Well, Thanksgiving dinner sucked. Big Time.

[trof]

Four geezer couples with no nearby families decided to go out for Thanksgiving.
Booked a table for eight at what used to be a fairly posh restaurant on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

'Coast' is the name of the place.
http://thebeachclub.spectrumresorts.com/gulf-shores-restaurants.html

It's been a few years since we dined there.
Used to be very good.

It was a buffet.
Many selections.
Mostly room temp to lukewarm.
And not very good.

I won't go into all the details about how bad the food was, but my bill was a tad over $100 for me and miz t.
It included $3.95 each for "Bloody Mary" and $6.00 more (each) for "Vodka".
There was included a gratuity added to our bill for 'parties of 8 or more'.
About 14 bucks.

This was for the very nice young woman who took our order for beverages and delivered them.
That's it.
That's all she did.
She did pass by and ask if 'everything was OK?'
Did I mention that this was a buffet?

It was definitely a splurge for us.
Miz t. has made some extra bucks knitting scarves.
She said this one was on her.

Next year?
We're staying at home and cooking a damn turkey.

[rurallib]

1. Mrs. Lib and I went out - first time ever on Thnx

Went to a restaurant that is a 24 X 365 operation.
The meal was good, but the waiter was exceptional. He wanted to be there and was extranice.
He was a real pick up - yes he got a major tip.

[BlueStreak]

2. Well, re: the tips

That isn't just for the server. That is generally shared by the whole staff, which is probably paid under minimum wage. So that $14 might have been the only decent thing about the whole experience.

At 50 bucks a head, this should have been a very good buffet.

[trof]

3. Yeah, I know. It's not just the person you see.

[Little Star]

4. re: tips.....

Not all restaurants make servers or bartenders share their tips. Depends on the establishment.

[TorchTheWitch]

7. when the bartender is making that drink you better believe they're getting the tip

Otherwise a bartender that works in a restaurant wouldn't be making any money other than the lavish $2.13 cut minimum wage they work for. One of the reasons that I don't want to bartend in a restaurant... typically, tips will be lower since bartenders are generally tipped far more than servers with no opportunity to up-sell or sell your personality for better tips. Also, most bars and restaurants have all the bartenders on duty pool their tips. For that reason I'd FAR rather work a much smaller bar alone than with even one schlub not pulling their weight that I have to do an even tip slip with.

[catnhatnh]

5. The Gift of the Magi.....

Take it as an O'Henry deal....You remember the short story? A poor young couple approaching Christmas each wish to give the other a gift but lack the funds. The husband, much taken with his wife's long hair, sells his prize possession-a pocket watch-to buy a tortoiseshell comb for her hair. The wife meanwhile cuts her hair off and sells it to a wig maker so she can buy a watch chain to secure the husbands watch to his vest...

In the end each receives a gift worthless except for the love and fidelity it represents. And for me, it was enough...I've always loved that story. You've both given for the soup kitchen and your wife sacrificed other labors too. And in the end if the meal wasn't that great the intent was kind and noble. All stories should end so well....



The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley....Robert burns

[graywarrior]

6. I got invited to a Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner

Lots of low income families getting a free dinner and meeting people. I'm not a fan of SA because of their stance on gay people, but they did a great job feeding over 200 people today for free.

[mrmpa]

8. I'm not a fan of SA either, but...........

they're the closest food pantry that is open 5 days a week and serves my neighborhood. I went there last Friday and came home with a 15 lb. turkey, canned goods, bagels, boxes of stuffing and mac & cheese. I didn't know where to get a turkey for Thanksgiving & didn't expect one....served it today & it was delicious.

[graywarrior]

9. We got to take home several meals which I shared with my brother and another person

who otherwise would have gone without. Sad thing is, none of us are destitute. We just can't afford the things we used to in the past.

[alarimer]

10. Going out to dinner on Thanksgiving can be hit-or-miss

Sorry for your disappointment.

[whistler162]

11. The last three years my mother and I have been going out

for Thanksgiving dinner, $19 a head for the buffet at a local restaurant. Good food. They do three servings on t-day and then go home for the day.

[trof]

12. More about T-Day:

The place we went was a 45-50 minute drive.
We could have gone to the Cracker Barrel about 10 minutes away.
They have great turkey and dressing.
I've had it.

The Thanksgiving Special was $10.95 for T&D and all the trimmins.
I would have gotten out of there with a bill of about 1/3 of what we spent and for a better meal.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.