Surin of Thailand — Restaurant in Atlanta

On 11/19/2022, I and 26 others went to Surin’s to celebrate my 50th birthday. I had pre-planned the occasion by speaking with “AJ” twice over the past three weeks. During both calls, AJ advised that he “preferred” one check be paid for the party of 27. I informed AJ that I could not guarantee this could be arranged since not everyone knows one another which makes it difficult to have one individual assume the cost of dining, while hoping strangers would repay them. AJ appeared to understand during both calls.

What started as a great birthday gathering was quickly ruined by AJ’s unprofessional, unkind, and extremely arrogant demeanor. I, the party celebrating her birthday was handed a bill for nearly $1000.00. Why would I pay for others to eat at my celebration? Moreover, why would anyone find it appropriate for me to do so? I would not inconvenience myself or them by collecting debts from a restaurant that clearly had the ability and capacity to separate checks. Although 26 guests, there were not 26 checks to be paid! When I asked that the check be divided into separate checks, the waiter “Donald” claimed it would be “hard” to do because he was so busy. There were 6 other people in the restaurant, seated at two different tables. I pointed out this fact and Donald still pretended to be busy, while stopping by the two other tables to make small talk. Before abandoning our table, Donald and AJ advised we take the bill amount and divide by the number of individuals in the party. Incredible! So, those who only had an appetizer, or a drink, or brought children who shared an entree would pay for the cost of a meal for people they didn’t know. I am still appalled by the suggestion.

AJ, rudely, refused to look at anyone while they were speaking (averting his glass to his left) and refused to cancel the large check to provide separate checks. I reminded AJ that he stated he “preferred” a single check. A preference is not a requirement! Typical AJ-style, he asked that I not raise my voice. My voice had not increased a single octave! I asked that he look at me when speaking to me and when I am speaking to him. He continued to refuse to demonstrate any level of professional customer service. I asked AJ did he not want our business. AJ boldly replied, “No I don’t! Not when it’s over 10 people.” Say what?!? Then why reserve the seats? Why not tell me 3 weeks ago that he did not care to have his staff members work a large party? Incredible! When I told AJ that he will be receiving multiple negative reviews, he extended his ignorance by replying, “I don’t care,” then quickly scurrying and hiding in the kitchen.

I was NOT allowing arrogant and ridiculous regulations to be deemed as mandatory. However, a friend of mine decided to pay the check and collect from the others afterwards. Over 30 minutes was spent asking AJ to cancel the single check and allow all parties to pay separately. Another 30+ minutes was spent with my friend trying to calculate orders, divide gratuity, and wait for individuals to Cash-App her. What a mess! To add insult to injury, the last page of the menu clearly states an 18% gratuity is added to a party of 6 or more. A 20% gratuity was added to the single check!

Experiences like this is why businesses fail and why people poorly engage with one another. The level of disrespect, lack of concern for what was in the customer’s best interest and low-level action of boosting gratuity made today THE LAST that I will ever give a penny to Surin’s!

Shame on you AJ! Your rudeness, greed, and ignorance caused you to lose 20+ customers and everyone they know. You do not have the right to make your preference a mandate. Not sure if you thought the group of African-Americans would try to skip-out without paying or you simply don’t like our kind. However, many of us make a salary far greater than yours and our lives are blessed beyond measure. There are plenty of restaurants that welcome us with warmth.

FOOD ALWAYS GREAT BUT TODAY’S...

Surin of Thailand is one of my Atlanta go-to food destinations serving authentic Thai cuisine with a focus on the freshest local vegetables and meats. But Surin also feels like a community, where the wait staff knows you by name and you get to engage at the bar with interesting people.

Surin is located in Virginia Highland at the intersection of N. Highland and Greenwood Avenue. The owners of Surin also own Ocean Wave (Harry & Sons) in the same neighborhood and 4 Thai restaurants in Alabama.

Surin has been serving Atlanta since the 1990s. It is not the most modern interior, but it has a comfortable feel. Customer service is always top notch. The chefs are also able to accommodate spice level preferences.

We ordered: Drinks: Cucumber Martini, Lemon Drop Martini, French Cosmopolitan, Margarita Appetizers: Moo Yang (char-grilled pork loin), Spring Rolls Mains: Ka Proud Lamb, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Thai Barbecued Chicken

Surin’s martinis are epic. All of them. I have not had a bad one, and I have enjoyed quite a few. I can personally recommend the Soho Lychee, Ginger, French Cosmopolitan, and Lemon Drop ones. My friend also enjoyed her margarita.

The spring rolls are your standard fare for a Thai restaurant. I enjoyed my moo yang, as it was well seasoned. I have also enjoyed their Chicken Larb, Thai Beef Jerky, and Thai Style Chicken Wings.

I love their Thai Barbecued Chicken, and someone also orders it anytime we are here. The marinade is so tasty and the chicken is always tender.

The Sweet & Sour Chicken is my friend’s go-to dish. I actually appreciate them serving the sauce separately from the chicken, as it allows us to enjoy the chicken’s crispiness.

The lamb chops are prepared medium and are tender and flavorful. I really like the chopped bell pepper, basil, and onion sauce that accompanies the lamb chops. Their fried rice is very solid as well.

I also recommend their Spicy Coconut Soup, Thai Spicy Basil Fried Rice, and Prik King. I have been meaning to try the Succulent Catfish and...

First, let me say that the food was very good: tasty, full of flavour, and the ginger martini was a nice addition to the meal. Now, let’s talk service. We were a party of 9 celebrating as former colleagues. The restaurant was busy and it took the waiter an inordinate amount of time to take drink, appetizer, and meal orders. As each course was dropped off at our table the waiter didn’t not return to check on the table to see if we needed anything else. At the end of the meal 3 of my colleagues requested to-go boxes. When one colleague asked for additional soy ginger dressing to go with her leftover food the waiter said it would be $7 for additional dressing. She passed. Once the bill arrived, again after an inordinate amount of time, the waiter refused to separate the bill and had included a 20% gratuity instead of 18%. Not much of a difference but the principle. The menu clearly states 18% on groups of 6 or more. The manager was called and even though we advised him we had not been informed about split checks when the reservation was made, that we waiter was not attentive, and that the waiter included a 20% gratuity, the manager refused to work with us. He refused to budge on his position.

After a nice night of celebration and good food the way in which our evening progressed put a damper on the evening.

As a result of how things were handled, the inattentiveness of the waiter, and the inflexible attitude of the manager, as a group we have decided that Surin will not be on our list of places to patronage any time soon, or again. If you have a meal here, please review your bill carefully. Hope your customer service experience was/will be...