Carambas, it's good!

It's an occupational hazard, or maybe just a wierd sort of hobby. Whenever I'm in any business, I look for customer service, especially as it parallels that in libraries. Tonight I was at my favorite Mexican restaurant, and saw a textbook illustrated right before my eyes!

• When we walked in the place was full . . . people were enjoying themselves, kids were noticeably welcomed.
• The staff, and especially the owner, were smiling and greeting everyone.
• Service was prompt, the food arrived with a smile.
• The product was attractive and fantastic as always.
• Several times someone spoke to us, finding out if we needed anything.
• We must have come right after a rush -- suddenly a bunch of people left and there was a lull.
• The staff, led by the owner, grabbed rags and sweepers and bustled around, tidying up and putting things in order.
• The owner made a point to come over, sat down at an ajoining table, and chatted with us.
• We complimented him on his growing business.
• He said he's had a number of invitations to move it elsewhere. But he likes the clientele and service he can provide right there, where his customers are, in the homey neighborhood that's not known as a prime location or one of the better places in town.

We left, promising to return soon, as we always do. We got in our car which was parked in front of another food place on the strip mall. There was nobody in it, and the workers were lounging in the booths looking bored. Not too hard to figure out why the restaurant we had visited was getting all the business.