Rude Reputation Proved Wrong

Mariah Baylor

Arthur Bryant’s: Good food—and good service
There’s a dining hall-style eatery on the corner of 18th and Brooklyn in Kansas City, Mo. I’d been hearing great things about all the places my class at the Sports Journalism Institute has eaten at, and so far each restaurant has passed with flying colors. I had high expectations for Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque as well. After all, if it’s good enough for past presidents and a host of celebrities, I’m sure I should at least try it.
I love barbeque, but there was one thing discouraging my anticipation. I appreciate quality customer service and friendly people in general, and I was warned that this was not the place to find either of those. I heard that this was a “tell them what you want and move on” kind of place, with no time for chit chat or a kind word. I was a little nervous.
The restaurant was busy after a Sunday afternoon Royals game and my fear of being rudely rushed or barked at was fast approaching. I got in the school lunch style line and, to my horror, people ahead of me were being shuffled along, receiving coarse remarks or no verbal greeting at all.
I made a bold move. I said hello to the first man behind the counter, who looked tired. He replied with a hurried “hi.” He seemed pressed to move me along to the next man, who was to take my drink order, but I was determined to make a positive personal connection with someone in the famous restaurant no matter how brief. I asked how he was and how his day was going. And to my delight, he grinned and answered “I’m doing fine, how are you?” I even got a smile and a hello from the cooks and cashier too.
Everyone knows why Arthur Bryant’s barbeque is so famous. I had a wonderful experience with the food—and I also enjoyed quality customer service and a friendly atmosphere.