A Night at Denny's: A Nightmarish Experience Leading to a Lifelong Avoidance

My experience at Denny's, a restaurant chain well-known for its all-you-can-eat breakfasts, was far from pleasant. This story from my past serves as a cautionary tale for anyone planning a visit to Denny's, especially if they have or ever met someone from their past.

Misleading Pricing and Staff Dismissiveness

One night, I decided to order a Grand Slam breakfast worth $7.99 via my smartphone to save some money, only to be greeted with a price tag of $11.98 when I arrived at the restaurant. The discrepancy was shocking, to say the least. Instead of offering an explanation or an apology, the staff, including the manager, seemed to disregard my concerns and brushed me off. This poor experience left a lasting negative impression on me, and I vowed never to return to Denny's.

A Chaotic Night Out

On a Friday night, my best friends and I decided to head out to a popular bar to get over the recent break-up of my boyfriend. We were both excited to celebrate, and it wasn't long before I realized it was time to grab some food and head home. I suggested we visit a restaurant nearby, and my friend's older brother agreed. The restaurant turned out to be a Denny's, a place I had never frequented before.

A Fateful Meeting with My Ex

The night took a turn when I saw my ex working as the restaurant manager. This revelation made the entire situation extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, the manager was not happy to see me. Fortunately, the big brother, being handsome and taller, stood between us, albeit not in the best way. Not wanting to face the situation, we quickly sat down for a rushed meal. However, fate had other plans, and within a few feet, my stomach could no longer hold the food.

Unforgettable Bathroom Experience

Before I could make it to the bathroom, I vomited in the stall, making it an extremely messy and unpleasant experience. It's easy to assume the vomit would splatter on me, but to my surprise, it didn't. Cleaning up the mess was nearly impossible; it seemed like an entire frat house had thrown up in there. Fortunately, no one else entered the bathroom during this time, adding to the bizarre luck of the day. Finally, I left the bathroom, thoroughly disgusting, to return to the table.

A Final Disastrous Interaction

After the big brother finished his meal, he went to pay the bill. My bad luck continued as my ex managed the register. The interaction was awkward; he asked how I was doing, to which I gave a curt response. He appeared to be taking a long time to check us out, which was likely more time than necessary. This led to an interruption from a janitor who informed my ex about the vomit situation in the bathroom. It was the final straw, and I quickly excused myself and left with the big brother.

A Lifelong Decision to Avoid Denny's

That night at Denny's had a profound impact on me. Despite my ex only working there for a few months and now being far away in California, the experience was so negative that I never dared to set foot in a Denny's again. To this day, it has been over 40 years since that fateful night, and the memory continues to linger. This experience taught me that even seemingly minor issues can create a lasting negative impact and that the right movie could resemble a cautionary tale in reality.

Key Points to Remember: Ordering through mobile apps can sometimes lead to discrepancies. Customer service representatives must always be ready to address customer concerns professionally. Public restrooms are shared spaces; always be mindful of cleanliness and personal hygiene. A pleasant dining experience can be quickly ruined by awkward social situations. Be cautious about revisiting places with negative memories, as they can haunt you for years.