Solo at Ghiardelli's

[Simba's Mom]

The last time I was at Ghirardelli's solo, about 6 months ago, they didn't bring the sundae out to the table, as they used to. I noticed as I sat there that when the sundaes were ready, the buzzer they'd given you went off and you were expected to get up and go get it. So what was I supposed to do when my turn came? If I got up to go get it, there were 2 risks. First, unless I took the time to gather up everything the I'd put on the table, I would risk having something "walk away" from the table. The other risk was that I could lose the whole table. I'd come back with my sundae only to find that another family had taken up residence there. Fortunately, when my turn came that time, a person from a nearby table was kind enough to go back in and get my sundae. Does anyone know if this is still the policy? And if so, does anyone have any tips for a solo? I can't depend on someone as kind being nearby next time. Should I perhaps stand inside and not even go out until I get my sundae?

 

[fla4fun]

The last time I was at Ghirardelli's solo, about 6 months ago, they didn't bring the sundae out to the table, as they used to. I noticed as I sat there that when the sundaes were ready, the buzzer they'd given you went off and you were expected to get up and go get it. So what was I supposed to do when my turn came? If I got up to go get it, there were 2 risks. First, unless I took the time to gather up everything the I'd put on the table, I would risk having something "walk away" from the table. The other risk was that I could lose the whole table. I'd come back with my sundae only to find that another family had taken up residence there. Fortunately, when my turn came that time, a person from a nearby table was kind enough to go back in and get my sundae. Does anyone know if this is still the policy? And if so, does anyone have any tips for a solo? I can't depend on someone as kind being nearby next time. Should I perhaps stand inside and not even go out until I get my sundae?

In situations like this (I am often solo) I do not get a table until I have my food in hand, for all the reasons you mentioned. There really is no way to hold a table as a solo without concern that either your stuff will be stolen, or if you only leave items of little value an overzealous CM might clear everything away not realizing you are coming back.

 

[BrianL]

In situations like this (I am often solo) I do not get a table until I have my food in hand, for all the reasons you mentioned. There really is no way to hold a table as a solo without concern that either your stuff will be stolen, or if you only leave items of little value an overzealous CM might clear everything away not realizing you are coming back.

Honestly, I feel like everybody should wait to get their food to get a table. Sometimes when it's busy and seating is hard to come by, there are people taking up a table and one of their party just got in line, while people holding trays of food have nowhere to sit. They used to have to enforce this sometimes at Pecos Bill's. In the 20 minutes they are waiting, someone could eat their sundae and move along.

 

[miksicnarf]

Honestly, I feel like everybody should wait to get their food to get a table. Sometimes when it's busy and seating is hard to come by, there are people taking up a table and one of their party just got in line, while people holding trays of food have nowhere to sit. They used to have to enforce this sometimes at Pecos Bill's. In the 20 minutes they are waiting, someone could eat their sundae and move along.

Strongly agree! I’m often solo and I always scope out the seating situation and just skip places that’re too crowded, often with people taking up tables without food. In some cases they may have a group member in the “standby” line while I could mobile order, get my food, eat and be gone before they actually need the table.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I'm often solo and I always leave something on the table in situations like this. Things like a book or a sweater, or napkins, condiments etc.

 

[Cazbucket]

I always wait for my sundae before trying to grab a table