STORM2K

Kathy and I went to lunch at a favorite Chicago-themed pizza restauarant today. They serve tables both outside and in, but since it was busy on Valentine's Day, we asked for "first available" seating.

They told us the wait would be about 45 minutes. Our heart set on their pizza and the followup dessert, a pizzuki (6" hot chocolate chip cookie in a pizza pan with ice cream and whipped cream!), so we waited. It was almost 45 minutes exactly before we were seated outside in a wonderful sunny place.

Question is....when you go to a place to eat where reservations are not taken, are you willing to wait 5 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or longer? Or, like us, is it dependent on whether your mind (and taste buds) is set on a particular speciality of the house.

Typically 15-20 minutes for us. 45 is only if a pizzuki is involved!

Any specialties you'll wait a while for? Or do you typically move on (like many folks did today where we went) if the wait is very long.

Up to about 30 minutes I'm ok. If it's longer we'll usually go to a different place. Patience isn't my strong suit when my tummy says "Feed Me" LOL

It depends. If we are in a hurry (ie: on the road) then yes we move on. However, if it is someplace we want to eat at... we generally will wait.

If I really have my heart set on something at that particular restaurant I'm not leaving till I get it.

It depends on A.. are we in a rush, and B. is the food worth the wait lol.

Ah, Steve I'm willing to bet had you and Kathy had Emma along, you wouldn't have waited 45 minutes!!! More like 10 maybe. That's our situation and has been since the kids were little. I'd say 30 is our limit but we're more inclined to give our name if it's under 15 minutes. Problem is both my daughters start fighting and bickering, and by the time we're all seated there's a simmering argument going on. Jim and I look at eachother and sigh. Last time we didn't even wait for our name to be called, we just high tailed it for the car when the shoving/kicking started. Yes my sweet, dear daughters do that in public places!!! "Why are you such a nerd, why are you so mean, I can't wait to go to college, etc.". That's what we hear, as Jim walks to the bar for a beer. Get me one too I yell, while stepping in between my kids. Enjoy being able to wait 45 minutes b/c I'm sure you and Kathy don't argue!!! LOL

Mary

You got it right, Mary. Emma along and we go to Chuck E Cheese instead!

At this point in our lives, we enjoy people-watching while we wait. We completely dissected the personalities of the folks at the table nearby.

Of course, I'm sure those waiting behind us were doing the same with us!

My health doesn't permit me to spend any time in lines...I simply cannot stand up very long.

Restaurants that have "seats available" after, or before a certain time period are my "best shot"...on those rare occasions that I DO go out to dine.

WELL.....funny you should bring this up, we went to the casino last night for a Valentines dinner (which BTW was the BEST bargain on the mountain), Prime Rib buffet with Alaskan King Crab Legs, TONS of other seafood etc, etc all this for $13.95. We had to wait for OVER an hour! With the 3 day weekend, best skiing conditions in over 4 years, well, you get the picture, this mountain is PACKED to the HILT! While Michelle, Marci and myself waited, I decided to play a roll of quarters, in 3 minutes, I won enough (100$'s) to pay for the meal and THEN some. After dinner, we went to a concert there, the Coasters were playing........what a GREAT Valentines day!

Dennis

I think it would all depend on what I'm waiting for and how many of us are there. If it was just the two of us, we could sit by the bar and have a drink while waiting.

I hate waiting. I am impatient and would rather go home than wait in line.

Lindaloo wrote:I hate waiting. I am impatient and would rather go home than wait in line.

LOL! I'm the type to move to a new line at the store or at the toll booth if I feel I'm waiting too long - only to see I made the wrong decision! That REALLY throws me over the edge!

Maybe it just depends on where you live. In the smaller towns i wouldn't expect waiting too long. But at some of the places where i live...we've waited almost 2 hrs for a table. We only did this because the restaurant was in a mall so we just went around to some shops and such. PF Chang's and The Cheesecake Factory will definitly test my patience sometimes though!

Have had a challenge at both those places, too, JQ. Sometimes just the thought of waiting keeps you from giving it a try.

Stephanie wrote:

Lindaloo wrote:I hate waiting. I am impatient and would rather go home than wait in line.

LOL! I'm the type to move to a new line at the store or at the toll booth if I feel I'm waiting too long - only to see I made the wrong decision! That REALLY throws me over the edge!

You are not alone girlfriend!! I do it too. lol.

If we are out on the weekend and are in no hurry, I don't mind waitng a half hour or even an hour if the food is delicious.

Lindaloo wrote:

Stephanie wrote:

Lindaloo wrote:I hate waiting. I am impatient and would rather go home than wait in line.

LOL! I'm the type to move to a new line at the store or at the toll booth if I feel I'm waiting too long - only to see I made the wrong decision! That REALLY throws me over the edge!

You are not alone girlfriend!! I do it too. lol.

- I can be alittle impatient.

This reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld where Jerry, Elaine and George were waiting for a table at a fancy Chinese restaurant...and at the end of what seemed an "eternity" when they made alternate plans for meals...the gentleman behind the customer register podium yells..."SEINFELD!"...
after the friends had already left the establishment!

Eric

Skywatch_NC wrote:This reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld where Jerry, Elaine and George were waiting for a table at a fancy Chinese restaurant...and at the end of what seemed an "eternity" when they made alternate plans for meals...the gentleman behind the customer register podium yells..."SEINFELD!"...
after the friends had already left the establishment!

Eric

that was a funny episode!

I have waited for up to two hours for a table at an establishment. Twice, actually. the first was valentines day many years ago, when every place was packed, and none of them were taking reservations for the day. The other time was when an Olive Garden opened up near here. I don't mind the wait if there is room to wait, and there is a cocktail lounge to wait in.