The Owners Box — Restaurant in Dallas

(Just received paycheck on 5/10/18 after contacting US Dept of Labor)No stars at all! I only put a star because this is the only way it allowed me to write a review. First please don't ever work here! Ok if you do you will be treated horribly when trying to enjoy a meal with your family when you are off. I worked here literally one day, (today to be exact March 31, 2018) (edited today 5/1/2018 because I have yet to be paid.) I decided to come back with my family to eat that night to only be treated like I, we were not welcomed. I was greeted by a hostess, the same one who trained me earlier that day actually. She took my name and number so that she could text me when our table was ready. I received a text saying my table was ready & for me to push 1 when I was on my way. I did that & then I had another text saying see you soon or something when in fact It was text a lie saying my table was ready just to be told from another hostess VERY LOUDLY & HARSHLY that I couldn't eat there because I work there!!! First this woman didn't even know me but that hostess did. Looks like she brought it to her attention that I was there to eat like we didn't have money or something or just wasn't welcomed or both! Imagine this happening to you out of no where. It was disrespectful, loud & caused unwanted attention because she was really loud! I never even heard of a such thing. If this was the rule why wasn't I told this from Troy who hired me through E&E staffing so that I wouldn't had to go through that. Oh how about when I was being trained today? Where they doing that at?! At The Owners Box! I was told if you get caught drinking alcohol you can get fired! Then I was told you can't eat here without a WRITTEN CONSENT from a mgr. You have to call a mgr to see if it's ok for you to eat here! Like they are paying for our food! Then , I was told I could get my food to go but not eat there and work there. Yes no lie, all this was told to me while just waiting on a table to eat. Wasn't trying to eat free, just wanted to be treated like regular paying customers. But people who work there I saw with my own eyes ordering from the menu for themselves earlier while on the clock. But, that's the rules they say. First of all, yes I was judged. I don't even drink alcohol! They just assumed I did smh. 2nd of all I'll eat wherever I feel like it WITHOUT permission from NO man! 3rd of all why not tell a brand new person everything while in training? I told them I quit!!. I rather eat there as planned tonight instead of work at this place. My husband, daughter, and I like trying new places from time to time and wanted to try their food so we drove there to eat, and was gonna eat! So I quit! This job not worth the headache! I wouldn't want to be a part of a establishment like this. Very stuck up and it's not necessary. Unprofessional, busy bodies, harsh, talks about the customers behind their backs, and other employees! And this wasn't the best food on earth. Chili's taste better if you ask me! I rather spend money at Red Lobster or Olive Garden before ever returning there!!!! And you don't get treated like you're a nobody there! Very rude people. Gossiping Hostess that talk about the servers. I heard a servers business about CPS being called on her & someone talking about her buis on fb. Keep your Buisness to yourself. Lips are very loose here. Look stay away from this messy overated place! Thank you for being rude, stupid, and judgemental! Because I QUIT!!! Oh yeah, I was told when this head woman come in, (I think she was a owner) go and warn everyone. Treat her extra kind, bow to her. 🤔 Seriously the hostess who trained me told me to do that. I acted the same way with ALL, respectful and kind no matter who it was! I'm not kneeling to no man. God is my provider and he always provide for me, not man! Sorry. These knees are reserved. For God only. Just take my advice, run, roll, skip, or hop just don't do it here. Pass go quickly! I'm not even going to get on our service once seated SMH seriously. Take my...

Updated Let me preface this review by stating that I was contacted by the business after my initial review, and asked to return, and be treated by the business, so as to have a second chance at a better review

That being said, please do not interpret my review as having been swayed by their hospitality

I returned the following evening, saturday evening, accompanied by 6 other guests

I requested to speak with one of the on duty managers, Chad, or Shane

Chad came out, explained to him that I had corresponded with Jeff, the general manager, regarding my prior night's experience

He said he had been made aware of the situation, and inquired about the size of my party, then escorted us to a seating area that I had sat in Thursday evening

He had a beer tower, and a few orders of their brisket filled potato skins sent to the table

As I had not addressed them in my previous review, I would now like to discuss the aforementioned potato skins; get them it is essentially a potato skin boat, stuffed with some of the tenderest, and most delicious beef brisket I've ever enjoyed, and topped with shredded cheddar, and Pico de Gallo

Amazing

The beer tower was filled with Shiner Prickly Pear, Which, although a bit on the sweeter side, is delicious

We also enjoyed a second beer tower with Shiner Bock

The manager had the chef prepare something specifically for our party, and we were brought what were essentially corn dog bites They are not part of the menu, so they may not be available, even upon request, however, if you can get them, get them

Shane also took the time to come out and introduce himself, and ensure that we were being satisfactorily taken care of

As the name implies the establishment is a sports bar environment; dozens of large screen televisions populate the place, there are a couple of pool tables, a very spacious outdoor patio, with plenty of seating

I would like to make it clear that I had intended on writing a relatively positive review of this establishment, after the experience I had on Thursday night, which was quite pleasant, and enjoyable

I truly hope nobody reads this review and thinks that I was simply bought off to publish a positive review

Although we were well taken care of that Saturday evening, the service was similar to what we received the prior Thursday evening

Which was the source of my consternation Friday evening; inconsistency

I would gladly recommend The Owner's Box to anyone

Initial review Consistency

It matters

Last evening I came to this establishment

I was immediately seated, and was well attended to

I had a DELICIOUS brisket-filled potato skin meal

I was soon joined by dozens of other truckers, here for #GATS

All evening my server was fantastic

I spent nearly $400 last night, just in your establishment

I left with a happy feeling, having had a great experience

Then, tonight

I came in, chose to just sit in the area by the pool tables, anticipating playing, later, when others arrived

I sat for over 20 minutes and never had a single offer to order a drink, see a menu

I was not approached once

Every part of my great experience of the previous evening evaporated

EVERY customer should be considered

Owner's Box, you...

First off, if you want good service ask for Diane. I came to Dallas to go to a convention and went to the Owner's Box yesterday and the food is good standard bar food and we had Diane, she was great.

TL; DR: Take responsibility for your short comings and managers support your servers.

Then, we came again today and everything went South. Mind you, both nights were busy. We were seated immediately and waited for our server to come to the table, by then we asked if we could immediately enter the food orders, which she did.

She delivered our drinks and went away like a ghost. Another man delivered our food, which there was an issue with. He made it right. She still never visited the table. After a while she checked in on us.

It was just a rather poor management of time. I saw her cash out checks, come in and out of the kitchen with one container for dressing...Passing our table as we watched her walk by.

Then, she was gone again. I wanted dessert even after bad service.

We never had our drinks refilled.

Another man, a different man, Emilio, came to the table to remove the dishes and I politely asked that before he remove the dishes if he could help us with our checks because we have not seen our server. He was so positive and remained positive. He went, told her and came back. So, we expected that the next time we saw her, we would get our checks...we didn't. Emilio was great too.

She came by empty handed, and asked if we wanted dessert. I'm baffled at this point, I literally sent someone to find you to get me out of here and you think I want dessert? (I didn't say that out loud.) We already had our credit cards and cash out at this moment, but that's not the worst part.

The worst part was the manager. He stopped by the tables around us and never came to ours. Food goes back to the kitchen and he's just strolling around. The server is MIA and the manager does nothing.

That's still not the worst of it. While we were sitting at the table I was giving my opinion that if the server fails, the manager fails. I didn't realize it at first but he was to the side of the table and I have a very large suspicion that he heard me, because once I said that, he put his chin up and walked away.

I was going to give them 2 stars but as I realized how far this service was from acceptable, I had to change it back to 1. I left a note on the receipt as well as a tip that was more than my bill. The note was for the manager. Whatever he is doing in that restaurant is breeding a disgusting culture of irresponsibility and disrespect.

Culture: If something goes wrong in the restaurant, the manager should be the first to know. Either, the servers are taught to not tell the manager/address issues or the manager was told and he did nothing. No matter which one it is, the fish rots from the head and the manager needs to recognize and adapt.

Irresponsibility: Neither the server nor manager noted the failure. Emilio noted it and apologized for it. If something goes wrong, stand up and take responsibility.

Disrespect: I can't say what was happening for sure, but as I watched the manager visit each table around ours for two days and pass over ours, I can conclude that our patronage was not...