Early Bird Special

Ok, here's another sore subject with food servers around the globe..... People abusing or taking advantage of early bird specials.

What is an "early bird special"? An early bird special is something that is designed to generate business in typically non-busy hours. Generally the peak hours for dinner are somewhere between 6PM and 8PM. The restaurant I used to work at had an early bird special from 4:30PM-6PM SHARP! It would never cease to amaze me how many people would get there at 6:15 or 7PM and DEMAND the same special price.

LOOK! If a special goes from 4:30 until 6PM, then you don't get it at 6:15, or 7, or 8.... Also, if you are an incompletely seated party that is seated before 6PM, then that doesn't give the rest of your party carte blanche to show up at 6:30 or whenever and expect to get the special. For that matter, the excuse "We were WAITING for a table" doesn't fly either---early bird is called EARLY for a reason! And if the "special" comes with a free dessert, then DON'T ASK for a second free dessert or cup of coffee because you are sharing the special!

Last gripe about the early bird...... If the special is a Monday night special, then don't ask for it on Tues or Wed or Sat! I swear one customer went BALLISTIC that there was a sign that suggested the Monday night king crab special and he insisted they offer it to him on Tues night because he saw it on the sign!!! Unbelievable people...........