Chili's on 27/441

[kcrazorbackfan]

Well, my 1st day in TV, for the week at least. Since I've been on the road all of yesterday and most of today, my eating habits weren't the best, so this afternoon I decided to get something good to eat. I stopped at the aforementioned Chili's, got seated and waited and waited and waited. All the time, both tables front and back of me got serviced. I had taken a shower before I went, so I know I didn't smell. I asked to see a manager, and in a nice way (I know that doesn't sound like me, right?), told him I had been waiting more than 10 minutes, and the two tables around me had been waited on. All he could muster was "Sorry". So, I got up and said, again nicely, "Well, it's my 1st day here and I'm sorry I had to come to your restaurant" and walked out.

Will I go back there? I myself probably won't, but if my bride wants to (since she didn't have to suffer that agonizing wait today :laugh:), we probably will.

[DougB]

You waited a whole 10 minutes and weren't served? Yikes!

[gpirate]

You waited a whole 10 minutes and weren't served? Yikes!

Not served. Not waited on. I have ate at many of these restaurants over the years and the one in reference is one of the worst. In my home town it is one of our favorite spots to eat.

[DougB]

Even waited on, I don't consider 10 minutes an excessive amount of time.

[NotFromAroundHere]

Even waited on, I don't consider 10 minutes an excessive amount of time.

Maybe you would if every table around you was getting prompt service.

[graciegirl]

Where is Chili's? Didn't realize we had one on campus.

Mr. Hogg, you should have gone to Cane Garden or Mallory or Lighthouse or Glenbrook or Too Jays to do your waiting. Very pleasant surroundings and lotsa villagers..

[tomwed]

Well, my 1st day in TV, for the week at least. Since I've been on the road all of yesterday and most of today, my eating habits weren't the best, so this afternoon I decided to get something good to eat. I stopped at the aforementioned Chili's, got seated and waited and waited and waited. All the time, both tables front and back of me got serviced. I had taken a shower before I went, so I know I didn't smell. I asked to see a manager, and in a nice way (I know that doesn't sound like me, right?), told him I had been waiting more than 10 minutes, and the two tables around me had been waited on. All he could muster was "Sorry". So, I got up and said, again nicely, "Well, it's my 1st day here and I'm sorry I had to come to your restaurant" and walked out.

Will I go back there? I myself probably won't, but if my bride wants to (since she didn't have to suffer that agonizing wait today :laugh:), we probably will.
So is it good to be back?
I'll catch you up.
Watch out for the circles, gates and clueless bike riders.
Don't forget to replace your divot and rake traps.
Buy your whiskey straight up.
Oh yea, some rude and miserable people have been spotted in the area.

[robertj1954]

As a regular patron of Chilis. I can only say what happened to you was unfortunate but is the rare exception not the rule. During this busy time of year and especially at peak times. All of the Resturants are serving at peak capacity and mistakes will occur.

I would certainly not judge Chilis as a Resturant with poor service. I would say the opposite and why my wife and I patronize them. Also they encourage all customers to fill out a survey to express your opinion on how they did in service and food quality.

[fred53]

Please don't enable an impatient person...mistakes happen and if you wait till you're upset there is no way to hide the animosity from your voice or how you look.

Waiting 10 minutes is nothing...all you had to do was wave down one of the wait staff and likely you would have been taken care of, but because you went immediately to the manager after only waiting a short time you set your impatience attitude up to for failure...

[John_W]

Chilis is my wife's favorite restaurant. We've been going to that location at least once a month for 4 years. Never experienced the problem you did, and we normally always sit in the lounge. I like to watch the sports channels on TV. Even in that room with the bartender sometimes stuck waiting on us, we've gotten served in 5 minutes.

I like the way you can pay on the little machine on each table because sometimes you have to wait a long time for the waitress to bring your check and then to bring back your credit card at most restaurants. At Chilis you don't get a check, you just hit the pay bill button and it's on the screen. Slide your card, add the tip, and you're on your way. You should give them another try, although that location and the Ruby Tuesday not far away, are both some of the busiest ones I've been in, they usually get the job done and the food is very good.

[kstew43]

I think the fact that you had to wait while the others around you were served is miserable.....I absolutly hate it when that happens...in any restuarant.

But I would be willing to wait for there chicken crispers......with the honey dipping sauce....yummy...

[Happinow]

Even waited on, I don't consider 10 minutes an excessive amount of time.

Next time you are in a restaurant, when you sit down set a timer on your cell phone for 10 minutes. When the server brings your drinks don't drink them for 10 minutes. I think you will also agree that 10 minutes is way too long to wait to be served. It should be minutes when you are approached by a server, not 10.

[graciegirl]

In January and February and March it is high season here in The Villages. Lots of people are here in their own homes or are renting their homes out to other people. Not a one of them know how to cook.

So they all go to restaurants and they wait outside and in the front chairs and then they are seated and the servers are tryin' to get to everybody and serve them and the cookers are cookin' things as fast as they can but still we all have to WAIT.

And that's the truth.

I was shot off my horse during the Crusades and I will tell you that story another time.

[red tail]

I ate there Friday night in a party of 12 and we had great service. quick with a very good waiter.

[Beechie]

Well, my 1st day in TV, for the week at least. Since I've been on the road all of yesterday and most of today, my eating habits weren't the best, so this afternoon I decided to get something good to eat. I stopped at the aforementioned Chili's, got seated and waited and waited and waited. All the time, both tables front and back of me got serviced. I had taken a shower before I went, so I know I didn't smell. I asked to see a manager, and in a nice way (I know that doesn't sound like me, right?), told him I had been waiting more than 10 minutes, and the two tables around me had been waited on. All he could muster was "Sorry". So, I got up and said, again nicely, "Well, it's my 1st day here and I'm sorry I had to come to your restaurant" and walked out.

Will I go back there? I myself probably won't, but if my bride wants to (since she didn't have to suffer that agonizing wait today :laugh:), we probably will.

I am trying to equate "agonizing" to a 10 minute wait. Were the two tables that were served before you also seated before you? If they arrived after you then that would bother any one of us. Maybe your table was next however.

Could it be that after a long day and a half of driving your patience was wearing a little thin? Perhaps time seems to drag on when you are sitting alone.

The Manager did say he was sorry but you did not feel it was sincere or appropriate. What could have been said to you to make things right so you don't write off the restaurant? If we all flipped off a restaurant for having to wait in excess of ten minutes we would only be left with eating at home.

[zcaveman]

I don't mind sitting and waiting for my initial service if the waitress or someone would at least stop and say that he/she will be with me in a minute.

But when they keep serving other people and not even recognizing my presence, I get a little pi$$ed.

Sometimes, I will go the the person who sat me and ask them if there is a waitress for our table. Sometimes that helps.

And you can wave at the server all you want and they will not stop. I think they get tunnel vision and skip right by me.

Z

[DonH57]

We have been in that restaurant countless times and ordered take out from them. Never had an issue there. We may have had to wait our turn for our waitress when they were super busy and short staffed or the food line computers went down which happened once.

[buzzy]

Sometimes the nearby tables have different servers, with different workloads.

[Bogie Shooter]

Wow , ten minutes and went right to the manager. Try waving (politely) to a waitress.............it usually works.

[bagboy]

Other servers will pass on by if your table is not their table. Maybe your server was tied up with another order, in the restroom, on a break...who knows. We've always had good service there. Might have been "just one of those things". Try them again sometime and most likely you'll be glad you did.

[bagboy]

Where is Chili's? Didn't realize we had one on campus.

Mr. Hogg, you should have gone to Cane Garden or Mallory or Lighthouse or Glenbrook or Too Jays to do your waiting. Very pleasant surroundings and lotsa villagers..

Chili's is on 441 in front of the Comfort Suites. It is golf cart accessible via Paige Place (I think that's the street) going west from Spanish Springs town square. Near St. Timothys.

[kcrazorbackfan]

So is it good to be back?
I'll catch you up.
Watch out for the circles, gates and clueless bike riders.
Don't forget to replace your divot and rake traps.
Buy your whiskey straight up.
Oh yea, some rude and miserable people have been spotted in the area.

It is great to be back! Used to, we called Arkansas "God's Country". As I pulled into TV yesterday, I called my wife and told her we have a new "God's Country". I've been reading TOTV - seen the ad nauseum posts on circles, gates and bike riders and have commented on all three. Divot's and unraked bunkers are a PET PEEVE of mine. Don't drink whiskey. Encountered some rude and miserable people today.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Where is Chili's? Didn't realize we had one on campus.

Mr. Hogg, you should have gone to Cane Garden or Mallory or Lighthouse or Glenbrook or Too Jays to do your waiting. Very pleasant surroundings and lotsa villagers..

27/441 close to Home Depot. Going to try Too Jays tomorrow.

[kcrazorbackfan]

[QUOTE=Beechie;1009137]I am trying to equate "agonizing" to a 10 minute wait. Were the two tables that were served before you also seated before you? If they arrived after you then that would bother any one of us. Maybe your table was next however.

Could it be that after a long day and a half of driving your patience was wearing a little thin? Perhaps time seems to drag on when you are sitting alone.


The Manager did say he was sorry but you did not feel it was sincere or appropriate. What could have been said to you to make things right so you don't write off the restaurant? If we all flipped off a restaurant for having to wait in excess of ten minutes we would only be left with eating at home.

Two tables weren't seated before me, they sat down after I did. I have an iPhone that I read the news on; it keeps me patient. I didn't feel he was sincere, had the attitude that if there will be someone to take my place.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Wow , ten minutes and went right to the manager. Try waving (politely) to a waitress.............it usually works.

BTW, I did make eye contact with a waitress that has numerous tats up both arms (don't have a thing against them, got a couple myself) and did motion for her; appeared to be too busy chit-chatting with another staff member.

[Beechie]

"Two tables weren't seated before me, they sat down after I did. I have an iPhone that I read the news on; it keeps me patient. I didn't feel he was sincere, had the attitude that if there will be someone to take my place".

Ok, now we get the picture. Sounds like a calamity of attitude and neglect which never sits well on an empty stomach.

[buzzy]

With all of the problems of running a restaurant, I don't think a manager would be too sincere about a complaint of a 10 minute wait.

[juneroses]

My only experience with our local Chili's on 441 is similar to the OP's. My spouse and I were seated and then sat and sat and sat. It was not high season and the restaurant was relatively empty. Eventually our meal did arrive.

We now joke that if we ever return there, we'll take a deck of cards for play while we wait.

It may be unfair to judge them by one experience, but there are so many other choices available. We have eaten at Chili's elsewhere, so haven't written off the whole chain.

[mtdjed]

I was shot off my horse during the Crusades and I will tell you that story another time.

Bad Girl. It must have been too high.

[Jaggy]

In January and February and March it is high season here in The Villages. Lots of people are here in their own homes or are renting their homes out to other people. Not a one of them know how to cook.

That was My vote for best comment of the day !! haha... thanks for the giggle Gracie !!

[DougB]

Next time you are in a restaurant, when you sit down set a timer on your cell phone for 10 minutes. When the server brings your drinks don't drink them for 10 minutes. I think you will also agree that 10 minutes is way too long to wait to be served. It should be minutes when you are approached by a server, not 10.

No need to conduct experiments. I am fully aware how long 10 minutes is.

[mrf6969]

Live in TV since 2005. Have gone to that Chilis several times over the years and service has always been very good and the food is consistent. Give it a try again and I am sure it will be different. You might talk to the manager and I am sure they would do something for you to make up for the lousy service last visit.

[tomwed]

How did today go?

[Barefoot]

...

[Barefoot]

Even waited on, I don't consider 10 minutes an excessive amount of time.

I am trying to equate "agonizing" to a 10 minute wait. (Snipped) If we all flipped off a restaurant for having to wait in excess of ten minutes we would only be left with eating at home.

Over ten minutes wait in high season? :shrug: We wouldn't consider that a problem.

[Cisco Kid]

:doggie:

[kcrazorbackfan]

How did today go?

Last couple of days have been great! Got garage shelving built, start touching up a poor self paint job from the previous owner tomorrow and probably start unpacking some of the boxes I brought (mine and the kitchens, not touching the wife's boxes), will start working on improving the appearance of the yard and the best thing is I went to Winn Dixie so I can eat when I want to and not have to wait to get waited on.........

Ahhh! Living the dream.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Over ten minutes wait in high season? :shrug: We wouldn't consider that a problem.

Well, since I've never experienced "high season", it may be the norm. Bear in mind now that 10 minutes wasn't waiting on food, it was for anyone to come by and say "Hi. I'm (fill in the blank) and I'll be your server tonight. Can I take your drink order?" Nothing, except for the two tables adjacent to me getting seated (after me) and serviced.

This horse has been ridden long enough; some people have other things in life to accomplish "WHILE WE'RE YOUNG" and don't like to wait while others have nothing else to do in life but wait an infinite amount of time for anything. Those people are probably the couple's that sit across the table from each other the entire time they are eating AND NEVER SAY ONE WORD TO EACH OTHER. Next time anyone goes out to eat, watch other COUPLE'S (more than two people usually with find something to chat about) around you to see if they engage in conversation, or just sit there and sit there and sit there.

[DougB]

In The Villages it's not only common to see couples talking to each other at their table, but to others at tables around them

[Barefoot]

Last couple of days have been great! Got garage shelving built, start touching up a poor self paint job from the previous owner tomorrow and probably start unpacking some of the boxes I brought (mine and the kitchens, not touching the wife's boxes), will start working on improving the appearance of the yard and the best thing is I went to Winn Dixie so I can eat when I want to and not have to wait to get waited on.........
Ahhh! Living the dream.

I'm glad to hear things are going well.
The first few months of Villages living are extremely exciting.
Best of luck!

P.S. There are more romantic hand-holding couples in The Bubble than anywhere else in the universe!

[John_W]

We went to Lake Sumter tonight for Mardi Gras, so did 10,000 others, no exaggeration. All four beer stands were open, which I've never seen more then two, maybe three before. Twice waited in line, it was 20 minutes each time. First time we talked to some people, a couple from Nova Scotia, two guys from Boston, and a couple of others. None of which live in TV, all renting or visitng. Second time in line, talked with a couple renting for two months in Hillsborough. Last year was Nevada, year before was Arizona, now they think TV is the one. It was great crowd.

[CFrance]

:blahblahblah:Next time you are in a restaurant, when you sit down set a timer on your cell phone for 10 minutes. When the server brings your drinks don't drink them for 10 minutes. I think you will also agree that 10 minutes is way too long to wait to be served. It should be minutes when you are approached by a server, not 10.
That's just asking to make yourself (and everyone around you) angry.

[happylife]

I asked to see a manager told him I had been waiting more than 10 minutes, and the two tables around me had been waited on. All he could muster was "Sorry". So, I got up and said, again nicely, "Well, it's my 1st day here and I'm sorry I had to come to your restaurant" and walked out.

Will I go back there? I myself probably won't, but if my bride wants to (since she didn't have to suffer that agonizing wait today :laugh:), we probably will.

I had a similar experience at the Chili's in Leesburg. We had a server, got our drinks and placed our order. After 40 minutes we inquired about our food. Apparently our first server and the cook were off at the same time and no one knew about our food order. The poor server who took over our table was very embarrassed. I cannot fault the servers or the kitchen. I think that this is a problem with that restaurant chain.

[steveblood19]

What I find shocking is this post has gone 4 pages over a 10 minute wait. Now I didn't read all 4 pages as my head would hurt.
Have we become so rushed in our lives and expect so much that we can no longer stop, relax and enjoy the life we have?

[tomwed]

In NJ when my kids were little Chiles had a special "Kid's can eat for one dollar if they are accompanied by an adult".

Guess who had birthday parties at Chiles after they went to the matinee with a ton of little kids to see Ghostbusters?

I owe you Chiles. Take your time.

[kcrazorbackfan]

What I find shocking is this post has gone 4 pages over a 10 minute wait. Now I didn't read all 4 pages as my head would hurt.
Have we become so rushed in our lives and expect so much that we can no longer stop, relax and enjoy the life we have?

A 10 minute wait (this was not just a wait for food, it was to have a waiter/waitress even come by when two other tables had been seated and waited on) may not mean much when you don't have anything in the rest of your life to do; it was my 1st day there in TV and I did have many other things to do. I can be as relaxed as the next person, but I will not, and don't have to, put up with incompetent staff at a place I'M TRYING TO GIVE MY MONEY TO JUST TO EAT THERE. From what I understand, and this DOESN'T shock me, there are too many other places to go to have a nice meal.

[rubicon]

Man o man o man if a 10 minute wait got your goat you are not going to like prime time in The villages

[Barefoot]

A 10 minute wait ... snipped ... I will not, and don't have to, put up with incompetent staff at a place I'M TRYING TO GIVE MY MONEY TO JUST TO EAT THERE.

I think the consensus here is that a ten minute wait is normal for High Season.
It doesn't mean the staff is incompetent, just busy.
I think you will really enjoy living in The Villages once you gear down and relax.

[Bogie Shooter]

I think the consensus here is that a ten minute wait is normal for High Season.
It doesn't mean the staff is incompetent, just busy.
I think you will really enjoy living in The Villages once you gear down and relax.

That was a nice way to put it!

[kcrazorbackfan]

Man o man o man if a 10 minute wait got your goat you are not going to like prime time in The villages

I think the consensus here is that a ten minute wait is normal for High Season.
It doesn't mean the staff is incompetent, just busy.
I think you will really enjoy living in The Villages once you gear down and relax.

That was a nice way to put it!

You know, I really don't see the difference with me complaining about a 10 minute wait, TO GET WAITED ON, with the new post from today on a horrible prime rib; my service sucked and their food sucked. Should we not let anyone know about our experience? People complain so others can be aware of where/what happened.

A couple of you told me to relax; pfft. I am really relaxed (my bp is 110/65 and my heartbeat is 60; not bad for 25 yrs. as a LEO); I'm just not comatose like some of you are.

I think with that, I'll go back to taking care of what I can control and if I do get bad food or bad service, I'll just keep it to myself.

[CFrance]

You know, I really don't see the difference with me complaining about a 10 minute wait, TO GET WAITED ON, with the new post from today on a horrible prime rib; my service sucked and their food sucked. Should we not let anyone know about our experience? People complain so others can be aware of where/what happened.

A couple of you told me to relax; pfft. I am really relaxed (my bp is 110/65 and my heartbeat is 60; not bad for 25 yrs. as a LEO); I'm just not comatose like some of you are.

I think with that, I'll go back to taking care of what I can control and if I do get bad food or bad service, I'll just keep it to myself.
Not to beleaguer this, but there's a bit of difference between waiting ten minutes to get waited on (you could have simply left) and ordering prime rib and being served sub-standard food.

Blood pressure/BP doesn't necessarily equate to patience and mild mannerdness. I guess I have to agree with the three posters you quoted.

But it really will get better once you are here for good. And you will decide which places to avoid during the high season.

I'm not a fan of any kind of restaurant review, good or bad. It is all an individual experience defendant upon so many variables.

[Bogie Shooter]

I'm not a fan of any kind of restaurant review, good or bad. It is all an individual experience defendant upon so many variables.

The only statement that makes any sense on this whole thread!