The Workingman's Friend — Restaurant in Indianapolis

I rarely ever write reviews, but you need to be warned, because I’ve never been treated so poorly at a restaurant before. I couldn’t finish my food over how upset I was, and it has seriously ruined my day. I was just confronted by the owner for putting Mio in my water. I don’t want soda, or something with sugar or alcohol, so they had no options for me. The bartender was originally sent over, and told me it’s not allowed because it prevents them from selling a drink. I asked if they had anything like mio (without sugar, carbonation, or alcohol), and she said ”water” and began listing everything else that wasn’t what I asked. Next was my fault, I promise I didn’t mean to. I was so shocked from being confronted I sat for a couple minutes, and without thinking I put more mio in the water. It was purely reflexive. I realized how bad It looked, and I covered it with a napkin to prevent any drama. Regardless the owner noticed, and came over with another water, but also got confrontational. I told her as soon as she came over it was a mistake, and I did it absent mindedly. She told me I was costing her money by preventing the sale of drinks, because other customers could get the same idea. I told her confronting her customers like this is going to cost her more money. I added, if my only choice for something without sugar, alcohol, or carbonation was free water it doesn’t make since that I can’t use my mio in the water they are legally obligated to provide to me for free. I added, that regardless of these things I’d respect her wishes. She said she wasn’t going to argue with me, told me I could just not come back, and stormed off. I didn’t say another word, paid the bill, and tipped the waitress just over 20% (she wasn’t rude). Then, when I left the restaurant I was verbally harassed by the owner and her friend in the parking lot! Her friend and her snickered, and her friend stuck out her tongue and blew in a childish manner toward me. These women are twice my age and conducted themselves like children less than half my age. I asked the friend of the owner if she directed her tongue toward me, she paused and said she’s older than me, and I need to thicken up my skin. The owner then walked away, and I told the friend told she should have the life experience to act kinder to people, and she spoke to me in an overtly fake voice in a very condescending manner. If you want to be treated with common decency don’t take your family or friends here. These women put a big damper on my day. Otherwise, the food is good, it hasn’t been remodeled in decades, and it’s fairly priced. Overall, I’m not surprised they don’t make the money to stay...

I first went to Working Man's Friend several years ago as part of a going-away party some of my fellow co-workers at the time put together and I loved it. The atmosphere, the food, everything about it. I haven't been back for a while but I've raved about it often and always recommend it to friends and out of town guests.

I went back there earlier today and had an awful experience.

The server who took my order asked me what I wanted (Double Cheeseburger with Onion Rings) and what I wanted on it (Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato, Bacon). Simple enough. I saw her write it all down too.

Several minutes later, I get a single burger with fries in front of me. I asked her if all burgers came with fries. She said no, and then looked at her note pad and showed me what was allegedly my order "Oh, I wrote down single burger with fries." From what I could overhear with the customers seated behind me, it seemed she had mixed up some of their orders as well, but I'm not one to complain too much.

So as I ate my single cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and onion, I see another waitress bring out what looked to be a double cheeseburger with bacon and onion rings.

My original server later comes back up to me and said (paraphrased but should be accurate) that if I had been more assertive in saying that it was the wrong order, I would've gotten my food. I replied that she had shown me what she put down for my order and, in my mind, there was no arguing with that.

I've worked in customer service jobs for several years, including as a server. I know how tough the job is, but the server here blamed me for this. Even if it is a customer's fault, and sometimes it is, you don't say that to their face.

I rarely tip poorly because I know how tough these jobs can be and I even tip 10-15% with even average service. For today's experience, I was charged $6.60 and I tipped the 40 cents left. It was a very bad experience and I don't know if I'll ever make the trip to...

Classic, old-school feel and taste.

This spot came up on several lists of places one must visit in the city. They are known for their smashburgers - always fresh, never frozen. It's not at all far from Downtown, maybe 10-15 minutes away. The ambience was a large, very open, very clean, no fuss diner. Simple menu, straightforward reasonable (leaning towards cheap) prices.

It seems most patrons order the double cheeseburger. I opted for a single once I saw the double land on someone else's table as I went to order. The single and fries filled me up good. The burger was hot, fresh off the griddle. The crunchy crust I expected from a smashburger was not there but that was fine with me. The burger came on a standard bun and was topped with a slice of american cheese, lettuce and tomato (I didn't want raw onion), mayo, and dill pickles provided on the side. Fries were hot and crunchy. It was a satisfying, homemade tasting burger. Only recommendation would be seasoning the meat. I did not detect even a hint of salt. Some salt, pepper and a lil onion powder would take this burger to the next level and make it a burger that can'tve forgotten. And I would ask for grilled onions if I found myself here again.

The service was so friendly. I read many have to wait for a table but I walked in and sat right away at 1pm on a Tuesday. All told, I was in and out (no pun intended) the door in under 30mins.

For the experience of nostalgia and the price, I definitely...