to do all the Door Dash, Uber, and Hub Grub orders before they did the dine in customers orders.
Then we went to MOD Pizza and they were doing all the deliver orders before they would take dine-in customers orders.
Then on Wednesday evening I ordered online from Long Beach Cafe and their website states online orders will be ready in 20 minutes. I ordered at 4:44 pm, got to Long Beach at 5:05 pm and didn’t get my order until 5:35 pm. When I asked why the delay, it was because they had to get the delivery orders out.
These three restaurants have no respect for their dine-in customers when they bow to the delivery companies but complain how much they have to pay the delivery company. Their dine in customers should be more respected and give priority over the people who use these delivery services. They seem to have time to wait.
Wake-up restaurants and make your dine-in customers your priority! Or lose them.
I totally agree with you. A balance is needed. Makes me not want to go to those particular restaurants.
Same way I feel when I’m at a counter at some retail service store to buy something and began a conversation when I’m asked to wait while they get the phone , then spend all sorts of time talking to them, instead of saying , please hold .
Yep! Super annoying! Used to be they would take customers in order…. Nowadays employees just do what they want if they do much at all. It’s less work to shove food in a bag or talk to someone on the phone. And wow, you politely mention any problem, and they instantly flip out and start with the histrionics! Used to be a person would be immediately fired for such behavior!
Well said Phil!
Bear in mind that those delivery orders have been what has kept restaurants afloat during the past two and a half years. Restaurant business models have changed, and coupled with staffing shortages, it’s going to take some time for things to return to pre-pandemic practices.
I second that. I’m thankful these restaurants hung in there during what had to be the most difficult time to endure. We owe them a big helping of patience as our world slowly resumes its prior pace.
Cindy, they need to communicate better to the dine in customers. Not just walk around and then you have to ask them. Most times when I go in to dine I am not in a hurry but the incident at Long Beach I was in a hurry. I ordered online at 4:44 pm and according to their website it was suppose to be ready for pickup at 5:05 pm. Had to wait another 30 minutes for my food while door dash, Uber, etc. was going out in front of me. We visit Long Beach and Black Bear often and I will probably still support these restaurants, just be respectful of your dine in customers. They are just as important as the other customers. They should have to menu prices, one for the delivery @ 10-15% higher than the dine in customers.
Dave, I understand that, but they still need to balance it out. If people can order from home for someone to deliver their food, then they can wait like the rest of us.
Completely agree with Dave Hall and Cindy. It is also likely that delivery orders are here to stay. I talked to a friend in the restaurant business who said both types of customers are extremely important to her business. She has to work with some of the variables and schedules of drivers who are picking up and delivering multiple orders from different locations. She knows to the minute when they will arrive and food has to be packaged and ready to go. As someone who dines in and has meals delivered, I’ve learned to be patient in whichever situation I’m in.
I agree with Dave and Cindy. Some of our longterm restaurants closed because of covid. Some businesses also closed. This covid has been hard on businesses, I am grateful the businesses mentioned and others were able to stay in business like my favorite nursery in University Place. I can wait a few minutes if that is what it takes to stay in business.
People who have never owned a small business have no idea what the overhead costs are to run a business. So many costs and taxes to communities and employee taxes, costs for a phone system, and so many more. It is crazy the overhead no one realizes small businesses have to pay to stay in business.
Pat, I have never owned a small business but I have worked for a major corporation and dealt with P&L. To make a statement about the overhead, these owners complain about the 30% they have to pay these delivery companies. I just read yesterday that the delivery companies are beginning to charge a fuel surcharge of .35 cent per order. If they want to keep more money and cut their overhead, do away with these delivery companies. Just a thought.
I too have encountered delays in receiving my food at various restaurants. However I have a different take on things
First, was your food hot, fresh and prepared the way you like it?
Second, were you in a hurry?
When I go out I like to relax and enjoy the company I’m with, I don’t mind waiting and I hate being made to feel like I should eat & get out.
Third, I am thankful that the restaurants I like have been able to keep their doors open.
The turn around will come and you’ll see things return to normal.
Wishing you happy eating 😋
Four of us ate lunch at the Long Beach a few weeks ago and also had a very long wait. We chalked it up to a lack of employees. We were not too upset at the time. Now we are upset. Now that restrictions have been eliminated, the restaurants need to change their mindsets and cater to those who dine in. We are sure they make more money per person from people who dine in…especially if the restaurant serves alcohol.
All restaurants for dine in customers should tell them the wait time for getting their food on the table before they sit down or before ordering. It shows respect to the customer, If they do not do that simple gesture, that means your not respected in my mind. Who waits for 40 minutes for food to be served? It’s ok if your not in a hurry and have friends to talk to, but couples who just want to have a decent meal served at a decent time….I would find another restaurant. Believe me, not all restaurants are serving 40 minute or longer wait times.
Phil has a legitimate complaint.
My comment is: this was a welcome back and forth, rather than what sometimes looks like a food fight (yes I meant to say that). I commend all the “voices” above for your civility. Let’s keep at it.
I agree we have slowly started going out to restaurants again and never once used a door delivery in the two years. I am tired of hearing from restaurants that their hurting for business especially when they are rude in house diners. Wake up business
Then they expected to be tipped!🤔
I think it’s going to take some time to return to pre-Covid norms. In the meantime, try cooking at home.