Around the Clock Restaurant — Restaurant in Crystal Lake

I feel I must say something. The waitress we had last night (Andrea) was great. She was kind and attentive. However, the manager was now interested in sitting and talking with his friends than helping people that enter. When we came in he nonchalantly eventually came over to see this after finishing his statement with his friends. I didn't find that too off because it was late at night, and I'm sure it happens a lot (get interrupted in a story, but that's too be expected). What really upset me, was a nice older gentleman came into the restaurant to buy a bakery item. Now granted, I realize he is not the big spender that the restaurant likes to see, but who knows what he could become. The gentleman's supposed to be working the front desk who is in a tie, white button-up shirt, and spiffy looking, look straight at him and completely ignored him standing there. The older gentleman tried to get his attention by smiling and nodding, a wave at him, but nothing. The host then proceeded to sit about two other parties that came into the restaurant and continued to turn his back on the older gentleman, the second time the host walked right past the older gentleman. Several waitresses also came around the front area, checked out of their shift, and left. All the while the stood back up and took care of them and set back down ignoring the older gentleman. Several people also paid their bill at the checkout counter and left , again the host completely ignoring the older gentleman. It wasn't until I requested my server who was attentive to us to please serve the gentleman at the bakery about 15 to 20 minutes after he came in, did he finally got a cherry pie that his daughter had recommended he try (so I overheard). The older gentleman then proceeded to stand at the counter trying to pay for the pie with the host again not attending to his needs whatsoever. The host did get up for two other people from the restaurant who were paying their bills and dealt with them first even though the gentleman with the pie had been standing there first. Needless to say, the gentleman who had come in and clearly on a recommendation from his daughter and was just trying something out for the first time, then proceeded to walk out of the restaurant. I don't blame him! It was only at that time that the host finally picked up the pie and ran outside to try to get him to pay for it... after witnessing that, I don't know if I'll ever be okay returning to Around the Clock. Nothing to do with the cooks, nothing to do with the Wait staff, nothing to do with anything other than I do not wish to support people who blatantly ignore other people. It's clearly a management issue as the host was clearly in a managerial role. Therefore I feel bad for any employee who works there, because of the management is passive aggressive and ignorant, how are they training their wait staff to be, and allowing to happen. I am of the opinion that you lead by example, and at least the one leader on Thursday December 1st , who is bragging about his Tesla, clearly doesn't care about all.... just the ones who spend bigger dollars. Don't get me wrong, he treated me and my husband very well, even while adjusting the bill to make sure that the tip was part of the bill and not specifically separated, which makes me a little concerned that the waitresses may not be getting the proper amount.... but I don't know how that side of things work, so I'm hoping my gut concern...

This used to be my favorite restaurant however my last few visits have been increasingly disappointing. My last visit they totally messed up just about everything and rather than taking the meal off the bill the manager gave me 10% off. Wow really? I couldn't care less about $2 but I do care about the quality of my food and it being correct not to mention Good customer service. Today I came in and expecting to have a great breakfast and I ordered the Steve's omelette which came to my table completely raw inside with runny eggs so I had to send it back. The omlet is supposed to have about five ingredients in it INCLUDING black olives which is listed for the omlet. I really was looking forward to that. It came to my table and it had no black olives in it at all and they put a GARNISH on top of three black olives, just a decoration. I asked the server why because they did not do that with the ham or green peppers or any of the other ingredients but they did not put any olives in the omelette other than a garnish on top. That is fine but then don't say it comes with black olives in it if you don't put black olives in it! Please don't say in the menu that it comes with black olives in it if it doesn't come with black olives in it. I'm sorry and I do love this restaurant that's why I am so frustrated that every time I come in lately it is a disappointment especially the cheese, good Lord, do not order Swiss cheese!! And although your fruit plate looks absolutely beautiful it is never ripe and hard as a rock and inedible , please note this and make correct changes to improve the quality please. Just cuz it looks pretty doesn't mean it tastes good!! Swiss cheeses.... ugh, it is some kind of fake cheese, PLEASE SPEND the money and get real cheese and quality products to keep loyal customers coming back please...

I had been a patron of Around the Clock since HobNob was still in business and the diner was actually open around the clock. Over 20 plus years of giving this place my business now gone. Why? Horrible attitude from the manager/owner. The waitstaff delivered a lamely toasted, cold grilled cheese sandwich with barely melted cheese. It looked like they threw one slice of cheese out of a plastic wrapper on some bread. When I showed the waiter my sandwich she left to fetch the manager; the same guy I had been seeing for 20 years.

Manager held his hands up in the air, shrugged his shoulders asked what's the problem? I showed him the sandwich and said this wasn't normal. I conveyed I'd been coming here for a long time and the grilled cheese never looked like this.

The Manager responded: I don't know what you want me to do about it because that's how we make 'em here. I reminded him, not in 20 years, has the grilled cheese ever looked like this. Next the Manager points at the sandwich and says if there's no cheese, then what's that?

He then scolded if I wanted extra cheese then I have to ask for it. I stated I wasn't asking for extra cheese. That I just wanted how it normally had been served for 20 years and that I've never once been compelled to even ask for extra cheese.

Manager just stared blankly at me so I asked for my bill.

Him: stated with the biggest attitude in the world: yeah. sure.

I left all the food on the table. I left the waitress a generous tip because that was the last time I was going to set foot in this restaurant. No second chances with an attitude and disrespect of that magnitude. I don't understand the "cult" following of this place but I assure you, if you're reading this you...