It’s a great feeling for all concerned when everything flows smoothly on a busy night. It’s an even greater feeling, when you’re down 2 servers and a cook on a Saturday night, the place is far busier than anyone expected, and everything flows in sync, and t all seems to happen in the blink of an eye.


It was as if someone shot off the starting gun, the doors flew open, and the crowds swarmed in. Literally.

Typically, Friday is busier than Saturday, and Friday wasn’t the best last week. So we figured Saturday, being short staffed and all, would be fine, we may have to hustle a bit, but it would work out. And then BAM! I think it may have been one of those Murphy’s Law things …..within 30 minutes, everyone had to go on auto-pilot, there was no time to think about it, just time to do.

I was working the bar in the lounge, the tables filled up, I had to pick up 4 tables. People were coming in so fast, the hostess was seating them wherever she could, the servers and myself had to decide who was taking which table.  "I'll get the drinks for this one, then you take over, Mike is refilling all the coffees and waters, Kathy picked up that table...has anyone been over to those 2 yet? Shit! I gotta go pour some drinks.....can you see if my entrees are up while you're in the kitchen, I'll start clearing your table by the window..." and so the night went.... Oh, did I mention there was also a wedding reception and a huge birthday party going on in 2 of the banquet rooms?  Both of which were consuming mass quantities of alcohol

The owner was clearing tables, scooping ice cream, restocking bar glasses, washing dishes, and doing whatever needed to be done. The manager was doing much the same. Every server, busboy and the entire kitchen staff were stretched to the limit, and it was all in sync. It all went amazingly well……there were no problems, we had no time for problems.

It felt good to be pushed to the limit, and pull it off. We were the definition of teamwork! Adrenaline junkies unite!