Masochistic Restaurant Patrons

So this am, as I scanned the overnight FaceBook (tm) posts, I came across one from an older Jewish lady I know, who I'll call Marjorie, since that's her name.  She's in her 70s, originally from Queens, and a part time estate lawyer.  We became FB friends after I contacted her about an old client whose file she inherited.  I sent her a new client, she overcharged, and that was the end of our business relationship -- but our FB connection edures.

She had posted a scathing review on Yelp, and shared on her FB page, about Captain's Tavern, one of our local go-to restaurants.  She was shocked at the service she got when a lunch time salad came out with an anemic sized piece of fish.  The waitress debated her, and the owner blew her off.  First, it should be noted that Marjorie isn't , well, svelte, so maybe the staff was trying to help her out.  But in truth, they ARE some of the nastiest owners around.

Of course, Seinfeld and the funnier co writer Larry David explored this phenomenon in their famous "Soup Nazi" segments on "Seinfeld."  The owners are horribly rude, but the lines at the shop continue because the soup is just so damn good.

It's sort of the same at the Tavern.  The owner is a Filipina war wife, who took over when her husband, the "Captain," died.  She NEVER smiles.  If you show up without your entire party present, and ask to be seated, she looks at you like you farted in her car.

For a few years, our Boston friend Sheryl organized New Years Eve dinners there, and 12 of us were crammed in, and the owner came over and treated us like we were LUCKY to be spending close to $100 per person in her place.  When we asked if we could get more room, she said "No!"

And yet Wifey and I keep on going.  Their lobster tail special is well priced and always good.  They pour a decent sized martini.  Their conch chowder is as good as any in the Keys, and the fish is always fresh.

The wait staff varies -- the last few times we had a sarcastic gay man who was fine.  Sometimes there are nasty women, who learn from the owner.  And it's all ok.

When I arrive, I always scowl at the owner, and put up two fingers, and point to Wifey to show our party is ready.  On the way out, I scowl at her, too.

The old, nasty Filipina could teach a class at FIU Hospitality School about how to pack them in while treating them badly.  On weekend nights -- forget about it!  The wait times exceed an hour, easily.

I assume she owns the property, and the place is a gold mine, despite the angry owner.

So poor, large Marjorie just doesn't get it.  She ended her Yelp review by saying that "Over a few dollars worth of fish, the Tavern has lost three long time customers."  Ha.  As IF they care.

Sometimes you just put up with nasty for a great piece of fish and decent cocktails.  Marjorie: NO fish for you!