BeeLiner Diner — Restaurant in Alexandria

Being first time diners who recently moved to the area @ this location we were excited and ready to dive into delicious bites. We walked in and were going to sit @ the bar but many seats still had dirty dishes and glassware. Once greeted we were taken to our table.

Our server was great all across the board but he never introduced himself so can’t provide a name.

We inquired on what’s good and not good and server was very transparent and honest which helped us narrow down our selections.

I ordered an iced caramel macchiato but was given a caramel latte. Drink was all caramel, cream and extremely sweet. Too sweet to enjoy. So I ordered a dbl espresso to add to the drink but that didn’t help so I had to let it water down just to enjoy it.

Our food came out and everything was cold or room temp. No butter for waffles or pancakes. So overall on beverages and food alone it wasn’t a good first time experience.

Working as an Operations Manager I notice everything but most importantly I also have 25 years restaurant and hospitality experience as a bartender, server and manager. Hospitality and guests/customer service is in my DNA.

I grew up on diners and love diners which is another reason why we came. I looked on website to see if they’re hiring and they are. So I asked our server and he said they absolutely were hiring. I asked because I know a few exceptional servers who are looking for work but I’m also involved in community engagement.

Our server went to get a manager, a gentleman who was behind the bar and who was chatting with another employee over nothing work related because I could hear the entire conversation. It seemed manager didn’t want his conversation to end with this employee because he simply shook his head no and continued to converse with employee simply disregarding me the guest and the server who inquired on my behalf.

Manager never came over even to simply introduce himself or to simply say they aren’t hiring. His actions and demeanor was cold, unwarranted but most of all made me the guests feel as if I was bothering him. It takes 2 seconds to say hello but clearly he had better things to do with his time.

The place wasn’t busy, he wasn’t busy but most of all he didn’t appreciate our business. Chit chatting with an employee about things not work related seemed more valuable and important to him then taking 5 mins to speak with me or even touch tables to welcome guests and to get feedback on their experience.

We were going to come back for bingo and bring a group of friends but after this encounter we won’t be returning. Even as we walked out not one employee thanked us for coming nor welcomed us back.

Diners are supposed to be fun, lively, welcoming and exuding hospitality and personality. This location completely misses the mark.

Called to obtain General Manager or Owners name and email but phone calls went unanswered the 4 times we called....

I am trying really hard to like this place because the food is outstanding. The servers all seem to be trying really hard to keep people happy. It really feels though that management and especially ownership are keeping the place from being amazing.

We've been three or four times now. Each time there's part of the system and design that just feels off which leaves a weird feeling about the whole thing.

First time we went was on a trivia night! Cool, love trivia. But no one let us know how to join, if there was a cost, etc. So we just listened to the answers given out on a loudspeaker. Which was odd because they never cut the music. Not a huge deal, but didn't realize it as a flag.

Second trip we noticed how open the service station is and how it doubles as a staff break area. So right jext to where your sodas are coming from are staff drinks, a table where people hang on their phones, paperwork is strewn about and small meetings happen. Again, not a big deal, but after last night ita clear where the culture is coming from.

Arrived on a Friday night at about 640, bartender and one server working a huge room. Manager finally arrives at the front to seat us - no host is working. Shows us to a table. The place is probably 1/2 full. Busiest we've ever seen. Server and bartender are hustling but can't keep up. Manager makes no offer to get drinks, share specials or let us know about Happy Hour. Server comes with water, apologizes for the wait, says she'll be right back. Find Happy Hour info on table, but when she gets back we've missed it. So we don't order drinks. Food and drinks come out, mostly right. Refills don't happen on the regular, but only because the 2 FOH staff can't keep up. I don't blame them, at all.

All through this, three owners (I asked) are sitting in a corner table eating, chatting, etc. So many dirty tables all around, guests needing things, slow service - all this is ignored. To a point manager and bartender thought a table left without paying. Finally the server brought our bill without asking abput dessert. So, we didn't order any.

That approach by the owners explain all the experience ls we've had. They set the tone and culture. It's ok to not worry about the details. It's ok to be lounging in full view of the guests. It's ok to just do your job and not worry about the big picture.

It's so close to being so much fun. The space is great, the food is great, the front-line staff are working hard. I'd love to come in with a bunch of friends for drinks, dessert and trivia on a regular basis. I just have no idea if any of those things are any good because the owners don't seem to care much about...

Finally took a chance on Beeliner Diner on a sleepy Presidents' Day with kids to feed. But if today was representative, they've got some work to do.

GLARING CONS: (1) My daughter's milkshake looked like one I'd make at home with my crap blender: lumps of ice cream in watery milk. (On second thought, it looked more like one I'd make with NO blender.) In my humble opinion, a $9 milkshake should at least be of uniform consistency, if not also thick à la Five Guys. (2) My coffee was served with a big smack of purple lipstick around the rim. Rather than act the male Karen, I simply drank from the other side (after all, Milana Vayntrub or Rachel Weisz might have used it prior). I did, however, point out to the waiter at the end of our penance that the lipstick was not my shade. (3) Were I the server in such a situation, I'd probably think to remove the $3 charge for said coffee, never mind its mediocrity. (4) I had the $13 hoagie, which I believe was the cheapest entrée on the menu (to the waiter's credit, he could have upsold me on the $15 cauliflower burger when I asked for a recommendation between the two). Thing is, it looked and tasted EXACTLY like one of those giant, cling-wrapped hoagies you buy for $6 at Safeway - crumbly stale "bread" and all - and, being that there's a Safeway right nextdoor, it indeed occurred to me that that's exactly what I'd been served. (It was at least accompanied by Chick-Fil-A-esque waffle fries, although they hadn't been hot for quite some time.)

PROS: (1) The kids-menu pizza is plenty big enough for two fourth-grade children. It's a good thing I didn't know that in advance, however, because my son was no fan of its super-oily, garlic-bread-style crust (his sister liked it fine, though). (2) He had the Belgian Waffle, which was, as the waiter described it, "huge" and very good. My daughter proclaimed it "the best waffle I've ever tried." (Granted, she hasn't been to Western Europe yet.) (3) The decor is offbeat and pleasant enough and they serve booze - both of which may somewhat distract from the overpriced, underwhelming fare. (4) The staff was friendly enough too, so I won't harp further on the otherwise general lack of professionalism that was pervasive during our visit. (5) You're greeted at the entrance by a number of appealing looking pies, although we did not partake.

VERDICT: Go to Bob & Edith's or the like if you're seeking traditional diner food; go to Silver Diner if you want to pay a fortune AND leave...