I only write about chains when something happens that distinguishes it from all the other chains. In this case, it was the lackluster service from the moment we walked in the door. The food was predictable, the salad bar was fresh and the ambience was like all other chains of this type. So bad service is noticeable.
We asked for a booth. There were very few diners in the restaurant and the dinner area to the left of the entrance - and far from the bar - was pretty empty. But the host chose to seat us right next to a large and loud group near the bar. Why? On a slow Monday night, the whole other quieter side of the restaurant had available empty booths but the only place he could find to put us was right next to a loud and boisterous party? WTF? I noticed that everyone who arrived after us were seated on the quieter side of the restaurant.
Next was our disappearing and interchangeable waitresses. We started out with waitress #1 who seemed pleasant and efficient but sometime after she dropped our entrees on the table, she stopped being our waitress and never checked back with us. Later it was waitress #2 who showed up to drop the check on the table. No one checked back with us about our meal or asked if we wanted dessert or coffee.
We had also asked for water when we were first seated and were given one glass. A single glass of water for the two of us. I guess we were supposed to share? Maybe it was just a slow Monday. Maybe the host didn't like taking a booth request. Maybe the service is always this sad. I won't be coming back to find out.