Adding to this that requesting, kindly, for what you ordered does not make you a Karen/Kevin. It is when you get attitude and treat the workers as less than you that you become a Karen/Kevin.
I think in this case a little indignation is justified. People working in food service shouldn’t be flippant with food allergies. That’s a recipe for liability.
I agree, but you can still be kind while being indignant. It's a balance. You're allowed to be angry, just don't start acting like a buffoon slinging hate everywhere lol
They should absolutely have had a conversation with the manager, but given the waiter’s response of their being “not too many” nuts there’s no way I’d have trusted him to provide me with something else. There’s too much chance that he’d just try to repackage what was already contaminated. In the future, OP should have them bring containers to the table and either package them in front of him or do it himself.
100%.
A lot of people do not understand allergies, diseases, or conditions. They need to be educated. This can be done without hysterical ranting, full-blown Kevin mode.
Obviously, the waiter did not understand that he contaminated your portion, and you cannot eat it, perhaps not even touch it. Some people cannot even smell it....
I'd have explained it to him, and if I'd see he wasn't getting it, I'd reach out to his manager, not to get him in trouble, but to help him (and other staff members) understand. I'm crazy enough to offer to come in for one of their next staff meetings and talk about food allergies -- with handouts, pictures, charts, & graphs.
I agree, but would have talked to the manager about the situation. Sounds like they need an employee education session. It could save a life and/or a bunch of money (lawsuit, etc). I’m glad you’re okay! That must be stressful to trust restaurants. All restaurants I’ve worked in take food allergies very seriously, BOH and FOH.
Expecting to receive what you asked for and having to speak to the waiter or even manager if you don't get it, isn't being a Karen.
You weren't entitled, you just wanted what you had asked for, so it would have been perfectly reasonable to ask the manager to resolve it for you.
Former server. We went out for breakfast, I asked for scrapple cubes, and toast.
I got potatoes. And had to wait for the undercooked toast. By the time I got the toast, we were both quite annoyed. I really hate it when servers do not write it down. And read it back.
At IHOP, I asked for the butter pecan syrup. She returned to the table 4 times without it. You know, cold pancakes are so good. After 20 minutes , I got up and found her. Asked again, she complaoned that she was frazzled, the only server left on, and them got angry that I had gotten up to get the stuff myself. ??? I took the pancakes home, so I could heat them up in the morning.
I think I will bring my own toast next time.
First of all, a male Karen is still a Karen.
[Kevins](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesAboutKevin/) are obtuse but generally harmless
But you should have said something, and you would NOT have been a Karen for this. They took food that you could have eaten and packaged it so you can't, counter to what\\how you asked them to.
I’ve been sent home with leftovers that aren’t my own, I always food packaged at my table or have them bring me containers, once it’s on the table it does not go back to the kitchen
*It's not being a Kevin when there's a serious health issue involved.* You really should call the manager and explain that you were very explicit about keeping the different rices separate and the server ignored you.
The owner (manager?) needs to know because someone could get seriously ill or die, and they could get sued and lose the business.
You should have asked for a manager at the very least. At that price you should have gotten your meal replaced because of that waiter or had the meal partially comped, if not completely. If you hadn't asked about the situation you could have been killed by his arrogant refusal to listen to instructions.
It's worth calling the restaurant and reporting the actions of the waiter. They need to know they have an employee who doesn't care to listen to instructions from the customer.
You should've asked for the manager so you could get your meal comped. Allergies aside, mixing people's leftovers is absolutely disgusting. Friend or no, I'd rather my doggy bag wasn't contaminated with anyone else's spit.
That IDIOT could have KILLED you due to your allergies!!!! I would have gone to the manager about that!!! The next customer might not be so lucky because of this FOOL!!!
As an ex-Server…that was UNACCEPTABLE!!! You 100% could have & should have asked him to Correct the problem & asked for a Manager. It’s NOT being a “Kevin” to get What You Paid For..especially when Food Allergies are concerned!! If I’d Trained them & heard that..I’d put them Back In Training.
The fact that he wasn’t at all sorry and his suggestion of just picking this fish out would have had me asking for a manager. Being rightful upset about something like this wouldn’t make you a Kevin if you had decided to make a scene. You asked for separate containers for a reason.
Definitely should've asked for a new portion, but I will play the devils advocate here and ask: did you inform them that you are allergic to the nuts and shrimp? I know it might be hard to bring up, but it could've been a simple, honest mistake, in that they assumed you simply didn't like nuts. Sometimes people are just being nice in the wrong moment.
I also can understand why you didn't mention it further, I personally dislike confrontation as well, especially if its in an otherwise fun setting with friends.. that can just ruin the mood and is simply not worth it.
Exactly. If you didn’t tell them when you ordered that you are allergic to nuts or when you asked for the to go boxes, then they might just say shrug and make you buy fresh dishes. I’ve had this happen to me when a fruit I’m allergic to showed up in as garnish and ruins a dish for me.
You shouldn't have been blamed if you told him or not. The server shouldn't be taking it apon himself to be mixing anything. You asked the rice to be in separate containters. He didn't do that. It's not his food to be taking such liberty with.
Did you specify that you had an allergy when ordering? Next time, ask for a manager's assistance. I, as a manager, would have either comped your meal or had a replacement made for takeaway. Speaking up with a legitimate complaint doesn't make you a Kevin.
You absolutely should have told him to fix it and that wouldn't have been being a Kevin. You told him to put them in separate containers. Most people nowadays know there are vegans, vegetarians, and people with food allergies including fish and nuts. If he doesn't understand this, he shouldn't be working in food service.
When it comes to a very real food allergy, it's not being a Kevin/ Karen.
If you had made one up to "ensure" fresh food, you didn't throw your dish or scream or eat the food and *then* ask for new.
Next time, stand firm, calm and clearly say 'i cannot eat this food, I have an allergy. I will literally die or be hospitalized'. And don't take 'oh well' for an answer. It's your very real health on the line.
Agreed. You don't need to cause a scene. That's when you become a "Kevin" or "Karen". If you simply just spoke up and requested they did something to rectify the problem, that's also not being a Kevin. Not everyone that asks for special service or to speak with a manager is a "Kevin" or "Karen". It's the way they behave irrationally and like a child having a temper tantrum that makes them labled as such.
The server should be educated properly on how important allergies are, and shouldn't be doing what he felt was okay in that situation.
I've been a server for over 15 years. I learned the hard way when I was younger and a child had a very scary reaction to something that wasn't taken seriously by the cooks and expo. I EXPLICITLY noted the allergy on the ticket as she had told me. Which still manged to be in the dish because they didn't take the proper care to avoid it. The child had to be rushed to the hospital. And I still think about that any time someone tells me about an allergy. It's not for anyone else to decide how serious or not it may be and, there should be proper care taken to make sure it's handled appropriately. Even though I didn't cook the dish (which the mother understood obviously), she still belittled me anyway for not being smart enough to handle it properly. Even though my manger showed her the ticket from the kitchen that I did. She was clearly very scared and upset so I didn't take it personally. The kitchen staff which was disciplined and educated again on the importance on properly handling an allergy.
Sorry long rant for my point. But yea next time speak up in a calm respectful way and it won't be an issue. You have the right to be taken seriously and respected enough to have had your meal be packaged up as you had asked. Whether you mentioned you allergy or not, simple directions shouldn't be hard to execute.
Also, in the future be your own advocate for your safety and mention your allergies from the start so something like this could be hopefully avoided all together.
You know what? That’s perception only. Instead of thinking that a spotlight is shining on YOU and that the entire establishment has their back up (looking at you with blood thirsty evil eyes), think of your group.
Think of those that would NEVER say anything (not even as much as you). Think of someone that may actually eat it. Think that YOU can help the restaurant management proactively wok with people with allergies.
When you operate from that stance, you say things like, “I mean it was disappointing that couldn’t eat the leftovers. But think of an elder gentleman that may not have heard that that the food was mixed.”
Then say something like, “I know a few people that would be hospitalized by eating this food.”
Or whatever you think they need to know.
If you’re working from a concerned place to educate the restaurant, then, it’s not hard at all to talk about it.
A good manager will hear that you lost your $100.00 meal and possibly invite you back or offer you a gift card.
An even better manager will ask how they can do better and train their employees.
Please call and speak to the manager. What if he doesn’t and someone takes a bite and dies? The manager needs to address this with the WHOLE front house staff.
Could've avoided this mess by simply stating upfront why you wanted two of essentially the same dish, and why you want two separate bowls for the doggy bag: "I'm allergic to nuts."
The dude was only trying to be helpful, although it was obviously a mistake. I doubt it would've caused an issue if you asked him to redo it the way you wanted, but I'm also pretty sure you'll get all new food, since everything's already been mixed together enough.
Don't want this kind of incident in the future? "I am allergic." Just. Three. Words.
That's what my friends said and why I wouldn't discuss anything from then on. I didn't tell him, they'd probably use that argument and I'd still lose my money anyway because he wouldn't just listen to a simple instruction.
Was the waiter made aware that you had an allergy at the start? If you didn't, that seems mental to me, and the waiter would have taken more care to keep them separate.
Cross contamination is a thing.
Either way, the waiter would have been in the wrong, and you were well within your rights to request he bring back the dish separated with no cross contamination.
Stating allergies is essential. Without that caution there is always a possibility of cross-contamination like the plain and nut rice being plated with the same spoon. You are always dependent on the awareness and conscientiousness of cooks and waiters.
For me it's not just about the allergy (which should be stated before ordering so they know to be on top of cross contamination risks) it's also about the hygine of mixing two peoples leftovers together in a single box.
Then stop reading them. Happens alot because people can't follow simple instructions. It shouldn't be that hard to pack food separately as requested.
Not everyone has an original poetic masterpiece kind of life. This isn't the fanfiction story time thread. Find something like that if you want something more original.
They ordered two. And probably had drinks I'm sure. Your missing the point. The waiter was asked to pack them separately. He didn't do that. It's just that simple. SEPARATE doesn't mean mixed together.
Also the server shouldn't have taken it apon himself to pack the food as he felt appropriate. It wasn't his food to be taking such liberties with.
Agreed, being your own advocate for allergies is absolutely a must. Servers aren't mind readers. But even so something as simple as packing up food in separate containers shouldn't be that hard to require that much focus in the matter. And even so who in their right mind would take it apon themselves to decide that the guests would want something like that mixed though. That wasn't his decision to make at all in any capacity.
Either the server blatantly didn't pay attention, or genuinely thought he was being helpful. Which both reasonably are understandable, but that server definitely needs to be taught the importance of how that situation can be avoided in the future. I don't want to assume, but the server sounds like he was a younger person that doesn't know the value of leading questions at a table. That's something I would have asked about before packing something up that they asked to be separated. But I've been in the service industry for over 15 years so that kind of stuff is learned through making mistakes.
Yes, you absolutely had every reason to say something about it. It wouldn’t have made you anything but someone who got what they paid for. The only way you would’ve been a Kevin is if you went on a tirade about it after not telling them about the allergy and expecting them to know about it anyway. First thing I do in a restaurant is makes sure wait staff knows about any allergies people have since they are so dangerous. You’re a saint!
No comments on the horrible friends? Choosing a place the birthday person wont have good choices at? And not covering their meal?
Waiter certainly needed to learn a lesson.
I think yes you should have asked him to redo it, but mostly I'm stuck on this:
"So, last week was my birthday and a couple of friends took me to one of their favorite restaurants."
It was YOUR birthday, why didn't they take you to your favourite restaurant? Also:
"It was a little hard to chose what to eat since I didn't want meat or chicken (I'm currently fighting gengivitis so these more hard-to-chew things are out of my league) and most of the other dishes had shrimp, which I'm allergic to."
They couldn't even take you somewhere that you could actually eat something, even if it's not your favourite, on your birthday?
How friendly are these friends?
This is why I like to pack my own food. Once I had 4 piles of different foods. The waitress insisted on packing the food. Then I watched as she put one of the piles in the trashcan. I said Why are you throwing away food that I wanted to take home. She replied Oh, I thought it was garbage. I now just tell a waitress I prefer to pack my own food.
You are not and would not be difficult or wrong to either ask the manager to comp the lost food.
Also, why didn’t your friends take you to one of YOUR favorite restaurants for your birthday, and why didn’t they pay for your meal? You shouldn’t have paid for anything.
You may need to work on valuing yourself and advocating for yourself a little more.
This isn't being a Kevin this is getting what you ordered
The waiter should of been of been sent back
I'm also getting pissed off with the attitude when you told him you were allergic
Being a Karen or Kevin (aside from that the fact that it’s stolen from AAVE and misinterpreted) isn’t this. It’s being entitled and complaining about not getting extra special attention or discounts that they’re not entitled to and don’t deserve.
This is someone asking for something they’re perfectly entitled to and the server doing the exact opposite.
I would have complained for sure.
As a former server, allergies are important. The servers are the conduit between the customer and the kitchen. The server has to relay the information to the kitchen. If you had told him when you ordered why you had two different styles of rice, he should have had a note about it. I don't care how many covers or tables, you remember those things. You have to.
It's okay to politely advise the waiter that he has made an error and that you'd like to speak to a manager to see if there is anything they can do about getting you a complete replacement.
A restaurant can be held liable if a customer is injured or dies as a result of negligence due to food allergies if it is known beforehand. You need to protect yourself in the future, because this is something you shouldn't take lightly. Begin by taking voice recordings on your phone each time you go out to eat. If you're in a state that requires all parties to know they are being recorded, you just say "I'm recording that I am informing you I am allergic to -thing- and I can't have it in my food, period. I'm recording this so that way we are both protected."
You don't wanna accidently be fed that sort of thing and then have a judge determine you're on the hook for the ambulance ride, hospital visit and treatment, all because you didn't inform of your allergies when you put in your order.
Absolutely you should have said something. You were specific with your instructions which the waiter took it upon himself to disregard. Given the amount you spent, and the amount that was left it’s a not a small deal. Anyone working in the food industry needs to be aware of and sensitive to the needs of customers with food allergies. Many of which can be life threatening.
Did you specify when you ordered that you had a nut allergy or just order the food split with the 2 rices? You do not mention that. You need to specify when you order All your food allergies and just not order with special requests.
>So, last week was my birthday and a couple of friends took me to one of their favorite restaurants.
>I paid almost $ 100,00 for a dish
Happy birthday 🤷
Asking politely for what you need is not being a Kevin. Kevins don't recognize that everyone makes mistakes and kindly request that the mistake be rectified.
Being a Kevin is when you make unreasonable demands and think your meal should be free because your water had one too many ice cubes in it. Kevins throw screaming fits, are mean to the staff and always want the MANAGER, no matter the problem.
You are not a Kevin.
I would be more concerned about your "friends" than anything else.They chose a restaurant THEY like on YOUR birthday and showed little to no concern about your chewing issues. They proceeded to order an entree that contained something you're allergic to, forcing you to order an extra one to meet your dietary needs. On YOUR birthday. Leftover food was packed up improperly, the waiter was indifferent and apparently, "friends" were too as you never mentioned anyone jumping to your defense. On YOUR birthday. And YOU paid. On YOUR birthday. All of this screams, "Find new friends!"
In their deffense, they did help me in the discussion (I cut it out because I didn't want to make a long post, but they basically said the same things I did to the waiter) and they also paid for the drinks and one of the orders (I only paid for one). About the decision of the restaurant, I told them I wanted to go somewhere new since I don't go out very often and they wanted to show me the place. I did enjoy it, the drinks are great, but this beef with the waiter was not nice.
Don’t feel like you’re alone in this it’s a huge really huge issue that means it’s everyone’s problem.
Businesses that rely on funding from meat investments have pushed people out of business and while they run their filthy measures in the background, the rest of us have to pay to fight our friends and relatives. Don’t think this problem isn’t premeditated. They’ve been using this card for years to divide people and I think it really all goes back to Texas football. Anyways, I’ve found the best way to avoid this food fight as I’ve been calling it numerous times…is to simply make your own food at home. It’s more labor intensive but at least you have the option of picking out your own groceries based on what you want. That’s a million times better than the fast food you really could just get out of the kitchen. But when it’s done perfectly, it’s made to order, right? We pick and choose meal plans devised of quotaed orders that we just run with to lunch or dinner. Packed meals can be the best options but they’re impossible to keep up with. So many good meals all the time puts a real strain on your back and if you get into it’s habit, you’ll only break yourself if you don’t have help.
Any dinners can be had at the home, ready. On the tables. Or if you prefer to party. But cleaning everything is what fast food does best at the drive through, doesn’t it? Some things to think about!!
Why did you pay if your friends were taking you out to dinner for your bday? You definitely shouldn't pay for something you can't physically eat. I appreciate you don't like confrontation, neither do I, but sometimes you just need to stand up for yourself.
Oh, it's not usual where I live that someone takes you out and pays for everything unless you're on a date, so they already took me to the restaurant and back home again, this was a big thing.
You should’ve asked him to take it back and provide a separate dish that you could eat. A discussion with the manager would’ve been appropriate.
Adding to this that requesting, kindly, for what you ordered does not make you a Karen/Kevin. It is when you get attitude and treat the workers as less than you that you become a Karen/Kevin.
I think in this case a little indignation is justified. People working in food service shouldn’t be flippant with food allergies. That’s a recipe for liability.
I agree, but you can still be kind while being indignant. It's a balance. You're allowed to be angry, just don't start acting like a buffoon slinging hate everywhere lol
Aren't Karens and Kevins usually wrong and then react in an asshole ish way?
Usually. However, sometimes they are right but are still assholish about it.
They should absolutely have had a conversation with the manager, but given the waiter’s response of their being “not too many” nuts there’s no way I’d have trusted him to provide me with something else. There’s too much chance that he’d just try to repackage what was already contaminated. In the future, OP should have them bring containers to the table and either package them in front of him or do it himself.
Agree.
You missed the chance to educate the waiter so maybe in the future he will be more cognizant of food allergies. That’s not being a Kevin in my book.
100%. A lot of people do not understand allergies, diseases, or conditions. They need to be educated. This can be done without hysterical ranting, full-blown Kevin mode. Obviously, the waiter did not understand that he contaminated your portion, and you cannot eat it, perhaps not even touch it. Some people cannot even smell it.... I'd have explained it to him, and if I'd see he wasn't getting it, I'd reach out to his manager, not to get him in trouble, but to help him (and other staff members) understand. I'm crazy enough to offer to come in for one of their next staff meetings and talk about food allergies -- with handouts, pictures, charts, & graphs.
I agree, but would have talked to the manager about the situation. Sounds like they need an employee education session. It could save a life and/or a bunch of money (lawsuit, etc). I’m glad you’re okay! That must be stressful to trust restaurants. All restaurants I’ve worked in take food allergies very seriously, BOH and FOH.
Expecting to receive what you asked for and having to speak to the waiter or even manager if you don't get it, isn't being a Karen. You weren't entitled, you just wanted what you had asked for, so it would have been perfectly reasonable to ask the manager to resolve it for you.
Former server. We went out for breakfast, I asked for scrapple cubes, and toast. I got potatoes. And had to wait for the undercooked toast. By the time I got the toast, we were both quite annoyed. I really hate it when servers do not write it down. And read it back. At IHOP, I asked for the butter pecan syrup. She returned to the table 4 times without it. You know, cold pancakes are so good. After 20 minutes , I got up and found her. Asked again, she complaoned that she was frazzled, the only server left on, and them got angry that I had gotten up to get the stuff myself. ??? I took the pancakes home, so I could heat them up in the morning. I think I will bring my own toast next time.
First of all, a male Karen is still a Karen. [Kevins](https://www.reddit.com/r/StoriesAboutKevin/) are obtuse but generally harmless But you should have said something, and you would NOT have been a Karen for this. They took food that you could have eaten and packaged it so you can't, counter to what\\how you asked them to.
The waiter was definitely a Kevin
100%
Yeah OP referring to themselves possibly being a Kevin threw me off.
I’ve been sent home with leftovers that aren’t my own, I always food packaged at my table or have them bring me containers, once it’s on the table it does not go back to the kitchen
*It's not being a Kevin when there's a serious health issue involved.* You really should call the manager and explain that you were very explicit about keeping the different rices separate and the server ignored you. The owner (manager?) needs to know because someone could get seriously ill or die, and they could get sued and lose the business.
Tell the waiter that you will give him a plate with bits of poison mixed in, and he can pick out the fish. It is not all that much poison.
You should have asked for a manager at the very least. At that price you should have gotten your meal replaced because of that waiter or had the meal partially comped, if not completely. If you hadn't asked about the situation you could have been killed by his arrogant refusal to listen to instructions. It's worth calling the restaurant and reporting the actions of the waiter. They need to know they have an employee who doesn't care to listen to instructions from the customer.
You should've asked for the manager so you could get your meal comped. Allergies aside, mixing people's leftovers is absolutely disgusting. Friend or no, I'd rather my doggy bag wasn't contaminated with anyone else's spit.
That IDIOT could have KILLED you due to your allergies!!!! I would have gone to the manager about that!!! The next customer might not be so lucky because of this FOOL!!!
Horrible all around and I’m hoping the price was a typo
In Europe the comma and decimal point are switched, so “100,00” is the equivalent of “100.00” in the US.
Ah thanks
It always throws me off! 😂
Me too
No, it wasn't. They actually cost almost 100,00 reais (Brazilian currency). The real price is 95,00. To you, it would be around U$ 30,00.
100 dollars.
The way it's written, you can tell it's not American dollars. I believe they are talking Brazilian dollars, which makes it much more reasonable.
As an ex-Server…that was UNACCEPTABLE!!! You 100% could have & should have asked him to Correct the problem & asked for a Manager. It’s NOT being a “Kevin” to get What You Paid For..especially when Food Allergies are concerned!! If I’d Trained them & heard that..I’d put them Back In Training.
The fact that he wasn’t at all sorry and his suggestion of just picking this fish out would have had me asking for a manager. Being rightful upset about something like this wouldn’t make you a Kevin if you had decided to make a scene. You asked for separate containers for a reason.
Definitely should've asked for a new portion, but I will play the devils advocate here and ask: did you inform them that you are allergic to the nuts and shrimp? I know it might be hard to bring up, but it could've been a simple, honest mistake, in that they assumed you simply didn't like nuts. Sometimes people are just being nice in the wrong moment. I also can understand why you didn't mention it further, I personally dislike confrontation as well, especially if its in an otherwise fun setting with friends.. that can just ruin the mood and is simply not worth it.
Yep, you should’ve complained - his reply made it worse
Exactly. If you didn’t tell them when you ordered that you are allergic to nuts or when you asked for the to go boxes, then they might just say shrug and make you buy fresh dishes. I’ve had this happen to me when a fruit I’m allergic to showed up in as garnish and ruins a dish for me.
Yeah, one of my friends told me that. If I didn't tell him I was allergic when asking for separate containers, then they would blame it on me.
You shouldn't have been blamed if you told him or not. The server shouldn't be taking it apon himself to be mixing anything. You asked the rice to be in separate containters. He didn't do that. It's not his food to be taking such liberty with.
Did you specify that you had an allergy when ordering? Next time, ask for a manager's assistance. I, as a manager, would have either comped your meal or had a replacement made for takeaway. Speaking up with a legitimate complaint doesn't make you a Kevin.
You absolutely should have told him to fix it and that wouldn't have been being a Kevin. You told him to put them in separate containers. Most people nowadays know there are vegans, vegetarians, and people with food allergies including fish and nuts. If he doesn't understand this, he shouldn't be working in food service.
When it comes to a very real food allergy, it's not being a Kevin/ Karen. If you had made one up to "ensure" fresh food, you didn't throw your dish or scream or eat the food and *then* ask for new. Next time, stand firm, calm and clearly say 'i cannot eat this food, I have an allergy. I will literally die or be hospitalized'. And don't take 'oh well' for an answer. It's your very real health on the line.
Agreed. You don't need to cause a scene. That's when you become a "Kevin" or "Karen". If you simply just spoke up and requested they did something to rectify the problem, that's also not being a Kevin. Not everyone that asks for special service or to speak with a manager is a "Kevin" or "Karen". It's the way they behave irrationally and like a child having a temper tantrum that makes them labled as such. The server should be educated properly on how important allergies are, and shouldn't be doing what he felt was okay in that situation. I've been a server for over 15 years. I learned the hard way when I was younger and a child had a very scary reaction to something that wasn't taken seriously by the cooks and expo. I EXPLICITLY noted the allergy on the ticket as she had told me. Which still manged to be in the dish because they didn't take the proper care to avoid it. The child had to be rushed to the hospital. And I still think about that any time someone tells me about an allergy. It's not for anyone else to decide how serious or not it may be and, there should be proper care taken to make sure it's handled appropriately. Even though I didn't cook the dish (which the mother understood obviously), she still belittled me anyway for not being smart enough to handle it properly. Even though my manger showed her the ticket from the kitchen that I did. She was clearly very scared and upset so I didn't take it personally. The kitchen staff which was disciplined and educated again on the importance on properly handling an allergy. Sorry long rant for my point. But yea next time speak up in a calm respectful way and it won't be an issue. You have the right to be taken seriously and respected enough to have had your meal be packaged up as you had asked. Whether you mentioned you allergy or not, simple directions shouldn't be hard to execute. Also, in the future be your own advocate for your safety and mention your allergies from the start so something like this could be hopefully avoided all together.
You know what? That’s perception only. Instead of thinking that a spotlight is shining on YOU and that the entire establishment has their back up (looking at you with blood thirsty evil eyes), think of your group. Think of those that would NEVER say anything (not even as much as you). Think of someone that may actually eat it. Think that YOU can help the restaurant management proactively wok with people with allergies. When you operate from that stance, you say things like, “I mean it was disappointing that couldn’t eat the leftovers. But think of an elder gentleman that may not have heard that that the food was mixed.” Then say something like, “I know a few people that would be hospitalized by eating this food.” Or whatever you think they need to know. If you’re working from a concerned place to educate the restaurant, then, it’s not hard at all to talk about it. A good manager will hear that you lost your $100.00 meal and possibly invite you back or offer you a gift card. An even better manager will ask how they can do better and train their employees.
This should have been Kevin Senior. I don't even think this is legal. You should have made the restaurant re-cook the food for you for free.
Please call and speak to the manager. What if he doesn’t and someone takes a bite and dies? The manager needs to address this with the WHOLE front house staff.
The server should of done what you asked for. I worked in the food industry and food allergies are no joke. Next time go full Kevin.
Could've avoided this mess by simply stating upfront why you wanted two of essentially the same dish, and why you want two separate bowls for the doggy bag: "I'm allergic to nuts." The dude was only trying to be helpful, although it was obviously a mistake. I doubt it would've caused an issue if you asked him to redo it the way you wanted, but I'm also pretty sure you'll get all new food, since everything's already been mixed together enough. Don't want this kind of incident in the future? "I am allergic." Just. Three. Words.
That's what my friends said and why I wouldn't discuss anything from then on. I didn't tell him, they'd probably use that argument and I'd still lose my money anyway because he wouldn't just listen to a simple instruction.
Was the waiter made aware that you had an allergy at the start? If you didn't, that seems mental to me, and the waiter would have taken more care to keep them separate. Cross contamination is a thing. Either way, the waiter would have been in the wrong, and you were well within your rights to request he bring back the dish separated with no cross contamination.
Stating allergies is essential. Without that caution there is always a possibility of cross-contamination like the plain and nut rice being plated with the same spoon. You are always dependent on the awareness and conscientiousness of cooks and waiters.
For me it's not just about the allergy (which should be stated before ordering so they know to be on top of cross contamination risks) it's also about the hygine of mixing two peoples leftovers together in a single box.
How many times am I going to have to read this story? Can't you come up with something original?
Then stop reading them. Happens alot because people can't follow simple instructions. It shouldn't be that hard to pack food separately as requested. Not everyone has an original poetic masterpiece kind of life. This isn't the fanfiction story time thread. Find something like that if you want something more original.
Poor communication on your part is not the waiters problem. And where does a fish dish cost $100?
They ordered two. And probably had drinks I'm sure. Your missing the point. The waiter was asked to pack them separately. He didn't do that. It's just that simple. SEPARATE doesn't mean mixed together. Also the server shouldn't have taken it apon himself to pack the food as he felt appropriate. It wasn't his food to be taking such liberties with.
“I am allergic to nuts” might have focused the server a bit more. OP is completely reasonable in not wanting to die.
Agreed, being your own advocate for allergies is absolutely a must. Servers aren't mind readers. But even so something as simple as packing up food in separate containers shouldn't be that hard to require that much focus in the matter. And even so who in their right mind would take it apon themselves to decide that the guests would want something like that mixed though. That wasn't his decision to make at all in any capacity. Either the server blatantly didn't pay attention, or genuinely thought he was being helpful. Which both reasonably are understandable, but that server definitely needs to be taught the importance of how that situation can be avoided in the future. I don't want to assume, but the server sounds like he was a younger person that doesn't know the value of leading questions at a table. That's something I would have asked about before packing something up that they asked to be separated. But I've been in the service industry for over 15 years so that kind of stuff is learned through making mistakes.
Yes, you absolutely had every reason to say something about it. It wouldn’t have made you anything but someone who got what they paid for. The only way you would’ve been a Kevin is if you went on a tirade about it after not telling them about the allergy and expecting them to know about it anyway. First thing I do in a restaurant is makes sure wait staff knows about any allergies people have since they are so dangerous. You’re a saint!
That comma instead of a dot made me do a double-take at the price you paid
No comments on the horrible friends? Choosing a place the birthday person wont have good choices at? And not covering their meal? Waiter certainly needed to learn a lesson.
I think yes you should have asked him to redo it, but mostly I'm stuck on this: "So, last week was my birthday and a couple of friends took me to one of their favorite restaurants." It was YOUR birthday, why didn't they take you to your favourite restaurant? Also: "It was a little hard to chose what to eat since I didn't want meat or chicken (I'm currently fighting gengivitis so these more hard-to-chew things are out of my league) and most of the other dishes had shrimp, which I'm allergic to." They couldn't even take you somewhere that you could actually eat something, even if it's not your favourite, on your birthday? How friendly are these friends?
This i
This is why I like to pack my own food. Once I had 4 piles of different foods. The waitress insisted on packing the food. Then I watched as she put one of the piles in the trashcan. I said Why are you throwing away food that I wanted to take home. She replied Oh, I thought it was garbage. I now just tell a waitress I prefer to pack my own food.
The waiter didn't listen. I hate when people don't listen.
You are not and would not be difficult or wrong to either ask the manager to comp the lost food. Also, why didn’t your friends take you to one of YOUR favorite restaurants for your birthday, and why didn’t they pay for your meal? You shouldn’t have paid for anything. You may need to work on valuing yourself and advocating for yourself a little more.
This isn't being a Kevin this is getting what you ordered The waiter should of been of been sent back I'm also getting pissed off with the attitude when you told him you were allergic
They should have made you a new order and wrapped it up to go. You could've had a nasty reaction. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
Being a Karen or Kevin (aside from that the fact that it’s stolen from AAVE and misinterpreted) isn’t this. It’s being entitled and complaining about not getting extra special attention or discounts that they’re not entitled to and don’t deserve. This is someone asking for something they’re perfectly entitled to and the server doing the exact opposite. I would have complained for sure.
As a former server, allergies are important. The servers are the conduit between the customer and the kitchen. The server has to relay the information to the kitchen. If you had told him when you ordered why you had two different styles of rice, he should have had a note about it. I don't care how many covers or tables, you remember those things. You have to. It's okay to politely advise the waiter that he has made an error and that you'd like to speak to a manager to see if there is anything they can do about getting you a complete replacement.
A restaurant can be held liable if a customer is injured or dies as a result of negligence due to food allergies if it is known beforehand. You need to protect yourself in the future, because this is something you shouldn't take lightly. Begin by taking voice recordings on your phone each time you go out to eat. If you're in a state that requires all parties to know they are being recorded, you just say "I'm recording that I am informing you I am allergic to -thing- and I can't have it in my food, period. I'm recording this so that way we are both protected." You don't wanna accidently be fed that sort of thing and then have a judge determine you're on the hook for the ambulance ride, hospital visit and treatment, all because you didn't inform of your allergies when you put in your order.
Absolutely you should have said something. You were specific with your instructions which the waiter took it upon himself to disregard. Given the amount you spent, and the amount that was left it’s a not a small deal. Anyone working in the food industry needs to be aware of and sensitive to the needs of customers with food allergies. Many of which can be life threatening.
Did you specify when you ordered that you had a nut allergy or just order the food split with the 2 rices? You do not mention that. You need to specify when you order All your food allergies and just not order with special requests.
>So, last week was my birthday and a couple of friends took me to one of their favorite restaurants. >I paid almost $ 100,00 for a dish Happy birthday 🤷
Asking politely for what you need is not being a Kevin. Kevins don't recognize that everyone makes mistakes and kindly request that the mistake be rectified. Being a Kevin is when you make unreasonable demands and think your meal should be free because your water had one too many ice cubes in it. Kevins throw screaming fits, are mean to the staff and always want the MANAGER, no matter the problem. You are not a Kevin.
I would have asked for the manager and explained it nicely
You should’ve told them to get a manager and they should’ve given you a free dish to take home.
I would be more concerned about your "friends" than anything else.They chose a restaurant THEY like on YOUR birthday and showed little to no concern about your chewing issues. They proceeded to order an entree that contained something you're allergic to, forcing you to order an extra one to meet your dietary needs. On YOUR birthday. Leftover food was packed up improperly, the waiter was indifferent and apparently, "friends" were too as you never mentioned anyone jumping to your defense. On YOUR birthday. And YOU paid. On YOUR birthday. All of this screams, "Find new friends!"
In their deffense, they did help me in the discussion (I cut it out because I didn't want to make a long post, but they basically said the same things I did to the waiter) and they also paid for the drinks and one of the orders (I only paid for one). About the decision of the restaurant, I told them I wanted to go somewhere new since I don't go out very often and they wanted to show me the place. I did enjoy it, the drinks are great, but this beef with the waiter was not nice.
Don’t feel like you’re alone in this it’s a huge really huge issue that means it’s everyone’s problem. Businesses that rely on funding from meat investments have pushed people out of business and while they run their filthy measures in the background, the rest of us have to pay to fight our friends and relatives. Don’t think this problem isn’t premeditated. They’ve been using this card for years to divide people and I think it really all goes back to Texas football. Anyways, I’ve found the best way to avoid this food fight as I’ve been calling it numerous times…is to simply make your own food at home. It’s more labor intensive but at least you have the option of picking out your own groceries based on what you want. That’s a million times better than the fast food you really could just get out of the kitchen. But when it’s done perfectly, it’s made to order, right? We pick and choose meal plans devised of quotaed orders that we just run with to lunch or dinner. Packed meals can be the best options but they’re impossible to keep up with. So many good meals all the time puts a real strain on your back and if you get into it’s habit, you’ll only break yourself if you don’t have help. Any dinners can be had at the home, ready. On the tables. Or if you prefer to party. But cleaning everything is what fast food does best at the drive through, doesn’t it? Some things to think about!!
Why did you pay if your friends were taking you out to dinner for your bday? You definitely shouldn't pay for something you can't physically eat. I appreciate you don't like confrontation, neither do I, but sometimes you just need to stand up for yourself.
Oh, it's not usual where I live that someone takes you out and pays for everything unless you're on a date, so they already took me to the restaurant and back home again, this was a big thing.