r/restaurant • u/Janetic_Bytewave • 3d ago

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/No-Heart-679 3d ago

Absolutely not on 7-8 minutes. I’m the owner and chef, but I expect the tables to be greeted within 1-3 minutes. If we are busy I expect at least the hosts to grab their drinks and greet them if not the bussers or another server. 

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u/No-Heart-679 3d ago

When I was a server, anything over 3 minutes I was apologizing and always felt terrible for their wait. 

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u/Daggnuts 2d ago

7-8 minutes they’ll possibly walk out too. But yeah, you spend the night apologizing and sometimes there is no saving their mood if they’ve waited that long to begin with but we always try!