So here goes...I have loved JV since I was like 9 years old. I am now 43! The food, the sauce, the cooking in front of me and eating while still hot, the sauce, I even enjoy the guy who gets to come out and clean the table, oh and the food.
But they have shifted in the quality of their service. Possibly because more people are coming or business now and days are more ruled by money not customer care. When I was going in my 20's they were still giving out as much rice as you wanted and no one really ever asked for more sauce on rice, it was just a request by some kids addicted to the sauce.
Now I see some of the lack of service that have been mentioned but they have always asked for us to be together in a group and be there at the same time, we have always had to sit with people we don't know and actually talk to them a bit, but not too much because not everyone likes to be talked to!
So I think they have dropped on the service side, but a lot of the things that make JV special, unique, grimy and good are still there and I will continue to go back at least until my 9 year old is 43!