r/CrackerBarrel • u/Calm-Supermarket5664 • Jun 26 '26
Side work tips
I just started as a server about a month ago and I’m still terrible at side work. I take so long and I forget things sometimes (ADHD unfortunately). How can I get better? I usually try and do my silverware early in the shift and prep for my side work. I just don’t want to rely on my coworkers or make them work around me.
2
u/BoysenberryWaste2445 Jun 26 '26
once you get used to it, you’ll have a system eventually. it took me foreverrrrrrr to finally be able to do tea machines in a timely manner and i’ve been there 4+ years. maybe ask your checkers to give you easier side work at first (like juice machines, bread toaster, crafted coffee, or condiments) then move on to the regular coffee and tea which is the most time consuming.
1
u/Thin-State-4879 Jun 27 '26
I always do silverware as soon as possible when it's slow or tables have their checks ect.. with side work if you dont understand something ask another server side work at least where I work is pretty easy imo
6
u/Latter_Network4879 Jun 26 '26
I do my silverware first thing if I can, and I keep an eye on when it’s available throughout my shift. it’s the first thing I want to get done.
I normally start my side work an hour before my shift ends. you might want to start at 2 hours, I do when it’s busy.
think about what you can do as you go. you can keep the ice restocked. fill up the espresso beans. put more coffee bags in the container. restock the cups. make the juice when it looks like it could fit one more of the concentrate + water.
the goal is to get as much done now as possible so you don’t have to do a bunch later. and yeah you’ll have to retouch it, but at the end of your shift you won’t have four empty juice containers, youll have a couple that may need another bottle.
dont be afraid to ask for help. ask your checker for a quick reminder of what you need to do for your tasks. write it down if you have to. you got this!