Waffle House — Restaurant in Sanford

-- update 01-15-2023 -- 5:00 pm. Prices have gone up again. It is $24.25 to eat breakfast here. My mother questioned the woman cook about the prices, and she showed me the menu and told us that if we didn’t like the prices, we didn’t have to come back. When I went to pay our bill, I left a $2.00 tip for our waiter, and I told the woman cook that what she said was unprofessional. She told me that they have the right to tell people not to come back. She then went on this tirade about how every time we come into the Waffle House, I complain about everything: the coffee, the way the eggs are cooked, the prices, and the service. I told her I do not complain every time I come in, but she insisted that I did, constantly raising her voice. She then told me never to come back while SHE was working there. So, it went from her telling me she has the right to say to me NOT to come back. To her telling me not to come back while SHE is working. Something does not add up.

OK, people. I complained about the following. (You pay to get service at a restaurant, so you have the right to get the best service possible, especially when the place you are dining at is constantly raising the prices on their menus and their customers.)

#1: (Prior visit) I complained about the scrambled eggs my mother received, as what she made was similar to an omelet. She said that is how they make them there and that if I did not want them made like that, I should have informed the waitress that I wanted them scrambled a certain way. Scrambled eggs are just that, scrambled, not made to look like an omelet. She was mad and stormed back to the cooking station and made them the right way. (The waitress brought the order back to our table and said in a low voice, I’m Sorry.)

#2: I do not complain about the coffee. I only let our waiter or waitress know when the coffee is old or NOT hot.

#3: I only complain about the service when it is bad like it was every time I go in there with this woman as the cook. On this visit, I ordered two eggs over-medium and got one over-medium and one well-done. I did not complain; I knew how she was and did not want an issue with her.

#4: My mother asked as she walked by about the prices, and that is when the cost was brought up, as we were there two days prior, and the cost was $1.25 cheaper for the same meal. She told me that the waitress that took our order had screwed up then. (Her exact words)

So, that is the entire story of this woman cook. For two people who have eaten here every week for over two years, to be told we don’t have to come back by this woman cook is just...

UPDATE: THREE MONTHS and not a single response. I've even sent emails. Attached is a photo of how disrespectful Tara can be to customers. Is this really the image you want to represent?

I visit this location frequently. Great service, wonderful food. Five stars easily, but for this review I'm lowering it down to one until something is done about one of your servers - Tara.

About a week ago Tara was my server. The literal second after taking my order, she shouted "I hate my job" at the cook. After giving us some of our food, she rushes out the door. Fair enough. Maybe she was about to get off work, I feel that 100%. However, it was only a smoke break because five minutes later she comes back inside and never checks on us again.

After several minutes we had to ask The cook, who was absolutely wonderful, if we could get the rest of our food. From there the cook took over, ensuring we had everything we needed including refills. 15 minutes after eating I haven't received my check, so I walk up to the counter to see Tara playing with her phone. She slides it under the cash register and says "Oh! I'm writing your check out now" as I stare over at our half-written check.

Around 1am on 12/23/18, I decided to return in hopes that Tara wouldn't be working so late, but unfortunately there she was. Out of fear she would be waiting on us again I decided to ask someone else to be my server instead. This didn't sit too well with Tara as she began to act out to the point where another server had to run over to calm her down. She started to tell my server that she was "f*cking with her money" and began blaming her for agreeing to take my table. Had Tara been the complete opposite of horrible during these last two visits MAYBE I wouldn't HAVE to request other servers.

It's clear that this is not the job for Tara. Bringing bad energy and drama into a workplace can create a hostile working environment for both employees and guests. I shouldn't have to feel awkward for requesting another server when this is a common practice for all establishments. As long as Tara is employed at this location I will not be a patron. I know your company isn't going to cry over the loss of one customer, but it was clear that I wasn't the only one who noticed Tara's behavior. When working with the public one has to be mindful of what they say within earshot of guests. Complaining that you hate your job after taking someone's order does not make that person feel welcomed. Seeing that we have encountered Tara twice this is clearly a pattern of behavior and could drive away more than...

Waffle house has changed a lot over the last 20 years. Once. You could pull into any Waffle House in any city, any state, and get the exact same service from the same excellent people. With the same quality of food and great dining experience. Well, about 15-20 years ago. All of that changed. What was once an awesome short order cook dine-in restaurant, became a "family" fast food joint, with all of the short cuts that come along with it. Patty melts went from toasted buttery rye, sautéed onions, high quality beef with American cheese, to Texas toast, dobyou want your onions cooked? What kind of cheese? And half the meat. The servers are just there, and the cooks are no longer the same guy that kept that job for 25 years. Corporate greed for the win. I used to go there all the time, several times a week even, especially when working on the road. Now, I visit only if it's late and there are no other choices, more-so out of necessity than want. The filthy floor behind the country, and my burger being handled with the grease scrapper, finished the...