4. The owner knows me. This always comes off as being smarmy even when it’s true. Whether it’s being said to get a free meal or for special treatment, it’s inappropriate.
3. When the waiter/waitress comes to check in, a laundry list of what’s wrong with the food. It happens sometimes that a meal is just not good. If there’s one thing wrong with it that’s fixable, ask the server to help you out. If it’s inedible, explain politely that there’s something off about the dish and you’d prefer something else. More often than not, the server has no problem putting in another order and comping the meal you didn’t like. Just be sure you tip extra for this!
