We have several here that do that too (mid-Michigan). And I think it's because they want you to sit and have a few drinks while you're waiting (and we usually do!!) ...... KA-CHING for them :(

I would much rather make a reservation also!! Sometimes they do have, I think they call it, preferred seating .... meaning IF you call ahead, you might have an edge in getting a table!!

jody

Hey Jody, I am from the Detroit area, so maybe it is a MIchigan thing!

I should clarify that I don't mind waiting a few minutes. Several restaurants around her use a call-ahead or priority seating system and I think that is fine. I just don't understand places that tell you there is a 75 minutes wait and think you are actually going to stick around.

Nicole

Enough people do stick around that it is worth it to the restaurants. And many of them buy drinks while they wait, so that they can sit in the bar area, which makes it worth even more to the restaurants.

In my area, none of the chain restaurants take reservations. But a lot of the locally owned restaurants do. I tend to take my business there, because 1) with a reservation, there's no waiting and 2) their food choices tend to be a bit more inventive and interesting and 3) I'm helping a local business stay afloat.

alot of (most)restaurants around here take reservations... but i would think that the reason they don't is to avoid no-shows or drastic differences in the # in the party(?)...

i would ask the restaurant why that is their policy... i would not want to sit and wait for an hour or more for a table, and can't imagine too many people would! (unless it's a happy hour type of place that has music/big bar/tvs, etc...)

We're in northern Oakland County and have the same issue here....I agree it is frustrating. We don't go out very often but when we do, the last thing we want to do is spend our time waiting 45 minutes for a table, which seems to be the average.

We were in FL this past March (Anna Maria Island) and went to the Sand Bar (and, I'm sure it was either a Friday/Saturday night); and there was a TWO HOUR WAIT!!!

Soooo, we went elsewhere. Found a cute little restaurant right in Bradenton Beach (Banana Cabana), with about a 5 minute wait and the best meal we had on vacation!!! Plus live music!!

We were sooo glad we didn't wait 2 hours (how ridiculous is that!!) .... and actually went back to this tiny restaurant a second time.

jody

It happens here in Oregon too. I had a really hard time making reservations for a group to celebrate my son's graduation from college. My first hurdle was that it was a busy weekend in a small city with college graduation and Father's Day. Most of the restaurants that I called were already full, but several of them said, that no, they didn't take reservations, but that we should come by, since they had a nice waiting area. With nine people, two of whom are in their 80's that was NOT an option!

I experienced that this past Friday. We had out of town company who wanted to go to a chain Italian place that is ALWAYS packed. I called to see if they took reservations but said no, they had the 'preferred list' option that would let us be on the waiting list without staying there for 50 minutes.

We instead went to a local place and got right in.

I wanted to make a reservation for a restaurant in NYC for nine people. This restaurant only took reservations up to eight people! I asked if we could then have two tables next to each other, five and four. They refused. I have never heard of such a thing.
I found another restaurant that was more flexible and it turned out fine.

I think restaurants don't take reservations anymore, much, because of all the no shows. Just like weddings and special parties...

Oh jjean don't you just love Anna Maria Island. It is truly one of the only remaining old Florida places. I think the Sandbar is a little overrated. The view at sunset is the best part. You dined in one of my favorite restaurants on the island.

Only nice restaurants take reservations around here - Texas Hill Country. I refuse to wait longer than 15 - 20 minutes for a table so we don't go if a reservation can't be made. The one exception is our favorite restaurant, they do call ahead and they know us well enough now that we always have a table as soon as we arrive.

My sister lives in NJ - kind of close to the city - and it seems like all restaurants accept reservations.

We have pretty good luck with Open Table for reservations. Luckily, the places we go to the most use it. The iPhone app works great, too.

We had a Groupon for a place that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The food was amazing, but they didn't take reservations and served no alcohol. It was very frustrating to wait for over an hour and not even be able to have a drink.

vickij .... and we absolutely LOVE Anna Maria Island. And this year we stayed at the Seaside Inn Beach Resort ..... and will be staying there again, I'm sure.

We did eat at the Sand Bar years ago (and had a long wait then too); and while I *liked* what I had, I too, thought it overrated (and over priced).

We just loved that little Banana Cabana .... what a fun place to eat. I had the Macadamia Crusted Grouper (twice) .... LOVED it :)

Do you live in FL??? I am in Michigan (and hate the winters!!!)

jody