Poor management at Chili's
 

We, a party of 6, went to Chili's in the Villages, last night for dinner. (since Siam Orchid closed) We were given a beeper, and told that it would be 20 minutes. Fine. We waited. However, after 45 minutes, we asked what was taking so long, and they said that it would be ANOTHER 20. We actually waited an hour and 10 minutes for our table, with never an apology,an explanantion,or even a free beverage or dessert. If we had known it would have been that long of a wait, we probably would have ordered pizzas from Giovani's and relocated our social outing. Yes it WAS FRIDAY NIGHT, BUT..is it fair to tell a party of waiting diners a blatant lie? We will think twice about going back. It was not handled nicely, nor professionally by the management.

March Madness in the Villages :rant-rave:

Chili's is a terrible restaurant. ON my first and only visit I was told it would be a 20 minute wait and after 30 minutes I was told that the kitchen was over whelmed by the crowd and it would be another 15-30 minutes. Since I had already invested 30 minutes I waited. The food was less that good.

Never returned. And NO I did not talk to the manager because I figured that he could have cared less.

Just an Opinion
 

I think that in a case such as this, it would be pointless to ask to or actually talk to the manager. The manager should have been on top of it and already coming around talking with the waiting customers, both those seated and waiting to be seated. Business does not always run smoothly, but there is no reason for management to be invisible when it doesn't. All areas of the establishment are supposed to be under his/her leadership....so lead. (BTW...That's called "proactive".)

ALN said it right...welcome to March Madness..for that matter, January, February, March, and early April Madness....I am totally neutral on Chili's but how is the Manager to know which bunch of Villagers is leaving when? Are they haveing Singapore Slings with little umbrfellas??? Can you put yourself in his or her spot?? Just suck it up and wait your turn....

A lot of the restaurants in TV, have a" first come first served policy" for "the bar" area, another option

about 20 min automatic answer.
 

The number of times I am told the wait is about 20 min at a resturant; it is astounding. I asked someone in the trade once why that was, she says they are told to say 20 min if they say longer people don't wait. One exception I can think of at least in this area is the PF Chang chain. They look down at the list count how many and then look at the times peoples name went on it and give you a number that is more likely right. Last weekend they said I am sorry the wait is over an hour, if you want to do some shopping or catch a move and come back in 2 hours we will give you free deserts.

Trudy - That's good management technique!

Call ahead
 

Call ahead before you leave home and put your name on the list. When you arrive your wait will be less. Most all of the restaurants accept you calling in ahead and putting your name on list.

Another thing, once you have had drinks, dinner and deserts do not continue to sit at the dining table talking, etc. Someone is waiting to sit down, have drinks, dinner and desert also.

The hostess has no idea how long a party will sit at a table. They base your wait on the AVERAGE time it takes most people to order, eat and leave. They do not know if a party will continue to sit at table after dinner to just talk. I also agree they should keep you informed as to why your wait is taking longer, but remember, they can not control the behavior of their patrons.

My wife and I ate at the Chili's near the motel in the villages when we were down there after Christmas, and it was awful, but we loved being at the t.v. and exploring for homes in the area ( We like the charm of the Histoccal side)

Siam Orchid closed???? Noooooo. DH and I had lunch there a couple of weeks ago and loved the food. There was only a couple of other diners at the time we were there so I asked the waiter how long the restaurant had been opened. He told me they were in that location for three years. I figured it just may have been a slow day for them. Sorry they closed.

Now back to the Chilis discussion. BTW...we love our neighborhood Chilis in New Jersey.

Chili's is far from the worst restaurant in TV. Just remember that you are in a hamburger joint and enjoy the Happy Hour drinks!


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How far is Chili's from the worst restaurant by golf cart?
:plane:


(what has gotten into me tonight!?)

Can't get there with an electric from there.


(maybe the time change has some impact)

Wouldn't classify Chilis as a burger joint but I get your point.

In my opinion a lot of these places are just glorified burger joints. I go in hungry and I sit and look at the menus and most of the time end up with the burger.

Chili's
 

The only reason I went to Chili's was because my wife like it but ever time we went they kept changing the menu and now its really bad so now I don't have to put up going there anymore. :smiley:

I don't much care for any of the chains. I put Chilli's near the bottom of the food chain (so to speak).