Charlie's Pet Peeves

First, let me start today by stating that it is not my intention to use this blog as a platform for pissing and moaning about the world around me.  Today, however, I experienced one of my few pet peeves and feel compelled to vent a little.  As a disclaimer, I'd like to make it clear that I have nothing against the restaurant chain Chili's.  I like their food and plan on continuing to patronize their restaurants with the exception of the location I took my family to this afternoon.  As one who spent a fair number of years waiting tables, I can appreciate the amount of hard work that goes into operating a restaurant and the difficulties inherent with providing quality service to the increasingly fastidious masses.  Nevertheless, as a result of my experiences, I know for a fact that there is NO excuse for the poor service and unsanitary conditions I encountered today at the Chili's near our home.

Imprimis, our server was as friendly to us as the Cuban government is to the concept of a free market.  We were repeatedly ignored and our requests forgotten.  To make matters worse, it appeared as if the booth where he sat us hadn't been cleaned in weeks.  Most notably, when I attempted to use the salt shaker I found that all of the salt had crusted together inside the lid of the shaker because it appeaed as if someone had spilled ketchup on it and simply tried to wipe it clean on the outside.  When I removed the lid I found that the salt inside had crusted up with ketchup and what appeared to be dirty water.  What made things worse was when I asked our server for a new salt shaker he simply cleaned out the top layer of crusted up salt and returned the very same shaker to me to use.  He didn't even wipe the filthy thing down.  Later, after the manager had finally brought me a clean salt shaker, both he and the server tried to pass it off as the result of humidity.  The one thing that bugs me more than a dirty restaurant is being treated like an idiot. 

Chili's at 8510 West Hillsborough Ave.

Well, I think I've vented enough.  I feel better.  I will not be returning to the the Chili's on Hillsborough avenue and Memorial highway in Town N' Country.  I will gladly eat at any other Chili's location.  This was the first bad experience that I have ever had with a Brinker International Corporation's restaurant.  Hopefully, it will be the last.