Guess what.
I do not make the decision of what stays on the menu, and what goes on it.
I don't understand why guests feel it will make a difference to tell me what used to be on the menu.
"You know....you used to have this shrimp dish. It was served with this bread and it was grilled, and I don't remember..."
Yeah. That's great.
"You know, there used to be this cake...I don't see it on the menu. It has berries. Do you still have it?"
No. If it's not on the menu, we don't have it. So weird how that works.
"You know, your portions used to be different."
Uh huh. They changed.
It's nice to know the guests think I have such an impact.
Are we sisters and I didn't know about it? Lol. I was just thinking the same thing last night! We introduced and re-introduced some items to the menu, and people still complain about what we don't have! Please, just order from the menu that we have and enjoy. I don't want to hear how good it was 5 years ago when it was on the menu. I don't want you to describe how it used to be made (because I'm not going to the back to make it for you). And I sure as heck don't want to roam the restaurant looking for a manager so you can complain to them as well. Eat what we have. Pay, tip, leave.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they think you have "such an impact" [yes I know you were being sarcastic, at least I hope so] - but you are the gateway to getting their fair and simple questions answered.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't as tho' they are going to march into the kitchen and demand to know.
Now THAT would be a good post. heehee
Yes, menu changes have to be dealt with - but it isn't like it is the same person asking repeatedly - they are just various guests asking for something they liked and wondering where it went.
It is our job to help them find either something similar or explain why it isn't there.
Sorry - but I did this all the time when we changed our menu seasonally. It isn't that hard to make suggestions or apologies. I do realize you don't want to apologize because you aren't at fault, but you can't call corporate in at that moment to do it to them/for you.
A manager is a good bet if they are rude or insistent in demanding something that isn't there.
Good luck.
Don't worry, SkippyMom. I'm honestly not all that bothered by it. More, I just think it's funny because it's so common. I tell people if they want an item back on the menu, to fill out our survey and suggest it. It's just funny HOW they bring it up, like I know the 100 year history...
ReplyDeleteNo, SkippyMom, many of them feel the need to tell you every single time they come in.
ReplyDelete"Do you still have the Awesome Blossom?"
"...no."
"Darn, I asked last time and that's what they said then, too."
"I know; I was the one who told you."
Cripes.
I always tell them that directing their complaints to corporate office is much more effective than directing them at the server or manager, because we don't have the authority to effect change.