Texas Roadhouse
Wow!!!! The times I've done a TR bar shop I've had no trouble getting a seat at the bar. Even on Super Bowl Sunday I didn't have a problem. I always go as close to 5 as possible. Could this be the difference? Just curious. . .@Dandydew wrote:
I don't know where you all live, but where I live it is next to impossible to get a seat at the bar at a Texas Roadhouse. People sit at the bar for HOURS and don't budge. The last bar shop I did there was awful. My guest and I could only get one seat at the bar. The waitress thought we were totally stupid for not sitting at a table in the bar area, but the instructions specifically said "belly up" to the bar. I have never applied for a bar shop at Texas Roadhouse since.
What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
As long as I arrive between 5 and 5:30, I have no problem finding a seat at the bar. After 6 or later, it gets progressively harder.
As long as I arrive between 5 and 5:30, I have no problem finding a seat at the bar. After 6 or later, it gets progressively harder.
Yes, it's best to go as close to the start time as possible. Although we have gone a few times at 8 and also were able to get a seat. Between 6-7 it's hard to get a seat. Also, Sunday-Thursday are great days to go. Forget Friday and Saturday!
It's nigh on to impossible to get a seat anywhere in our local TR, but we're trying for a Monday right at 5 p.m. Hopefully it won't be as mobbed as usual. Although I don't mind doing dining shops when a place is fairly busy because it's less conspicuous if you're looking at your watch or taking pictures of the food! But it's too crazy when the place is a madhouse.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
mine was packed last week! i watched the bartop like a hawk and, with a badly broken big toe, in slippers, i RAN when I saw one seat.. a moment later, called dh to come to the bar !
Just wondering how you can shop them once a month when the rotation is every 90 days??
Birdyc,
The dining shops start at 6pm not 5pm as you said you planned to go.
The dining shops start at 6pm not 5pm as you said you planned to go.
My shop states both have to order a drink. I am a water gal with dinner and so is my husband so this area we struggle on what we will order. I hate seeing $$$ being spent on nonesense items!
Someone said:
When I do the dining shops and bring someone, we usually order water and an appetizer. With two entrees, which come with two sides, and the tip, I'm usually under reimbursement.
Someone said:
When I do the dining shops and bring someone, we usually order water and an appetizer. With two entrees, which come with two sides, and the tip, I'm usually under reimbursement.
@expert setter wrote:
Just wondering how you can shop them once a month when the rotation is every 90 days??
3 different locations would be my guess
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I just did a dining shop tonight. It was the first time we ever saw the dancers. We had a few hiccups tonight but as usual we had a nice dinner. It was also the first time we were visited by 3 different managers. I wondered toward the end whether I'd been spotted as a shopper. I mentioned that to my husband and he didn't see how we could have been spotted, so maybe not.
What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
@expert setter wrote:
My shop states both have to order a drink. I am a water gal with dinner and so is my husband so this area we struggle on what we will order. I hate seeing $$$ being spent on nonesense items!
Someone said:
When I do the dining shops and bring someone, we usually order water and an appetizer. With two entrees, which come with two sides, and the tip, I'm usually under reimbursement.
It must vary from location to location. In my area, there are multiple locations and the dining room shops all you to take up to 5 people. The ordering requirements are one entree for each guest, with appetizers optional and no beverages required. For bar shops, they can be done alone and a beverage is required.
Is there anyone on this forum that can confirm that I only need to order an entree for two for a dinner shop? No appetizer or drink(s) needed?
My scheduler states drinks need to be ordered even though the guidelines NEVER STATE THIS.
I have a shop tomorrow and would prefer to order up verses drink.
Thanks
My scheduler states drinks need to be ordered even though the guidelines NEVER STATE THIS.
I have a shop tomorrow and would prefer to order up verses drink.
Thanks
@expert setter wrote:
My shop states both have to order a drink. I am a water gal with dinner and so is my husband so this area we struggle on what we will order. I hate seeing $$$ being spent on nonesense items!
Someone said:
When I do the dining shops and bring someone, we usually order water and an appetizer. With two entrees, which come with two sides, and the tip, I'm usually under reimbursement.
@roflwofl replied
It must vary from location to location. In my area, there are multiple locations and the dining room shops all you to take up to 5 people. The ordering requirements are one entree for each guest, with appetizers optional and no beverages required. For bar shops, they can be done alone and a beverage is required.
Actually my GUIDELINES state what yours does. I questioned my scheduler and she always says drinks have to be ordered. I am doing a shop tomorrow and would prefer not to drink outside of water. Can anyone confirm NO DRINKS for dining shops are needed.
My shop states both have to order a drink. I am a water gal with dinner and so is my husband so this area we struggle on what we will order. I hate seeing $$$ being spent on nonesense items!
Someone said:
When I do the dining shops and bring someone, we usually order water and an appetizer. With two entrees, which come with two sides, and the tip, I'm usually under reimbursement.
@roflwofl replied
It must vary from location to location. In my area, there are multiple locations and the dining room shops all you to take up to 5 people. The ordering requirements are one entree for each guest, with appetizers optional and no beverages required. For bar shops, they can be done alone and a beverage is required.
Actually my GUIDELINES state what yours does. I questioned my scheduler and she always says drinks have to be ordered. I am doing a shop tomorrow and would prefer not to drink outside of water. Can anyone confirm NO DRINKS for dining shops are needed.
I've now done two of these, both dining room. Drinks not required for either of mine. I'm thinking the bar shops are the drink required. In fact, my dining room shops indicate no more than two alcoholic drinks if I remember right... We generally don't drink alcohol at dinner, anyway, although last night I felt the need for a Bloody Mary. 
It was quite tasty I must say.
ETA - no, in my case, no drinks were required for the two dining room shops I've done. Granted, only one of those two has been accepted. Waiting for the acceptance of my second, which was just last night, but the one that was accepted was a water and an iced tea. Hope that helps.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2018 02:43AM by mselle.
It was quite tasty I must say.
ETA - no, in my case, no drinks were required for the two dining room shops I've done. Granted, only one of those two has been accepted. Waiting for the acceptance of my second, which was just last night, but the one that was accepted was a water and an iced tea. Hope that helps.
Just out shopping around...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2018 02:43AM by mselle.
mselle, I am rotfl. I did a TR shop last night and my husband and I had an iced tea (me) and a water (him). Anyway I've done many of these and never had an issue with my husband just drinking water. Maybe it does vary by region.
What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
@sassymmmm wrote:
mselle, I am rotfl. I did a TR shop last night and my husband and I had an iced tea (me) and a water (him). Anyway I've done many of these and never had an issue with my husband just drinking water. Maybe it does vary by region.
Maybe so.
My fiance is the iced tea man, I'm the water woman lol. Maybe it does vary, but I'm thinking dining room doesn't carry alcoholic drinks or any other drink requirements?
I'm out of gas for TR for 90 days now though. There's one other location 30 miles north. If I can combine with other things maybe we will hit it.
Just out shopping around...
I'm lucky. There are 3 really close to me and 1 other that's not too bad but subject to traffic problems. If I were willing to expand to about 20 miles it would be even better, but that would involve driving into a city I don't care to drive in so I stick with my 3 or occasionally 4.
What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
@expert setter wrote:
Birdyc,
The dining shops start at 6pm not 5pm as you said you planned to go.
Yeah; I noticed that about 5 minutes after I posted! LOL. Thank you, though, 'cuz if I hadn't seen that and skimmed over the guidelines, I might have missed it. Duh on me.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Contradictory instructions already? Video states one person must order a steak; guidelines simply say one entree per guest. Probably one of us would order a steak, anyway, but haven't even done the shop and am confused!!! 
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
You need to order any entrée, not necessarily a steak. You and your guest have to order different entries. I've done many shops without ordering a steak and I always got paid.
@eclark3 wrote:
You need to order any entrée, not necessarily a steak. You and your guest have to order different entries. I've done many shops without ordering a steak and I always got paid.
Thank you! This is one of the frustrating things about this business--contradictory or ambiguous guidelines!
Anyway, now I know why so many of you have said you love these shops! Our dinners were fantastic. We haven't eaten at our local TR in probably 12 years or so, and it wasn't anything to "write home about." But they've upped their game considerably. We'll be going back--even if not for a shop!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
TR gives a military discount. It varies by restaurant. In a city about 50 miles north of Dallas it was 50%. In Upstate NY it's only 10%.
You can't use the discount when doing a shop unfortunately.
You can't use the discount when doing a shop unfortunately.
@eclark3 wrote:
You need to order any entrée, not necessarily a steak. You and your guest have to order different entries. I've done many shops without ordering a steak and I always got paid.
Thank you for the info about the steak requirement, or lack of. My entree of choice is not steak at TRH, but I ordered one anyway to make sure I was paid. Good to know for future shops.
Part-time Colorado Shopper since 2016.
Um more contradictions, my husband and I often order the same entree and I haven't had a problem getting paid. I seem to remember the only requirement is that each person order AN entree. Not necessarily different entrees@eclark3 wrote:
You need to order any entrée, not necessarily a steak. You and your guest have to order different entries. I've done many shops without ordering a steak and I always got paid.
What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
Did my first shop tonite that didn't include drinks- just water for each of us. I have done many over the years but my scheduler insisted drinks HAD to be ORDERED... So we'll see.
Seldom do we order a steak..usually salad and many times the same one. Never had any issue on that.
I will share..if you love broccoli you have to ordered it fully loaded! I do both my sides as broccoli and add cheese and bacon on it.... DELICIOUS!! I did order roadkill tonite with a full grilled chicken salad and guest also ordered grilled salmon salad. Put us over by 5.00, with tip, but I have dinner for tomorrow all done.
Seldom do we order a steak..usually salad and many times the same one. Never had any issue on that.
I will share..if you love broccoli you have to ordered it fully loaded! I do both my sides as broccoli and add cheese and bacon on it.... DELICIOUS!! I did order roadkill tonite with a full grilled chicken salad and guest also ordered grilled salmon salad. Put us over by 5.00, with tip, but I have dinner for tomorrow all done.
I just looked at one of my old reports....the entrees do not need to be different. I had this mixed up with another restaurant.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.