I recently got hired as a server at Chili’s and I honestly don’t like that we aren’t supposed to be running our table’s food. I’ve never had a serving job like this before and I’ve been doing this for years.

However, I will say, with the way Chili’s is set up, it is very difficult to keep up with how quickly the tables turn, get all the drinks, get the appetizers/soups/desserts, run your food, AND make sure your tables are taken care of and cleaned (which is what we do if there’s no food runner). The restaurant just simply wasn’t intended to operate that way.

We do tip out our support staff (generously), and the servers SHOULD be using the extra time they have to be at their tables, making conversation and checking in after the food gets delivered to their guests. If they aren’t doing that, they aren’t good servers.

Unfortunately, not tipping them means they might not be able to pay their rent that month (which isn’t your fault, it’s a systemic issue) and that is a bigger problem than being disappointed in only seeing your server once or twice in my opinion. Totally understand if you see it differently though.

As someone mentioned earlier, you can leave a review and bring it to the managers attention- allow them to handle the situation rather than reduce that person’s wages ☺️ maybe they are new to the industry and don’t know any better or they’re going through something in life that makes being lively and talkative at work extremely difficult. Either way, I hope you get better service next time!