Waiter Rant got a nice review in the Washington Post! How about that?
My book was also favorably mentioned in the Malaysia Star, The Boston Globe, and Bloomberg.com!
And if you were looking for the interview I did on the Walt Bodine Show in Kansas City – here it is!
And a favorable review from someone who won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism no less! Well done Waiter!
Hey Waiter,
Congratulations !
Were can we find a book tour schedule ??
Will you hit the Denver area ??
…really going to miss the blog. It was so cathartic to read not only your column but everyone’s comments. As you know there is a lot of heartache working in the biz, ..reading & writing about it helped many of us, ….kind of like a giant 12 step group for servers !
Hi Waiter! You’re going to write more, right? Maybe you can be “Writer” at “Writer Rant”?
I loved the book. I always finish good books too fast, and this took maybe 3 days with work.
I especially ended the second to last chapter. You described quiting a toxic, long-term job perfectly. Please keep writing!
Thanks for all the awareness you are bringing to the world of waiting.
Happy you are receiving the acclaim you deserve.
I’m listening to the interview right now, you sound great! but that Walt Bodine sounds older than dirt. I’m so happy for your success.
Steve! I just listened to your interview with Walt! What a hoot – Walt is half deaf & you were so sweet to just speak up and not get irritated! That must’ve been hard 🙂 I am having such a good time watching your success.
It was impossible not to follow the suggestion about where ‘The Bistro’ is from the Washington Post article. Interesting to see a picture of ‘Fluvio’…
It looks like the sky’s the limit now. Good going!
And what other kind of review would a book like this get? It is, as my middle schoolers would say, “da bomb.” Hope the tour is going well–wish you’d come to Key West!
Why wouldn’t it get a good review?! Your book was UH-MAZING! I almost died of laughter at the “zucchini fries” part! You’re hilarious!
Congrats on the great reviews….just curious, did you make enough money to take some time off and relax? You certainly deserve it.
What are your plans down the road?
I bet just about everyone that reads your book or blog would pay good money to hear you speak…I know I would:-)
Dang! Success looks good on you! I hope this fame is accompanied by money to match!
Hey! I got your book a few days ago, and I am a third-ways through it. I am still kind of on the fence about whether this book is ‘on the money’ or if I could do better… I’m a waitress from a long line of Servers in my family and I am no stranger to Diner serving, Fine Dining service and everything in-between. My mother raised me on good service and good tipping and I know the ins and outs so to speak. I like your style and I think you are on so far. (though if your entrees at The Bistro were really as expensive as you say, no self-respecting Owner would have his staff Carrying food to the Dining room on their Arms. In Fine Dining, the standard is Trays over the head).
I have to say though, GO YOU for not only bringing the darkness to light about the biz, but for getting it on the NYtimes List and getting people to read it! Your book may or may not be phenomenal but your self-promotion skills are top shelf, no doubt learned from 10 years ‘Selling yourself’ to people who came to buy food. Good Show. Best of luck to you, and congrats on getting out of the hell-hole.
Hi. I have been reading your blog for a while now, and thoroughly enjoy it. I live in Kansas City but was unable to make it to the library to see you there, but I did catch part of your interview with Walt Bodine, and just finished listening to the rest of it. I must tell you that you sound exactly like I imagined you would sound. You have a great voice. 🙂
Congratulations on your success!
Saw a customer walk in our hotel’s bar with your book today, Waiter. All the way up here in Alaska. Seems you’re getting around. Congrats, hope to buy it myself soon.
I tore open my copy of the New York Times this morning just to see your name! 15th in the nation!! And it’s only the first week on the list. Congratulations, Steve. You’ve earned this. 🙂
Much Love,
Heather
Waiter, love me in Oporto
Holy cow patty, Waiter-man Steve! I hope your family is as proud of you as we faithful Rant-Readers are, and that your brother is helping you stay humble. Congratulations, once again.
Your book was a good read, Sir. Keep up your blogging, As you tour, for the book signings, you can draw much inferences of life from being on the road, as to flying, and waiting tables. You have a keen insite into people and life in general. Use it to your advantage, it’s your Karma, as well as your Dharma. You have stepped onto the path of your Destiny, and I wish you you the best. “Follow your Bliss,” as the late, great Joseph Campbell would say.
Hey Waiter, Amazon messed up the first shipment with your book (I had it preordered and still haven’t received it) I called to confirm that it has been sent and they apologize for the mess-up, it was sent to someone else.
So, now I’m getting the book for free!
Hope it’s a good one! 🙂
Just finished the book, and it was incredibly well-written.
Congratulations on all your success! It’s well deserved!
I went to Borders today to buy your book and they didn’t have it yet!! I couldn’t believe it. They said it’s on the way. I’m just going to order it online from Amazon or something.
Congratulations!
Waiter, I am kind of dissapointed. For years I was sure you were somewhere in Manhattan, probably on the upper west side. But West Nyack?!? I did’nt see that one coming.
Great review in the Washington Post. Not only is it by a book reviewer who won the Pullitzer prize, but he’s semi-retired and reviews what and when he wants.
I hope that means you’ll come to DC, in which case I’m bringing my book for you to sign. I liked it a lot. I think it took a lot of courage to write about some of the personal things. Good for you!
You also made it in The Week magazine. A nice short positive review. Congrats!
I am thrilled that your blog has done so well and that your book seems to me getting so much attention. It’s been an inspiration to me. Thanks Waiter.
I’m in the DC area and would attend a local book signing as well! I just finished the book yesterday. I really liked the ending. (especially since you didn’t put that on your blog, if I remember right)
Hello Waiter,
I bought your book Saturday morning, and have only 20 pages until the end. I haven’t been able to put it down! Great job! I’m absolutely enthralled in it. When can we expect a sequel? I really look forward to reading any future works you have.
A Forever Fan
you suck you jackass
Congratulations!
Glad all is going well for you. The book was fantastic, funny, and spot-on for those with food-industry experience. Really enjoyed it. Best of luck with where ever the future takes you.
Cheers.
I went to Borders yesterday to get your book…it’s sold out. The man at the counter said they only got 5 in their shipment. Of course, I assume that means they had 5 left AFTER the reserved copies were given out. I panicked and forgot the book name, but the help desk man knew it immediately, so I bet a lot are asking for it.
I agree with Alex, you suck man. Any server with any amount of respect for themselves would dismiss your claims and actions as ludicrous
Waiter replies: I’ll bet you were one of those kiss ass waiters with the brown tongue. Please. I’m sick of the Frank Burnses of the restaurant world!
Re: Alex and yaa –
Methinks jealousy doth rear its ugly head! LOL!
Do we still call you “Waiter?” 😉 Congrats on everything going so well; you earned it! What I like best is that you still keep posting and are still very grateful for your opportunities. Those are credits to your character. A lot of people instantly change when they have “sudden” success thrust upon them. (Of course, there is no such thing as “sudden” aka “overnight” success; those terms crack me up.) I hope you don’t mind but I mention you in my latest blog–“Does Having a Book Change You?”
Keep up the good work!
Just wanted to drop a comment and tell you that I am truly enjoying your book. We have a small local book store (I live in rural Arkansas, which means small is truly small in this case) and try to support her by ordering at least one to two books a month. On a whim (because I occasionally read your blog – and because your book was featured on BN’s website when I went to search for the ISBN on the book I was planning to order) – I decided to do a 2 for 1 and order your book too.
Well, it came in today and I’m 81 pages into being very glad for that whim. I wish you nothing but success with it.
BTW – OMG – LOL!
Waiter,
I am sure that one more good review won’t exactly make your day, but I wanted to add mine anyhow.
Although I’ve read your blog for about a year, I am stunned that this is your first book. The writing is really polished and at times I was moved to laughter, tears (and often vicarious frustration!)
Congratulations on a huge success and please remember the “little people” on your way up. 😉
I loved your book I finished it in record time for an ADDer. Don’t worry about the Frank Burns of the world. What can they do to you now? Just check your food carefully.
hey ive been reading your blog for years and i love it, unfortunetly where i live ppl dont read theres one book store and they arent getting your book so i ordered it from amazon and i am impatiently awaiting its arrival, im sure itll be amazing and i wish you nothing but the best!!!! congrats a million times!!!!
i loved the book. i have passes it around to friends who love it and are going to buy it for waiter friends for christmas/birthday presents.
Read the book in two days flat. Loved it. Can’t wait for your next book, whatever it be on.
Addendum to my post from yesterday… LOVE THE BOOK! I finished it last night, and I cried a little at the ending. But I am happy to see that you have moved on to bigger and better things.
one hundred thirtynine # i will be there for you
My mother turned me onto your book recently. I have just started reading it, but being a server, I can relate to so much of your writing. My mother and I were talking about where I was in the book and stuff I liked and she suggested that I share a tale of my own. One day this past summer I was working in the cocktail section and everything was winding down from the lunch rush; I was cleaning up the tables in my section and chatting with the bartender when these three overly robust women walk in with a stocky young man. I prayed to the table gods that this would not be my table, but yes.. it was. Turns out these people expected me to be their servant and kept sending me back and forth to the kitchen. All four people ordered the most expensive items on the menu (and they were worried if the bread was free). After I was sweet as could be to them and presented them with the bill, one of the women demanded a “bowl of icecream with lots of chocolate and them crushed up peanut things.” My reply was “would you like that on a seperate bill or added to this one?” I suppose it wasn’t the right answer because after I added it to the current bill, the young man presented me with cash. I asked if he would be needing any change and he said no, your tip is in there. He gave me $80 for a $79.91 check. I believe if I was a meaner person, I would have given him the 9 cents and told him that he needed it more.
Sorry for taking up so much room, but I thought that I would share one of my many waiting adventures.
PS: I LOVE the book. I’m anxious to finish it! :]
Waiter – love your site, sure that I’ll enjoy your book. BUT.
I am two pages into your book, and I have seen two GLARING grammatical errors/typos.
Either you need to edit your own material, or you need to get a better editor. Because that stuff is BAD.
Take a breath, Andrew, and keep reading. I saw those also, but didn’t notice any others. Besides, in the book collecting world, the typos add proof that you have a first printing of an instant NYT Best Seller.
Go Waiter!
Hi Waiter,
After reading your blog religiously for the past few years I felt obliged to order your book (the UK version – much better cover!) as thanks for all the good reading you’ve provided – and wow, it’s even better than the blog. Good work, I’m so impressed and looking forward to the next one!
Waiter! I just bought your book, which just arrived in Singapore. Damn, it cost me $42 here, equivalent to 6 hours of waiting tables for me. 🙂
I just threw in my apron a week ago, after 2 years of serving in restaurants… I’m already up to page 65. Thinking of finishing the book by tonight!
You’re awesome, Waiter. I hope you’ll stick to writing and have more success coming at ya.
Singapore? God bless you Lala!
BTW – OMG – LOL – Waiter, we are BFF!
You’re also in this month’s People (the Bradgelina issue). Niiiice.
Hey Waiter, did you see the article about you in Australian Monthly?
Hey Bud, I didn’t know Australia had a magazine. What are the articles about? Do they publish in english or australian?
I saw that article – it was titled “Wait Here: All About Waiters,” and it wasn’t even about our Waiter, rather it was about people who wait during long waiting periods. Typical Bud cant get anything right.
Hey Dick, I know what I saw, dont try to pull that sly Canadium-style trickery on me. We’re not in Ontario or John Candy where stuff like that works on non-Canadiums like me.
Hey Bud, dont get started with your anti-Canada bias here. Just because John Candy came from Ontario doesn’t mean he knew tricks or magic. Do you think all Canadians (not Canadium you dolt) wrestle sharks and alligators and lift weights and work with Danny Devito?
I saw that article also, the one on Danny DeVito and John Candy and their collaboration on Animal Planet.
Hey at least Australia has a monthly magazine. I saw Canada Quarterly on the newstand last month. I wonder what those articles are about – probably things like produce, big foot and Michael Moore, I bet.
I saw that article too, the one about the farm they discovered being run by Big Foot.
I finally received your book in the mail yesterday and stayed up half the night reading. I love it! It’s even better than your blog. Thank you.
Laura & Laura, yeah, Walt Bodine is older than dirt. That’s why Kansas City loves him! He’s an institution.
Actually, the station tried to push him off the radio about nine years ago, but the listeners thought that was mean and lobbied to keep him on. And here he still is!