Denny's — Restaurant in South Carolina

As someone with management experience in the customer service industry, Jo is inconsiderate, unreasonable, and does not deserve the title of manager. We waited 45 minutes to get our food order taken, and nearly an hour and a half to get our food. When we got our food, I noticed my boneless wings had a hair in it, and my sister in law’s order was incorrect. I give the waitress my graces and understanding, as I’ve been to this Denny’s in the past and remembered she is fairly new. However, she got our order mixed up, and according to manager Jo, didn’t even put our order in until way later. If that is true, then the waitress needs more training. If not, then it is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable for Jo to throw her waitress under the bus like that.

We were about to cancel our entire order, however the food finally ended up coming out. We came into the restaurant at around 11:10 PM, and didn’t get food until 12:45 AM. I completely sympathize with understaffing issues, however this is simply unacceptable as multiple people didn’t do their jobs correctly. When we addressed our concerns to manager Jo, she initially offered to waive our drinks. I asked her what else can she do, and she offered to waive our nachos. We agreed, as at the time that was acceptable. However, that was before our order arrived, and when our order did arrive, that agreement was no longer sufficient.

We barely touched our food, and I canceled my wings altogether. When we went to the front to speak to Jo further, we disputed the bill entirely. Jo started to become immature, and petty, stating that we agreed on a resolution earlier. However, she couldn’t even uphold the agreement, as we WERE CHARGED for the nachos. But that’s besides the point. That agreement was no longer acceptable considering the atrocious experience we received. Instead of displaying the qualities a manager SHOULD have - understanding, professionalism, de-escalating skills - Jo became unreasonable and accused us of “contradicting” ourselves, because we brought up new issues that we had previously disregarded. Jo stated that she took $20 off our bill, however we still ended up paying $39 for 3 people. That math does not add up whatsoever. They charged us for the nachos - which wasn’t the agreement that Jo was so insistent on - CHARGED US FOR THE SLICE OF CHEESE THAT WAS ON THE NACHOS, and charged for the side of seasoned fries that I never even received.

Jo wanted to play word games, accused my sister in law of raising her voice - which was not true - and had the audacity to treat our “agreement” as if it was legally-binding, WHILE STILL NOT UPHOLDING SAID AGREEMENT. We were initially very understanding, reasonable, and calm, before we received our order. And even when we spoke with Jo after we received our order, we were definitely frustrated, but we weren’t causing a scene. Jo needs to be stripped of their manager title. This was inconceivably atrocious. Jo is a disgrace to the customer service industry...

Went to this location 5-5-24 around 10 30 pm or so. Upon arrival as we walked in we weren't greeted but I saw no one to greet us but that's no big deal, a guy came up to seat us as he looked as if he was rushing & all over the restaurant doing multiple things. We were sat and the same guy got our drinks as well, he also took our order. Now the wait time to get the food was ridiculous but I assumed they were short staffed because I only saw a few people there. Like 3. I ordered the double bacon cheeseburger and seasoned fries which looked absolutely delicious as it finally arrived, but I always cut my burgers in half and I thank god I did because it was raw in the middle. As eager as I was and hungry I had to ditch that entire plate. I tasted it and I could taste raw meat and it smelled funny. They did offer to re make it actually the same little guy that sat me and took my order also went back to try to re make it after my friend ate his food barely I decided to not get the burger we had already been waiting long enough so we did pay for one entree but not the burger plate. The guy at the register did apologize for what happened. I stated that I think the guy had too much going on at once and little to NO help as I watched him scatter all over the restaurant. No one was helping him so I felt bad for the little guy because he was as nice as he could be but you could tell he was doing everything by himself. I don't know what the deal is with staffing but I hope it gets better. My friend ordered the country style steak dinner with corn and mashed potatoes and extra toast. He didn't get the potatoes so we had to ask for those and when they came out they looked watery and disgusting and the fried steak was hard. The gravy on top was Luke warm. It was just not good. I'll be writing to corporate about it. Definitely needs for improvement in all areas. I can't believe they even accepted payment for the food. It should have been complimented. The corn was nasty too. I do give second chances and I will come back to try something else because I like Dennys and I love that they are open 24 hours. But some improvement needs to take place. Asap. This can cause servers not to be tipped and businesses not to have customers come back and also result in bad reputation. I don't want that for this Dennys because it's the only one here. Just praying things get better as I've been in hospitality for 20 plus years I know all about restaurants. I've been a cook and a server and a host. I know what is to be presented. The bill was also wrong but by this time we w were just ready to go elsewhere. I still tipped the guy though because he was trying and I noticed that. So no hard feelings just needs for improvement. However the seasoned fries were delicious I did taste a few. Just make sure all burgers are cooked thoroughly in the middle. It was raw...

Review: This location has always been like a second home to us, with friendly staff, good food, and a welcoming atmosphere that has always had us returning. We've become regulars over the years, returning numerous times a week at different times of day.

--Additional Comment for Denny's Corporate-- As your website is currently not accepting "feedback" via the form on the Contact Us Page, I am submitting this here and will request management look for the review to see my accounting of an incident on 1/6/2024 at approximately 9:30PM. Please read below.

Hello, I wanted to share my view on an incident that took place in the restaurant around 9:30pm on Saturday the 6th. A group of customers entered the restaurant and decided to seat themselves during a time when the only server actively on the floor (Maria) was taking care of something else. She ensured they had drinks, and made sure another table had theirs as well, then when she checked back with the table the older lady there said she wasn't ready to order yet. Maria had been courteous despite the customers having some brusk behavior. Maria had stopped by our table to see if we needed any refills, and took a moment to speak with us when we were asking some questions, when one of the younger ladies at their table started snapping her fingers at Maria, and they started asking "Waiter? Are you going to serve us?" in a nasty tone. Maria said she would be there in just a moment, at which time the older lady began shouting "No no no no no no no!" and stood up with her table to start yelling in the restaurant at Maria about how she should have served them first, how "I come here all the time, you got their order before you got ours" (despite the fact that she wasn't ready when Maria came by), and the younger woman started repeatedly saying "You're doing this because of our color!" (Obvious race baiting.)

The customers were not treated poorly by Maria, nor had they been discriminated against. She was taking care of other customers and had checked on them not long prior. Their attitude was one of entitlement, and as if they were looking for any reason to get upset.

I can also say that as a regular at this location, Maria has never been discourteous to any customers, nor have I ever witnessed her show any bias to anyone based on ethnicity, and any claims they make in regard to that are purely fabricated for attention. If any harassment took place, it was by the customers toward Maria.

I just wanted to let you know this, because I didn't want customers (who were claiming they were going to report her to corporate to get her fired) acting in bad faith and with bad attitudes (and lying) actually succeeding in harming her...