As a server, it's essential that you tell me the truth so that I can resolve the issue and either get you a comp for the food, or replace it with something that you may like instead. You aren't going to make anyone feel bad if you don't like the food you ordered and your food will be prioritized so the kitchen makes it as quickly as possible. If you're nice and understanding about it (as in, don't take it out on me like it's my fault you don't like the dish), I won't have a heart attack or complain to you to my coworkers about how you're an asshole.
That's actually a fear of mine, that servers might spit in my food if I piss them off or something. :P Not that I'm usually rude, but it horrifies me when I eat out with people who just lay into the food to the server, because what do you expect them to do about it lol, they didn't make it. If it's something simple, like if my steak is undercooked I will ask the server if they can just get it a little more done for me, since I know that's not a huge deal. Or if there's something that's actually wrong with the food, of course I'll let them know.
Do you guys offer comp/replacement even if the customer just doesn't like the food? I can understand doing that if the kitchen made a mistake with the order, but I would never ask someone to replace my food just because I don't like it.
Yeah I just go along with the polite, generic response. This is quite interesting as I work as a waiter and ask that question quite a lot, does it annoy you guys if a waiter comes over and asks about the food?
Not at all! It makes the establishment seem more professional and caring of their patrons' needs. I was mainly wondering how many people actually tell their servers if they don't like the food, because I usually say "good" or "fine" regardless. But like I said above, I have met people who very bluntly critique the food to the servers, which isn't something I'd do.
For those of you who work/worked in food services, have you encountered any customers like that?