ATT: Restaurant Servers, Past and Present

[ibanez37]

So, with the housing market being so shitty and me working for a subcontractor, work is getting hella slow. My FT hours have just been cut in half. Anyways, between classes and my current PT work schedule, I'm looking to pick up a serving job on Fri/Sat/Sun evenings. I've never done this before, but people say it is great money for the hours. Looking for info on how crazy it gets, how good the pay was, what hours you worked, or just anything you have to say about it.. good or bad. Cookie cutter/themed restaurant experience would be a plus as this is mostly where I'll be applying.

Well, essentially I'm a bit overextended due to the cut in hours, but can be OK for about a month or so.. I'm probably looking to get about 10-15 hours per week and hopefully get at least $150 per week. Also, how many tables did you guys have to handle at a given time? I have a friend that just got hired to Outback and he says they limit you to 3 tables and 4 is pretty rare. This seems hella low compared to some places I've been.

So far, I have apps into
Olive Garden
Outback
Chili's
Applebee's
Red Robin
Red Lobster
Rock Bottom Brewery
BJ's Brewery


All of these are within close proximity. Anyone who has worked at any of these, I'd like you to chime in But thanks for the replies so far.

EDIT: I have absolutely NO experience as a server BTW.


Sorry copy/pasted from another forum so that's my initial post and my first response

[CivicCoupe06]

you do a good job and you will pull in 300 a weekend.

I have handled close to 60 people at once (casino industry)

ALso worked in some area restaurants, making around 300+ a weekend.

I need to get back into it since my job is sucking badly now.

[ibanez37]

Originally Posted by CivicCoupe06

you do a good job and you will pull in 300 a weekend.

I have handled close to 60 people at once (casino industry)

ALso worked in some area restaurants, making around 300+ a weekend.

I need to get back into it since my job is sucking badly now.

Damn that's pretty intense.. 60 people seems insane. How many hours would you work on the weekends and is this something hard for the first timer?

[CivicCoupe06]

nah. just know the menu and have a sense of humor. the more aware of what the customer wants and how they want it will be in your best interest.

I barely work now, its real slow. got to find another job.

[Brivis]

If you live close to a college town i wouls suggest delivering pizza. I used to do it around West Chester Univ(PA) and working thur,fri,sat, 6-11 i'd pull in anywhere from 200-400. If you do it for a non-chain most likely its under the table $$$$$$.

[ibanez37]

Originally Posted by Brivis

If you live close to a college town i wouls suggest delivering pizza. I used to do it around West Chester Univ(PA) and working thur,fri,sat, 6-11 i'd pull in anywhere from 200-400. If you do it for a non-chain most likely its under the table $$$$$$.

Ya? Hmm.. most of my tickets should be off my record and I just love driving. I heard the pizza stuff can start to transform the smell of your car though (as my Si is my DD). Thanks for the advice! I do live close to ASU (60K students and a huuuge party college) and I've heard people make some good money off that. What place did you work for? I'm assuming it's pretty damn easy?

[MBK]

i delivered pizzas. some days i made like 100 bucks and some days i made like 20... they gave us the car and gas though

[Brivis]

Originally Posted by ibanez37

Ya? Hmm.. most of my tickets should be off my record and I just love driving. I heard the pizza stuff can start to transform the smell of your car though (as my Si is my DD). Thanks for the advice! I do live close to ASU (60K students and a huuuge party college) and I've heard people make some good money off that. What place did you work for? I'm assuming it's pretty damn easy?

I worked for a local pizza place. it was a pretty sweet deal. $7/hr, $0.50/delivery, and tips. all under the table. My GSR started to smell a little like garlic at one point, but nothing an air freshener or leaving your windows open for an hr or 2 didnt solve.

FYI the drunker(and higher) they are the more they tip.....

[DirtyV]

Man if you deliver pizza you'll be teh fastest delivery guy in Tempe! Also, I'm not sure if this is true, but I heard that if you're using your personal car for delivery purposes, your insurance can fuxor you, because you're using the car as a commercial vehicle. Dunno though...

[Brivis]

Originally Posted by DirtyV

Man if you deliver pizza you'll be teh fastest delivery guy in Tempe! Also, I'm not sure if this is true, but I heard that if you're using your personal car for delivery purposes, your insurance can fuxor you, because you're using the car as a commercial vehicle. Dunno though...

"Your pizza..... There in 30 seconds or its free"

[strutking]

hmm, which one do you like the most?

[jerhunter]

I worked at Cracker Barrell for almost 2 years. Made a killing, but that is just because I had quite a few regulars. Best day for me was Sundays after church. Walked away with $225 on my best day though, but that was because I had two parties of I think 15+. I think it all depends on where you work though, and your personallity, they've got to mesh well together for you to be productive in the food service industry.