NORMS Restaurant — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

When I was younger, if anyone said let's go to NORMS . . . I was like, That's an OLD PEOPLE'S restaurant, I don't want to go there! And now that I'm old, I 🤎 it! After washing my hands in the HORRIBLE restroom (which was the ONLY negative aspect of my visit), I was seated right away, and where I wanted to sit --- by a window! Once my butt hit the cushion, my waitress was right on me: Judee, a professional server with 18 years at NORM'S! And she was good! She got everything right and even did some subtle 'upselling: "Would you like some toppings on your pancakes?" Great job --- but no! And I actually got three pieces of silverware . . . what casual Diner does that anymore?! And get this, no water spots on any of the utensils! BRAVO! I ordered the $7.99 breakfast special of loaded scrambled eggs and two flapjacks! Judee told me they came with green onions, but I could add grilled regular onions for no charge --- did you hear that DEL TACO!? And those eggs were phenomenal! I will have them AGAIN! I ordered a regular lemonade to drink, but I should have just went with water, because the drink was MORE than half of what the breakfast was! 🤷🏽‍♂️ At the outset, I called a busser over because where the condiments were on the table, when I moved them, the area hadn't been cleaned in a while. And Ronaldo quickly and without a second to spare, expeditiously came over and handled the task. And he was so valiant in doing his job, including busing the other tables, I told him so, and slapped a couple bucks in his hand. And here is a fun item, and I know it is because some people walk out on these hard-working people without paying. When Judee brought me my meal, she slyly placed down the bill and said, "I'll just leave this right here and when you're ready and you can pay up front!" But I countered her and said, "But what if I want dessert?" She countered me with, well then I'll pick it up and write you a new one. I counter-countered, and said, you're making me feel like you are rushing me out of here! And then this sweet 'ole gal' said, "Well let me get this thing out of the way then!" YOU GO GIRL! Eventually, when I finished my meal, I looked up at her and said, Judee --- when I was younger, I always wanted dessert, but now that I'm old, there is nowhere to put it! She smiled and said, "That's OK, here ya go!" What happened next made me realize how grateful these food service personnel are! The bill came to like $12-something and I pulled out a $20 and I said, "Judee, I don't want to bother with up front, can you take care of this for me because I don't need NO change!" She wouldn't stop thanking me enough, bless her ❤️! And mind you, 15% was only about 2 bucks and after closing out the bill, she would net about $6 and change! Thanks Ronaldo, Judee and Donny (whom the latter told me his name is on the window, so there is no need to wear a name badge) --- Yes, Boss Man . . . get you a name tag! Cuz I'm coming...

I am very upset right now. So i'm a little bit of a mixed emotions between sad and angry. You know, I spend a lot of time alone as sad as that sounds I do and it was getting to me. So I thought well I'm going to get app and I'm gonna go and get something to eat, I'm just gonna go over here. The norms I'm actually working and I'll take it sometime off. And at that why I'm gonna grow around people and have a meal and cause it gets really sad, sometimes you know. Anyhow, I take time off from working and I come over here to norms. It's saturday Night about ten o'clock so I get over here and I go inside and write my name down party of one and the guy comes up and reads it and says "oh just one? " A little annoyed I say back to him "yes just one" To which basically mutters and waves the sand towards the bar, the counter I mean and says oh have a seatated counter. I said no I don't want to sit at the counter, I mean, it's bad enough on here by myself. I don't want to stand out in the whole room like Hey here. I am all alone, so I would like a table. And then I sit down and. Proceded to wait and wait and...... Some other customer/ diners or whatever you would like to call them have come into the restaurant now and there's a couple and another couple also waiting on being seen A couple of minutes goes by and I notice he comes and gets one of the couples and takes them to the table. I was like I was sure before they were to which nobody responded, not until I got up and physically walked over to the front counter repeated myself well still, nobody responded, so I just finally got it like. Oh, they're not gonna give you a table because you're a party one but how rude is that they don't say anything to me and I was gonna order food to bring home to 2 other people, so that would have made the same amount of money if they were to sit aside me down. I'm starving and I think that it's just absolutely ridiculous. I will never be back...

On January 1, 2023, my husband wanted to eat out and despite the fact that the refrigerator was full of food for the festivities, he wanted breakfast at 7 pm. We went to Norms in Costa Mesa, somewhat skeptical as a result of bad experiences at Deny's restaurant, but we went anyway, there were 5 of us. I was very surprised by the kindness with which they received all the people, then when I walked towards the table I was surprised to see an order of French toast that was about to be served on a table, they looked huge and delicious. I ordered Tbone, eggs and pancakes, it was really good!!!, the waiter took very good care of us, I noticed that he was very pleasant with the clients and he even said goodbye to the people who were about to leave, I felt like I was in a family restaurant, and the employee had such dedication for the place that even seemed to be the owner, of course I know it's a restaurant chain and he's just an employee with a lot of commitment and dedication, passionate about his work and treating everyone warmly and courteously. The waiter Muss deserves 5 stars for making the people who visit the restaurant want to come back and above all to recommend it to others. I just wanted to give my opinion and comment, since we must encourage people who strive to give beyond what their job...