If You're Dining at IHOP or in Georgia, Bring Your Patience

A new survey names the slowest restaurant service in the U.S.

Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash

We all have our reasons for dining at restaurants. But whether you don’t want to cook at home, are in the mood for some variety, or just want to get out of the house, it’s a safe bet that you’re looking for good, fast service.

A new survey conducted by gaming site, Solitaired, analyzed more than 22,000 Google reviews to see where diners receive the most attentive service — and where they’re left high and dry.

The survey delved into everything from ranking which states have the fastest (and the slowest) service, to which chain restaurants offer the slowest service experience. And forget grabbing a quick breakfast before hitting the road — breakfast spots are ranked among the slowest in the nation.

Starting by state, Georgia was ranked as having the slowest service, with 48.47% of diners complaining on Google about their meals taking too long. The fastest service in the country? Alaska, with only 27% of diners complaining that their meals took too long to arrive.

Newport News, Virginia, was ranked the slowest city in the U.S. for service, with 53% of reviewers complaining about service (there was no “fastest” city named in the survey).

If you’ve a hankering for some pancakes, be sure to add a side of patience with that order if you’re dining at IHOP. The 24-hour restaurant chain doesn’t “hop” to your order, with the survey ranking it the restaurant chain with the slowest service.

Following IHOP in order of slow service are Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cracker Barrel, First Watch, Denny’s, Chili’s, Another Broken Egg Cafe, Longhorn Steakhouse, and BJ’s Brewhouse.

More and more, there’s been debate about gratuities in restaurants — how much is appropriate and when and where to tip. Coupled with the rising cost of food at all restaurants across the board and rising expenses for most Americans, eating out at a restaurant multiple times a week becomes more and more difficult to justify.

Restaurateurs are raising prices at most restaurants with the justification that everything from food costs to rent has increased. That may be true. But good service is one thing that a restaurateur can help to control. And it may be the most important component.

When service is good at a restaurant — with friendly people who seem to care about you — little things that might not be perfect seem less important. But if you have to wait half an hour for a menu, then more time to place an order, a tiny thing such as forgetting that extra side of fries now can be the tipping point to a bad review.

What can consumers do? If you feel like your service is too slow or the food isn’t right, let someone know in the nicest possible way. Restaurateurs want a chance to make things right while you’re still in their dining room — from IHOP to Michelin-rated experiences.

And patience — patience is everything. What seemed like an hour might only be five minutes.