Golden West Cafe — Restaurant in Baltimore

We have been coming to this restaurant approximately monthly for the last year and although the service was never great, the food was good so we let it slide. Last night we went there for dinner, which was a first since we usually go for lunch, and the service was absolutely atrocious.

I don’t know our waiter’s name but could describe him if needed. He came over relatively quickly and asked for our drink orders, but we weren’t ready quite yet so we asked him to come back in a minute. He returned a little later and we placed our drink orders, once of which was wrong. We let the woman serving the drinks know and she checked with him to confirm the order was entered incorrectly and then made the right drink. He later came back for our meal order and after asking if there are vegan chicken options for the Caesar salad that aren’t fried and being told no (which seems a bit unreasonable to only have fried options), one of us needed a little more time to decide. He came back again and we placed our orders. A few minutes later one of us changed our minds and I tried to get his attention to ask if the order could be changed. He was taking another table’s order so I was watching to make sure I didn’t miss him when he left. When I thought he was done with them I attempted to get his attention with a small wave but when I realized they were still ordering I put my hand down and waited, still watching so I wouldn’t miss him. He saw me watching and said something like “I’m taking another table’s order right now” very loudly and in a rude tone. I said “okay” and continued to wait patiently. He left the area to go back toward the kitchen without coming back. Shortly after that a woman who appeared to be a manager came by and asked if we needed anything. I explained I was wondering if I could change something in the order but if it’s too late it’s not a big deal. She assured us it’s fine and changed the order for us. The food came out a short while later and part of the original order was wrong. The woman checked in again, we mentioned the error, she fixed it. She checked in once more to make sure things were okay and then we never saw anyone again. Our original waiter had clearly dumped us on this woman and after that he actively avoided looking at or coming near our table, except a couple times when we caught him glaring at us as he passed the other tables.

One of us needed salt, which wasn’t on the table, and two of us needed water. Nobody walked by to get someone’s attention and when the hostess did come by we asked for salt and water but neither ever came. At this point we’d been at the restaurant for over an hour, and hadn’t seen any wait staff in at least 20 minutes. Our food was cold and no longer worth eating. We continued to wait another 10 minutes hoping to see any waiter to ask for the check. Another waiter came by finally and asked if we need anything, so we requested the check. No questions about why 2/3 of the food was essentially untouched. He brought the check and then again another 10 minutes went by and nobody came to take our credit card to pay. I took the check up to the bar and asked to pay and he said to ask our waiter. I explained that nobody ever came back so he went to look for someone. In the meantime the waiter who had given us the check came and asked if I needed something. I said I was waiting to pay because nobody came back to the table. He went around the corner and I could hear him and the bartender talking to our original waiter who said that the man who gave us the check was going to take care of it. I finally paid and we left.

Honestly, the amount of time we were avoided and ignored was astounding. All seemingly because I tried to flag the waiter down to ask a question. We really love some of the food here but after this terrible experience we will never be returning. Management should be appalled that a waiter was so childish to behave this way, and also that nobody thought to reassign our table or ask why we didn’t eat the majority of our food.

What a massive...

Today, I'd planned to have a great day, first church then lunch before going home for the day. I'd originally planned to go to another establishment near my church but opted to go someplace new. After reading the reviews, I opted to try Golden West Cafe. Initially upon arrival there was no one to greet me at the door for seating so I stood there patiently. After about 5 minutes a young woman arrived and asked "Can I help you?", I looked at her bewildered because why would I be standing there unless I'm looking to be seated. Once I told her I wanted to be seated, she asked how many was in my party, when I stated I was alone, she asked "Can I seat you at the bar? "Now why should I be seated at the bar just because I'm alone as the place had ample seating available. She placed me in an area in which three double tables with the bench on one side was unoccupied. After I was seated for about 5-10 mins a young couple was seated at the far end of the connected bench in which I was seated. Almost immediately, a server greeted them and told them she would be right back, no one initiated any form of greeting to me as I sat there for 10 additional minutes. When my server finally came with water I ordered my meal of fish tacos with garlic fries and a milkshake. From 3:11 to 4:06 p.m. I sat there waiting for my food, the only thing that I had been given was my milkshake. In the meantime, another couple was seated directly next to me, their server was very inviting and gracious provided them with information about the menu, asking about allergies and was overall welcoming. Meanwhile, my server finally brought my meal but never attempted to place it directly on the table in front of me, she opted to stand on the steps that led to the raised level where I was seated and attempted to hand the plate to me without ever coming up the stairs! Who does that?! I asked her if there was something wrong with her coming up the stairs to place the plate on the table, you don't treat a dog that way. I refused to allow this person to disrupt my day, I tactfully expressed to her how unprofessional she was, refused the meal and asked for the manager. I'm fuming on the inside right now as I write this because never have I been so disrespected or humiliated. Once the manager (Dee) arrived I told her how I had been treated, she agreed that it wasn't right but also attempted to defend the actions of her employees. I offered to pay for my milkshake but didn't want the food, she then offered to comp the food for my inconvenience and asked that I would consider returning again. NEVER! The young lady who had served me returned with the food in a bag and offered an apology, I asked her why she had treated me so poorly she gave some excuse about her pants which didn't seem to be a problem when she served anyone else. I left and gave the meal to a houseless man who was more in need of a meal. I felt better knowing that someone could benefit from my inconvenience knowing I'm better than the people that I'd just encountered because I refuse to treat anyone less than. NEVER will I recommend this place, the atmosphere didn't feel welcoming and I will never spend my money where I'm...

We visited the establishment on Friday evening.

It was pouring down raining, and we had our 5 year old. Upon seating, I informed the lady that the other half of our party was running late and asked if I could please get a hot chocolate for our daughter. She was cold and wet, and I just wanted to warm her up a bit. She said, "Sure, no problem."

15 mins later, no one greeted our table. When I saw the same lady and asked about our hot chocolate, I was told, "I'm not your server." I apologized and said I didn't know that because no one had been at our table, and you said "No problem" when I requested it.

Another 5 mins go by, and we finally see our waitress. I kindly ask for the hot chocolate. Another 10 minutes go by. She comes back and I ask again. "I'm sorry, I forgot." She goes and then comes back to explain how the whipped cream is served, and how it my sink to the bottom. I tell her it's fine. More time goes by, and a completely different individual comes over to explain again how the whipped cream works. Seriously? I just want hot chocolate for my cold daughter. All-in-all, it took almost 30 minutes just to get the hot chocolate. I'm not kidding.

My friend asked what drinks were on tap. They're not listed on the menu out right. You have to scan a QR code that he didn't see. She said she would check and took our food order. It took an insanely long time to get our diner, and my friend had to ask again about the beers on tap. She apologized and said that she had forgotten. This would happen at least 2 more times... her forgetting something that we requested or ordered.

Finally, I get my food, the Drew Special (see picture). It is a generous serving of a deconstructed burrito. The beans were unseasoned and overcooked, and they put an entire scoop of guacamole right on top of one of the wraps. It should be served with a side plate for easy assemble. Instead, you have to hold a wrap, with guacamole esscene already on it. The whole dish was incredibly underwhelming.

The server never asked if we wanted another beer. We ordered a milkshake that took way too long. When my friend paid the check, he ordered another milk shake to go, which took even longer.

With the wait, our server forgetting several things we ordered and the lackluster food, I can't see myself ever returning.

This place seems to have consistently great reviews. The ones that are not seem to agree with everything we went through as well.

Edit: Just to add, they were not very busy that night. At least not at 5:30...