After afternoon church service concluded I went to a restaurant in another nearby city in Los Angeles County for my evening rations. This place is similar to Sizzler where you pay first before eating. I paid and then found a booth. I removed my drinks (root beer and water) from the tray along with the napkins and utensils along with a bowl that contained some blue cheese dressing that I use for dip for my fries. There was also a red rectangular wooden block with a name (I forget exactly what name) on it. That rectangular block with the name is used so the server will know exactly which booth or table to take the order to. After I put those items on the table, I proceeded to the washroom and washed my hands. When I returned to my booth I saw that an employee just finished cleaning off the table! The rectangular block should have been a telltale sign that I was not yet served my food and therefore I was not finished. I was a bit irate and raised my voice several decibels and let the server know that I was not finished, I hadn't even started.

Anyone else ever have that happen?

Not that I recall, although I have seen wait staff attempt to clear dishes from my (occupied) table before someone had finished eating.

When dining alone at a Sizzler-type restaurant, I would probably use the restroom before placing my order.

I assume that the restaurant replaced your root beer without additional charge.

They did indeed replace the root beer without charge.

good
this is always frustrating. Sorry you had to experience it. Not fun.

That's happened to me a number of times. I'd always get the manager on the scene, bypassing any wait staff.

You yelled at the server because they removed your drink (which was later replaced as it should be)? Granted, they should have seen the napkin and dressing but I am not sure that something so minor and easily fixable would warrant going off on a server like that. I would of course say something but not yell at the server. What exactly where the damages---you had to get another drink and another bowl of dressing?

Mistakes happen. I’d save my yelling for something far more significant.

It�s annoying, I agree. I used to stop at a Ryan�s on my way back from Pensacola that did this regularly. Usually while I was getting dessert, they�d clear the table. But I never yelled at anyone. Just went back to the register and requested another plastic cup.

I've had it happen at hotel breakfasts when solo. How are you doing, by the way?

Order a new root beer and get on with your life.

.

Not to hijack, but this drives me crazy. I eat much slower than my husband (or he eats faster than me) and they always want to take his empty plate - he tells them "please don't, the lady is still eating" but then the next busboy comes along...making me feel more and more anxious and as if I'm a bother.

But in the OP's case...I always leave a personal item at the table...phone, sweater, book....so they know the table is still occupied.

Minor irritation compared to my situation....as an 8 year old child (40+ years ago): entered restaurant with parents. Got seated, I had to go to the bathroom but for some reason, i pulled out cash and coins from my pockets and set on table. I came back from the bathroom and my cash and coins were GONE!!! Mom and Dad explained server probably thought it was a tip from previous diners. I was NOT happy! Chalk it up as payment to the universe for something crappy you did and move on! BTW, bleu cheese is my go-to as well!

In San Francisco I�d fear theft. Blah. It�s a tough situation when solo dining at a fast casual spot.
I definitely would never leave a phone on a table or anywhere public unattended. Way too much theft.

This is not the first time this happened at this particular establishment. The food arrived in a very timely fashion...too timely in this instance. The servers took several minutes to replace the utensils which allowed time for the food to start cooling off.

More trouble. Heart trouble. Small tumour discovered on bladder wall. Those things discovered only because of the original cancer in the breast tissues.

I had it happen at the breakfast buffet at the Conrad Singapore. They cleared the table and seated another party by the time I returned with my first plate. The staff was horrified when the discovered their error and reseated me promptly. I should have left my mini pack of Kleenex on the table like it was a hawker center. Lol.