'What the heck is this in my food?': 'Grumpy old man' has a scallop-induced meltdown over dinner, then other diners side with waiter

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Feb 12, 2023 3:00 PM EST

This person who worked at a steak and seafood restaurant had to deal with the crankiest and most entitled of customers. As the OP shared to r/TalesFromYourServer, some people just do not know how to be kind to service workers. 

The writer, u/RedTailFox1957, shared this story from their time as a waiter. They had lots of regulars who were nice, but there was the odd person who would be extra demanding throughout their meal. One story that clearly stuck with the waiter was this one guy they simply called the "grumpy old man" (GOM). He and his wife came in to order some scallops, but the GOM was very, very displeased with his meal. He let out a verbal tirade on this poor waiter — I can't believe the waiter didn't burst into tears right then and there! The other customers actually sided with the OP though, after seeing how terribly the GOM was treating this worker. 

Next, bite into another food story. This guy ordered a sandwich just the way he thought he wanted it, with EXTRA ONION… so the employees just did exactly as he asked. 

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  • 01
    Font - r/r/Tales From YourServer Posted by u/RedTailFox1957 2 days ago Scallops with a side of humility Long 2 I worked in a a steak and seafood restaurant while I was in college, great little place with a perfect schedule for students; no lunches and closed on Sundays. Even better the food was excellent and the staff one of the best in town. We were always busy which made for a nice payday for ht6e waiters. I had a good group of regulars and did really well.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 02
    Font - Naturally, that doesn't mean it was all roses and sunshine. While 99% of the customers were great and easy to take care of, there is always that 1%., otherwise we wouldn't need this subreddit.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 03
    Font - Anyway... On the night in question, I had opened the restaurant which meant I also got one of the best sections in the place. Five tables, three four-tops and two deuces, or two-tops. My first table of the night is the primary focus of our story. They were an elderly couple. She was as sweet as my grandmother, so let's call her 'grandma,' and he; let's call him GOM for grumpy old man, was not in the best mood but wasn't being rude; yet. Of course there's Me.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 04
    Font - They ordered drinks from the bar which is usually a good sign. When I returned with their drinks, they were ready to order their entrees, perfect. Easy-peasy, a nice simple start to a weekend night.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 05
    Font - I need to explain something about the restaurant real quick. The cook line is exposed to the restaurant, which is kind of cool. The prep area in back has the dish station, dry storage, the cooler and the freezer, plus a small office for the owner/chef. Tucked in a corner is a table about 32 inches square where all food prep is done. Like I said, we're a steak and SEAFOOD restaurant. We're very proud that our fish is as fresh as you can get it 400 miles from the coast and the cooks do an e
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 06
    Font - This little table is where all the steaks are cut, the desserts are mixed and prepped for baking or freezing in case of the ice cream pies, and the fish is scaled and portioned. Obviously, extreme care is taken to keep this area clean, but sometimes things happen. Queue GOM...
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 07
    Font - One of our more popular seafood entrees is the bay scallops, small dishes of super rich goodness floating in drawn butter and appropriate seasoning. And yes, they are portioned and prepped on that same little table where the fish is scaled and portioned. I'm thinking you can guess where this is going. Yup, GOM ordered the scallops and I made sure to inform him what an excellent choice he had made. I don't remember what grandma ordered but it's not really pertinent. I had delivered their f
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 08
    Font - Me: Yes sir, can I get you something?" GOM: "What the heck is this in my food?" He points at what appears to be a small piece of chewed plastic on his plate next to the dish the scallops came in. ME: "I am so sorry sir. Let me take care of that and I'll get you a new order of scallops as quickly as I can." I took the little chewy thing(it would turn out to be a fish scale) and his scallops and went to get a new order, making sure to let the owner/chef know exactly what happened. A quick d
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 09
    Font - I stop at the waiter station on the way back to my section to get waters for the two additional new tables in my section, dropping them off before going back to GOM to let him know it would be a few minutes, apologizing again, letting him know it was just a fish scale and with us being a seafood restaurant serving fish as fresh as we can get it, sometimes things happen. I also let him know that his meal was taken care of.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 10
    Font - What followed was a diatribe, a lecture, a rant, a tirade that any politician would be proud of. GOM accused me and the restaurant of trying to poison him. He threatened to contact the health department, to sue. He even questioned my intelligence and my capacity to do my job, and he wasn't doing it quietly. When I had the chance, I would apologize again and reassure him it was an anomaly, that it wouldn't happen again and that the owner of the restaurant was paying for his meal. I even th
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 11
    Font - I was now seriously in the weeds and went to my four other tables, all of whom had just witnessed what I had been through and got their drink orders and told them I'd be right back to take their food orders. Each in turn, they all told me not to worry about it. They understood.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 12
    Font - What happened next is proof that no matter what, there is hope for humanity. I drop off all the drinks and start with the first table to arrive. Pretty standard orders until I get to the last person, the guy that is getting the check; "You know, I've heard that you have the best scallops in the state. I love scallops." His delivery is getting a little effected, "Only thing is, I like a little more body in my meals. Can you do me a favor and see if you can find some fish scales in the back
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 13
    Font - Me: "Yes sir, I'll see what I can do." Subtle grin crosses my face as I know GOM heard every word. Table 2, again the last guy to order, "Hey, I heard that guy order. Do you think I could get some of those scallops with extra fish scales, too?" Grin gets bigger. Table 3; "Scallops with fish scales." Even bigger grin. Table 4, yup. All four tables ordered scallops and asked loudly, for fish scales. It took everything I had not to burst out laughing. I made sure to stop by GOMs table to che
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 14
    Font - This time grandma answered. "Just two cups of coffee." Me: "Yes ma'am, and I'll be sure to bring you your cheesecake, too." I picked up their plates and glanced at GOM who somehow looked six inches shorter than he had when they came in. He couldn't even look at me. I turned in my new orders and told the owner what had happened. He didn't even try to not laugh, hey, it's his restaurant.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 15
    Font - I took GOM and grandma their coffee, cheesecake and the check. They managed to slip out while I was taking care of the rest of my section. When I picked up the check, GOM had left me enough cash for the bill and a fifty dollar tip. (with pricing at the restaurant at the time, grandma's entrée and coffee would have been less that 20 bucks). As apologies go, I'll take cash, and an amazing story, every time. PS. Please understand, it's been a few years since this happened, so the quotes are
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 16
    Mammal - BodaciousVermin - 2 days ago This story is success on an unprecedented scale. I'm glad you made it through that table so well.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 17
    Mammal - CostumingMom 2 days ago I don't know, it seems a little fishy to me. How did you catch everything that happened? You didn't flounder at all?
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 18
    Font - Arokthis 1 day ago Former kitchen JOAT GOM: "Boy!" A lot of people I know would have fed that old fool the back of their hand.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 19
    Handwriting - Hot Mop 1 day ago Wait, did you actually serve them fish scales or were they all in on the prank?
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 20

    I'm glad the OP clarified this, because it would've been rough if people had to *actually* consume fish scales.

    Font - RedTailFox1957 OP 1 day ago Nobody got intentionally served fish scales. Each table on its own decided to tell GOM what a jerk he was being.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 21
    Human body - . HotMop 1 day ago Nice, you had me thinking for a bit.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 22
    Font - craash420 2 days ago This time grandma answered. "Just two cups of coffee." This tale had me perched on the edge of my seat, not likesome others I've read just for the halibut.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 23
    Human body - mines_over_yours 1 day ago I fell for this thread hook, line, and sinker.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer
  • 24
    Human body - madmoravian - 1 day ago On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a fin.
    via r/TalesFromYourServer

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Long Read customer service waiter seafood restaurant customer grumpy scallop fish
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