AO Hawaiian Hideout — Restaurant in Chicago

I visited this restaurant with a friend after he recommended it for the great food, and I must say, the food was indeed good. However, my experience with the service left a lot to be desired.

I had a simple question for the waitress about the food being served to my friend. We had ordered almost the same dish, with one being spicy and the other not, and I just wanted to make sure the right dish was given to the right person. I didn’t catch the waitress's name, but her response to my question was less than welcoming. I didn’t intend to be rude or give any impression of criticism. I just wanted to ensure the correct order was delivered. I understand if she felt like I was trying to tell her how to do her job, but that was not the case at all.

I also wish she had addressed me as "Miss" rather than "lady.” (I don’t know if she was struggling with language barriers ) I’m not much older than her, and it felt a bit disrespected, especially since it was my first time visiting. As someone who works in customer service, I value hospitality, and I feel it’s important to show respect and kindness to customers, no matter the situation.

At the end of our meal, when we went to pay, the receptionist asked if we had left a tip for the waitress. I’m not sure if the receptionist was supposed to asked, but I found that question odd and uncomfortable. In Chicago, it's not common practice for restaurant staff to ask customers directly about tips. A tip should be left based on the quality of service, not as a requirement.

(For the future, please express this to the staff that is important not to ask customers if they left tips for the waitress, it’s ill mattered . the city of Chicago it’s NOT REQUIRED TO! But it depends on how the services is being presented to the customer)

I understand that everyone can have a bad day, but if someone isn’t feeling up to providing good service, it might be best to have another staff member take over. Proper verbal etiquette and hospitality are essential, especially in a food establishment.

While the food was great and arrived in less than 15 minutes, the service from the waitress and being asked if we left a tip for the waitress from the receptionist at the front desk left us feeling disappointed and uncomfortable that was the only thing . If I return and encounter the same level of service, I will speak directly to the manager, as this is unacceptable but I didn’t wanna stress or press the issue because I don’t want none of the workers to go home from having a bad day from me as a customer.

I understand how hard it is to work in the service industry, and I don’t want to hurt anyone’s livelihood or have establishment go out of business just for something that small. I just believe that people should be held accountable for their actions, especially when they represent a business. It’s important for employees to show professionalism and maintain high standards, even on tough days, but next Time, if I’m ever showing this type of service, I will reach out to the Manager and asked them can they get another waitress to service me.

I hope this feedback reaches the staff (which wasn’t the problem ) again the food was great , my main issue was the waitress who served us and the receptionist that asked us if we left a tip for the waitress , so both service staff can reflect on the experience. I’m sharing this review because I want to encourage better service for future customers. If you visit, I recommend trying the food, but if you receive poor service, from a server don’t hesitate to speak with manager to ask to be service a different waitress. Now Will I visit again ? I would yes only because places and people deserve a 2nd chance but the waitress needs a more friendlier approach and responding to customers. I understand they been serving for 11 years, but sometimes it could be a different new staff working there, less than the years that they’ve been around in business that may needs to be worked on if the waitress staff is new to show a better attitude towards both customers...

I would like to say that this review had something to do with the food . I would not know because as a first time visitor I chose this restaurant and traveled far to be abruptly and rudely turned away even though the restaurant did not close for over 30 min . Even after being asked can an exception be made maybe limited menu or we order at seating. The host sarcastically repeated the same thing as if to say "I said what I said " I knew right then I would never be back. No matter how good of food. Respect and consideration is everything

Now look at the response which is probably the same manager who I encountered and not the owner . as I May have expected this is the policy that is firmly adhere to. But it does not matter. If I ask the question, could there be an exception made based on the fact that we were first timer, the answers just simply have been no, not to repeat the same thing. To do so is rude and disrespectful. Like I said, so you marginalized you on whether or not a person of a specific descent can be rude or impolite not only shows your preconceived notion about groups of people because people are individuals and individuals can be rude no matter what race or epic. They have this statement let me know for sure that it was because of my race that we were qualified the same way you're qualifying your people as polite. This is extremely ignorant. I never once said anything about race I simply said that she could've been polite to say I'm so sorry I wish we could. However, this is our policy and why. Please explain to your staff how to explain it in the same way that you did which is it's nothing personal. It's just a policy so that our staff can leave one time that's all your lack of ownership at the fact that if we are due to a place asking for some difference for that reason should not have been at normal. I refuse to accept when you said that we refuse to accept what you said we did not refuse to accept, which is why we left. We only simply asked if they're going to be an exception. This is something that largest society does all the time yet I wonder if I was blonde and blue lives what I have gotten that consideration , as I said, you have lost a great deal of business I will be posting this on my spite which has built 2000 or so forward and you have lost some as well. I don't know who likes to see money not come into their business, but I bet you because of who I am it won't matter to you and so you need a matter to me. There are hundreds of wonderful restaurants in the city. Yours will be one that I will speak against as I am able to . I'm not the only one these things I saw the other reviews about Halloween and incompetent staff with service. It starts from the top down. If you're really the owner, then it shows how ignorant you are to even say that people are not impolite. Can yi guarantee...

We took our friend here this past Saturday for dinner. We had a reservation and arrived on time. The waitress had a very bad attitude and did not bother to speak to us- during the entire time she “waited” on us, and I use the term “waited on us,”loosely . It took twenty minutes for her to return to take our order. Although the curry was described as “spicy” I requested mild which the waitress accepted. It took another 25 minutes after we had finished our appetizer for her to return with our food. Meanwhile a couple who arrived a half hour after we had was served their appetizers AND entrees while we waited for our entrees. The food finally arrived, and it was so hot with spices that I was not able to enjoy it. The waitress never came over to inquire whether we needed anything or whether the food was fine-it was not. We again waited nearly a half hour after we had completed our meal with no waitress appearing. Meanwhile another couple who had arrived 45 minutes after our arrival was served, ate, received their bill, and paid their bill and had left. I finally wrangled our waitress who was at all times nasty and disrespectful, and asked to see the manager. She stated no managers or supervisors were onsite. We requested a desert menus which she never brought to us. Meanwhile the first couple who had arrived a half hour after our arrival- also had been served, had eaten, and had left. We were the last people in our section. After another ten minute wait, a second waitress who was very courteous apologized for the first waitress. She also stated no managers or supervisors were present. She did state she would pass on our concerns to management. She stated they were short staff which in no way excused the first waitress’ rudeness and nastiness especially since she managed to timely serve all of the guests seated near us. She offered us a round of drinks which we declined. Again, she was very kind. She then stated she would treat the three of us to three pieces of cake, since it was our friend’s birthday celebration which she did. The cake was delicious and we were most appreciative. Unfortunately, more than fifteen minutes after we had completed the desert no one appeared with our bill. I had to find the competent waitress and request our bill. She was again gracious explaining they were busy, and short staffed. We are mature professional women, one attorney, one Circuit Court Judge, and one Administrative Law Judge. I will not be...