Complaint Review: Vinnie R's

Vinnie R's has always been the place where my family and another family would meet up for dinner about once a month or so. Last weekend, we made plans and met there for dinner. We liked this place because there is a Chalkboard and a toy area for our kids.

We had a great time, like always. The service was ok. But One of the waiters went past our kids in the play area and said "GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!". I was thinking, did he just say that? Then the same waiter was standing around a hostess came up to him to tell him he had another table and they have been waiting....He yells "s**t!!"

I was still sitting there wondering, what the hell is going on? Then we get our checks. And to my suprise, we were charged an 18% Gratuity for having 8 or more people. I was pretty ticked off and this is why. There were 4 adults and 5 kids under the age of 5. We ordered Pizza. Now we had 2 of the 5 kids in high chairs, 2 kids are 3 and then a 5 year old.

We have been there countless times and this has never happened. They have never charged us gratuity. I asked the waiter why we were charged this? He said there were 9 people and that was their policy. So I said, There are 2 babies. And 3 small kids and he pretty much said so what. At this point I was pretty mad. We paid the check and asked if I could speak to the manager, how convienent, our waiter was the manager!! So I asked if there was someone there more important than him. He said the owner was there.

So I asked to speak with him. He came out and pretty much told us the same thing. So then I told him about the other waiter yelling at the kids and yelling out a four letter word because he was told to work. He said sorry, I don't know what you want me to do about it.
It's not like I wasn't going to leave a tip. The point is it was it was forced on us. We didn't order a meal for each and every kid. We got pizzas and served ourselves. They advertise they have a kid friendly atmosphere. That night was anything but kid friendly. Our kids got yelled at, heard a waiter swear, and then we were forced to pay an 18% gratuity.

I am usually a lurker on this page and I know I will be told if I am wrong, maybe I am. I just wanted people to know how "kid friendly" Vinnie R's really is.

Jenny
Gulf Breeze, Florida
U.S.A.