A Texas Roadhouse server asked a table of 14 guests what they wanted to drink. Then she realized none of them could hear her.
In a viral TikTok clip with over 249,400 views, user McKenzie Rogers explained what happened during her “worst experience as a server.”
It all began when a large party sat at her table, while she was a server at Texas Roadhouse.
The woman thought she could greet the guests regularly, until they seemed confused after she greeted them.
“And it turns out they were all completely deaf,” she said. “All 14 of them.”
The large party must’ve had substantial problems communicating, because the server called the experience “rough.”
The Mary Sue reached out to McKenzie via TikTok direct message for more information.
Commenters Share Similar Experiences
In the video’s comments section, others shared similar experiences.
“Tbh i’ve had this happen before except my table could hear. idk why people act like they’ve never been to a restaurant before,” user summerskye wrote.
“Okay, so I’ve actually had this too. but it was like 10 ppl. they made a reservation so I was aware before getting them and I feel like that should be standard in this situation? at the very least your host had to know…?” user annelise wrote.
One TikTok user thought they would be perfectly fit to handle the situation.
“As a server fluent in ASL (certified) this is my dream,” they said.
Many also wondered how the server, or any other server in that position, handled the delicate scenario.
“This happened to me at my first serving job ever and I whipped out my phone and let them write in my notes app what they wanted and whatever and it ended up being really fun and hilarious and they had the best time,” another wrote.
What is Texas Roadhouse’s Accessibility Policy?
According to Texas Roadhouse’s website, the restaurant complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
That means it provides “reasonable accommodations” for guests with disabilities.
Some of the listed accommodations include parking and dining rooms that feature ADA-compliant accessible tables, wide aisles, and wheelchair-accessible seating.
The restaurant also welcomes service animals.
However, there is no specific policy that addresses how people who are deaf or hard of hearing are accommodated.
The Mary Sue reached out to Texas Roadhouse via email for more information.
@mckenzie5821 it was the longest night of my life #serverlife #server #restaurant ♬ original sound – mckenzie
What Does The Law Say About Accommodating Deaf Guests?
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires restaurants to provide equal access for customers with disabilities.
This includes effective communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Several lawsuits have tested what that obligation looks like in practice.
In a very popular case, a deaf New Jersey woman sued Taco Bell after she was allegedly reprimanded for ordering at a drive-thru with a written note and later refused service at another location.
It is unclear how McKenzie was able to accommodate her guests; however, other servers in similar situations did come up with ways to communicate.
They reference using notepads and giving their guests pens to write and communicate with.
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Tiffanie Drayton
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