Question for waiters/waitresses

[worm761]

I just have a random question...We went out to eat the other night and were talking. Would a server rather we order an appetizer or dessert? We almost always order an appetizer. I just love them. And I know that that helps to pad the bill. Especially since we don't order alcoholic drinks. My thinking is I enjoy the appetizer and would like dessert but can never eat that much. And really, if I didn't order the appetizer, I would eat my dinner and still not have room for dessert. So I wouldn't end up ordering it. But we were talking about it and I wondered which one servers prefer. It won't change my eating habits, I am just curious.

 

[mlynn]

I just have a random question...We went out to eat the other night and were talking. Would a server rather we order an appetizer or dessert? We almost always order an appetizer. I just love them. And I know that that helps to pad the bill. Especially since we don't order alcoholic drinks. My thinking is I enjoy the appetizer and would like dessert but can never eat that much. And really, if I didn't order the appetizer, I would eat my dinner and still not have room for dessert. So I wouldn't end up ordering it. But we were talking about it and I wondered which one servers prefer. It won't change my eating habits, I am just curious.

To the serve it really doesn't matter as long as they sell one or the other. I worked for Friendly's for 15 years and they just wanted us to up sell. But we had to make sure we mentioned a app.by name like would you lke to start of w/ a Mozz.Stick or can I get you a Brownie sundae for dessert.(we had secret shoppers)

 

[ajk912]

As a server, I prefer if you order dessert. Obviously, you have a right to do whatever you want, but it's easier for ME if you skip the app.

Why, you ask? Well, the host stand tries to stagger seating so that no one gets double sat/triple sat, and the tables are all in different stages of eating. Sometimes it's ok, like with two two tops, it's fine just to get everyone drinks at once, and taking orders at once. But let's say you have two 4 tops, it can be a bit hairy to get all those drinks at once, all those orders taken and into the computer, salads out, etc.

Now, if you come in, order an app, wait till it comes out, eat it, and THEN order (or something along those lines)- you mess with the system. Of course it's fine and understandable, but the host stand ASSumes you should have long ago ordered and the server should be well ready for another table. That's not the case now. So it can throw the server in the weeds a bit. Now, servers get used to this, but since you are asking..I prefer you skip the app and stick to the entree, and order dessert instead.

 

[Imzadi]

I say the appetizer. You are already seated and waiting for the entree to be cooked. Usually the appetizer arrives while the entree is cooking. Ordering an appetizer may delay the chef firing off the entree by only 5 minutes if the entree is something quick, so you have time to eat the appetizers.

Whereas, if you order dessert, you usually order coffee. You may linger and chat. That could add on another 15-20 minutes to the total meal. If it's a busy restaurant, the waitress can't turn the table over for another seating while you are there. The guests she might have gotten if you left are turned over to another waiter. She loses out on those tips. The more often a table is turned over, the more tips.

Having waitered myself, whenever I know we are going to a restaurant to sit and linger for quite a while. I always add in "booth time" to the tip for the extra time we were sitting if it is quite a while. Then the waiter doesn't lose out on the extra tips she would have made if she had a new set of customers during that time.

 

[Acklander]

When I used to waitress If you were looking to make me happy, I'd say order the apps AND order dessert and while you're at it order a bottle of wine or two - that would have made me verrrry happy. However, since the dining experience wasn't about me but is about the guests I'd say order whatever makes you happy - if my guests were still smiling at the end of the night, I felt I did my job well, and it didn't really matter to me if it was the apps or the desserts.

 

[disykat]

Servers must not like me! I order an entree with water to drink.

I don't enjoy other beverages, I prefer water. I have a big appetite, but still have a hard time understanding how people can eat a restaurant meal PLUS an appetizer or dessert.

 

[BeccaBellePA]

I would say appetizer. Mainly because people would realize after their meal that they weren't hungry enough for dessert. But that would the be "selfish server" thinking.

I also worked at a restaurant where we had to get the desserts for our table, instead of them coming from the kitchen. So if everyone at a table of six ordered dessert, I'd have to cut 6 pieces of pie or cake or scoop 6 bowls of ice cream, which would really slow me down. But I know that's not too common in restaurants.

 

[mickeyboat]

I would say appetizer. Mainly because people would realize after their meal that they weren't hungry enough for dessert. But that would the be "selfish server" thinking.

I also worked at a restaurant where we had to get the desserts for our table, instead of them coming from the kitchen. So if everyone at a table of six ordered dessert, I'd have to cut 6 pieces of pie or cake or scoop 6 bowls of ice cream, which would really slow me down. But I know that's not too common in restaurants.

That's the way it was where I worked (years ago), too. We also had to prepare our own toast and fruit ( I served breakfast and lunch).

 

[happygirl]

I think you are a very kind person to consider the server

 

[Youarehere]

Appetizer definitely. Desserts always put us behind because we have to heat & assemble them ourselves after waiting for a cook to give us the pieces. I hated when a whole table ordered desserts, but doing one here and there was no biggie.

 

[Nie0214]

Servers must not like me! I order an entree with water to drink.

I don't enjoy other beverages, I prefer water. I have a big appetite, but still have a hard time understanding how people can eat a restaurant meal PLUS an appetizer or dessert.

I'm the same way. I even box half of my meal to have for lunch the next day--there's no way I can eat the servings restaurants have!

 

[worm761]

Thanks for the opinions. Like I said, I was just curious as to what a server would prefer. I still order what I want to eat. But we are generous tippers. LOL...servers love to see us coming. I know that they have to attempt to sell some stuff for the job. But personal preferences are always just that. I like dessert as much as the next person but after eating the huge portion of food they serve you, I rarely want dessert. Where as, if I order an appetizer, I will eat that (we always order the big one for everyone to share), then our meals. I never finish my meal. So there is no way I would order dessert. I know that either one would pad a bill thus creating a bigger tip. So I just wondered from the server end, what they liked. I have never waited tables before but I do know that it is hard work and not just walking food back and forth from the kitchen to a table.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Never mattered to me really. I suppose I did prefer the appetizer as if desserts were ordered and cooks were busy we had to make them....I HATED making desserts.

Now, I don't have to worry about it. I work at Ryan's now and make A LOT more money than I did at Ruby's. IT'S AWESOME! Only made $216 last week and in reality it's NOT a bad week, BUT when you're used to making $300 or $400. All in all, I'm really blessed at the job and it's such a nice change of pace from a full service restaurant.

 

[java]

I was a waitress years ago and I can tell you I prefered the Appetizer. If it was dessert I HAD to plate it! So that took longer- going into the freezer scooping out ice cream or grabbing a piece of whatever and that usually included a scoop of ice cream.

So as far as my experiences the appetizer is a great choice

 

[paintnolish]

Doesn't matter at all to me. The kitchen prepares everything. If it's an app, a food runner brings it out. If it's dessert, I do. So, I guess an app would be slightly easier, since I wouldn't have to check on it. I think it probably depends on how the place is run.