Silver Diner, Greenbelt, Md.
(Note: This is a pic of the actual Silver Diner where I ate my lunch versus a stock photo when I can't find my particular restaurant's picture on the internet.)
They must be having trouble hiring quality help because the migrant workers would rather collect their government hand outs than do an honest day's work for shit wages. This has been true for many restaurants of late. Silver Diner is no exception.
For seniors like me, "blue plate specials" offer a favorable option: Lesser portions at cheaper prices. I buy these often. But not today, Mate! Today, I was hungry.
I sat down for waitress service. Carry out was also available. Fortunately, I was able to sit right away with no wait period in the lobby.
My waitress was a young, skinny, light skinned black girl just barely of age. Well, I like to think that she was honest when reporting her age when she applied for her job not too long ago. She seemed more than eager to serve without the belligerent attitude that accompanies many blacks in her position who just seethe with hatred for the white man. Looks like she has had SOME training at least.
I already knew exactly what I wanted without having to read the menu: Crabcake platter with two sides: mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. Crabcakes are "a thing" around these (Maryland) parts, hon. When done right, they are meaty and delicious. When done wrong, they are too heavily caked with batter; or, they aren't properly cleared of tiny bits of shell which are annoying when they get stuck in your teeth. The crabcakes at Silver Diner are average to above, quite the feat since the place doesn't specialize in cooking seafood.
After she took my order (which included a glass of ice water), I got up to wash my hands. She stopped me right at the door to inform me that my order also included a salad or soup, my choice. I picked the corn chowder with crabmeat on the spot. The mens room was sufficiently clean. It was a busy time. So staff must go in there to maintain cleanliness at regular intervals.
I was waiting quite awhile for my soup to arrive after I had returned to my table. Instead, she brought the main course and the glass of ice water. I had to remind her that she told me that soup was also included. And doesn't the soup generally come first? Or at the very least, comes WITH the order if they are in that fucking much of a hurry. She apologized; then, went to fetch it.
I was almost done with the fine tasting meal when she finally brought the soup. When she did, I asked for a refill of my ice water which I had almost entirely finished. Instead of her fetching a pitcher of ice water to fill my glass, she simply confiscated what remained of my glass. Before I could stop her, she was gone.
The soup was very mediocre because there was no sign of crab in the corn chowder. There was just a "slightly crabby flavoring" with some old bay sauce.
She finally returned to find out "how things were going." I asked for the bill. And I had to remind her again about my ice water refill. She apologized again and returned with only the bill. Not sure why she kept avoiding to bring me the ice water.
I examined the bill. Seemed she charged me EXTRA for the mashed potatoes. I tried to remind her that the crab cake platter came with two sides and a choice of soup or salad. Now, she denied it while stating that the crab cake platter actually came with ONE side and the soup/ salad choice. I wondered why she didn't point that out when I originally made the order. But rather than protest further, I chalked it up to miscommunication. If you go to Silver Diner, I urge you to make your choices most carefully. They can and will over charge at any and every opportunity.
After she processed my bill, she finally did bring me a fresh glass of ice water. And while I must grant her only a mediocre score at service, I tipped her $5. The meal set me back $29 including tip.
If diners are your thing, I recommend that you give Silver Diner a try, at least. My grade: B-/C+.