(no subject)

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

I've been enjoying brunch at Sound Bites in Ball Square occasionally for about 7 years. Now, of course, everyone who knows Sound Bites also knows and puts up with their trying to rush you out the door. The breakfast is great, and so you put up with the fact that they drop off the check practically with the food, and whisk your plate out from under you the minute you put your utensils down. Okay, I'm used to that. They're a small place and turnover is the key to their making money. Fine.

Yesterday, however, they reached a new and disappointing low, and lost me as a customer in the process. While I was dining with a friend, the host stopped his running around and said to us, "Less talking, more eating!" When I looked at him with what must have been a rather dumbfounded look, he went on to say that they had a long line, and that here, people eat more than they talk, and there's no time for talking, and people are waiting. "You have 20, maybe 30 minutes here, max." At that point, I'm pretty sure I looked as shocked and offended as I felt, and he said, "Don't get mad. I'm serious, that's just how it is."

Now, honestly, I've always liked Sound Bites, even with the varied quality of service, and even though I've felt rushed in the past, it hasn't been so bad that I wouldn't go back, especially because it's such a great neighborhoody feeling place. But I hate to feel rushed, in pretty much any situation. Even more, I hate to feel rushed when I'm eating, which I think is a pleasure that should be savored, not to mention that the rushing of food is just generally unhealthy and bad.

I told the host on my way out that I wouldn't be back. It seems unlikely that he cares, given that there's always a line and I haven't been a regular in a while, but I figured he ought to know that he lost one in that exchange, anyway. The food is good, after all, but there's no reason to be outright rude to your patrons.

Comments

deluxe town diner

[cthulhia]

in watertown... has fantastic breakfast hash.

Yassir (the Breakfast Nazi) chills out significantly once he gets to know you, and will add complimentary items to your order (usually a fruit plate). If he's present when I'm at the wing place across the street, he often adds extras to my order there too.

But, as previously suggested by others, I avoid Soundbites on the weekends. Actually, I hadn't gone in at least half a year until he happened to pass me on the street and greeted me by name. Neighborhood consumer guilt, and all that. If I'm trying to give someone a good weekend brunch experience, there's a lot of places that are just as good, more relaxed, and haven't made a schtick out of being pushy.

Re: deluxe town diner

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

That may be why we don't get a lot of hassle. We go there every other weekend or so, and he knows us by now. I really love the food (AND the atmosphere, and while I realize it isn't for everyone, it's killing me to see people say they will never try it.

Then again, shorter lines, and more corned beef hash for me.

Re: deluxe town diner

[lissie930.livejournal.com]

We have a fabulous little restaurant in our neighborhood (coincidentally called "The Neighborhood") - it's tiny, and they get lines, but as far as I know, they don't shove people out the door. *shrug* I don't need to spend my money somewhere where there isn't good customer service, when I can get great food, cheap, somewhere WITH good service. Of course, now that I have two kids under three, (a) we eat out much earlier than the hipsters ;), and (b) we ARE out of there in 30-40 minutes!

Re: deluxe town diner

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Ok, then don't go. That's all I'm saying. There's places I don't like to eat at too, for whatever reason. =)

Re: deluxe town diner

[ron_newman]

the Neighborhood serves such luxuriously excessive breakfasts that it's impossible not to linger there for awhile. You won't need to eat the rest of the day.

Re: deluxe town diner

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, their cream of wheat is so good!

Re: deluxe town diner

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

And their pastry plate!

We were dumbfounded the first time they brought it to our table. They were very patient as they explained it came with the meal.

Re: deluxe town diner

[bluepapercup]

Oh lord, my love for the Deluxe and their egg-free pancakes knows no bounds.

Re: deluxe town diner

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I make killer vegan pancakes (and waffles), if you're ever in town. :)