The Sullivan’s Massacre,
Written: Jun 30 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Used to be Decent Food, decent service, but now, humm, no.
Cons: Currently Very Bad General Manager, Price is very high for what you get.
The Bottom Line: Other places are better and you likely won't get the police called on you if you ask for change back from a tip.
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| rlj4214's Full Review: Austin Restaurants |
Without the 3 part harmony and pictures containing lines and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one.
I have been going to Sullivan’s for years. I always thought it was a great place and know a couple of the people that work there. Last night, after not being in there for a while I decided that my wife and I should go get a good steak. I have been getting the mushroom stuffed fillet, since they just started doing that here not long ago, and my wife will usually get the small fillet.
Last night, 6/29/04, her steak came out overly done, enough so that she sent it back. Then it came out rare. The waitress insisted that it be taken to the back to correct the problem. They indeed did correct the cooking of the steak. Meanwhile, we had a bottle of Wine and were generally having a great time joking around with the waitress who had waited on us before. Everybody was happy I thought. Of course it was a little awkward since I had finished eating and we were ready to go.
The bill was presented while we consumed the soufflé which must be ordered in advance. The bill was just over $100. I used my debit card, same as cash right, to pay for the meal and added a $30 tip with the request that I be given $10 in return so I could pay for the valet parking outside. There was nothing unusual about this, done the same thing lots of times in Sullivan’s and elsewhere.
The waitress said something to the effect that we can’t do that, it’s illegal. Say what???????? We have done the same thing here multiple times. She turns and gets the General Manager. The GM is a fairly attractive black woman that I had seen there several times but never had any interaction with. She informs me that they don’t give change back from a tip like that. I protested that you have always done it before.
The conversation heats up a bit. The GM states that “I have been here for 6 years, and we have NEVER given change back from a tip like this.” As she became more belligerent, so did I I’m afraid. I told her that was BS and I knew better since we had been coming there for years and spent literally thousands of dollars in the place.
She exploded, don’t you cuss at me sir. I told her she needed to back off. She turned and called the Austin Police Department. By the time it was said and done there were 2 officers standing over my table looking at the bill and getting my explanation that “I only wanted to be sure that I didn't’t stiff the guys outside doing the valet parking and there is no ATM here in Sullivan’s.”
Well you must pay the valet. OK, that is what I have been trying to do for the last 15 minutes. You won’t give me change back from the excessive tip to pay these guys, and you don't have an ATM. One of the officers points to an ATM like 1 block away or something, I never really saw it. "There's one!"
One of the guys doing the parking has been listening to this and chimes in, “there’s an ATM in front of Mezaluna right next door. OK Great. I go and get the $20 bill from the ATM and turn to see the officer that had been outside this whole time shacking his head and talking to my wife. Told her he couldn't believe what was happening which was pretty much the same thing I had been saying the entire time. Completely ridiculous.
The taller bald officer informed me that I would be arrested if I ever came back to Sullivan’s.
Sums for the night
Bar tab while waiting for them to open $12.?? With a $3.00 tip
Dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine. 106.?? With a $30 tip that was supposed to be $20. Remember that my wife sent her steak back 2 times, actually once the waitress literally took it from her. I’m beginning to think this may be what started that. I wonder.
ATM withdrawal of $20 + a $3.50 change for the machine and a $1.50 charge from my CU since it wasn't’t one of their machines.
Total = $177.??
One police report with my name address and a notation of criminal trespassing apparently.
One lost customer immediately, doubtless some to follow.
One ruined evening, all because this supposedly customer oriented General Manager didn't’t see fit to actually provide customer service. Keep in mind this is all over $10
My advice, Go to Flemming's. Or for that matter Houston's. Better food, Better Service. And most of all Friendly people.
Good luck.
Recommended:
No
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Never
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Epinions.com ID:
rlj4214
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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