The longest I remember was over 1h for Rick Stein's fish & chip restaurant in Padstow. Fantastic fish & chips, though. And this time, we were prepared for the wait (although it only took 40m).

Most places here are quite pragmatic about it and will happily take a mobile number and call you when there's a table for you. You can then wait in the pub over the road, and it doesn't seem such a hassle - particularly when you expect it.

Last time at Disney World we waited over an hour after our reserved seating time for dinner at Crystal Palace. It's the longest I've ever waited, and if it hadn't been for my daughter wanting to see Winnie the Pooh and friends, I probably would've skipped it.

The longest I've waited is roughly one hour, for a table at one of the branches of Nandos near my home. For some reason, that place is busy every evening and every weekend. I don't see Nandos as being a restaurant worth waiting for, but I have a friend that won't eat anywhere else, so I waited for him :)

When I'm travelling for work, I'm usually in too much of a rush to wait more than a few minutes, so if there's a queue I'll go somewhere else.

What's with all the old Dining Buzz! Threads getting bumped recently?

Anyway:

- Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati back in 2007. The downtown location after a Reds game was advertising a 3-4 hour wait. We drove down I-71 into Kentucky a bit and found one with no wait! :D

- The Maggianos at South Point Mall in Durham had a 2-3 hour wait on Valentines Day this year so I ate at the bar. My date really wanted to eat here and who was I to say no?

Anchor Steam in SF. Industry convention. Coupla' guys I really wanted to schmooze wanted Anchor Steam for dinner. We waited and waited, talking, grazing at the free salad bar and quaffing free Anchor Steam.

Over an hour our table was ready, we were full. Said no thanks, and taxied back to the hotel. I bet this happens a lot at Anchor Steam.

The longest wait I've had was about 3 hours, at the Safe House in Milwaukee, back when GenCon was still there. Interesting place, and worth it... once.

I don't have the patience to wait more than 20 minutes for a table at a chain restaurant. I will wait an hour for an upscale restaurant. I just don't like waiting around to eat. :rolleyes:

1.5 hour at the Cheesecake Factory. You either have to go really early or really late to get a wait time of <30 mins.

I came into this thread to say this, but you said it first! Right on! ^

I saw one in Miami we were going to walk in and try..

Its sort of like the Cheesecake Cafe in Calgary.. however, the number of their locations are dwindling..

In Asia, the only way you know a restaurant is good by the long lines.

This is true for Hawaii and Mexico on our recent trips as well..

Waited 2 hours at a Black Angus with reservations on a Mother's day with my wife. That was more than 20 years ago and I still haven't been back. Now I won't wait more than 20 minutes.

Totally agree.

Waited about 1+ hours at MESA Grill in Vegas - the place was packed to the rafters - the wait was well worth it however, the wait at the bar may have influence this view.

Hilo Bay Gril/Restaurant on the Big Island.. An hour plus long line up..