Fun times in family-owned restaurants

We tried this family-run Chinese/Vietnamese place with friends last night. I went to go to the bathroom, door was locked, no biggie. While I waited this little girl came over and started BANGING on the door: "DAD! DAD!" (mumbles "What?") "SOMEONE WANTS TO USE THE BATHROOM! (More banging on the door). After about a minute I went back to the table, I can wait!

Nope, she comes flying through the restaurant & I see her getting keys. ?!?!! He's clearly inside, "busy". "DAD, I'M UNLOCKING THE DOOR!" At that point, I pretended to not even look. This wasn't going to end well.......

Was he the cook too?

Did he wash his chopsticks before returning to work?

Duke wrote: Did he wash his chopsticks before returning to wok?

fixed that for you

A little later she walked past our table with this big guy behind her & I heard her say "DAD THAT'S THE GUY THAT WANTED TO USE THE BATHROOM!"

I got waited on by a girl who was about 4 once in a similar place. She had seen mom and dad do it so many times, she just figured she would give it a shot. Mom was mortified and was heading over, but I waved her off. The little girl was very sweet and went and got me a drink and some silverwear. It was a buffett, so how hard was it really? She got a 100% tip IIRC. What a cutie pie.

pinchvalve wrote: She had seen mom and dad do it so many times, she just figured she would give it a shot.

I took this the wrong way on first reading

That's what happens when you have a grassroots bathroom attendant. Some things are just worth paying more for.

My daughter goes to school with a boy where his family owns the local takeout Chinese restaurant so we go once in a while. I always ask them where is William? He's taking a nap on the shelf under the counter/register (they rigged up a small bed).

My favorite is when the older 6th grader brother rings me up AND counts my change back without entering the amount I gave him into the register. The kid sits and does math worksheets all evening.

The Chinese joint a mile down the road changed hands, so one night we decide to give it a try and call for take-out. This tiny voice answers the phone. After I give my order, I tell my wife that the girl on the other end sounded like a 10 year old.

When I go to pick up our order the place is empty except for a little girl doing her homework at a table near the register. She stops what she's doing to ring me up and take another call. After her mom and dad come from the kitchen with my food I ask her age - yup, 10 years old. Turns out she mans the front of the store because her parents' English is weak. Food was great too!

nderwater wrote: She stops what she's doing to ring me up and take another call. After her mom and dad come from the kitchen with my food I ask her age - yup, 10 years old.

The place I mentioned above has a 18 year-old sister that came over from China when she was in high school and her English needs a LOT of work. It is funny to watch folks order stuff from her with a lot of details as she just smiles and shakes her head. She has no clue what they are telling her.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/3533 Cheezeburger?

I'd expect that sort of language from Denny's, but not from here.

We have a little Chinese place here in town that has a huge table in the center of a small dining area just for the family that runs it. The kind of place where the grandparents are in the kitchen cooking, the parents are at the center table doing the book keeping, their kids who are in their mid 20's and early 30's are doing the waiting and their children are running around and generally being kids. 4 generations of super awesome friendly people who honestly care about how you you like your food, and super low prices.

Why there are lines around the block at PF Changs is baffling to me.