05/31/2026
Well, this is a first.
Apparently, being too busy is now a one-star offense.
Bold move, Google Reviews. Bold move.
We’re sharing this, with the reviewer’s last name removed, because it brings up something that can be genuinely confusing when you walk into a restaurant: sometimes you may see empty seats or empty tables and still be told there is a wait.
Here’s why.
At The Roost, we use a digital waitlist -- an app called NextMe. That waitlist includes our dining room, outdoor tables, and bar seating. So even if there is not a physical line at the door, there may already be guests checked in and waiting through the system.
Also, an empty table does not always mean it is available for the next person who walks in. It may already be assigned to someone on the list, it may not fit the next party size, or it may be needed to seat a larger group properly.
In this case, the party was added to the waitlist and was notified approximately 30 minutes later when a table large enough for their group became available.
We understand being hungry. We understand being frustrated when you hoped to sit right away. We don't understand how being asked to wait translates to being disrespected. Our hosts are not making up a wait. They are trying to keep seating fair for everyone, including the guests who checked in before you.
Google reviews can be tough for small businesses because one frustrated moment can turn into a permanent public rating, even when the full story is very different.
So here’s our gentle ask: please be patient with the people at the door. They are doing their best to manage the room, the waitlist, the table sizes, and the flow of service.
And if we’re on a wait, we promise—that means a lot of you showed up to support us, and we are grateful for that. ❤️❤️❤️ In fact, if you've been in recently and would care to leave a positive review, we'd appreciate that, too!
