Perkins American Food Co. — Restaurant in Rapid City

Edit 10/13/22- Once again I walked out. The elderly couple(2) behind me did so as well, even before I did. Stood at the door for approx 15 minutes while both waitresses walked past us with zero acknowledgement. They proceeded to clear tables (4) while there were tables open and already clean. Acknowledgement goes a long way vs. Making eye contact and immediately looking at the floor.

Edit....again: Ok, so this establishment has proven my original rant as not representative of the norm. Several weeks in a row of flawless service and perfect food. Changed this to a 5 star, because this establishment has absolutely proven themselves.

Edit: Two weeks in a row, they've been perfect! Fast, accurate, friendly. Great redemption!

Original: Been hit or miss lately. I visit the establishment weekly. Been doing so about a year. Last week they got everything right except they forgot my bacon and proceeded to vacuum next to my table while I was dining. Actually walked out a couple weeks ago as I stood in the entry for 12 minutes while a member of the wait staff made eye contact walking past me several times with zero acknowledgment I was even there. All she needed to do was speak and acknowledge. I know everyone is under staffed at the moment, but front of the house rule number 1 is to at least acknowledge your dine-in queue at the door and advise "be with you in a moment or sorry for your wait". Anything really. Instead of dining at Perkins, I went a few blocks away to a competitor. Enjoyed the experience. Prior weeks to that particular experience the service and food was great each time! Seems that perhaps the "A" team I had grown used to has quit or I've just missed them lately. There is a vast difference in the wait staff and the food quality one day to the next. As a former manager in food service for 12 years, sometimes I know I can be overly critical. I do not believe I am in this instance. This Mt. Rushmore Road location is much better than the other locations. I will he back and hopefully I get the "A" team again or the "C" team has been coached...

The food was good, and plenty of it, at a fair price. The waitress was friendly and did a tremendous job.

The original review, I made four years ago. My experience of late is that the quality of the food has gone downhill. There are other places in town with similar pricing that I would rather eat at.

The last time I went in was during the beginning of dinner service. There was no one at the counter, no one came to see if I was there for take out or dine in.

I got the menu myself, as I was there to order takeout. I had just about figured out what I wanted when a waitress noticed me and asked me in a concerned tone if I had been helped.

Upon hearing that I had not, she hurried to the back and a lady, whom I assume was the manager came out with a young girl she was training.

The young girl never looked at me during ordering. Her face said she would rather be anywhere else, but her tone was friendly and polite, yet bored. I did not get the impression she was shy. I think she just didn't want to be there.

In future, I will only go here if with someone else who wants to go here.

In the hospitality industry, service is everything. Food quality is important, but for me, the service is more important. I would rather shop where the service is good.

This is not the first negative experience I have had here either. There is a lack of communication within the staff. A couple of months ago I placed an order at the counter and paid. The waitress came back out and told me that what I had paid for, they were out of. So I ordered something else, and they gave me a free dessert.

Their desserts are their strong suit, by the way. Never have been disappointed with the desserts.

I used to enjoy coming here with my family. I hope that they are able to correct the issues with service and food quality. I would come back...

We arrived today and were promptly sat at a clean booth. We waited approximately 20min to be greeted and we're met with "Ready to order?". We waited another 40min for our food which had clearly been sitting for a time because the eggs and pancakes we're cold but at that point we were just hungry and ate it, the food being delivered was also only the second time the waiter visited our table while our water and coffee was empty. There was no follow up just "same check?" On his third and final stop. Also for perspective, there were two other servers staffed, and a hostess and what I assume was a manager or supervisor of some sort. During our visit there were never more than 5 other tables occupied so there is no reason the service we received was warranted. Additionally, it's customary for a manager/supervisor to walk the restaurant and make sure the staff is taking proper care of their customers and assisting as needed to ensure guests are receiving appropriate care and attention, this did not happen. I hope this review helps the staff see the areas of opportunity that they can improve upon to ensure that an excellent guest experience...