Denny's — Restaurant in Ohio

For 24 hours, I embarked on an epicurean journey through the hallowed halls of Denny's, an iconic institution in American dining. Nestled amidst the neon glow of roadside America, Denny's beckons travelers, insomniacs, and hungry souls alike with promises of hearty fare served round the clock. With an open mind and an empty stomach, I dived headfirst into this gastronomic adventure, eager to uncover the nuances of the Denny's experience.

Atmosphere: Upon stepping into Denny's, one is greeted by the comforting aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee, intermingled with the hum of conversation and the clatter of plates. The ambiance is familiar and inviting, with its quintessential diner décor—booths upholstered in retro patterns, counters lined with swivel stools, and walls adorned with vintage memorabilia. Despite the bustling activity, there's an air of laid-back charm that permeates the space, making it equally suitable for a leisurely brunch or a late-night rendezvous.

Service: Throughout my 24-hour sojourn, the service at Denny's was consistently friendly and attentive. Whether it was the wee hours of the morning or the peak of lunchtime rush, the staff remained unfailingly courteous and efficient. Orders were promptly taken, drinks refilled with alacrity, and special requests accommodated with a smile. Despite the fast-paced nature of diner service, I never felt rushed or overlooked—a testament to the professionalism of the Denny's team.

Cuisine: Ah, the pièce de résistance—the food. Denny's boasts an extensive menu that caters to a wide spectrum of tastes and cravings, from hearty breakfast classics to indulgent late-night munchies. Throughout my 24-hour odyssey, I sampled an array of dishes, each offering its own unique spin on comfort food.

Breakfast: Denny's is renowned for its breakfast offerings, and it's easy to see why. The Grand Slam—a veritable feast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes—is a perennial favorite, offering a hearty start to the day. For those with a sweet tooth, the signature Buttermilk Pancakes are a must-try, fluffy and golden-brown, drizzled with syrup and served with a dollop of whipped butter. And let's not forget the legendary Build Your Own Omelette, customizable with an array of fillings to suit every palate.

Lunch and Dinner: As the day wore on, I ventured into heartier territory, exploring Denny's lunch and dinner offerings. The Classic Burger, with its juicy patty nestled between toasted buns and topped with all the fixings, proved to be a satisfying choice, while the Mozzarella Sticks offered a crispy indulgence that hit all the right notes. Vegetarians will find plenty to love as well, with options like the Beyond Burger providing a tasty alternative to traditional meat-based fare.

Late Night Eats: As the witching hour approached, I found myself craving a midnight snack, and Denny's delivered in spades. The All-Nighter Menu offers a tantalizing selection of late-night eats, from the indulgent Bacon Slamburger to the savory Chicken Tenders Platter. For those in need of a pick-me-up, the Bottomless Coffee proved to be a reliable companion, keeping exhaustion at bay well into the small hours of the morning.

Value: One of the hallmarks of Denny's is its commitment to affordability, offering generous portions at wallet-friendly prices. Throughout my 24-hour escapade, I found the value proposition to be consistently strong, with most dishes priced well within the realm of accessibility. Whether dining solo or with a group, one can enjoy a satisfying meal at Denny's without breaking the bank—a rare feat in today's...

Stopped there passing through and it was a disaster. The booth we were seated in had a 2 foot gash, & the iced tea had been brewed with coffee. That took over 10 minutes for them to replace with no offer of another drink or apology. We didn't get silverware so I got some from a waitress setting other tables, and the had been rolled with food still crusted to them. We ordered in a timely manner, but were seated nearly an hour before our food finally came, tables who ordered well after us receiving their food first. Again, no acknowledgement as it was happening.

When I asked the waitress who delivered part of our food why that was happening, she got argumentative and also threw our waitress under the bus saying she must have held the ticket.

The food was finally fully delivered by our own waitress, and she told us the manager was coming over to talk to us (mind you this was of her own volition because she knew it had been ridiculouslylong; we had not requested it, but I would have). We couldn't eat because we didn't have silverware, so I got some as mentioned above. Dirty. Got more. Got up and asked the 3 wait staff standing behind the counter if we could have refills since I think our waitress went on break. Ate (food was good). Finished, needed to get back on the road, but the manager hadn't come out, we had no ticket, and our waitress was still gone. All the while I'm observing extremely unprofessional behavior from the whole staff (only 2 staff there I didn't see or hear behave inappropriately, the cook, whom I actually believe was responsible for our food delay, and 1 waitress out of the 6 wait/hosting staff I saw). One waiter greeted a new customer with, "I don't know whose turn it is, but I'll take care of ya." Went to the counter and was asked if i needed the manager (yes), then waited several minutes for her to appear. I nearly walked out at that point. The manager came, we were pointed out by other staff, and she apologized for the wait for our food, and blamed the kitchen being slammed. The restaurant wasnt even a quarter full when we were seated, and only 4 more tables came in during our experience. I believe the kitchen was understaffed, but the wait staff was twiddling fingers at many points.I asked her why she didn't come out and she again just said she was sorry, then turned to the register with no questions or discussion. After another minute she turned to us a said she had taken $10 off our bill. At that point I briefly outlined the whole experience, again pointing out that she hadn't even bothered to come out as promised, and told her that $10 was not appropriate. She then indicated we could just go. I left a tip and exited.

I wasn't looking for a free meal. I was firm and it was obvious I was angry, but I was not rude or unkind. I simply wanted someone to communicate appropriately. The situation was mishandled from the moment it started, and the manager did no better, which explained a lot. We ended up being there an hour and a half, with over 4 hours left on our trip with 2 small kids, getting us home pretty late. So frustrating and...

I seem to have been lied to by staff here. I'll delete my review if I have evidence that I'm wrong. This is what occurred:

I walked in for a job. I was told to apply online. I did. A day later, I called on the phone. (It is urgent that I find work: I'm about to be homeless again if I don't get income very soon.)

A girl who said her name is Kenzie answered. She handed my call to a girl who called herself Elizabeth. Elizabeth told me the hiring manager (a woman, she said) would be in between 2 and 5 today.

So today I went there around 2. I was told by a girl (name unknown to me) that I just missed the hiring manager, who is a MALE. He was there BEFORE 2.

So, I was lied to about who the hiring manager is (I was previously told it is a female) and when he was going to be in.

When I mentioned that I was told to go there around 2 to meet a WOMAN, a woman was then brought out to talk to me.

She said there are others who will be interviewed before me. They can't get to me right away, she said, because of that and because it's Easter weekend. Oh well please don't let the fact that I need income for basic survival stop everyone's exorbitant and exuberant Easter celebrations!

Basically:

I feel like they never planned to even give me a chance -- since they seemingly planned to hide from me who the real hiring person is and it was arranged so that I would not run into him.

And I do tend to think that I should be given a bit more priority based on my needs. But I don't know -- maybe the other candidates are basically homeless and penniless too...? Maybe.

I'm giving 3 stars instead of 1 because, well, it is Denny's and Denny's has good food in my experience. And there was an understanding server there I met my first time in that location who offered to buy me food and tried to help me out. I don't want to overlook kindness or people who try to do right. So......