Dinner at Ohana on 3/10- Not Very Good!

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Maybe i'm just a little too laid back, but doesn't it seem like you're making a mountain out of a molehill? I mean seriously, you're complaining about having to leave an 18% tip for a girl who sent the chef out to clarify your specifications. And that is the justification you give for her service being "nonsense". Even if she insisted on doing it after you said it wasn't necessary, wasn't it more of a hassle to argue with her about it than to just say "ok, thanks for your concern"? You could have saved yourself the hassle, stress and high blood pressure by just saying "ok". Choice would be easy for me...lol

As for the food being subpar, I would take that up with the management and the restaraunt. The waitress has no say in how quick the food comes out or whether the potatoes and meat are dry. Most times if they mention something to the cooks, their heads are bit off.

I am not only a waitress who has to deal with food allergies, but also a medical assistant who knows plenty about health liability, so no, i'm not just spouting off...lol I know I cringe when I have to bring out food knowing it doesn't look how it should.

Not to mention, like she said to you, that's not only in your best interests, but also covers you and them in case the chef makes a mistake after being informed OR if you do not clarify and end up in a medical emergency.



And 18 % is a minimum that they charge for standard service, any service that excells in that aspect should be tipped additionally. You base service on the waitresses behavior, NOT the quality of food and how quickly the cooks make it.

I totally agree with everything you said. Some people like to complain about ANYTHING they can think of so they feel better about not leaving a good enough tip.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

You had me until this sentence. I absolutely and completely disagree. 18% is a number that Disney has come up with; it is NOT a baseline for standard service. That make it sound like as long as my waitress tries to serve well they should receive 18% and any efforts above baseline should be tipped more. That's my whole problem with this auto gratuity. I tip well. I usually tip over 20%. But I tip because I WANT to. To have Disney or a waitress like yourself suggest that I should pay 18% and THEN start tipping "because I want to" is insulting and makes me think that waitresses are selfish and don't appreciate the tips I leave. It makes me not want to tip AT ALL. A tip is given for good service (and I'll happily conceed that the service should be judged on only what the wait person has control over) and should be earned not expected.

It's based on a party of 6, which take a lot of effort. To someone who hasn't waitressed, it may seem like they have it easy, but when they are juggling 15 tables with screaming children food allergies, this one wants their check NOW even though you have to deliver food to a table thats fuming cause it's been over an hour...... IT'S CRAZY AND YOU WANT TO SCREAM... but you can't. That 18% minimum is to make sure you get something for all the work you have to put into that table. It's the same way at the place I work at in NH. Any party over 6 automatically gets charged a 18% gratuity to their bill. Most of the time I don't do it cause my customers tip me great... but everyonce in a while it pays to do it. I've had tables that come in, monopolize my time while I have 10 other tables, get good service and because their mashed potatoes had lumps or skins... leave $6 on a $120 bill. Ridiculous!

I have a friend who is a waitress at Disney and she says that is their minimum because like the post above says, people on vacation tend to find ridiculous things to blow out of proportion just to leave a smaller tip. Especially when their bill is $200 for a party of 10 and 18% means they're expected to leave at least a $40 dollar tip.

I did not mean for it to sound like EVERYONE had leave leave 18% mandatory, but I would never leave anything less than 20% as long as the waitress tried and wasn't rude to me and my family. You don't know what kind of customers she's had and getting a good tip when she knows it's a rough day can turn that day around

It's all in the Disney Spirit!!

 

[emma'smom]

Well..it was not some "girl" it was a grown woman who should have known better than to keep harassing a customer who had clearly said that her needs were met. So, while it may be been no big deal to you, it was to my mother. I really don't think the fact that my mother has diabetes needed to be publicized over and over to all of the other tables sitting near us. Clearly it was making my mother uncomfortable and it was quite obvious that it was. The waitress was unprofessional and I'm sorry but I don't like to be made to pay to have someone be rude and to make a meal unpleasant. 18% may be a minimum for "standard" service- but only if you call rude behavior a standard.

And to the PP, no we didn't try to have it removed because the whole situation was already unpleasant enough that I didn't want to pursue it further and make matters worse for my family.

So yes---it was nonsense, no- I didn't appreciate paying for it...and we didn't experience it anywhere else---so clearly it is not the standard!

Maybe i'm just a little too laid back, but doesn't it seem like you're making a mountain out of a molehill? I mean seriously, you're complaining about having to leave an 18% tip for a girl who sent the chef out to clarify your specifications. And that is the justification you give for her service being "nonsense". Even if she insisted on doing it after you said it wasn't necessary, wasn't it more of a hassle to argue with her about it than to just say "ok, thanks for your concern"? You could have saved yourself the hassle, stress and high blood pressure by just saying "ok". Choice would be easy for me...lol

As for the food being subpar, I would take that up with the management and the restaraunt. The waitress has no say in how quick the food comes out or whether the potatoes and meat are dry. Most times if they mention something to the cooks, their heads are bit off.

I am not only a waitress who has to deal with food allergies, but also a medical assistant who knows plenty about health liability, so no, i'm not just spouting off...lol I know I cringe when I have to bring out food knowing it doesn't look how it should.

Not to mention, like she said to you, that's not only in your best interests, but also covers you and them in case the chef makes a mistake after being informed OR if you do not clarify and end up in a medical emergency.



And 18 % is a minimum that they charge for standard service, any service that excells in that aspect should be tipped additionally. You base service on the waitresses behavior, NOT the quality of food and how quickly the cooks make it.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

I just think you're making a bigger deal out of it than it needed to be.

Didn't it draw more attention when you first argued with her, then chased her down?

The fact that she WAS a grown woman would make me think that she wasn't doing it for sh**s and giggles, that there was a reason why she was doing it.

Do you honestly think she was doing it just to embarass your mother? If you do, then you should have approached management, not stayed quiet. If you feel so strongly about something, say something! Don't just sit there, then blast them on the boards without giving them a chance to rectify the situation or at least try to make it up to you.

And you can't blame the food quality or menu tweaks on her....she's not the chef or management.

Hopefully next time you will speak up instead of letting it fester. It's not good for your health!

 

[dzorn]

It may not be the end of the world but the waitress was WRONG. Being diabetic and having a food allergy are two different things. My daughter has a food allergy it is alway noted on the reservation. We often know what our options are ahead of time. If I have to wait to order for my family because a waitress insists I see the chef unnecessarily it would irritate me also. I have often told the waitress I do not need to see the chef if the have gluten free pizza available or if breakfast gluten free Mickey waffles. They either bring out what I ordered or if it was not available the chef comes out. If you know specifically what you want in the OP case sugar free dessert there is no need to waste anyones time by getting the Chef.

End of the World NO, ruin my day NO, worth and 18% tip to wait for no necessary reason NO

Denise in MI

 

[PrincessMomto2]

First of all I am sorry you did not enjoy your meal. But I do agree with the posters who feel that too much is being made of the situation regarding the waitress. With all the sue happy people in this world I am sure that the servers are told to get the chef when someone states that they have a medical condition or a an alergy. While we might "think" we know what we can and can not have we don't know exactly unless we cooked the meal. I really don't think the waitress was rude at all but just doing her job.

Hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip.

 

[i3utterfli82]

Personally I think your server deserved her tip as she went out of her way to make sure the chef came over even if you didn't want it. What would have happened if she didn't go out of her way and your mother got sick on something that was served? She was doing her job.

 

[susieq76]

You had me until this sentence. I absolutely and completely disagree. 18% is a number that Disney has come up with; it is NOT a baseline for standard service. That make it sound like as long as my waitress tries to serve well they should receive 18% and any efforts above baseline should be tipped more. That's my whole problem with this auto gratuity. I tip well. I usually tip over 20%. But I tip because I WANT to. To have Disney or a waitress like yourself suggest that I should pay 18% and THEN start tipping "because I want to" is insulting and makes me think that waitresses are selfish and don't appreciate the tips I leave. It makes me not want to tip AT ALL. A tip is given for good service (and I'll happily conceed that the service should be judged on only what the wait person has control over) and should be earned not expected.

I couldn't have said this better myself. I tip well- really well. But I need a reason to tip. Taking my order and dumping food in front of me, arguing with me (and thats what the issue is- not that she got the chef but that she continued to ARGUE with the OP) is not a tip me well attitude.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

Just thought that I would mention this... I told my mom, who is diabetic, about this thread and the... ahem... issues.

She looked at me and said "I asked my waitress the same thing when she said the chef needed to come out and speak to me about my needs and she told me that it's Disney policy".

Apparently, they are REQUIRED to have the chef come out and speak with you, if only to cover their own butts. They don't do it because it's fun.... they do it cause if they don't and someone finds out, they could get fired.

So if you went to other sit down places while you were there and they didn't treat you the same, then THEY were wrong, not her.

I would have argued with you if my job depended on it, too. Sorry.

 

[IHEARTNY]

I'd like to state right now that this isn't referring to the OP, I'd just like to state an opinion that most people who have been in the restaurant business would agree upon...

IMHO, every single person on the planet should work in the restaurant industry for at least six months out of his/her life. If only once, at least for at least that long. That was at least they'd have a better understanding about why things are done the way they are done.

And btw, for parties over a given amount set by the restaurant- there is almost always an 18% gratuity added to the bill. It's usually parties of 6-8 or more. But it is an industry standard. Sure random restaurants don't do it but the nicer the restaurant, the more likely you see that rule. I've served parties of 1 to my biggest party of 13 that I served by myself. Let me tell you that once you get over 5 people, the people in the party seem to get more high maintenance and well, it's just not easy in general. You have to watch that many more drinks, remember that many more orders... blah, blah, blah...

 

[shellybaxter]

IMHO, every single person on the planet should work in the restaurant industry for at least six months out of his/her life. If only once, at least for at least that long. That was at least they'd have a better understanding about why things are done the way they are done.

QUOTE]

This could be said about any job on the planet. Everyone's job is hard. I'd love to see some people try to work a shift in my child development center with 16 toddlers. Those ladies run their tails off. And by the way - no one tips them at the end of the day. And before you say they make minimum wage - they do - but here in California so to the servers.

 

[megal0331]

IMHO, every single person on the planet should work in the restaurant industry for at least six months out of his/her life. If only once, at least for at least that long. That was at least they'd have a better understanding about why things are done the way they are done.

QUOTE]

This could be said about any job on the planet. Everyone's job is hard. I'd love to see some people try to work a shift in my child development center with 16 toddlers. Those ladies run their tails off. And by the way - no one tips them at the end of the day. And before you say they make minimum wage - they do - but here in California so to the servers.

AMEN! I am a SAHM, CEO of our family and personal assistant to a 5 year old and 16 month old and I don't even get a paycheck! LOL.

 

[IHEARTNY]

This could be said about any job on the planet. Everyone's job is hard. I'd love to see some people try to work a shift in my child development center with 16 toddlers. Those ladies run their tails off. And by the way - no one tips them at the end of the day. And before you say they make minimum wage - they do - but here in California so to the servers.

Essentially what I was getting at was that the general population isn't an issue, but there is a big percentage of people who treat those who work in the food industry like crap. They really are complete bleep-heads. And I know anyone who has been in the restaurant industry understands. It has nothing to do with how hard the job is, or how hard ANY job is. I'm not stpuid so don't reply like I have no clue how difficult other jobs are!!!

All I am saying is everyone should do it once, then they would be such bleepholes when they go to restaurants as they would realize how some people threat other human beings is just awful!!! Because it really happens too much!!!!!

You would be amazed at how many people don't understand that when you add something extra like extra cheese for example, it's going to cost more. Along with being mean, I was amazed at how stupid people can be.

 

[shellybaxter]

Essentially what I was getting at was that the general population isn't an issue, but there is a big percentage of people who treat those who work in the food industry like crap. They really are complete bleep-heads. And I know anyone who has been in the restaurant industry understands. It has nothing to do with how hard the job is, or how hard ANY job is. I'm not stpuid so don't reply like I have no clue how difficult other jobs are!!!

All I am saying is everyone should do it once, then they would be such bleepholes when they go to restaurants as they would realize how some people threat other human beings is just awful!!! Because it really happens too much!!!!!

You would be amazed at how many people don't understand that when you add something extra like extra cheese for example, it's going to cost more. Along with being mean, I was amazed at how stupid people can be.

I'm not stupid either. My point was that there are many many difficult jobs in this world - most of them are difficult. Pretty much anyone who works with the public gets treated badly; those in the restaurant industry don't corner the market on that. I agree with you - it happens too much. What I don't see is the correlation between being treated poorly and receiving additional compensation in the form of a tip. As I said before, the ladies in my toddler room work their tails off and there are parents/grandparents/aunts ect who totally disrespect them. They don't ask for additional compensation because of it??

 

[MickeyNicki]

We went to Ohana last week and the food was amazing, so fresh, very good, no dry meat or tough meat. We are still raving about this fantastic meal.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

If I am reading this correctly, the OP and her mother made a request for a sugar free dessert. Thats all. They did not ask to speak with the chef and told the server there was no need to call him over. She also refused to continue with thier order until he came over. Now Im not sure, but it may be a Disney policy to request the chef if there may be any dietary issues so we may have to take that into account on the servers behalf.
However, this is an adult women who had to over and over again express to the server her wishes with no luck. In the past when it comes to posting regarding Ohanas I have read many times, as Im sure some of you have too, of stories where people have asked for childrens menus (just as an example) or other items and the servers insist your child eat the meal like the rest of the guests, then if they don't like it they will bring you a menu. (Again just one example listed in priors posts) There has been mention that the OP was out of line or wrong but what if the shoe was on the other foot and we were the ones who requesting an item and the server insisted on something else we would be upset as well. When it comes to guests having poor experiences at resturants, Ohanas tends to come up often with the same complaints.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

I'm not stupid either. My point was that there are many many difficult jobs in this world - most of them are difficult. Pretty much anyone who works with the public gets treated badly; those in the restaurant industry don't corner the market on that. I agree with you - it happens too much. What I don't see is the correlation between being treated poorly and receiving additional compensation in the form of a tip. As I said before, the ladies in my toddler room work their tails off and there are parents/grandparents/aunts ect who totally disrespect them. They don't ask for additional compensation because of it??

There is no way that daycare providers make 2.13 an hour, so I don't see how the two are at all the same And I don't understand where the idea that waitresses ask to be tipped more for bad treatment came from?

I know how my daughters daycare providers were treated by some parents, how I have been treated by customers, as well as how the bagger at the grocery store gets treated by some people. It happens everywhere and all the time.

But you know what I do? I open my mouth and let people know how rude they are being, then i'm extra nice to their victims

 

[IHEARTNY]

I'm not stupid either. My point was that there are many many difficult jobs in this world - most of them are difficult. Pretty much anyone who works with the public gets treated badly; those in the restaurant industry don't corner the market on that. I agree with you - it happens too much. What I don't see is the correlation between being treated poorly and receiving additional compensation in the form of a tip. As I said before, the ladies in my toddler room work their tails off and there are parents/grandparents/aunts ect who totally disrespect them. They don't ask for additional compensation because of it??

First of all, you're almost confirming my opinion. I said that everyone should work in the restaurant business once to help them realize how terribly people are treated and would therefore treat people who "serve" them better. You would fall in this category in that you serve parents so in turn that would help you also!!!

I didn't say there was ANY correlation between being treated poorly and tipping. I was addressing a comment on 18% tip added to a bill for larger parties. It has nothing to do with how anyone is treated on either side just that the larger the party, the less people tip correctly which is why it becomes almost standard at any nicer restaurant to automatically add a very reasonable 18%.

Again and again and AGAIN, I have never said what you do isn't hard so please stop reiterating that. I guess the majority of people who haven't been there will never understand. And as I know, those of you who have know EXACTLY what I am talking about. It's really an by-experience-only kind of thing.

In regards to the OP's comment. I feel like all three parties involved handled it improperly.
1. The OP and family. I understand allergies and conditions. It gets old and tiring when you have to constantly request something special. At the same time, it would have taken what?... one minute to talk to the chef. Like a PP said, you should have just let it fly to avoid getting all worked up and ruining an experience.
2. The Server. In her defense, alike some restaurants, it has become a restaurant's policy that the chef DIRECTLY speak to the person with special requests. It emliminates and communication or order blips. She very well could have been fired if she hadn't made sure the chef come out. It happens to my BIL at just about every restaurant at WDW I have been to with him. It gets annoying but HE'S STILL ALIVE!
3. The chef. Boring stoic personality matched with an apparent lack of caring? Maybe so, maybe he had something else on the mind

 

[IHEARTNY]

AMEN! I am a SAHM, CEO of our family and personal assistant to a 5 year old and 16 month old and I don't even get a paycheck! LOL.

I am a SAHM also. One wacky tabacky hubby, a new born little boy and my DH's twin 6 year old sisters and 16 year old brother I watch during the school year weekdays. They live in a very very nice house 50 miles away from the private school they attend so they just stay with us.

I think I know what you mean, lol.
It's a job in itself.

I was a waitress however from the day after I turned 16 until just before I got married at 22 to get me through college without mooching off of my parents.

 

[shellybaxter]

There is no way that daycare providers make 2.13 an hour, so I don't see how the two are at all the same

If you look at my previous post you will see that I live in California where daycare providers (by the way - we prefer Child Development Professionals) and servers make the same minimum wage - $8.00 per hour.