Had an unbelievably horrible experience at Nick's on the 4th of July this year. I live in Galveston where there’s an annual 4th of July fireworks display launched from the jetty near Gaido’s/Nick’s. Last year they charged $10/car to park in their adjacent parking lot but removed the charge from your bill so we dined inside at Nick's. We had not made a reservation but had arrived early and were taken to a table right away. We decided to do the same this year but there was no parking attendant. The 4 of us were all able to park there, however, since we planned an early dinner.
I was the first to arrive and went inside inquiring if a reservation had been made by my friend whose idea it was to dine there again this year. I was told they were not taking reservations inside but that I could check outside. I went to the hostess stand outside and asked if there was a reservation in my friend's name. While the girls were looking at the table chart ,the manager, Kevin, stepped in and asked the name. I gave the last name and he said that there was indeed a reservation in that name. I reiterated both first and last names and he showed me to a table. All was well, the server ______ being very proficient and the food good, until it came time to leave and go to the beach.
While I was in the restroom the server came to the table to ask who would be assuming the $50 reservation charge, a charge that had never been mentioned and that none of us had any knowledge of. When she asked who made the reservation, my friend (whose name I gave at the hostess stand) said she tried to make a reservation but was told all tables were reserved and nothing was mentioned about a $50 reservation fee. The server went back to the hostess stand and after speaking with the manager, Kevin, returned to say that I had taken the reservation of another person. Names were not being called out for patio reservations because apparently all tables were previously reserved so there was no way that could have happened because I would have needed to give their name. I returned from the restroom to the news of what had transpired so I went to the hostess stand and spoke to the manager myself, reiterating the sequence of events. He proceeded to tell me I was lying and stole the reservation of another person. After a heated conversation he finally agreed to remove the charge (security was approaching). Before the new check arrived, a person in our party decided to just quickly pay the charge so we could go and enjoy the beach and fireworks in peace as planned.
Now, I am a 71 year old Christian woman who would never take aother’s reservation. In this case I could not have assumed a name that I had no way of knowing. I can only think that the manager decided that the party whose table he took me to was not going to arrive so he wanted the table used...but he never mentioned any reservation fee until it was time for the check. He could have merely acknowledged the lack of mentioning the fee but decided to call me a liar instead.
Such behavior is totally uncalled for in any circumstance. My son-in-law owns several restaurants in Houston and would fire any manager that acted dishonestly since the person could never be trusted. I will not eat at Nick's or Gaido's again as long as that manager is employed.