Is there a polite way to send bad food back at a restaurant?

Question

I had dinner at a restaurant, and ordered the same thing that I always order there. This time when it came out, it was nearly inedible. It had clearly been reheated from earlier in the day, and as a result it was horribly leathery. It then appeared as though the cooks had doubled the normal amount of spices to cover up the fact that the food was old.
It actually made me so sick to my stomach, I completely lost my appetite.
I didn't know a polite way to send it back, though, so I just left it on my plate, but then the waiter acted very put-out that I hadn't eaten it.
So is there a polite, graceful way to send back bad food?

Answer 1

You should have told the waiter immediately that the food was not acceptable and ordered something else. It's not the waiter's place to act put out.

Answer 2

Call the waiter over and point out politely and quietly the problem. Ask for a replacement. Keep in mind the waiter is not at fault, so be sure not to blame them. If not getting any satisfaction then ask for the manager and do the same thing again. Being polite and discrete goes a long way in getting what you want. I have done this several times with no problem.

Answer 3

I used to be a server (used to, as in 2 weeks ago). I'm also a seriously picky eater. it is not uncommon to have to send food back to the kitchen. If you are the nice person you're making yourself out to be, there are several very easy things you can do to send your food back.

First, ever so nicely call your server over and say "i dont mean to be a pain, but..." and explain your problem. Be very forward, dont sugar coat it, straight up. "I order this very regularly, and this isnt very tastee. it seems to be very leathery, over seasoned, and just not fresh." Now... wait for the waiter to say something. A good waiter will ask you what you would like a new one or order something else. If the server says nothing, say "is there any way i can get another one" or " get something else?" if there is an issue, or you get charged for both meals on your tab... dont be afraid to call a manager!!

As long as you are polite and nice, even a little jokey/non-chalant about the whole thing, most people respond very positively.

i was at a resturant, and half my chicken came out RAW! i had already eatten one piece of chicken when i found the second one raw. I did exactly what i told you to. not only did they bring me a whole new plate of food (thats twice as much food), they didnt charge me for either.. and they gave us free dessert. We were very quiet to not make a scene, we were very polite, we didnt blame the server or the manager (they didnt cook it!) And they were both more than willing to accomidate us!

Answer 4

Simply call the waiter over and quietly explain that the dish doesn't seem to be up to its usual standards, and ask that it be returned to the kitchen. Almost every restaurant will offer to either replace the dish with a fresh one or to bring you something else. If they don't, then ask that the price be refunded. If the waiter gives you attitude, adjust your tip accordingly. If he tries to argue with you, ask to speak to the manager. There's no reason to make a scene.

I once had a pasta dish at a popular restaurant chain and discovered a slice of styrofoam mixed in with the pasta (hey, it was white . . . ) I caught the attention of the waitress, and quietly explained the problem to her and asked her to let the kitchen know so they could check other servings -- that was it. It didn't hurt me, or cause any problems -- it was just a surprise. The manager came by the table a few minutes later, apologized, and brought the table free dessert as an apology.

Answer 5

If my order is wrong or my steak isn't cooked properly, I will inform my server and have it sent back. A lot of times the waitress won't even tell the cook it's being sent back. For example, I was in a restaurant and didn't get my steak cooked properly. I told my server and she didn't even ask if I wanted another one or for it to be put back on the grill. All of a sudden, I had another steak in front of me and it was perfect. This doesn't always happen in all restaurants but the one I was in was great about it. I'll even ask for fresh fries if I get old ones in a fast food joint. You're paying for good, hot food so why not get it.

Answer 6

Call the waiter over,....say, I'm so sorry to put you through this but my dinner is inedible, the meat(or whatever it was you ordered) is leathery and tastes old. With that being said, just remain silent and wait for his response, He may say would you like me to bring another plate, say, I would like something altogether different, this dish has already made me feel sick to my stomach( that's if you still want to eat there) otherwise, say No, I've completely lost my appetite. Again remain silent , and wait for his response. If his response is not to your liking, never go back to that place and spread the word regarding its awful food.......

Answer 7

Just be polite to the waiter and tell him what the problem is. He will be more than happy to take care of the problem, after all, you being satisfied is what his tip is based off of. In fact, that may have been the reason he seemed put off: He could probably tell how unhappy you were, and figured you were going to take it out on him even though you didn't give him the chance to fix things.

Answer 8

Why are you having feelings over returning something that is inferior???

Just tell them it has not been properly prepared. I do it all the time. Ask for a reason why improperly prepared food was served.

If customers don't let managers know what is going on, it will continue. Providing quality products and service is not a goal of too many businesses in the USA.

If the manager or chef doesn't come to the table to explain to me why it happened, I don't go back.

Answer 9

I like MommaBea's answer. If this happens repeatedly definitely tell the manager about it. They will want to fix the problem before too many people decide not to come back to their restaurant, so you'll be doing the restaurant a favor by telling the manager. Since you apparently eat there all the time, they will want to respect your business as a repeat customer.

Answer 10

Yes, just explain the situation and it should not be a problem, After all you are the customer, it's your money. The waiter does not know there is a problem if you don't tell hiem, in your case he probably thought you wasted your money for no reason, and wondered why you ordered it if not hungry, so you should have told him. He should not be offended, he did not cook it. They are told what to do to remedy the situation when it comes up.