Strange experience-ADR/no ADR

[Simba's Mom]

We were in line to check in at Biergarten. The couple in front of us didn't have dining reservations, but we did. They were given a pager and told to wait. We gave them our reservation number, were also given a pager and told to wait. They were called in minutes before us-same party size. When we were called, our table was right near theirs, neither seemed a "better view" or any difference. So why did they get a table first, although we had ADRs? If that happens, why bother making ADRs? Can anyone explain this?

 

[Tricia1972]

An ADR is not a true dining reservation, but more like call ahead seating. What it does it puts you in line for the next available table for the party of your size.

Biergarten must have had open tables that day/night, so it was open seating. Though they didn't have an ADR, they had the same priority that you did. Because they checked in before you checked in, they got the first available table.

ADRs aren't really necessary unless restaurants are booked solid. Had that been the case, that Biergarten was completely booked up, the couple ahead of you would have been turned away completely.