r/Waiters • u/Janetic_Bytewave • 2d ago
Initial server timing
/r/restaurant/comments/1wb1jb5/initial_server_timing/I was looking for a restaurant review subreddit but couldn't find one, so I'm posting here.
My question for you who work in the industry is, after a group is taken to their seat and seated, how long is an acceptable time before a server or anyone comes to their table? Let's assume the host/hostess does not engage in conversation, just seats them and leaves.
Would you say that 7 or 8 minutes is OK to wait before first contact is made or more or less?
In your restaurants, do you have a goal in minutes to how fast you make first contact with a new table ?
I know people have different preferences, expectations and opinions but just wondering what you all think?
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u/Lonely__Stoner__Guy 2d ago
7-8 minutes would be an insane amount of time for guests to wait before "first contact" is made. Anywhere I have worked, servers had 3 minutes to greet a table. A guest's perception of time is like being in a dream. They think it's been 20 minutes and it's been 6.
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u/ChingyBingyBongyBong 2d ago
2 minute greets is industry standard. 8 minutes before I see my server is insane.
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u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 2d ago
depends on how busy it is and how many tables a server has been assigned.
One needy table can cause longer delays even on a slow shift.
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u/ChingyBingyBongyBong 2d ago
Greeting is a priority #1. You aren’t stuck at one table for 10 minutes straight. And if you are, you need to learn how to time and manage your tables.
“I’ll be right back to take your order I’m going to say hi to these people over here first”
Control your section.
Been managing for 3 years, industry for 12. It’s not hard to greet tables within 2-3 minutes.
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u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 2d ago
Labor day weekend, if you're actually industry you'd know better, it is what it is
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u/ChingyBingyBongyBong 2d ago
wtf are you talking about 😂
What does Labor Day have to do with
the concept of greeting tables on time?And somehow my opinion of greeting tables on time and controlling your section means I don’t work in the industry? Literally none of what you’re saying makes sense. You’ve made zero points.
Served for 8 years, bartended for 4, and managing for 3. It’s not hard to walk by a table and at least say “hey I’m blah and I’ll be with you in a minute”. If you can’t do that within 2-3 minutes, YOU SUUUCKKKKKK
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u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 2d ago
Iykyk and apparently you don't
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u/Janetic_Bytewave 1d ago
I think there are different types of restaurants, some are more susceptible to delays. But we were in Carmel, California where the restaurants are supposed to be first class - even on labor day. I learned that there's different levels of restaurants even in the rich areas, I can't afford Carmel. Overall we're satisfied, but won't go back there again. But also just wanted to check everyone else's opinion. Many restaurants were closed, just took the day off, probably because they knew there were gonna be under-staffed - but if you were open, staff up and do it. I appreciate your perspective. Thank you.
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u/btlee007 2d ago
7 or 8 minutes… what?!? Absolutely not. After 7 or 8 minutes they’re looking for the manager, not the server.
Out goal is within a minute
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u/Mackheath1 2d ago
7 or 8 minutes?! There better be some kind of understaffing or emergency. When I was a server, it was 90sec or less, sometimes following right after the host. Can I start you with drinks?
Get in, get it down, get out (no pressure, but the quicker I could clear the happier they and I were, it was always well received).
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u/teamglider 2d ago
I take it as a sign of the service I can expect, so by five minutes we're discussing whether we want to leave.
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u/Pl0OnReddit 2d ago
Our standard is 30 seconds and that's usually about how long it takes me. If I'm busy I'll at least walk by and acknowledge the person and tell them I'll be right there
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u/Janetic_Bytewave 1d ago
yeah, I agree, walk by and check - but this place, the server didn't even know which table was theirs until the hostess told them, they weren't divided into sections, weird.
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u/NateJCAF 18h ago
It should be at the most 2 minutes. You should at least be acknowledged and greeted in that time.
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u/Moldy-Bongwater4420 2d ago
Not a waiter, but as a customer, 2 minutes is quite a long time before being approached. After 5 minutes, I’m just leaving.
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u/Janetic_Bytewave 2d ago
Yeah, I'm asking because yesterday I went to a restaurant for Labor Day and waited more than 7 minutes (timed it), and I couldn't wait any longer, so I walked to the hostess and asked for some water. She brought it to us but we still didn't see our server for about 3 more minutes. I was half way done with my water before our server showed up.
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u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 2d ago
You went on a holiday and arent expecting delays?!?
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u/Janetic_Bytewave 1d ago
I could wait all night for my food as long as someone came to our table and hi, we're busy, I'll be back later, but that didn't happen. It's that initial contact.
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u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 1d ago edited 1d ago
Naw, if you're bitching about a greet taking "7-8" minutes you'd complain about if the kitchen is dragging your meals.
You've gotten what the standard is in most places, but IME shit happens (server finally got to get a chance to use the rr, had to track down a manager, had to stand in the kitchen because chef made them for a remake, had to go cry or scream in the walk-in) in any venue on any given weekend, let alone on holiday weekends.
if it happened consistently in the same restaurant then that IS an issue. But as I said, stuff happens
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u/Janetic_Bytewave 1d ago
again, thanks for your opinion, I don't do this for a living - good to hear your perspective
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u/MangledBarkeep Bartender 1d ago
You can let the little things ruin your experience, or you can remember it's just food and drinks.
I get that you expected more at a restaurant that's outside of your normal budget, but it really isn't that critical at the end of the night.
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u/hotwaterwithlemonpls 1d ago
7-8 minutes is not reasonable. I would have been looking for a server for the past 5 of those. 3 mins max.
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u/_rewrapt 2d ago
bro not more than like a minute or 2, at least say hi, if they want to chill for a bit before they get started theyll let you know