It’s been over a month since I walked through the doors of the restaurant I had worked in for over ten years, but it happened last night. It was too warm to cook dinner and I found myself craving those french fries I had gotten used to eating whenever I wanted them, so I called in an order.
The voice on the phone was not one I knew. A few weeks ago I met the guy who had replaced me, a very nice guy named Dimitri, but this didn’t sound like him. Rather than play the “I used to work there, this is Darron” role, I ordered just as if I was any other customer.
“I’d like the burger, medium well with cheddar and the grilled salmon, sub green beans and au gratin potatoes instead of the cous cous.”
I could picture this person staring at the computer’s touch screen trying to find the button that would take him to the keyboard to type in my special request. After a few seconds, he told me thank you, but didn’t tell me a total or how long it would be before I could pick it up. I started to ask, but realized I already knew the answer. He didn’t ask my name either which was probably a good thing since I would have been like, ‘It’s Darron. I fucking ran that place!”
When I went into the restaurant about 15 minutes later, I saw three people sitting at the bar. It’s been well over a year since I had seen anyone sitting on those barstools and it made me happy they were there and sad that I wasn’t serving them. “Hey, Darron,” said one of them, a regular. “Nice to see you!” I saw Dimitri’s familiar face behind the bar and another server out on the patio. There was also a dishwasher, a young long-haired kid scrubbing a pot and there was my former boss Tim, the owner/manager/chef toiling behind the line of the open kitchen.
“Damn, it looks like a real restaurant in here,” I thought. Six weeks ago it would have just been me and Tim on a Thursday night, no one else. “Business is definitely picking up.”
The new server approached me. “Hi, are you picking up the to go to order?”
“I am.”
“Oh, okay. Just so you know the salmon comes with cous cous and I can’t substitute two sides for just one, so I’ll have to charge you for-”
Dimitri interrupted him. “Dude, it’s fine. He worked here for like a hundred years.”
“How fucking old does he think I am?” I wondered. The new server wandered off and I couldn’t help but notice how young he was, his face with nary a sign of the wilted bitterness that lives deep within the wrinkles of my own.
I looked around at the restaurant. It felt like when you go back to your high school after you graduate. Everything is exactly the same while also being completely different. The man at Table 7 needed a a refill on his water. The stack of paper towels by the bar was far too low to be acceptable. I saw Tim filling up a plastic ramekin of to-go ketchup for a burger. Is no one doing their job here?? When food landed in the window of the open kitchen, I watched the youngster of a server wince at the heat of a plate and then make two trips to the patio to deliver food when it should have been just one. It felt like the restaurant needed me, as if it was falling apart before my very eyes. But then I looked around again. The people on the patio were laughing. The regulars at the bar were enjoying their cocktails. The man at Table 7 eventually had his water refilled. This restaurant that I had worked in for ten years was still thriving even without me.
Tim approached me from behind the line holding a chit. “It says sub green beans for potato.” We both looked at each other knowing that neither green beans or potatoes come with the salmon. “Just tell me what you want.”
I told him I wanted green beans AND potato au gratin, which is sort of a secret menu item at Quaint restaurant. It’s not an equal substitution, but if you ask, we’ll do it. Well, they’ll do it, since I don’t work there anymore. He returned to the line and I watched him bag up my order which is something that should have been done by New Guy, not the owner/manager/chef. Tim handed me my food.
“I miss working here,” I told him.
Characteristically, he didn’t say “we miss you too” or “it’s been difficult without you” or “you were the best thing that ever happened to this restaurant,” but I could see it in his eyes. Or at least I convinced myself that I was seeing it. I thanked Dimitri and New Guy and waved goodbye to my regulars who I realized are no longer mine and then walked out the door.
It’s not my restaurant anymore, but life goes on. One server leaves and another one slides into the non-slip shoes and takes over.
dishwasher
Front of house,… fond memories, back of house,… PTSD.
I’m so glad this caste system worked out well for you.
Thomas Johnston
Hi Darron,
My name is Tom Johnston. I am the performing arts coordinator for the City of Carlsbad.
Would you like visit Southern California early next year? We are interested in an artist residency in late Feb 2021.
David Laman
The title reminded me of my favorite film, regarded as a near-perfect movie….
https://youtu.be/H8jV98slav8
Gina
SO relatable!!
Seeing all the things that aren’t done and then settling with the fact that it’s all going to be go okay, was a good sign that you are done there!
If you’d like to work in fine dining, making great money in the Caribbean,
Heading in right after swimming in the beautiful blue sea, it wouldn’t be hard to get a job! Everyone is overworked because tourists haven’t stopped coming to the Virgin Islands! JS!
Kto
It’s been 25 years since I worked a shift. Hating my current job. Would love to bartend but I think it would kill me! My best friends are still the girls I worked with THIRTY-SEVEN years ago.
Nathan
I had so many places close or go bankrupt and change hands, one after another, that some people called me a curse. The reality is, though, that I’m actually just fiercely loyal and tend to stick things out to the bitter end. It ends up cursing me, actually, because it’s impossible to go back and visit a closed restaurant.
The first restaurant I worked at more than a year closed in 2005 (I started in 1999). I still dream about it all the time. I rarely ever dream about my current job, but that one has stayed with me all these years. The owner was a kind and hilarious man who I miss dearly. I lost touch with him long ago and unfortunately he has no online presence. What I’d give to be able to check in with him, give him a hug, and reminisce about all the good times (and bad) we shared together.
Jen Mastello Chattar
I left a restaurant I absolutely loved working at for 10 years. My coworkers were on downward spiral headed nowhere fast. Im not one to judge but when the tip jar got lighter and business was the same I had no choice but to leave. I can tolerate a lot things but messing with my money just isn’t one of them. Four years later I went back and worked another 3 years.
Ashley
I had all the feels reading this. I did the same thing at a place I worked at for 13 years. I really wanted queso. So I placed a Togo over the phone with a voice I did t recognize. I got there and saw all the things that needed to be done and I really want to jump in and help. Took a lot to restrain myself. Props to you for moving on. Hope it’s for the better, but we all know you’ll be sucked into another serving job, compare it to your recent departure, miss your old job, but hopefully stick it out at the new place. Good luck !
Cory reyes
I’m in the same boat, I worked at this place for 7 years and finally quit over a month ago. Feels so weird but like you said life moves on. I went in the other day and didn’t recognize a face except for an handful of people and i was pointing out alll the flaws. Yes i do miss it but being stuck in the same routine for so long was making me itch to get out. Best of wishes ?
Golf Pengthong
Great post!
Amy
Aww, sounds like a bittersweet visit.
Like Kim, I am curious what you are doing now and why did you leave?
Vera Crane
Great article! This really resinated with me so much ! I worked and trained for an excellent restaurant for almost 13 yrs. Best place I’ve ever worked! I got hurt pretty bad there and ended up having to sue workmans comp. Of course I won but had to sign a letter of resignation and it hurt just as bad. We don’t realize how it’s ingrained in us until it’s gone. At least they welcome me as a guest. No hard feelings. But hard walking thru the dining room just the same!
Grandma
Nice…..
Kim Woodring
What are you doing now?
Are you working in another restaurant or have you gone in another direction; writing/movies??
How is life in New York post-pandemic?
I opened the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando 1990…left in 1995. I went back a few years later and it was if I never existed. So sad… but great memories. Thank God I took a lot of pictures!
Kimberly Lozzi
Come work with me at the coachmans lodge in Bellingham ma. ❤️