Restaurant servers not giving prices on specials

[larrybud]

On 7/13/2021 at 11:14 AM, GHIN n Juice said:

Feel free to ask, but be sure to listen, lol.  I was on vacation with my family when I was about 15 and I was at the far end of the table from the waiter.  I asked how much the crab special was, but didn’t really hear the answer.  None the less, I ordered it and enjoyed my meal.  As we're walking out my mom tells me that was $75.  I got crab crackers for my birthday that year.

 

Honestly, that's on the waiter. If a kid is ordering some dish that's out of line with the standard fare, clarification/confirmation should be given to the parents.

[aloha b.]

If my wife and I are eating at a fine dining restaurant or for that matter any restaurant and if they offer specials of the day or if on the menu there's AQ or market price next to an entree I'll ask the price and if either of us wants it we will order it no matter what it cost. You only live once!

Edited August 11, 2021 by aloha b.

[@_the_crook]

On 7/13/2021 at 6:22 PM, Soloman1 said:

I remember the old days when the guys working at The Italian Village in Chicago would tell you what you were ordering that night. And they were usually right... 😉

 

Sabatino's too.

 

we always left quite satisfied.

[LPSISCO]

I’m a sales rep who spends at least $25k per year taking customers to dinners. I also was a waiter for several years in college. I agree with the OP - the server should tell you the price of the specials when he describes it. 
 

The price is a consideration when I’m buying anything, including golf clubs. I can afford PXG Gen 4’s, and if I wanted them because they were the best fit I’d buy them. But if I’m between Gen 4’s and Pings and really think they perform the same for me, I’ll buy the less expensive Pings. It’s all about opportunity cost - I can drop $3k on Gen 4 irons, or get the same performance from $1500 Pings and buy another driver and a mountain bike instead….or just save $1500. So if I’m interested in a dinner special and I’m between that and something else I’m considering, I want to know the price. And I shouldn’t have to ask what it is - I don’t have to ask what the price is for anything else on the Covid disposable paper menu you printed this morning or on the bar code Covid menu I scanned into my phone. You can add the specials description and price to either easily. Why are you afraid to be transparent?

 

To the restaurant workers who’ve weighed in stating that some customers will be upset if you mention the price of the special, a question - do you have prices on the menu? If so - why? Aren’t your customers upset that you list the prices on the regular menu? Shouldn’t it just be a surprise when they get the bill? 
 

 

[Bonneville85308]

I always ask the price of a special I'm interested in if they don't mention it...one time years ago I got burned because they didn't mention it, I didn't ask, I ordered it, and when I got the bill it was a $50 steak entree in a restaurant where the next most expensive item (also a steak) was like $30. Not that I couldn't afford it, but it was more than I wanted to spend, and it wasn't enough of a jump in quality of meat over the $30 steak to justify the extra cost.

[chippa13]

On 7/10/2021 at 11:28 AM, Gohigh said:

Dont ever order specials. Its usually created to get rid of inventory or perishable products about to go bad. Having said this... There are other platforms other than GOLFWRX to complain or vent about stuff like this...

The rule of specials is never order a special where the main ingredient is something found on the menu. If it is something that isn't a normal menu staple then you are usually good to go.

[chippa13]

On 7/13/2021 at 7:22 PM, Soloman1 said:

I've got loads of experience. I've been eating food for well over half a century.

 

If I'm not interested in the special, it doesn't matter how much it is.

 

I remember the old days when the guys working at The Italian Village in Chicago would tell you what you were ordering that night. And they were usually right... 😉

I've had a few occasions at places we are regulars at where our usual bartender just tells me what I'm having for dinner that night. There's an Italian place about 45 minutes from us that I've been dying to try. Basically, you tell the guy what kind of stuff you like and he just goes and whips up something for you.

[EddieEdwards]

I have friends that were staying at the beverly wilshire new years eve.  The dinner special was $400 before 6.  They didn't catch that last part and spent $1200 for dinner.

[charli]

On 7/10/2021 at 9:03 AM, Mr. Grumpy said:

Hopefully you do not base your tip on that belief..

For sure does