Ok so tonight I went to a new French restaurant, Crepes Francaise, downtown Colorado Springs.

Outstanding food.

Not so outstanding service.

It took forever to find the venue. Only 5 tables of probably 30 filled. The server took forever to take our order, and then forgot my wine. OMG. That is never acceptable

Altho the potatoes au gratin were outstanding, the tops were cold where the inside was hot. Screaming microwave! The manager insisted they don't have a mic on the premises. Ya. Whatevaaaaaaaaah.

My daughter begged me not to say anything while there, but when we left I called back and spoke to the manager. Suffice it to say, I have a bottle of wine (my choice) and 2 appetizers waiting probono when I return. IF I do.


So .. point is .. do you ever find service so unacceptable you speak your mind?

I remember when I was in Colorado Springs, back in the early 80's!

I remember that it was common knowledge that there were so many restaurants there, that you could go to a different one each day/night for a year, and you'd not visit the same one twice.

Now that was 30 some odd years ago...I'd dare not to try and guess how many there are today!

That Academy Blvd was loaded with them.

North/South Nevada Ave had quite a few as well.

Had some good memories in the 3 years I was there.

Thanks for the nudge of memory lane.

Years ago I took my exwife to a resturant by the name of The spigity( dont know how to spell it) Factory.It was one of those resturants that brought the check in one of those fancy folding thingy mig jigs. Well, anyway. The bill was something like $39.00. All I had on me at the time was 50s. So, I put a 50 in the folder and handed it to the waiter. My ex and I waited for about 20 min for him to return with our change. Finally we got tired of waiting, and went to look for the guy,When we found him, I asked about my change comming back to me. Well, to my surprise, he said that he considered my change as his tip. Well, This was 30 years ago. I was young and not too awfully wise at the time. So, right after he told me that , I proceeded to sock him dead in his funny looking nose, and broke it. Then when he landed on the floor, I bent down and took his money bag that he had on his waist, and took out 10 bucks. Then walked out. Needless to say. Never went back there any more.

if the service is so unacceptable, i don't leave any tip, i don't go back, nor do i give referrals (unless it's a bad one).

Dude! You are NOT serious right? You MANHANDLED a server for your $$$ .. LOL LOL Ever heard of a manager?

I think in today's society you'd be in jail for that little manuever.

Many outstanding restaurants here. You are right! But now they are out on Powers or North. And of course many in downtown C/S .. an upscale area to dine/do drinks ... many outside cafes yada yada

This was a new restaurant and when I talked to the manager he shared alllll his staff woes for the evening. He said I probably didn't need to know all that .. he was definitely right about that one. T M I !!!

I totally agree Lisa. Funny thing was the Chateaubriand was excellent as was my daughter's crepe. Especially the sauce. And the asparagus was cooked to perfection.

But the fact they had the manager as chef for the night, and one server .. well, they need to get their staff issues straightened out for sure.

I regretted not speaking to him when we were there, but as I said my daughter asked me not to. The manager said I should have so he could have made it 'right' while I was still there. I think that helped my daughter to know they LIKE to hear if something goes wrong so they can fix it. I think they are trying to pull this off the ground, and need all the input they can get.

I usually tip 20% and go down from there if the service is lacking. Ya... needless to say the server did not get anywhere near that

Like I said. I was young and not as wise as I am today. Back then I was very hot tempered and didnt take the time to think things through as I now do. There is no way that I would even consider doing something like that. HONEST

^^^ SURRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEE

Well, something like that where the food is improperly cooked, I simply never return to that place, and tell everyone about my experience, and then remind of them every time they mention that place.

Now, poor service, I don't leave a tip for and may not return for a while, if ever.

Its true. Today I happen to be a realy nice guy. Always considering pples feeling before mine. Im very giving and caring. On the quiet and shy side. Im always helping ppl.

Soooo, those shock treatments DO work! Thought about them for myself!

Just kidding...but I couldn't resist it!

Everyone have a great day.

Only bad thing so far with the shock treaments, Is now I keep getting a twitch in my right eye

That's bad enough, but if/when your "right hook" starts to twitch, let me get out of the way first!

Myself I waited tables for over 10 years and believe me those that wait tables are much more critical at times.... Hummm do I speak my mind when the service is totally unacceptable sure I do and will do it before I leave the Restaurant. It is not often that I do it for it has to be pretty bad before I do....

But even I will admit if the service is lacking I will tip less if it is just really bad and problems with the food as well then I will talk to a manager....

I don't recall a time when the service was so bad that I didn't leave any tip at all. I'm not big on sending food back unless there's something wrong with it like it was under or over cooked. To me, speaking to the manager is a big deal, and there has to be something seriously wrong to get to that point. In So Cal there are TONS of restaurants and if I don't care for the service at one, I just pick another.

Yep So Cali is a restaurant goldmine. I used to live there

The problem with just picking another restaurant though, goes against who I am at the core.

I believe Customer Service makes or breaks a company. I LIKE feeling important and special to the company that is getting my business, & believe most people do ...... so if I feel they don't have CS down .. well, I'm more than happy to show them how it's done

Honestly service will make or break a restaurant and the managers should know what is going on.

You can have the best food and the service be the worst you ever had and people will quit coming in.

Then you can have where the food is just okay but great service and you will still have those that will come back just due to the service........

Went from waiting tables to being a bartender to Management believe me it is like anything else if the customer does not speak up how are they going to improve what needs to be......

Agreed Kristi