Originally Posted by
davie355
Servers know ahead of time when something is unavailable. The analogy to an online order breaks down because it's inconvenient to take a phone call to follow up about an online order. The incentive to ordering online is to avoid a phone call!
Tangent: twice in the last year, I've been seated at a restaurant and later asked to move to accommodate a larger party. In both cases, which occurred on opposite coasts of the country, the restaurants comped an appetizer for everyone in my party. If a third restaurant asks my party to move but offers nothing beyond a verbal thank you, I would be disappointed.
I've had multiple occasions where a server has taken an order, and come back a few minutes later to say 'sorry, chef says we are out of X' - I don't think that is any different.
Most restaurants with online ordering don't have the ability to make real time changes if they run out of something, I am not quite sure what you expect them to do? They can a) call can says sorry, and offer an alternative (including the option to cancel the order) or b) deliver something else. You must have provided your phone number for them to call you, so I would say you expressly consented to them calling you in that instance.
On the being asked to move, I would expect nothing more than a thank you (although I have been pleasantly surprised by a comp'd drink on occasion). I have no issue helping a restaurant out provided I am asked politely, thanked, and not stuck somewhere much less desirable (by the washroom etc.). I don't expect anything in return at all.