Fast food restaurants attract a wide and varied clientele.
Owing, of course, to the fact that they are speedy, relatively inexpensive, and often delicious, if seldom nutritious.
With so many fast food restaurants to choose from, often situated right next to one another on major highways, it's easy to become confused as to which items are on what menus.
Or if we're really in a hurry, we might find ourselves driving up to a drive through window and ordering a cheeseburger and fries, only to realize we're at a bank.
Ludicrous as the idea might sound, such encounters have definitely happened.
One simply needs to ask an employee at any of these fast service establishments for proof, and they will likely share their stories with glee.
"Fast food workers, what is your 'Sir, this is a Wendy's' moment?"
Always Look For The Golden Arches
"This is really weird that this became a meme, because I swear this is true."
"In about 95 I was driving from New England to Florida for a college spring break trip."
"Somewhere in South Carolina we stopped at a Wendy's."
"Near the hallway to the bathrooms they had a big map of South Carolina and I said to a person 'can you tell me where we are?'"
" I was pretty clearly indicating the map."
"The lady said, 'Honey, you in the Wendy's!'"
"I was like.... thanks ok."
"So no big Macs."- Wobblebut
Sorry, We Don't Accept That Here...
"One time this older dude rushes up to order and slams a coupon on the counter saying 'I want this!'"
"I pick it up It has menu items for KFC."
"I ask him 'What exactly would you like to order?'"
"He instantly gets disgruntled with me for not reading his G*d damn mind and shakes his finger at the coupon and said 'Well Whatever is on the coupon, obviously!?' in a condescending tone."
"I just look at him for a minute and say word for word 'Sir, this is McDonaldβs'."
"I donβt know what you want me to do with this KFC coupon."
βHe looks at me dumbfounded."
"Then looks behind me at the menu and around the store, yells 'Awh, Sh*t', like this isnβt his first time walking into the wrong establishment, grabs the coupon and storms off."- BALD-HEADED_HOE
pizza hut GIF by FunimationGiphySeriously, Is It That Hard To Read the Menu?
'"You don't have tables?'"
"Nope."
"'I'll just have the general chicken'"
"'This is a Pizza Hut'."
"'Fine, just a few egg rolls'."
"'How about a pizza?'"
"'Why would I order pizza at a Chinese restaurant?'"
"'You're right, that would be stupid'."- mochablendedfun
People Still Use Checks?
"Dude came to drive thru."
"I open the window, 'sir, how can I help you'."
"'I'm outa checks', "he replies calmly."
"'Not sure I follow you', I say."
"'I'm outa checks', he says again more impatiently."
"'Right, I heard you but I don't know what you want me to do about it'."
"You can pay with cash or card too'."
"Dude gives me a weird look then says, 'Oh this ain't the bank'."
"And peels out away from the window."
"I'm a pharmacist."- avatarlevel
lisa simpson check GIFGiphyMake The Most Of It...
"I used to work at Target and they hired a new girl, who had previously worked at Walmart, to work the fitting rooms, and by default the intercom system."
"A few days after she started she was about to make an announcement over the intercom and I guess habit took over because she started the announcement with 'Attention Walmart shoppers'."
" She realized her mistake and made a good recovery with 'you are in the wrong store'."- Yodajrp
"Another One Bites The Dust..."
"I was working at Braum's and this guy went on a whole rant about how Queen and all the bands from the 70's-80's are working with government to erase memories."
"All because he heard a lyric wrong."- InfiniousBeatzΒ·
Level Your Expectations
"Yβall wouldnβt believe the amount of disappointed rich people who come to Panda Express and find out we arenβt serving authentic Chinese food."
"Once a well traveled rich woman came into Panda Express and stood at the buffet line for about ten minutes, critiquing our 'mistakes' and explaining how Chinese cuisine doesnβt actually have fried wontons with cream cheese filling."
"Maβam, we just fry what came in the bag from a warehouse in California."- Upstairs_Cow
GiphyWorking in the service industry can be extremely stressful and tiring.
But when you get to share stories like these, it almost makes it all worth it.
Who wouldn't want to see just one humiliated reaction after someone ordering a 10pc McNuggets at a Popeye's is corrected?
Waiters Share The Saddest 'I'm Waiting For Someone' Situation They've Ever Witnessed
Sorry but it's closing time....
As an artist and struggling New York actor/writer I of course have waited on many a table. I've served the rich the poor, old and young, the fashionable, the plain, the kind and the evil. (There is far more evil eating out... just FYI) And it always made me wonder about strangers and their stories. In particular the stories behind the people who left me with a sense of sorrow. I've seen people stood up, celebrate the passings of loved ones from 9/11 and even a proposal gone awry. (Never ask for someone's hand in marriage with the ring on an Olive Garden breadstick!) Seeing people at their most vulnerable is definitely something you remember.
Redditor u/nGear wanted to know about the times they felt a tug at the heart for a few customers by asking them to divulge.... Waiters, what's the saddest "I'm waiting for someone" you have experienced?Shame on you young man....
Embarrassed Hide GIF by florGiphyI was a server for 5 years and the most heartbreaking experience I had was an older woman, probably in her 60's was waiting for her grandson to come meet her for lunch. When I greeted her at the table she was very excited as I assumed she didn't see him much.
As time went by no one showed up so she decided to order. Towards the end of her meal no had shown up so it being a slow shift, me and my gf (we worked together at the same restaurant which is where we met), decided to just talk with her for a little bit and give her some company. We both felt so sad for this sweet old lady but we could tell that simple act of kindness made her day. Shame on that grandson.
Happy Birthday Sir.Β
I was actually a hostess at the time and I was asked to take the table for a server. An old man came in asking for a table of 6 and he asked for 6 waters. I set up his table and I put his order in. He said it was his birthday. He was there for about an hour or 2 and nobody showed up. It was really sad. He ended up tipping me like $30 and he said "Sorry for the trouble." I still think about that guy. I hope he's doing okay. :(
You dodged a bullet....
Once at my shift I saw a really shy guy, you could see that he is on a budget, but omg, he was so trying so hard and looked so exited about upcoming date! He brought one rose, and asked what he can purchase on 10 euros to make this evening beautiful. My heart melted so much that I offered him for free two glasses of wine and a dessert (I was a manager).
We put on a table some candles, and so he was sitting there and with the big smile waiting for his date to come. But she never came. He waited like 2 hours, nervously checking on his phone. When he left, he gave this rose to me and thanked for kindness towards him. He was so broke. So was my heart about this situation. :(
After Goodbye....
disney love GIFGiphyPlace I used to work at had a man come in every night for a week, wait for a few hours, order food and drinks, then leave with no one showing up.
Later learned he was just trying to cope with his wife's death, believing that she'd arrive to greet him at the restaurant were they had their first date.
The Barista....
Not the waitstaff, but the "Wait-er."
I had set an OKCupid date at this nice coffee shop in Brooklyn. I get there, and I know the barista from college. I'm the only person in the shop at the time, so we talk a little, awkwardly. Gradually other customers arrive, so she attends to them and I attend to my phone.
It gets to the point where my date is 20 minutes late and hasn't been responding to my messages asking about an ETA. I'm sweating. Profusely. I'm so embarrassed that I'm probably being stood up in front of someone who I had several classes with years prior and knows most of my friends. I feel so humiliated.
Then my date walks in.
Stands there for a moment.
AND WALKS RIGHT BACK OUT THE DOOR
Barista: "Was that her?"
Me: "Yup."
Barista: "What an a-hole."
That comment made things slightly better.
An Extra Plate....
A six-year-old boy came every day with his older brother at lunchtime and for almost a month they ordered three plates of food and always left one. When I attended to them, the boy told his older brother to ask his mother for lunch because she was already arriving, but their mother never came.
The boy's older brother asked me to give the food to someone who needed it when they left and he told me that his mother had died and that he did not know how to explain to his little brother that his mother was not coming back, but that this cafeteria It was the last place where she had taken her little brother to eat and that is why the boy believed that she would return for the dinner.
4 in a row....
A woman came in 4 nights in a row just in case she got the day wrong. She'd sit at the bar wearing the same flowery dress every night and would hopefully look at the door every single time it opened. Left in tears the first two nights when we closed, the third and fourth nights she just stared vacantly at the door until we had to make sure she left.
I never saw her again, I don't think any other staff did either but we all felt really bad for her. She got a couple free drinks and apps, we didn't even care if it was a scam cause she seemed so broken about it.
Why so Public?
bugs bunny cooking GIF by Looney TunesGiphyWas working an evening shift and a relatively younger guy came in and waited for his date. She showed up and not even 10 minutes later he got up and left and she sat there crying.
Patrons that are there to breakup are also hard to witness.
No doggy bag?
Not a waiter, but was out with my girlfriend and we were seated next to a date.
Guy was clearly trying to engage with the girl, but the girl kept looking at her phone disinterested. Guy initiated all the conversations, only to be met with 1 word answers.
He ordered a lot of food (it's a dessert place, so a lot of small meals) and then the girl suddenly took her bag and left? He banged the table after about paying, and just left with the food untouched.
Everyone in the vicinity, including the waiters were visibly shocked. I felt so bad for the guy.
Stalled....
Simon Pegg Wink GIF by Working TitleGiphyNot a waiter, but this happened to me.
I went speed dating, turned up to the venue to find it very quiet. Barely anyone was there.
The event was on the second floor, so I got a pint for the time being and sat down and waited for people to turn up.
I tried to go up to the second floor only to find that it had been closed off. Noticing my confusion the bar man asked if I was there for speed dating, I said yes, he told me it was cancelled. I didn't get an email about this, nothing.
So I sat there, dressed up and alone. I finished my pint and went home.
Dropping $1500 for Nothing....
Ugh this one was tough; I worked at a pretty fancy steakhouse in town, and we had a private dining room that could set up to 32 at a single, long table. To book the room we charged a $1500 deposit, which we then used to cover part of the bill (it was a deposit, not a room charge). Anyways, this girl books it for 26 people, puts the deposit on her card. She shows up with her sister, and then after about 20 minutes, 2 of their 'friends' show up and sit at the opposite end of this giant table from the birthday girl and her sister.
Nobody else came. They waited an hour, the birthday girl was sobbing, the other two just awkwardly left. It was awful. I'm grateful to my manager, who in a moment of compassion refunded the whole deposit back onto the poor girls card. I felt terrible for her.
Her mom decorated the table and chairs and the whole corner for the party, everyone in the restaurant could see there was going to be a party there on a busy Friday night. 4 people showed of the possible 20, that includes the future bride and mom. I didn't even care about the money I was missing out on (four tables of my section gone on a busy weekend shift) I just felt so bad for her.
Why Bother Lady?
Not a waiter, but worked at a coffee shop for several years and made friends with tons of regulars. One of the regulars, we'll call him J, was working on his PHD in Art History or something to that effect at the university near us. He came in one day, got his usual tea and asked if I could charge him for a latte, but make it later, no big deal.
I was bussing tables and asked who the latte was for and very excitedly expressed that he was meeting a lady and it was "kind of a date". He was an awkward kind of guy, but very interesting and incredibly friendly. One hour passes, no show, two, no show, finally three, he's looking despondent and starts collecting his things and leaves.
She showed up 20 minutes later asking about J. Apparently they got their times completely mixed up. He comes in the next day and I mention that she came in looking for him and he looked so excited. I found out a week or so later from him that she basically blew him off a second time. He was so crestfallen, it broke my heart.
Still With Me...
Ahhh, I haven't bartended in a million years, but the saddest one was a guy in his 30s. He had a 2 top, asked for a bottle of top shelf champagne, candles lit, all that. Told me they were celebrating. No one showed. Guy looked morose, but had an appetizer, poured a glass of champagne for the person who wasn't there, then asked for the bill.
I felt bad he obviously got stood up, so I brought him a desert in the house. He smiled, and told me it was his anniversary. My face must've showed my sadness for him, so he clarified- his wife died of cancer a few month ago. It may have been the saddest thing I've seen.
Bye Ma....
Not exactly a waiter, but I was working at a bar a few years back and there often was this girl (in her early twenties maybe) who sometimes used to meet her mother at the bar (maybe about every 2 or 3 months).
The thing is, more often than not the mother either came extremely late (1 or 2 hours at least) to didn't came at all. When she came, there often was a huge tension between the two. It was obvious that they had some unresolved issues.
Watching the girl wait for hours even if it was clear that the mother wouldn't come on that day always broke my heart. As a barkeeper and since she was a regular, I tried my best to engage a conversation with her to distract her a little, but there's only so much you can do.
Fun fact: Years after I stopped working at that bar, I met her at a random party and we had a great evening/night together. She told me that she 'broke up' with her mother tho.
So it's a No?
Sorry Dog GIF by swerkGiphyGuy was dressed really nice. Says his date should be there soon and goes ahead and is seated.
He orders a drink and 30 minutes pass by... then and hour, and another drink later. He started fidgeting with something and I noticed it was a ring. After an hour and a half he asked for his check and muttered something about "There goes two years wasted and down the drain." He tipped 2x his bill.
Poor guy.
into crack town....
This gentleman in his mid forties came to my restaurant frequently and would not order his drink until "his wife got there." He would wait for a few minutes, then pull out a framed picture of a woman, set it on the table, and proceed to order his food and drink. He would talk to the framed picture and have dinner with "her" about once a week.
I noticed him doing this often and told my coworker I thought it was cute he was having dinner with his late wife and she replied,"Oh, no that's not his wife. He found that picture at good will and has been a relationship with it ever since. He told me that a long time ago." What did I expect from working right off the freeway in crack town. Very true story, no lie.
14 is an unlucky #...
We had a 21st birthday party booked for 20, the family showed up early with a few friends. They had a few drinks and let the staff know some of the party were running late. Half an hour in, when the late people were supposed to arrive, two friends left.
An hour went by and the birthday group ordered.
Got their starters, told the service staff some more people were coming. About two hours in the mother said just bring the mains out.
It was so sad, I felt so bad for them. Being stood up by fourteen people, and the two friend who did show up didn't even eat.
"Honey, it is going to be okay."Β
A few years ago, I took myself to a movie and dinner. It was the weekend before Valentine's day. At the time I had a warehouse gig and that day my step counter was at 7.9 km. Being exhausted, I just sort of plopped down. Ordered quietly, sipped a beer, and derped around on my phone.
I must have looked like I was on the verge of tears (in reality I'd been rear ended at a red light the week before and just hurt all over.) Server comped my cheesecake, smiled politely, and quietly remarked "Honey, it is going to be okay." Until that point I wasn't sad to be alone- but after that I was fighting tears all the way home.
She Gone
Angel's GlowGiphyI had a regular who would always come in with his wife. One day he sat in my section and I noticed his wife wasn't with him. I asked "where's your wife today" he replied "she's in heaven waiting for me". Immediately I died inside πππππ₯Ί
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The good thing about the 21st Century? Options.
There are options everywhere. For food, there are options to the point that if you don't want to go somewhere, you're under no obligation.
But also in this capitalist 21st century, our business is valuable. And if we share the reasons why we don't eat at certain places, we may persuade a ton of people away from that place too.
u/Turquoisecat789 asked:
What restaurant do you refuse to eat at and why?
Here were some of the answers.
Lesson Well LEarned
Chili's. I went a few years ago with my mom and made the horrible decision to get a side of chili lime rice. I ate maybe three bites because it didn't taste good. Those three bites didn't seem to get along well with my body AT ALL. Unfortunately, Chili's was the first stop before hitting the store to do our weekly grocery shopping. At the store, I had to make a run for the bathroom twice. After we finally checked out, my mom made a suggestion that maybe I should make another stop there before we drove home since it would take at least 20 minutes. I declined even though my stomach was turning, thinking I could make it home (and would rather use that toilet than a public one). BIG MISTAKE.
About five minutes into the drive home, I realized that I needed to get to a toilet or I would ruin my mom's car forever. After telling her this, she tells me there's nowhere to stop yet since we were in a residential area. I ask if we can stop at a family friend's house which is close by, and she agrees. She tells me to give them a call so they can unlock the door and save me a few seconds. I explain to her that if I move to grab my phone from my pocket, her car interior would be ruined. The five minute drive there feels like forever and I'm clenching my butt for dear life.
We finally get there and I bolt up the porch stairs to knock on their door. No answer. At this point, I'm desperate. I knock again and finally hear someone coming. Right as the door opens, my muscles give out. The friends stare as me as I spew liquid excrement all over their porch. I'm just standing there still making a mess everywhere and the husband grabs a hose to start spraying me and his porch down.
A few minutes later, my mom emerges from the car, crying laughing, with a roll of paper towels in hand like that's going to help now. Eventually, I'm able to make it to the friends bathroom (which I somehow managed to clog after pooping on their porch) and wash up. They ended up giving me some clothes to change into and I was able to get home and shower the poop off. Unfortunately, you can't shower off embarrassment and shame. So, I will never step foot in a Chili's again because I don't fancy pooping on a family friend's porch again.
Germy Germy Germy
Any self serve buffet. Kids are nasty and not all parents watch their kids. Saw a kid lick a serving spoon and put it back. Glad I caught it but imagine how often it isn't caught.
When Seafood Attacks
Seven or eight years ago, I was at a big medical trade show in Anaheim, CA and after a day of hanging out in the vendor booth, I decided to have dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp. About 4 or 5 hours after eating there, I came down with the nastiest case of food poisoning I have ever experienced. Alone in a hotel room after hours of throwing up, I called an ambulance, which I couldn't afford but was desperate for help. The doctor at the hospital thought shellfish fit the profile. For some reason can still eat shrimp, but never again at Bubba Gump.
Two Against Chili's
My Dad placed a family boycott on Chili's because they had terrible service once and refused our never used gift cards
About 15 or so years later my dad was forced into going to Chili's while on a business trip and put an end to the boycott. Then he spilled ketchup on his pants and announced the boycott was back on.
In my 22 years I think I've been to Chili's 3 times, and there is one down the road from me.
Litmus Test
Golden Coral. We've got a family joke where if someone recommends a restaurant we wait until later in the conversation and ask if they like Golden Coral. If they say yes we never try the place they recommended
A Front
There is a local Mediterranean all-you-can-eat place that I have never eaten at, and refuse to try, but not for the reason you probably think. It was in a weirdly dingy, broken-down building that never has anybody parked out front and has almost never had anybody in it. This place is surrounded on all sides by significantly nicer restaurants and businesses, which just makes it stand out even more.
Here's the real kicker for why I don't go in: this place is near where I work so I have literally seen it every day. In the seven years I've known of its existence, almost every restaurant around it has folded and gone out of business at least once before coming back as something else. Yet this place has somehow survived despite having no obvious signs of doing business; I believe it's a money laundering front. My suspicions have doubled since last year when the building they were in got a suddenly an upgrade and renovated the building to be much nicer than every building around it; again, this is at a place where I think I have maybe seen a dozen people parked outside of, ever.
C'mon, Denny's!!!
Not any in particular, but there was one case worthy of bringing up. Was on the road from the airport to our lodgings in Jacksonville area. Wife wanted to eat, so we saw a Denny's and stopped. I went into the bathroom to freshen up. While doing my business, I noticed the 2 stalls were occupied. No big deal, I finish up just as the one guy leaves. In the mirror I see him. With a cook's apron on. Didn't stop to wash his hands. I got out and immediately got my wife to leave with me.
Revenge
My dad refuses to eat at Papa Murphy's because when I was in high school I applied there, had an interview, and was told I was hired and that they would contact me with starting info, then never contacted me.
Upsetting Non-Conformity
Applebee's. My grandparents used to force our whole family to go there at ever family get together. It's just over priced tv dinners. Half the menu isn't even edible, a quesadilla burger makes no sense, you can't even hold it!
Capitalist Jerks
Tim Hortons. Every single time I went it was a letdown. The food quality has been declining for years and their coffee tastes like it's been pumped right out of the sewers.
Also, they treat their employees like absolute bunk and their franchise owners have been known to throw childish tantrums over the slightest wage increases.
Former NFL Player Keeps Leaving Enormous Tips For Restaurant Servers With A Personalized Note About Why
Keep an eye out for who you're serving because you might just get the tip of a lifetime. Former NFL player Chad Johnson, also known as Ochocinco, has been sharing pictures of the tips he's leaving at restaurants when he goes out to eat.
And let's just call them "generous."
While some athletes are known for poor tipping skills, Johnson has been very liberal in the extra cash he gives his servers. While that by itself is a neat fact, it's the meaning he ascribes to the numbers that is getting people's attention.
The first of these tips sees him leaving $209 as a tip, to match the receiving yards he had in one game.
Proverbs 11:25 π« https://t.co/zP2bcvwFqaβ Chad Johnson (@Chad Johnson) 1550775234.0
The next time, the server seemed to let Johnson borrow his phone to watch some soccer. Three goals earned that server a $300 tip.
Proverbs 11:25 π« https://t.co/84HqtSGUrVβ Chad Johnson (@Chad Johnson) 1551303827.0
While the amounts are great, the meaning can be less than positive. Ochocinco brought up his total yardage with the Patriots for the first of his Austin, TX, restaurants.
276 yards for an entire season isn't great, but translated into a tip on a $91 bill, is exceptional.
Proverbs 11:25 π« https://t.co/3OV4m4CowTβ Chad Johnson (@Chad Johnson) 1551983956.0
Lastly, Johnson left a $540 tip for a lucky server at Gus's World Famous Chicken in Austin, TX. The number references his yards in 2008 with the Bengals.
The "pissed off Mike Brown" comment refers to Johnson openly talking about wanting to be traded during the off season, upsetting the Bengals owner.
Proverbs 11:25 π« https://t.co/tkORTxHKqcβ Chad Johnson (@Chad Johnson) 1552091349.0
All of these receipts ended with the phrase "I love you" and are accompanied by a tweet, "Proverbs 11:25" which says,
"The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself."
People are really digging the generosity.
@ForTheWin @USATODAY What a genuinely great guy...β Tuesday Hampton (@Tuesday Hampton) 1552329328.0
Look at you @ochocinco Good for you man! Best part is the stories on the receipt associated with tip! Thank you fβ¦ https://t.co/QsnHoNXGscβ jburt9100 (@jburt9100) 1552391378.0
@ochocinco Youβre always being so sweet π€ blessings ochoβ miss bee (@miss bee) 1551307459.0
Others are just trying to figure out how they can get in on this.
@ochocinco You had 11,059 career receiving yards too, venmo me?β Adam Tramp (@Adam Tramp) 1550930777.0
@ochocinco Where you eating at next so I can be sure to put my application inβ JKing ββ’ (@JKing ββ’) 1552093318.0
@ochocinco hello i work in coral springs pls come bless me i need helpπβ maC (@maC) 1552062410.0
@ochocinco Oneday I will be one of the chosen ones ππΌπ until then... prayer and hustling.β BVD (@BVD) 1551306442.0
A little earlier this year, Johnson made waves after using an Applebee's tablet to leave a $207 tip for his server. He posted a video of him tapping the arrow on the device to increase his tip.
He says at one point,
"My finger cramps, that's when I'll stop."
Have yβall seen this gadget at Apple Bees, i got carried away but itβs a cool contraption π€·πΏββοΈ https://t.co/eU6GtZu9sPβ Chad Johnson (@Chad Johnson) 1517627988.0
While the server gives him an out, Johnson assures her he is serious about this. And as we've seen from his other tips, he's very serious about giving back.
Waiting tables can be arduous work. It can also be rather rewarding, provided your customers tip decently (but that's another story we'll probably reserve for a different article).
One of the toughest parts about being a waiter: Customers who are so particular that taking their orders becomes an exercise in patience.
Today's burning question comes from Redditor Braumsisdabomb, who asked: "Waiters and waitresses of Reddit, what's the most convoluted order you've ever taken?"
Brace yourselves, people.