We admit it. Deli-style dining does seems a little odd at first: You place your order, grab your number, go sit down, and we bring your order out to you. In fact, it’s the #1 thing that our beloved “newbies” mention when they arrive at The Cheese Board. “I’m confused. This looks like a ‘sit-down-and-wait-for-a-waiter’ type restaurant. Where’s the hostess? What do I do now?” Luckily, Kaitlin or Georgia or Grace (our front-of-the-house team) can usually spot newbies and gently guide them through the deli-style dining at The Cheese Board. So, how did we get here—and more importantly, would guests in 2012 prefer to be seated, or stay with the status quo?
In the beginning (picture the early ’80s, with guys and gals sporting bi-level haircuts and listening to Wham! on Walkmans), a guest would walk up, ask for a ham-and-cheese, and hang out while Debbie or her sister made a yummy sandwich. They’d complete the transaction, and the guest would walk out and go on her merry way, until one day, Debbie thought, “You know what’d be really great around here? Chairs!” And thus, the present-day Cheese Board restaurant was born.
Over the years, we’ve asked our customers, “Would you prefer “table service,” with a waiter or waitress to take your order?” and time and again, our customers say, “Actually, no, I kinda like that I can come in, get what I want, and leave when I want without having to wait around for a wait person to bring me the check.” So, that’s why we do it. But this is 2012, and we’re always looking to improve ourselves, so please, weigh in with a comment below if you like the way it is, or if you’d like to see us deliver table-side wait service at lunch.
We’re on the edge of our seats with excitement to see what you think!
By Krista Phillips
