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Should I start out as a server at a restaurant?

Does anyone have any good tips for being a server?

  • This may seem silly but I just got my first job as a server in a country club restaurant and I start Tuesday. Last night I had a server dream that I had too many tables and couldn't get to them all and of course this was only a dream but I'm looking for good tips that will help me make the best experience for guests and the most money!

  • Answer:

    I've been a server for a year and a half at a restaurant. There are some things that have made me a pro, I will share some of these with you. -Smile and be nice. -Introduce yourself. -Double check your orders (read them back to them when they finish ordering) -Keep drinks full, I usually bring a refill when the first is half-way gone. -Print out checks ahead of time, like right after you enter their food order (you can always add a desert if you need to later) Most importantly multi-task! Most servers freak out when they get a lot of tables at once. Take a deep breath and take on the challenge! Go through and get all drink orders at once (and food orders if their ready). Then go make all the drinks.. come back and drop them off, telling them you will be right back to take their orders. Go back and start with the first table and take their orders. Enter in all the orders in the order that you took them. Then print out all their tickets at once and personalize them (write thank you and your name etc). Then check on drinks while waiting for their food. Deliver their food, check drinks again. Check for desert orders and drop off the checks (if you use the card holders sit them upright so you know that when they're laid down at the table that they're likely ready to pay) cash out all checks at once. You do all the work you would do for one table, but can do this for at least 4 at a time. I had 15 tables in my first hour of work yesterday and was extremely rushed but everyone was taken care of. As long as your nice and your trying your best most people will be understanding. If you get a difficult customer, let your manager deal with it, they will just mess up all your other tables' needs. And ask for help if you need it. You should do wonderfully, sorry it was sooo long. But this will help and was long to learn on my own. Good luck and good tips!!

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Other answers

I waited table for 9 years! A good waitress needs to have charisma! And do all of the things that the person before me says!

Becky K

For a new waiter, be as prompt as you can. Repeat orders after you take them to avoid confusion or mistakes. Check up on a meal only once or twice, or it might seem like you are bothering them. Refill drinks before they get 3/4 empty (or offer more then). Whenever you pass a table, shoot a smile in their direction to signal you know they are there. Try to upsell, but dont be pushy. If something goes wrong, apologize and see to it that it is taken care of immediatly, and keep the customer informed of what is going on if it is going to take longer. In addition to all that, act really perky and happy, even if you are not. These should get you good tips. And if you do all this, your boss may even give you a raise over time. Think of things you like in a server when you go out to eat. One more thing- dont get caught up in workplace drama...dont badmouth a fellow waiter or worker.. and keep yourself neutral. (You may get a promotion if you stick with it!)

Joy

I have been a server before now im owner of two restaurants... you must interact with your customers be very friendly to them and try your best...if you make them happy, in return you get good status and tips...just dont try and be perfect.. NO body is perfect server it takes alot of experience to be very good one.. just be yourself and try and make the customer happy :) good luck!

Amira N

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