Waffle House — Restaurant in New Orleans

I would give no stars if that was an option. My daughter and I were traveling through town and stopped here, and there was no one else in the restaurant. The employee stood over us the whole time, watching us eat, and would not leave our sight. So we were unable to enjoy a conversation between us or anything because we had her looking over us. As 2 young customers would walk into the building they would talk smack about the customers. The two younger teenagers walked in and everything they asked to order they said they were out of because they didn't want to serve them. Then a family shows up in a van and the manager on duty was trying to act all tough and said oh they need to call ahead, we can't serve them, they need to call ahead we can't serve that many people. If there are 10 or more they need to know they have to call ahead. Then the manager told the waitress that she had to tell them, and she's like why do I have to tell them. He's like: well that's our rules and he couldn't even think of what to say it's like he was making it up. Well then I was very upset and it actually made my stomach turn that they were going to turn away this family and not serve them because there were a few people in the family. So I spoke up and said you are literally going to turn down serving these people because they didn't call ahead? And the guys like yes, that's our Rule. And I'm like well that would never fly where I'm from you don't turn away a customer. And he's like well they didn't call ahead. And I said well if they're traveling how are they supposed to know to call ahead, we didn't know we should have to call ahead. Then I said and besides that , this restaurant is empty, you have no customers in here and you're going to turn away a paying customer? That is ridiculous. On top of the fact that I had ordered a waffle and the manager on duty has left my waffle in the waffle maker as he went outside to talk to friends in the parking lot came back in and said: oh I burned it, I'm going to have to start a new one. Then I told him well I've kind of lost my appetite over the way you guys are acting. so we paid and we left. Another employee had came in, in the meantime clocked in then she said all I have to go talk to my mom in the parking lot. she was gone for a while came back in and went over to the counter and sat down, was on the clock being paid, but was not even do anything, but sitting their eating her food. But yet they were going to turn away a family of maybe ten or eleven people, which was mostly little kids, do to their "rules." So we went out in the car and the family came out and I ask the gentleman if they were turned away, and he's like: No, everything we wanted to order they were out of. The people inside told them that they were out of hamburgers, they were out of waffles (at Waffle House) they were out of grits, they were out of everything. And I told him I no, that's not it. it's because they don't want to work they don't want to do their job so I told him what they told us and they were mad so hopefully they report this too, I'm not stopping here I will go on to headquarters. I am utterly ashamed of the way that they treated these people and treated other people at a Waffle House. We traveled clear across cross-country excited to go to a waffle house, and this is how they are? are they...

First, to have you pay before dining in is ridiculous. Secondly, I was overcharged, and when I asked to have the order repeated and I'm comparing to the prices on my menu, I was told the prices went up. I stated that I wouldn't know and that I'm going off what I saw in front of me. The cashier looked at my menu and saw the prices then turned and asked the heavy set chic cooking if the new menus had been put out, and she responded loudly and nonchalantly "Yeah, and if they got a problem with the prices they can call corporate, we ain't got nothing to do with the prices ". I responded saying " Even if I'm looking at the prices on my menu, that's just not matching what you're charging me?" The cook didn't respond and had an attitude the entire time we sat and ate. If I hadn't paid ahead, I would have taken myself and the boys and just left cause I don't need a place run like that in my pocket nor standing over my food, and now I have to watch you. Thirdly, to keep down drama, I asked for a receipt. As I'm looking it over, I see a service fee. I asked the cashier " now what is this" she said "It's a service fee for your to go order" I said but we are eating here(we all sat at the high table). See looks at me and was like you'll have to come back on the morning and speak with the manager he just left, I said they guy that was just sta standing here talking, she confirmed. So, I was overcharged and incorrectly charged for something I didn't get. Not to mention, after all this, our food was still packed and bagged. I just took it right back out the bag and said, " we are eating here." From the point on, all the workers disappeared into the back and would come out here and there one at a time, but never did everyone reappear. It felt very awkward. I feel they didn't want anyone to dine in because we were the only ones doing so, and everyone else was placing an order and then leaving. But we were traveling through, and it was about 9pm and needed to eat. It seem to have bothered them that we wanted to stay, and it was giving you can't be in here vibes. Because we were passing through, I did not waste my time to come back the next morning and possibly have to go back and forth with the manager of that place. My thought is if the workers all operated this way, then it more than likely was acceptable, so I wouldn't expect more from the kne over them. The food was great to taste as I told my family there in LA, but I wouldn't recommend wasting your time or your money at...

I went in this Waffle House this morning expecting great service, however I unfortunately wasn't given that. I walked in, there were gentlemen sitting and eating and four staff workers. I stood there for 3 mins until someone acknowledged me to say "we will be with you in a minute". That minute turned into two. I was mind boggled, because there was this young African American lady cleaning, who didn't bother to look up once. (I figured she was into her cleaning, so that she may go home). After finally getting to have a conversation with the Caucasian cashier, I requested a menu. She informed me that the menu was a barcode scan through the phone. (I figured it was due to COVID and understood). I replied to the lady by stating that I didn't bring my phone with me, so I couldn't view the menu. Then asked if she could quote me the price of hash browns, eggs and grits with possible sausage. She did. After getting the information needed, I ordered and waited. The cooks were fast and efficient, and incredibly worked in sync. When my order was finished, the cashier stated that they were out of utensils and asked if I could find my own. I was confused, because usually that something stated before ordering food in a restaurant, no matter the ratings. I was already pressed for time, so I told her I would figure it out. I asked her if I could have ketchup, grape jam and syrup, she declined the syrup. She then stated that the company is only allowing syrup with an order of waffles ONLY. I asked her if I could pay for it, she said no. I asked if I could see about getting it for the inconvenience of the utensils, she stated that her manager is the only person who is able to approve of that and that they weren't there at that time. I finally said ok and left the situation alone. As I got to work, I noticed that I still did NOT have any ketchup in the bag. Which was a pain because I'm pregnant and have to have ketchup with my hash browns. I honestly think that customer service needs an update in this exact restaurant from my personal experience. I too work in customer service and deal with people from around the world. So to have such poor service given, shows that not everyone is fit for this business. Management please consider retraining your staff, and maybe consider hiring a supervisor to maintain customer relations when you are not around. I will never go back to this restaurant. Thank you ladies for making such a small request of customer service...