Restaurant Rudeness

I just had lap band on Jan 30 and by Feb 5, I was still restricted to a liquid diet.  My family, along with friends was going to meet for dinner at the local Golden Corral restaurant in Salisbury, MD.  Prior to attending, I contacted the manager 2 times *****fused to speak to me by phone even though I made it clear I was a customer.  Therefore the 2nd time, I had to relay my message through an employee.  I told him of my situation and that I would like to come enjoy his restaurant with my family and friends (15 total) and asked if I would be charged full price even though I could only have liquid.  He responded, through the 3rd party, that of course I would be charge a full dinner price because "how does he know I won't drink a lot of the soup". 

  I did go to dinner that night.  When I called, I was willing to pay 1/2 price for the privilege of sitting in the restaurant without eating.  However, due to his rude behavior, I walked in without paying and joined my family.  I told our server the situation and that I did not pay (I even lifted my shirt to show off my incisions/badges of honor).  She graciously brought me a glass of water and encouraged me to dine on broth from the chicken soup.  Apparently, at this restaurant, the servers at least know how to treat customers well.

I have heard over the last 4 years since my surgery that the Golden Corral in Salisbury does NOT honor WLS cards presented.    I believe I also heard that this was because they have had instances in the past with people abusing Golden Corral by claiming to be WLS patients when they were not.   It is unfortunate that you had this experience and more unfortunate that the manager would not speak to you directly and explain the restaurant's position regarding WLS patients. Even now at almost 4 years post op, I often still eat off the appetizer menu or make choices that can be taken home and eaten as leftovers. Best wishes as your WLS journey continues. Hugs, Mo

"Even now at almost 4 years post op, I often still eat off the appetizer menu or make choices that can be taken home and eaten as leftovers." I'm with you, Mo!

This is what I do.  I've also found that an entree salad works really well.  Usually, they have 3 or 4 ounces of protein, which I'll eat, along with a little lettuce.  I don't feel guilty about throwing away the rest of the lettuce.

I'm sorry you were offended, but consider his perspective: this restaurant is a business to make money, and to treat people equitably while doing so.....not meet the needs of WLS patients. Fair is fair....they didnt ever charge any of us more when we ate alot, did they? Buffets definately dont "pay off" for us anymore. A nice appetizer is a great, cheap meal nowadays. Relax and enjoy your band. The heck with GC.  Barbara

"Buffets definately dont "pay off" for us anymore. A nice appetizer is a great, cheap meal nowadays." ROFL!  I'm going to Reno for a week for judge school  in May.  The last time I was there, I loooved the buffets in the casinos.  Not that I ate that much, but there was a nice variety of tasty food there, and you could try a lot of different things for a good price (the later is important when you're on government travel).  When I told my husband I was going this time, he started laughing and said, "Well, I guess the buffets won't be such a bargain for you anymore." OTOH, my casino has a nice gym... Edie

Edie (I see we share a doc!)  Heck. especially if youre on a per diem, still get the buffet for lots of tasty bites of this and that!  Have a great trip, and play a quarter slot for me. :)

I actually read this post with a little smile on my face.  I'm sure that I"ll get blasted for this, but hey, what the heck.  I"ll go ahead and say it anyway. Just think about all the times that you hit up a buffet - pre-surgery - and didn't pay DOUBLE for your meal, when you most likely ate much more than an "average" portion for most people.  You got a deal then on the restaurant and didn't complain about it.  But now that the restaurant bills you for one person per meal - even though it's a small meal - you're complaining.  Now that's funny. And I say this as a person who is pre-surgery and eats much more than I should at a typical meal.

I understand your point.  However on this particular evening, the plan was that I wanted to enter the restaurant and not eat anything.  He wanted to charge me the full buffet price for drinking a glass of water. And, as incredulous as it sounds, prior to my surgery when I went to this particular restaurant I usually stuck with the salad bar and not the hot meals section.  Nor did I gorge myself - I went to spend time with friends that I only get to see once every other week.  Please don't assume that because of my size I "most likely ate more".  I'm not in denial, but I am a snacker, not a binger. Besides - they give discounts to children and seniors, many that I have seen leave massive amounts of food because many "average" people take way more than they eat then leave it for the server to throw out.  What's the difference in heavy people who eat massive amounts and "average" people throwing away massive amounts?

I think it was thoughtful of you to ask first about sitting there without eating.  I would have just done it.  They can't charge you for anything unless you order something.  You could just order a hot tea and enjoy the conversation.  Now, whether or not you eat it and how much you eat doesn't change the cost of what you order.  I think buffetts are a germ fest and other than a good salad bar, are no longer on the menu for me after WLS.  I'm glad you had a kind waitress.  The manager could have been a bit more tactful.