I have been going to Sterle's for over 30 years. Last night will be the last time I ever go there again. We walked in the door at 6:35 at 6:45 the waiter finally took our drink order (ok I can live with that because he was new there) at 7:00 he finally came to take our order and we ordered another round of drinks. He forgot to ask about what salad dressing we wanted. At 7:10 we called the hostess over (who I assume is one of the owners) and asked her to make sure our salads were ordered. Only 3 salad dressings available. The two tables on both sides of us walked in about 15 minutes after us and already had their salads and soup and received their dinners while we were still waiting for our 2nd round of drinks.
Needless to say we never received our salads or bread or second round of drinks. I have never been a complainer but at 7:40 we walked out and left. This is the first time we have ever walked out of a restaurant in the 30 years we have been married.
Now not be a fuddy duddy but we are not that old and can understand that the new owners want to change it up a little with changes to the interior and a new look but you had better concentrate on customer service first. Even on a busy night when Margo owned it the service was better. The reason I say that is because not only did the waiter take our order but so did the hostess.
Writing on the wall? A couple of things I noticed:
- Wine list.....list 4 house wines only one available last night.
- Salad dressing.....3 available and no French dressing.
- Now open Monday's
- Looked around the room...not very many older people but not very many young people either.
- Customer service definitely lacking.
- Accordionist instead of full band.
All cost cutting measures
I wish these new owners success but their business model is not working.
Quite frankly after 30 years I am not going back. It's a shame to lose long time customers.
And keep in mind I have never written a review on Yelp and have never walked out of a Restaurant before either.
Kevin C.