(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

[queue.livejournal.com]

You committed the sin of being a woman and talking. I have heard numerous anecdotes about the owner of Sound Bites similar to yours, and they have all been from women.

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

Wow, it hadn't occured to me that it might be sex-based at all, but now that you mention it, the other bad-service stories I've been hearing since talking about this one have all been from women. UGH.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Wow.

I've never eaten at Sound Bites...and now, I can quite comfortably say that I never will eat there. How can people like this stay in business, and Picante loses their lease?

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I don't really feel like they ever made a secret of the no-lingering part. On the days I feel like lingering, I don't go there. On the days I just want to eat breakfast, it's super.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Not everyone hates Sound Bites. It is what it is.

[tendertalons.livejournal.com]

makes me want to go there armed with some really witty comeback that will stop that arse in his tracks.

in fact, i think that will be my new project!

sorry you had to go through that. it really sucks.

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

No, the no lingering rule has always been pretty clear. I didn't realize before that there was a no talking rule, though. That seemed excessively unfriendly to me.

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

i agree. i've heard a lot of stories like this, but i still plan to go back.

(and, as a woman, i've never had an issue there. most of the stories i've heard have been from women, but certainly not all, and they've all certainly been from people who eat more slowly than i do.)

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll check it out!

I've also been hearing good things about the brunches at Sabur in Teele.

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

i've never gotten chastised for talking. i suppose that, while one person is talking, the others at the table were eating, and this was enough for them.

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

Yeah, one of my friends suggested going back with a big crowd and taking a really long time, but, truth be told, it hardly seems worth it to me. If you get a good story out of it, though, I definitely want to hear it!

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

i also like renee's in teele -- right next to sabur. they definitely don't pressure you to get out the door.

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

i've heard a lot of stories like this, but i still plan to go back.

That was true for me until yesterday. Too bad.

[liza.livejournal.com]

I tried to go once, and while the sign clearly said that it opened at 11am, by 11:20 it was still shuttered. It might be better to go a little later if they make a habit of it.

[darthcr1.livejournal.com]

Just be sure to not be lergic to bees if you sit outside in the summer... the grape arbor is really nice for shade, but the bees landing in your food can be a bit daunting. Other than that The Neighborhood beats Sound Bites hands down.

[dreamgirly19.livejournal.com]

i find that a problem often. everytime ive wanted to go they are either late opening or not open at all. seems like are very leisurely run.

[dreamgirly19.livejournal.com]

ive always wanted to go there but its always packed..now I wont even make it a point to try it out.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

The way around all that is to get your food to go. You can skip right past the line and go to the counter in the back. It's even more efficient when you call your order in ahead of time. Now that it's getting warmer out, you can take your food 2 blocks over and have a picnic in the park at Powderhouse.

I live next door to the owner. He's a good guy, but there are cultural differences that he just doesn't get. If you love the food, it's easiest just to skip the cattle drive and get it as take out.

[darthcr1.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm concerned Sound Bites is entirely over-rated. You can get an equally decent breakfast with less hassle and less line all over the city. Kelly's Diner is a mere 70 feet down Broadway, and is as good if not better.

[watercolorblue.livejournal.com]

Sabur rocks for brunch---there's never been a line, in fact, sometimes my dining companions and I have the place to ourselves.

[watercolorblue.livejournal.com]

Seconded---the Neighborhood is totally fabulous.

[ron_newman]

I like Johnny D's brunch. Someone is playing soft jazz in the background, and you're never rushed out no matter how long a line is waiting.

[frederic.livejournal.com]

Well they don't call him the Breakfast Nazi for nothing...

Soundbites is so much better of an experience around 2pm on the weekends and practically any time during the week except for holidays (I was a regular during the week when I was unemployed). The food is cooked better when its less busy as well.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

I don't hate it, never having been there. But I do hate the attitude.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Then, if I were you, I probably wouldn't go. They do have amazing corned beef hash, though.