Dining tips and Adventures!
Bonnie's Fab Burgers!
Increasing food service worker tips!
TACOMA WA- Over these many years I have been in restaurant operations with my dad who was a very successful operator in small café and bar and grill establishments. There was a key reason the units were very successful. An absolute mandatory rule was the “customer is always right” and “We won’t be out cooked or beat out in service done right.” These were axioms we all lived by in our little family restaurant business.
One of the things that amazed me was the ability of some waitresses of the old days in the 1940s and 50s to get 50% to 100% more in tips than some others in the day was their uncanny ability to remember names, and what people ordered.
Honoring folks by remembering them was a key to better tips, and when they could remember the preference of the customer and what they ordered even if it was 9 months ago when they first came in all the better.
This happened to me last year at Clancy’s Bar and Grill on Halsey St. in East Portland OR. I had ordered a chiliburger with onion and cheese and a cup of coffee. Upon coming in some months later the waitress said, “You are Frank, aren’t you? “
“Yes” I replied and in my total astonishment she added, “And so do you want that Chili-burger with cheese and onion and blazing hot like before. I said, “Yes indeed!
Later I gave her a $5.00 tip and praised her for her fabulous memory. More examples of super star wait folk who make bigger tips with little memory jogger tricks and never forgetting a face and customer info.
A Bonnie Burger Experience in Bremerton Washington .
Recently on a trip to Bremerton WA from my home in Tacoma, a friend and I had lunch in an old blue collar haunt where I used to eat years ago while I was working for the Parks & Recreation dept in Bremerton. Bonnie’s Restaurant on Callow Avenue is about the same, still a little dive with worn stools, needs paint and yet is clean and manned by the owner Steve Tate, and daughter Natalia. What is lacking in ambiance is made up for in eagerness to serve good food!
Steve has taught his charming 20 something Natalia well. She was attentive, and went out of her way to make sure we were happy with the food. I had a humongous beef burger on Rye bread, with all the fixins. The burger was enormous, and the quality of the beef was superior. It was tasty, hot and extremely good. I did have to ask for my home- made chicken noodle soup to be made hotter but I am one of those folks from the old school that likes my salad with ice sickles and my soup boiling hot. The soup was ok, but it was late in the week and late Saturday afternoon when we were there. If you don’t mind rubbing elbows with the blue collar and every day folk stop by at 637 Callow in West Bremerton. It is just behind the cleaners, and East of McGavins Bakery, a fine home style bakery just down the street. Be sure to tell Steve that Frank sent you!
The Harvester In Gig Harbor
If you want to get a good meal at a reasonable price and are heading to Gig Harbor or just want a bite before heading to Bremerton or South Puget Sound I suggest you try the Harvestor.
Great Breakfast specials and good food. Just take the first Gig Harbor exit after you leave Tacoma and heading towards Port Orchard or Bremerton off Hwy 16. It is medium pricing and the folks have a good menu selection of comfort food options and a fairly good salad offering. Just take the exit, and stay to the left as you go around the shopping center. The restaurant is located just past the first intersection. Stay left and look to the left to pull in a half block from the light. Or if all else fails ask some one! It is worth the time to stop.
Tower Lanes Restaurant
Like to Bowl? Or does your family like to play put-put or arcade video games or pool. This is a great place for clean family fun or to get a great Giant Pizza fresh made for around $16. Breakfast is served early at the 6th Street location that is just off HWY 16 at the Pearl Street Exit in the Narrows Business District.
The food is good, and the menu has breakfast, lunch and dinner options with great beverage selections and an inhouse bar. A great place for families, and kids to play and eat. Medium pricing, and waitresses are funny and will insult you properly once you ”become a regular.”
I have been eating there since the 60′s when the restaurant first opened. It is still a great family place. Stay tuned for more great tips and places to eat in the Tacoma and Puget Sound Region.