Subpar visit to 50s Prime Time

[carmie3377]

We went to 50s Prime Time Cafe on our trip 4 weeks ago. Our sever was very nice and entertaining, but I feel that he was "too much" into entertaining other guests that he didn't do his job as a server.

First, our entrees were brought to us (mine was cold BTW) by someone other than our server. Our server was over making jokes with another table and didn't even bother to come check on us. Our appetizers were missing and so was dressing for the salads. Finally he came over and we explained to him that our appetizers should have been served prior to our entrees. He brought them out, but still forgot the dressing. He also noticed that my glass of tea was empty (it had been at this point for 10 minutes). He stated he would return with the dressing and a refill. Off he went to entertain another table. Finally, about another 10 minutes past and my drink was filled and the ranch dressing arrived. The he brought the bill with the automatic gratuity on it (we were a party of 7 and not on the DDP). Anyway, he didn't even mention the sundae that should have came with the daughter's meal. He knew she wanted it because it was mentioned when we ordered her meal. Anyway, the other party we were with was ready to go and didn't order dessert so we just forgot about it.

The food was so-so, but not great. I understand that the atmosphere is the main reason that people go to the 50's Prime Time Cafe. However, it shouldn't interfere with the service.

 

[DisDancerina]

That is horrible!

 

[simonkodousek]

That doesn't sound good at all. Actually, it sounds a lot like the Sci-Fi Drive-In but instead of an unattentive waiter, we got a very rude waitress...

 

[TLSnell1981]

I love 50's...and I have heard several comments lately about it "not being the same". What is happening to our Disney dining?

 

[annie1995]

What is happening to our Disney dining?

 

[cristbaby]

We were just there last week. Although our service was good and the food was excellent the portion size was really small. We have eaten there many times in the past and always loved the pot roast and the portions was large enough that I could never finish mine. Well, my DH was finished his in about 4 minutes because there was hardly anything there. I felt so bad that I gave him half of mine which wasn't much by the way. We were very disappointed.

 

[disnut8]

Alot of restaurants don't have the servers bring out meals to the table anymore. I know TGI Friday's hasn't done that for a long time. The reason is so that the food is brought out right when it's done and it doesn't sit back and wait for the server to have a chance to serve it. That makes sense at a place like 50s Prime Time. Your one dish being cold wasn't the server's fault. That was the kitchen's fault. They didn't time the order correctly.

If your appetizers didn't come out before the entrees, You should have sent the entrees back and asked for your appetizers to be served first. Again, that's not the server's fault, it's the kitchen's for not ensuring the meal was prepared in the proper order.

So the server didn't fill your ice tea and forgot to bring your dressing. That is a problem and he should have at least apologized for it. For the sundae, if you didn't wait for it, then he has no idea he forgot it.

The server is your contact with everything. But if food comes out in the wrong order and he doesn't have control over that (he doesn't deliver it to your table), then he's not to blame. It's kind of like getting your steak delivered well done when you ordered it medium and the server put the order in correctly. He's not back there cooking the food.

 

[Tricia1972]

You shouldn't have to police your server to make sure that you get everything as you ordered it. It's his job to check on you and make sure that you are taken care of. It's not your job to babysit him to make sure that you're taken care of.

Runners are common, and don't bother me. They bring our food, and the server tips them out at the end of the night for their assistance. To me runners are part of the food service team (Server, Cooks, Runners)

It shouldn't have taken the server 10 minutes to notice that your drink was empty. That's a very long time to wait for a refill at a restaurant.

If it'd been me, I would have mentioned my cold entree to the server. He can't know it's cold unless you tell him, so when asking for your appetizers - that would have been a good time to mention the cold entree. If you mentioned it and he didn't fix it, that's absolutely his fault. True that the cook cooks it, but it's up to the server to be the liaison between the guest and the cook in the kitchen.

He shouldn't have forgotten the dessert, but since he did - I'd have asked for it when he brought the bill (especially since your DD really wanted it). I understand your frustration at policing him in his job. That should be unnecessary. I think that in a case like yours I'd have asked for the manager to explain the situation and how you felt he was inattentive to see if you could have the gratuity reduced. You shouldn't have to do so much asking, he should be paying better attention to all of his tables.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I am sorry that happened to you, I would of of been unimpressed as well. With someone else bringing out the food, it happens all the time. I know at my place of employment other servers will run food if I am at another table or getting drinks for a big party etc. I would rather your food be hot, being ran by another server then sitting waiting for me if I am really busy to bring it. But I always will stop by as soon as the food is delivered to make sure everything looks good and if you need anything.

 

[msr709]

I completely agree wth Tricia, its NOT your place to babysit the server, he's supposed to be waiting on you not the other way around. Since your gratuity was automatic I would have definitely spoken to the manager. They can't fix the problme if they are not told that something is amiss. I was planning on visiting the 50s Prime Rest. this vacation but decided to pass on it since the menu doesn't seem to appeal to some in our family. Thanks for posting!

 

[davinakb]

Like others, not bothered by a food runner, just the server not checking back. Had that happen at a signature place last trip, and it really bugged. As a former server I am understanding, but spotty service is getting more and more common, testing my patience.

What is happening to our Disney dining?

Indeed. We have the DDE card, enjoy TS every time we go and have noticed the decline. That debate has been done to death (crowds, DDP, ADRs, shrinking menus, blah blah) here on the boards so my question is no longer "what's happened" but Why hasn't anything been done to fix it? Better luck next time I guess.

 

[carmie3377]

Alot of restaurants don't have the servers bring out meals to the table anymore. I know TGI Friday's hasn't done that for a long time. The reason is so that the food is brought out right when it's done and it doesn't sit back and wait for the server to have a chance to serve it. That makes sense at a place like 50s Prime Time. Your one dish being cold wasn't the server's fault. That was the kitchen's fault. They didn't time the order correctly.

If your appetizers didn't come out before the entrees, You should have sent the entrees back and asked for your appetizers to be served first. Again, that's not the server's fault, it's the kitchen's for not ensuring the meal was prepared in the proper order.

So the server didn't fill your ice tea and forgot to bring your dressing. That is a problem and he should have at least apologized for it. For the sundae, if you didn't wait for it, then he has no idea he forgot it.

The server is your contact with everything. But if food comes out in the wrong order and he doesn't have control over that (he doesn't deliver it to your table), then he's not to blame. It's kind of like getting your steak delivered well done when you ordered it medium and the server put the order in correctly. He's not back there cooking the food.

I understand the runners, they don't bother me. What does bother me though is that the server should have come to check to make sure everything was fine. I feel that it is their responsibility to ensure accuracy of the order and such. No one should have to hunt the server down. Sure, they don't cook the food, but if they don't bring it out, there is no way they can guarantee the accuracy unless they come and check on you.

As far as the sundae. How many kids meals do you think they serve in a day? A lot! They know that each kids meal comes with a dessert. We told him we wanted it and he knew it. By the time he finally came to our table, everyone else was ready to go. Was that his fault? Yes, because he waited so long to come over. When he show up at our table with our ticket after being gone for awhile, he had forgotten about it. If he had come over when everyone was done, everyone else would not have been so ready to leave.

 

[msr709]

Like others, not bothered by a food runner, just the server not checking back. . . . so my question is no longer "what's happened" but Why hasn't anything been done to fix it? Better luck next time I guess.

It is my contention that not enough people have complained about it and let it slide, so how will they know to fix it if no one claims it broken? JIMHO

 

[Tricia1972]

It is my contention that not enough people have complained about it and let it slide, so how will they know to fix it if no one claims it broken? JIMHO

I wish that you were right, but so long as their sales continue to increase I don't think they'll change.

More guests are coming and spending more money at the parks. So while some complain, there is no action to back up the complaints, and Disney has no reason to change. Even if more complain about it, unless they change their vacation habits - Disney won't change.

(Not that we shouldn't try, just that I don't know if it'll work until we stop spending our money there.)

 

[eventsdj]

Wanna hear something funny.. well to me anyway.

(Not taking anything away from OP complaint at all)

I am a server, and once in a while, the kitchen will get it all wrong as far as food temp., it just happens

I'll bring out a plate, and after a bite or two, if someone rudely says "My food is COLD, ick yuck,, this will effect your tip. etc. etc. etc."

I like to say "oh, shute, yours is the one dish I forgot to stick my finger in".

That usually quites them down...

 

[Tricia1972]

Wanna hear something funny.. well to me anyway.

(Not taking anything away from OP complaint at all)

I am a server, and once in a while, the kitchen will get it all wrong as far as food temp., it just happens

I'll bring out a plate, and after a bite or two, if someone rudely says "My food is COLD, ick yuck,, this will effect your tip. etc. etc. etc."

I like to say "oh, shute, yours is the one dish I forgot to stick my finger in".

That usually quites them down...

OK, that'd make me laugh. Probably wouldn't work for every table, but it'd help me put things in perspective.

Maybe because my DH drives for FedEx Ground and will frequently be asked "what is it" when he's delivering a package - he has some funny answers too that he uses with his regular customers.