October 26, 2006

Two Cents

(Editor's Note: It sure took long enough for me to write something else, didn't it? I guess I just had to get pissed off about something enough. After six years of the Bush-43 administration I think I've said all I can say without writing I told you so. So, this is a non-political topic.)

BLACKSBURG, Va.--It doesn't seem too hard, does it? Nearly empty restaurant. Three tables. Four at most, and I'm pretty sure the waitresses have most if not all of their faculties.

I was seated in a central part of the dining room and my drink and food orders were taken pretty quickly. Great. I can have a phone conversation while I wait the short few minutes for my food.

Salad delivered with salad fork: check. As I crunched away I realized my hands were substituting for napkins. That was sign number one.

Next my steak gets placed in front of me. I'm still on the phone so she doesn't say anything. Fine, doesn’t want to interrupt, but can't see there's little more than two plates on the table?

The steak looks--keyword: looks--alright, but the potato on the plate sat with its plastic cheddar covering looking not-so-appetizing. Looked more like Army chow than a $17 steak plate.

Steak knife: check. Salad fork: check. Napkins and other silverware: nope.

I sat and waited. So did the food.

Two minutes. Waitress walked by without looking. Four minutes. She walked by again. Five minutes.

Nothing.

I finally stood up and went to the server station looking for the hidden silverware. Can't find it and she finally walks by--again--and stops only when she's six feet past me with her hand on the swinging kitchen door.

"Can I get you anything?"

Ya think?

Counting off on my fingers I replied, "Silverware, napkins, more butter, more sour cream."

The steak turned out to be rubbery and not even seasoned. The potato was barely cooked with the aforementioned plastic cheddar covering, the roll small and cold. Not even pepper helped the steak. And to top it off, the service was ridiculous.

Final check: $22.62. With tip added: $22.64. There's a first time for everything.

- Rich