Absolutely. Before every show at the Alamo, they show a funny clip with the text "Don't talk during the movie, or we'll take your ass out!" They mean it, too. I've seen people ejected from the theater for making too much noise, and nobody had even complained (yet). Between that, the no-kids policy, the outstanding (and unobtrusive) service, and the good food, I haven't been to a theater other than the Alamo in almost two years.
I like to think of myself as a good tipper. I start with 20%, and if the service is exceptional, I'll tip 25%. I've tipped more, but that's unusual. When I get poor service, but the waitperson is trying, and the place is a madhouse, so maybe it's not their fault, I'll still go the 20%. If I get poor service that goes downhill from there, and the waitperson cops an attitude as they don't refill our water/iced tea, take away plates, ignore us, don't bring courses in their proper order. Bring the main course 5 minutes after we got the salad... and so on, then I start something in my head I call the "tip-o-meter." The worse things get, the lower the tip. I know it sounds obvious, but some folks think they should give a good tip regardless of how they are treated. I call that being a chump, but that's just me. I've left a buck on the table before for rude and horrific service, and I'll do it again, or worse, if the service is bad enough. And I won't go back to the place. Just my two cents. I think writing a letter to management is a good idea. They should know what's going on without you telling them, of course, but maybe not, and sometimes they'll send you a giftcard and ask you to try them again.
We're gonna party! We're gonna rock! We got tickets to the Cinemark! Those old cinemark jingles were the best part of going to the movies when I was a kid...
We go to one of the Drafthouses in Austin regularly. I agree with most of what you posted, except to say that their chili dogs suck. Otherwise, we love the theatres!
A couple of weeks ago I had a "bad" experience at Alamo. Bad in quotes because it was not really bad. I got no explanation why my order (a chicken basket) taken before the start of movie was not delivered until near the end of the movie. My first thought was either they lost my order or gave it to another person. I didn't tip the waiter cause I was pissed ("is everything alright with your meal?" Yeah I haven't gotten it) and had no change
the worst service in the entire city of austin is at Curra's on n. burnet rd. avoid it like the plague. you're welcome.
I am the absolute KING of b****ing, especially at restaurants. I also have been in the food service industry and feel I am a pretty decent cook as well. Therefore I expect, no demand, that I get good service and good food. I'm not spending my hard earned money on some jack off that isnt properly trained to bring me food that sucks. I am not rude, or try not to be. I try to be constructive and to the point. I've gotten more meals free than I can count. I've actually purchused my own domain and intend (someday) of putting up a website just for this kind of stuff. Its supposed to be funny and informative at the same time. This makes me want to start working on it again.
So what did you do? Did you tell your server or your waiter or the manager of either one? Please don't tell me you just sat there and took that in and didn't go back to say anything. This, to me, is where customers fail. If I ever have a restaurant or any customer service business, I will always live by the motto: "If we served you well, please tell others. If we didn't, please tell us." EDIT: You got me. I just read the other thread. Either way, a customer who says NOTHING is a happy customer. Complain if you don't get everything right. It's your right.
Doesn't cost anymore than any other theatre, the food is reasonable, AND YOU CAN GET BEER ON TAP!!! How about that? They have stadium seating, with a counter to set your food and drinks on in front of you. They have an indiscrete way to place an order during a flick. Kinda hard to describe, really. You should check them out. A heads up, however... they frequently sell out showings in the evening for popular films because the seating is limited.
If I'm not mistaken, they are franchising. Haven't they opened at least one in Houston? A good business opportunity for someone, I'm thinking.
There are some horrible waiters out there for sure. That being said, some customers can be unusually horrible as well. Not saying the original poster was horrible of course. But, most people need to wait tables to know how hard it really is. Sometimes, one table can really get you in the weeds. BTW, most chains wouldn't charge for a split. The waiter really thought he was doing you a favor. When I've done this for a customer, 99% are usually very pleasantly surprised.
