Waffle House — Restaurant in Lakeland

Staff here has selective customer service. I am mad I have to write this because my daughter and I just love Waffle House but this has been my worst experience at a WH establishment. It’s President’s Day so kids are out of school and I promised my daughter I would take her to Waffle House after running errands. As soon as we walked in, staff was sitting around having a loud conversation (I get it- there’s down time, no one was there-I’m really not sweating it- I get it) however, NO ONE greeted us at all. Still.. I tried to remain positive. I smiled and was polite to everyone. I walked to the register to let the young lady know we are going to dine in and she pointed at a table and said we could take a seat. Our waitress, pretty tall, dark skinned woman…….nooo customer service skills whatsoever. I felt like I had more than she did as I was saying “please” and “thank you” -again- with a smile. Like.. I felt like they were annoyed with us as if we were just interrupting whatever tf they had going on. We were just met with staff: either ignoring us or seeming like they had an attitude. Our food- when the waitress brought it- was not as good as it has been at other WH establishments. They just slapped a slice of cheese on the grits, not melted whatsoever, and the meat looked under cooked, and the waitress served it to me with my bacon hanging off the plate and sliding all across the table smh. But even then- I said “Thank you” which was met with “mm hmm”… I don’t let things bother me; I’m a real chill person because I understand how to pick and choose my battles- especially in this day and age. HOWEVER…what pissed me off was the next customers to walk in maybe 20-30 minutes later was a white family (parents and maybe a teenaged daughter). I hate to even make this about race because I don’t ever do this -but to experience something I’ve only ever heard about FIRST hand is crazy! So as soon as that family comes in, the black gentleman w dreads (the loudest one) says “Hey how are yall!” -The biggest greeting ever. So atp I’m sitting back, just peeping everything. Then I see all the workers get up and start going behind the counter- making themselves busy etc. All of that loud talking, gossiping, etc. they were doing -while ignoring my daughter and I- just stopped. Then another staff member, a fairly light skinned older woman, showed courtesy/some type of customer service to this family, just by saying “he’ll be right with you”… Again- my daughter and I didn’t receive even half of this type of customer service. We didn’t receive any! Finally, their waiter came- this was an older white gentleman, he asked them how they were doing etc. Like I’m sure it was a pleasant experience for that family. Because my waitress went home shortly after serving us, and no one else came to ask if we needed anything -nothing. So I ended up just loudly asking for a to-go plate. Don’t care if my attitude showing atp- I’m over it. I tip EVERY single time I go to WH, even if it’s just for one thing. Ask me if I did this time….I’m just pissed my daughter and I didn’t get even an ounce of the same treatment. I’ve heard of Uncle Toms- type of individuals- but to experience it first hand is wild. All you staff members- I need y'all to do better. Bc there’s no excuse- for me to even try and have to rationalize to my daughter why staff at her favorite restaurant “didn’t say hi or speak to us” but did the opposite when that white family walked in… Idc what excuses yall may have- there is NONE. Everyone should be treated the same, with the same service and it’s sad that we do this to our own kind. Neither my daughter nor myself did anything to warrant such poor customer service....

We went in early Saturday morning 06/09/2018. There was not a clean table in the place. We were greeted and asked to sit wherever we would like. The server halfway cleaned a table so we could be seated. Salt, pepper, and sugar everywhere still. I took a napkins and cleaned the best I could. There were three servers and a cook with only one customer at 5:30 the am. We gave our order. We shared one meal. We could afford whatever we wanted, we just did not need but one meal because that would be plenty. My husband drank water, I had coffee. We split a grand slam, I paid extra to have an omelet instead of scrambled eggs and my husband paid extra for pecans in the waffle. The meal came to over $14.00 and I left a $3 tip. No one offered to clean the other tables until a nice young lady came on the clock around 6 pm and proceeded to clean all of the tables thoroughly, under each salt shacker, pepper, napkin holders etc. I needed another cup of coffee as mine was dry. The young lady, who had just came in, saw I needed coffee and promptly filled my cup (not even our server), the other three servers were just strolling around, not really doing anything, letting the new girl who had just come in, do all of the work. When I checked out, I noticed a cigarette by the register and pointed it out to the cashier (who was our server), she said it had been laying there for some time. I thought. Then why not throw it away. I am not a complainer, I just have a little trouble understanding this kind of service. It is new and it was early and I wanted something to eat. Wow, what and eye opener. I now have dropped the "W" in waffle and now call it the affle house. Very poor and...

I have came in for a late night breakfast twice this. The first time I got very quick service but I didn't get all of my food. I ordered a additional side of toast and didn't get it. I ordered my waffle with chocolate chips and it came plain, and there was 1 other thing I didn't get and I can't remember. But the service was good so I didn't complain and I still tipped and I thanked the waitress and the cook for the good food. Tonight I came back and I got very fast service and I ordered a patty melt with has browns a side add on side of grits, coffee, and a glass of ice water. I got the food very prompt time. That part was really good it came out quick. But it was a bacon egg and cheese sandwich hash browns and coffee. And that was it. So I eat the wrong food and it was good. However it was not even close to what I ordered. I ate it because I have learned that you never say anything negative about the food or service until after your done eating if at all possible. Lol. I did not even complain about it to the young lady when I checked out. That's not me, if I can't say something nice to you I choose not to say anything. Life is to short to have any unnecessary negative vibes. Also when I was ready to leave I asked for my check and a small to go box. About 10 minutes later I finally just got up and went to the cash register and I got the other waitress to check me out. Once again both nights the food I got was good and it was...