Food was good…. service not so much

Tonight my husband and I had some errands to run in highland park, so afterwards we went out to get a bite to eat.

Our “what do you want to eat” ” I don’t know or care” typical conversation was much shorter this time, as I excitedly had an answer.

“La Casa de Issac and Moishe”

This would be his first time there, and it had been two years or so since I had gone. I was so excited for hubby to try it, but his review was ” food was good, service not so much.”

And he was right.

The service was certainly not bad, but it wasn’t good either. The waiter was nice, and smiled, but it was definitely that “here’s your food, I’m going to pretend to care,” smile. My neck is also hurting from having to look around the restaurant to have to find him.

Is this acceptable? Because you serve really great food, you get a pass on service?

Posing this question makes me think of the Seinfeld episode, “The Soup Nazi”, where the friends are willing to take a verbal beat down from the head of the soup restaurant because the soup is sooo good. But, why? Is this the only place with good soup? Is soup that worth it?

I’ve seen on friend’s Facebook pages where they poll their friends over a rotten experience they had at a “good” restaurant. Basically, they want reassurance that they don’t deserve to be treated poorly. These same people would never question it if the food was just as lousy.

Restaurants with great food need to protect their asset. If you got the goods, flaunt it, right? The servers should be so excited about their menu, and they should be talking to their guests about it! They should check in to make sure their patrons are loving their meals. People will only take and accept mediocre to poor service for so long before they realize there are other places that will do better.

Our usual go to Mexican restaurant, La Taquiza, is amazing. It isn’t fancy, but it has authentic fresh food, with lovely people serving it. When I go to pick up food, I receive a warm welcome, they always put my order together well, and they genuinely care for their customers and food.

La Casa de Issac and Moishe has great food, but I wouldn’t be surprised if another 2 years pass before I go back.