I’ve been a loyal customer at MKT Diner since it opened, often bringing friends and family here to enjoy their food and atmosphere. However, my recent experience left me very disappointed. I came in with my mom, who needed to use the restroom upon arrival. While she was in the restroom, I waited by the register to get a table for two, though I was the only one planning to order as my mom had already eaten and was just there to keep me company.
After waiting for a few minutes, the owner acknowledged me and asked how many were in my party. I explained that it was just me ordering, but my mom was there (just in the restroom) and I was ready to order immediately. He told me he couldn’t seat us until she returned, citing that they were busy. Meanwhile, two larger groups who arrived after me were seated immediately. This was frustrating and felt dismissive, especially since I had wanted to place my order right away and wouldn’t have delayed anything.
When I voiced my concerns to his wife, she offered a brief apology, but the whole situation left a sour taste. I ended up taking my food to go, but honestly, I should have just left. For a place I’ve supported since its opening, it was disappointing to be treated this way. This experience has made me think twice about returning to MKT Diner.
(I did want to mention that on a previous visit, one of the servers really stood out with his excellent service—he was very knowledgeable about gluten-free options and made the experience much better. I’d only consider returning if he was the only person I had to interact with.)