How to land a 5 star restraurant server position in Dallas?

Question

I have server experience and interested in waiting tables at a 5 star restaurant in the Dallas, TX area. Any tips or knowledge about job openings?

Answer 1

Honestly...It helps to know someone.

Beyond that...I know it sounds bad, but the better looking you are the better chance you have in Dallas. If you happen not to born looking like a model, fake it. Hot hair cut, nice skin blah, blah...

Try Palomino at The Crescent. They kinda work with people coming up through chains like Chili's or whatever and the tips are pretty good. You can make some good contacts there and you can easily get "hired-up" at the newer places. I know Craft, W, N9NE and others hired a lot of staff from there when they opened.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes! There are a couple tricks to getting a server position at a 5 star restaurant (I have worked at a couple, that will remain unnamed, here in DFW). They are a little harder than most, because you can make a career out of waiting at a 5-star restaurant.

The first is obviously to know someone. If you work at a decent steakhouse (like Bobs steak and chop house, or Papa bros), and are very good at your job, eventually you will meet all the people that matter (whether it be chefs, restaurant managers, food reps, etc...), and you will have a better position to get into a top restaurant. Surprisingly enough, taking culinary or food service classes at DCCCD is a FANTASTIC way to do this, because everyone that teaches (and a large portion of the students) work in the top levels of the restaurant business.

The second is to be persistent. There are few openings at great restaurants (unless you get in before they actually open, which is always easier), and you may have to contact the restaurant every couple weeks or months to see if a position has opened. Also, you have to be willing to take a lower position and then work your way up (start as bus boy or host, and then work your way to server).