We went to chilis tonight and I just wanna know how everyone else feels. We were in a party and a couple of people got woke comments and complaints with their food said the steak is too rare and stuff. As to my food I guess it was fine my only question is the automatic 15% deducted tip written at the bottom of the menu which is kinda high but whatever. I just wanna know how eveeryone else feels or what you guys experienced after the credit card hacking fever and stuff and I felt bad coz this guy was literally kneeling saying sorry to the ones that complained and giving him a GC though they accepted it said will never go back but he still left it anyways and he was really trying hard to apologize and when he left another guy said hes the new manager. He seems pretty young and idk. I just wanna know others experience and answers.

It's not uncommon for parties of 6 or more to be required to pay "autgrat" normally restaurants will publish that policy on signs or menu's. 15% is technically on the low side as I understand the normal range today is 15-20 post tax.

I have an issue with post tax tips though, that's like paying a tip to be taxed in addition to paying a tip for service.

At least you don't pay tax on base.

Here are some other discussions from JB about chili's:

Chilis Waiting time?? Why??
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/2074.aspx

Chili’s Restaurant Cook Kota Matsuura
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/4622.aspx

Lack of on base, sit down dining restaurants at Yokosuka Base
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/4578.aspx

Starving In Yokosuka
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/4565.aspx

Chilis breakfast?
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/2628.aspx

Yokosuka Chilli's Over Charing Credit Cards - Padding Tips?
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/1496.aspx

Had lunch with a Roach at Chilis in Yokosuka
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/7045.aspx

The Chili's on base
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/1563.aspx

Are you being gouged in Yokosuka?
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/7744.aspx

With the automatic tip, we tend to not tip anything additional. We normally tip 15-25% of the bill (sometimes exactly 10% or less for bad service). But when the tip is automatic it upsets us and we tend to not leave extra. When I waited tables it was explained to me that large groups tend to complain more, are harder to wait on, and typically leave a lower tip, so it is automatically figured. I say this is BS - as a server you should be able to provide good service to large groups or small tables. However, sometimes customers cannot see the difference between poor service and kitchen issues.
In general, Chilis on our base is horrible - service, speed, and food quality. It isn't just large groups. I go with my 3 year old and we have simple orders. It still takes 45 minutes to get a salad and kid's pizza to the table.

Just a question, for those in the restaurant business... Is there a difference between a service charge on a check & a gratuity which is automatically added in? In Guam at a nicer-type restaurant, I treated a party of 4. The check had a service fee of 10%. I wasn't sure who got the money -- the waiter or management. Anyway, I just added 5% more and figured that comes to 15%. They don't tip that good in Guam anyway, so I hope this was ok.

1- I've worked in a fine dining restaurant for years, and also multiple people in my family own restaurants bars ,ect.

To touch on the tip issue of the 15% -this is normal. And most the time is 20% now days. You said you were a server and such so I would expect you understand that a lot of times when there's a large party...the checks are split. Say you have a party of 8 and the bill is 250. That comes out to about 31$ a person. If each of them left you 10% ( like most people still do) ...you just busted your a$$ for 24 bucks and wasted about 2 and a half hours. If you grat them before the spilt or if it's not spilt it's about 50$ tip. If you were a server which would you prefer , it's done because most the time large parties you have to tend more to and takes up more time so you don't get as many tables.

Thai guy - we charged a service type fee that was spilt between food runners and hostess , hopefully that's why you were charged, also theres some places that charge a "dine in tax" ....they literally do have to pay that to taxes, they aren't just ripping you off it's basically like a sales tax.

Anyways, as far as chilis goes, I went there the other night and was very disappointed myself. We had a big salad as an entree, a steak and corn on the Cobb and my daughter had the pizza. My husbands salad came out as a app. So we all ate at different times, my steak was beyond way over cooked and tasted like SOAP (not even kidding) corn on the cob was still frozen, and my daughters pizza came out way after . They comped our whole meal after realizing all of this, and gave us a free meal coupon. But even in my past chilis dining experiences I haven't been super stoked about the service or food. They need to step it up!!

Posted By Akakmg on 04-06-2012 10:29 PM
.....I felt bad coz this guy was literally kneeling saying sorry to the ones that complained and giving him a GC though they accepted it.....

curious......what is a GC?  

GC is short for gift card, I think.

That makes sense. Don't know why that didn't occur to me... Thanks MonsterMommie!

I just find it funny that people go to Chili's and complain about the food. It's Chilli's, not Ruth's Chris.

As for tips, it's a lot more work to serve a table of 8 than it is a table of 4. Period. There's no way around that. It takes a lot more of your time and effort to get everything to everyone and the tips usually are significantly less when there's a large group. The reason is because of the numbers and psychology. If there's a party of ten that all spend $35, the bill (stateside) will be about $375. A 15% tip is $56. A lot of times people will say "$50 is too much of a tip" and leave less. I've seen people leave $30 on a $400 bill because they thought $30 was fair. Now that waiter (and bussing staff) spent time taking your orders, filling your drinks, taking things back, etc. Yes, it's they're job. But they work hard.

In the time the waiter is serving one table of ten they could have done 3 tables of 4, who'll spend the same amount and tip 15-18% because in a person's mind $20 on $120 bill isn't bad.

People aren't trying to cheat the waiter out of money, but it's natural to say "$50 is a lot of money for just bring me my food!"

Also, please remember that there are people in the restaurant who get paid off that tip, who aren't the server. The busboys who fill your water and bring you bread aren't servers and get paid horribly. They typically split tips with the server, though. If I don't like the service that's been given to me by a waiter, I'll tip him less than usually and make sure to put money in the busboy's hand.

Of course a lot of this isn't in play at Chili's. Chili's is like McDonald's where they bring your food to the table. It's also training ground for servers, bartenders, and hostesses.

Well the reason we went there was its a going away party. I used to like chilis here and I am not a complainer when it comes to foods. But after that night I just wondered after all the issues with chlis and complaints about the place have anything changed or have anyone had a good experience atleast. I am trying to get peoples point of views and experiences and not people who'll try to mock me because I am sharing my experience that night. As I said I got no complaints with my food. I just saw one of the people I know at the party complained about their food and one customer missing $20 from his change.

Who's mocking you?

Honestly, this base has some of the most spoiled, pedantic,people I have ever encountered.

Ranting about something is one thing, but to smear people and then say you were just asking a question is totally different. The story has grown from an overcooked steak to stolen change.

It seems the OP can't get along with anyone. Be it the lady in the Commissary, the people at the American Grill, or the people at Chili's. Perhaps you are just a passive aggressive and some what catty former IHA who is proud of her recent acquisiton of Sofa Status so you want to push down on all your previous contemporaries?

If you are so worried about being mocked, maybe you shouldn't forget where you were just a few months ago. I bet you didn't want to be called out on Japanbases then. Now, you seem to point a lot of fingers.

Try some mittens.

Thanks for your response whambulance. And if that's how you feel about me. thank you. All I'm gonna say is you don't know me and I don't know you. so idc what you think. this is an open forum where I can express how I feel. And just so you know I am no SOFA nor trying to push or blame or push down anyone else because ive been there. I am proud that i used to work in a foodcourt and I love the people I used to work with. If you feel so strongly about my post and thinks I am always ranting then fine.idc

Don't think you can stick a knife in someones back and act like the victim.

You got married, used to work american grill, have japanese citizenship but can't speak japanese, and so on and so on.

We know enough about you to know your aren't inncocent in all this. Don't poop where you eat.

As I said whaaambulance I don't care what you think. And as I said I am no sofa. I am married now yes. And I am not trying to be a victim you a$$. I am not gonna take back whatever I said and I will stand by it. Don't try to use to me your words. If your so good yourself when I said idc about your opinion you should have known to stop. I am no goody good girl if you think I'm b!itch!ng around so often then thanks. And if you wanna say more about me feel free to message me and not here or post a new post about how akakmg is pushing down other people or rant about something so much.

Looks like a struck a nerve.

Dish it out, but can't take it? How do you think the people feel at the places you bash? Not so good? You don't seem to like it.

I know I am far from perfect, but at least I am no hypocrite. I can comfortably use facts while you resort to name calling. You got that ID, so you feel empowered.

Its ok. You leave in July and take your particular brand of negative garbage with you. The base will be better off.

Thank you whaaambulance. Yes. I hope this base gets better with one less hypocrite and ranting, bashing b!itch like me right???? Hahaha. Thank you. =)

You got it.

This is the problem. People come here and think they are "owed". The entitlement is disgusting. You basically admitted your party were a bunch of jerks who wanted special treatment. If you tried this in the states they wouldn't kiss your butt this way. You think because you are here, you can act "special".

Too many people here feel they should be put on a pedastal. You aren't special, but you act like it.

Yeah, you call yourself a b!tch like it is a badge of honor. I think of you as trailer trash. A simple person who puts on airs. Try this crap in the US and they will tell you how special you aren't.

It is a priveledge to be here, not a right. You aren't owed. I just wish people would realize how good they have it here without trying to bash everything. No wonder they can't hire good help. People like you and your friends drive them off.

I feel sorry for you.

Ok whaambulance. I hope you feel better now.

I will in July.

wow... i dont think i've ever seen whaaambulence say ANYTHING positive about anyones post..

so what she had a bad experience at chilis..... is CHILIS FOR GODS SAKE. get over it. no one made you click the damn link.

i've been to chilis and they need to do something about their food and service. period... get over it

you obviously have something against Akakmg to go on and on and bring personal issues up....

seems like your the one who thinks their better than everyone else

Chilis is a lower tier American family restaurant... Please remember that folks.

I don't eat there often but it is not that bad.

Who on the forum remembers The Seaside Restaurant? Now that place needed a Grayhound station next to it.

Akakmg,

I want to apologize for one of our JB members and the way he treated you openly on the public forums.
We do not allow anyone to take stabs at one another, and he crossed the line today on several situations.

This member that was causing issues today, our staff removed their access, and a few of their posts earlier in the day. I just logged in, and disabled his account for 30 days.

I dont mind people voicing their opinion on issues. That is freedom of speech. But when you take stabs at individual people, and also abuse our "Forum Rules and Policies" you will be banned.

If you are not familar with them, its right below the SUBMIT button.

http://www.japanbases.com/forums/fo...icies.aspx
----------------

Regarding your topic, I just feel you were posting a situation that happened to you. Nothing less. I appreciate you being the professional one, in this situation, and not getting onto others level. The fact that people need to realize, is that personal feelings, and the way that people interpret public forums, is sometimes construed with different aspects to what the original poster was trying to put out.

We keep the forums clean from spam, and non-sense, which is why we push our forum rules and policies.
If you break them, you will be banned for 30 days.

Once again, sorry for all those that had to read this garbage today. Its not what JB is about.

We are here to help one another and share information, good or bad.

Thank you Adam though I don't mind. Its his opinion of who I am and I am thankful of japanbases personally this forum have helped me way than I can imagine. From itin to my job opportunity questions I got answers from the people who contribute here. I am not a compaliner. I can deal with a lot of things but I am just asking from peoples point of view about their experiences. As I said it was a friend of mine that complained and I wanna know if is chills still the same or have they done any changes especially after all that happened last year. That's all this post is all about. I like it on how the Japanese guy that they said is the manager went to the extra mile to apologize and give GC but sometimes a good service is enough to make a customer happy. A lot of people say here thaat. Chilis used to be seaside andit was way better. So thatmeans I am not alone in this situation. I am not trying to point fingers nor push down anyone. I know how they feel that's why to avoid that we give good service and go beyond our job and make them happy. Thanks a lot..

Posted By Akakmg on 04-09-2012 8:03 PM

Chilis used to be seaside and it was way better.

True & true. But even as Seaside, people didn't go there for the food.  'Nuff said, and the old-timers will know what I mean.

Posted By ThaiGuy on 04-09-2012 8:18 PM

Posted By Akakmg on 04-09-2012 8:03 PM

Chilis used to be seaside and it was way better.

True & true. But even as Seaside, people didn't go there for the food.  'Nuff said, and the old-timers will know what I mean.

Haven't been here that long. Why? What do you mean? Hahaha.

My main problem with Chili's is how filthy it is. I haven't been back since I got a large fly (not kidding) in the MIDDLE of my hamburger between the lettuce and the patty. I was so disgusted. They tried to offer me a new one but my appetite was gone. The manager gave a lame excuse about a bug being in the lettuce. So, yeah, I guess they don't wash the lettuce. *shudder*

i totally agree w/you, especially on their service part! i've been there twice and both were bad experiences i had to call the waiter after waiting for about 15 min to order our food and get some water because he forgot we were there..and it wasn't even a busy night! when our meal finally came we had to call the waiter again because we didn't have any eating untensil's. after 10 min of waiting for him to come back my husband went to go get it himself. needless to say i won't be going back.

Posted By ThaiGuy on 04-09-2012 8:18 PM

Posted By Akakmg on 04-09-2012 8:03 PM

Chilis used to be seaside and it was way better.

True & true. But even as Seaside, people didn't go there for the food.  'Nuff said, and the old-timers will know what I mean.

I cannot believe ANYONE would barely even think for a second that Seaside was better for food/service.  Thaiguy is probably insinuating about the bar (which was actually a decent bar on base and generally a good time).  The food and service at Seaside was HORRIBLE though and just the same as Chili's except they were NEVER undermanned.  Chili's is staffed at a very low level and that is why the seating is never filled, the service isn't great and other issues.  The bugs on burgers and other complaints...if you have ever been in the restaurant business you know there are several GROTESQUE safety department "allowances" so a bug every now and then isn't all that bad.  Don't blame the servers, don't blame the manager...just make your complaint known, get compensated for it and then move on...(notice how I didn't say don't blame the prep people...because they should have caught that).

There are only two things from Seaside I miss...  the brunch and the lasagna on Mondays.  I do miss the deli that was located just outside Seaside as well...loved that place for lunch.  BUT I CAN NEVER SAY I MISS THE SERVICE THERE.

Posted By Wilson on 04-10-2012 9:09 AM

Posted By ThaiGuy on 04-09-2012 8:18 PM

Posted By Akakmg on 04-09-2012 8:03 PM

Chilis used to be seaside and it was way better.

True & true. But even as Seaside, people didn't go there for the food.  'Nuff said, and the old-timers will know what I mean.

I cannot believe ANYONE would barely even think for a second that Seaside was better for food/service.  Thaiguy is probably insinuating about the bar (which was actually a decent bar on base and generally a good time).  The food and service at Seaside was HORRIBLE though and just the same as Chili's except they were NEVER undermanned.  Chili's is staffed at a very low level and that is why the seating is never filled, the service isn't great and other issues.  The bugs on burgers and other complaints...if you have ever been in the restaurant business you know there are several GROTESQUE safety department "allowances" so a bug every now and then isn't all that bad.  Don't blame the servers, don't blame the manager...just make your complaint known, get compensated for it and then move on...(notice how I didn't say don't blame the prep people...because they should have caught that).

There are only two things from Seaside I miss...  the brunch and the lasagna on Mondays.  I do miss the deli that was located just outside Seaside as well...loved that place for lunch.  BUT I CAN NEVER SAY I MISS THE SERVICE THERE.

Oh so that's what thaiguy mean. Yes. That's what a lot of people say they miss. The brunch.

Yeah. The brunch. That's what I meant. :-)