HORRIBLE Service at Cleveland Draft House!

Before I start this, I know a lot of people on here are regulars there, and you have a lot of 4042 gatherings there, but this is something I had to post, mostly because I can't believe how rude they were to us tonight!

My family (5 of us) went to CDH tonight and met friends of ours (4 of them) for dinner. We've had dinner with these same people once there before, and never had a problem. They told us when we came in there was a wait, not because they were busy but because they were short handed, one of the waitress' was running late. Ok, not a problem. Then they told us we would have to get 2 booths, since there were 9 of us. We told them we've eaten there before together and fit with no problem at one of the big round tables. They said no, absolutely not, they only fit 7 chairs there.

First of all, we could see right inside the room a bunch of tables empty, and one of the big round ones was one of them. They refused to seat us, and refused to let us try a round table! We did not want to split up, as it would have been either all the adults at one and all the kids at another (all 7 & under) or the families at each one, which defeats the purpose of us going out together!

We just could not believe that we WANTED to eat there, were willing to sit crowded at a table, they had many tables empty, and they would not let us sit!! And the worst part was, my 2 year old son was starving, and crying the whole time we were waiting, and they still wouldn't sit us!! My husband got so angry he was yelling, and we left to go someplace else! I don't think we'll be going back there, which sucks because I love their food!

 

I know some of the cook staff. They rock. My impression of the wait staff, though, is entirely different. It seems to me like they think they are "entitled" to render mediocre service at best, and deserve top level gratuities. Ain't gonna happen, not with us.
I rarely tip less than 20 %, and have gone to 35%. These indulgent people haven't earned my repeat business, nor are they likely to.

I really want to support local businesses. Knowing that, the owner/operators really shouldn't take it for granted that I will subsidize substandard service and food quality, just because they're local.

 

Agreed....this is what you get unless you are a regular, usually in the bar department. I do like their food and do go on occasion but ignore the service and leave and not so nice tip. :mrgreen:

 

Ok, you guys knew i would have to post didn't ya:lol: Honestly, the day staff is the bomb, they go out of their way to make sure every customer is taken care of in a most timely manner. As for the night shift, i really think it has turned over way too many times and maybe since they do not know the neighborhood, they do not get what is needed to keep people happy. i really do not think the night shift is interested in repeat business cause they have so many folks coming in there every night they do not have to pay attention to the locals that would really love to have a place to call "cheers". Just my opinion, and i am sure the owners eventually will find a great staff that will warrant repeat business by the locals just like the day staff has. (please don't get mad at me trustme, you know i love you guys:-D)

 

We love you too!

 

Wow... I know McKinleys isn't as huge as CDH, but if they can and/or if they have some notice, they'll slide tables together to accomodate 9 or more people.

:mrgreen:

 

I've never been on the Resturant side. We always eat, drink on the bar side and the wait staff is different for that side. We are always taken care of and the wait staff on that side rocks! Celine is awesome!

 

I've always called ahead in situations like this. Just common curtesy for the restaurant when you have a big party, reservations are required at most of them with party's bigger than 5-6 or at the very least give them a call.

 

We've had the same experience. The first time we went to CDH the service rocked.

The second time we went, while DH was in the hospital, my daughter, son in law and family took me out after hospital hours and the service was horrendous. We saw empty tables but still had to wait, we put up with that even with the 3 kids. We were finally seated and the wait staff sucked, not going back there.

 

some of the waitresses on the resturant side and the bars side are HOT

 

They have always been wonderful to me. CDH is the coolest place in the neighborhood.

 

A bit understaffed today at lunch, both me and the wife had to search for someone to seat us, eventually folks just seated themselves. Food was good though.

 

i have been there once about a year ago, it did not impress me enough to go back. service sucked, food sucked, waiter got a big fat 0.00 tip.

 

I really have had no major problems there. I guess everyone has bad days, so I would give them another chance.

 

no thanks, ill pass

 

Well when it comes to having large groups at CDH, we always call ahead and they always have the tables ready for us (cept last time, more people showed up than what we expected:-D), Anytime you have more than 4-6 folks going, you should call ahead to make sure they can handle it, especially on a busy weekend night. As for the waitstaff on the restaurant side, i have honestly had no experience with them since i am a smoker and always sit on the bar side except one time at lunch and i was running back and forth.

 

One of two things I hope to do before I die.

1. Eat out in a restaurant of some kind.

2. see a woman naked.

 

Steve, I understand there are places where you could do both of these at the same time. I personally have been succumbed to their evils in the past, but many have prayed for me.

I am better now, please send me money! (Preferably in bundled singles!) :mrgreen:

 

After reading this thread last week and being a little puzzled (since I've never had bad service at CDH) I wanted to post today.

I went there with a few other girls last night and it was PACKED (Packers / Cowboys game was on)!! Even though they were extremely busy the service was never lacking. We all received our drinks and food in a very timely manner and the waitress (Tracy) was nothing less than wonderful. Tom even came to sit at the table and was just as sweet as can be.

Even though you have bad service at a place you can always give them another try. EVERYBODY and EVERY BUSINESS has bad days. Can you chalk it up to this and give them another shot?

And just to add...They do A LOT for the local schools. :-D

 

Oh yay, the schools are being supported by a bar. I wonder if my son's soccer jersey next year will have "Draft House" on the back. I couldn't be prouder.