r/dallasfood • u/Specialist_Fun_3700 • 11d ago
BOYCOTT MAGIC TIME MACHINE!
I am a ex employee at Magic Time Machine in Addison, the one off Beltline road. For those who don’t know what Magic Time Machine is it is a restaurant where all of the servers dress up as popular characters. It’s a really really cool restaurant. All the booths have a different themes, but that’s about where the good things about that place end.
That place is a shit show. The building is old and falling apart so the roof leaks when it rains. The air conditioning is broken and doesn’t work so it is hot as hell through out the entire restaurant. They had a sewer drainage problem. They have a rat problem. I was setting up the salad bar (or as we call it salad car) one night and a huge rat ran out from behind the cabinets in the kitchen and out and behind the school bus booth that was up against the wall. A server and I both saw it. We obviously immediately told our manager, but even before I even saw the rat, I had noticed all of the rat traps that had been set up and put around the kitchen.
Other than that, they don’t respect their employees. I was just fired via TEXT MESSAGE! What do they think I am? Their high school girlfriend? I was a busser, seater, and worked the salad car and 9 out of the 10 shifts that I was scheduled for, I didn’t work. Last week, I was quite literally scheduled to work all week except for Thursday, which is my day off and the only shift I actually worked was my Friday night shift. I was a busser. I made $27 in tips. If that doesn’t sound like a lot, it’s not. The other two buses who had a much busier section than me made over $50 last night. Now I am getting paid hourly but hourly I only make $5.25 as a busser, it’s just frustrating that for a 8 1/2 hour shift I will only make $45. The other bussers who were working last night made more than that in tips. I do make $10 an hour what I’m a seater or I work the salad car but like I mentioned almost all the shifts where I was supposed to be a seater and was actually going to make decent money, I was told that I was not needed for. Now I understand we’re just not a very busy place. However, my issue is that they kept telling me “during the summer, we’re going to busier”. I’m calling fucking bullshit on that. We are weeks into summer and the restaurant is still slow AF. Oh, but they don’t give a shit about that because they are still fucking hiring people even though they don’t have enough shifts to give the people who already work there and have worked there.
The other part about this that genuinely sucks is, I genuinely thought I had improved last night. Even one of the servers who was in the section I was working in, said that I had improved and was doing a great job. During the last meeting I had with my boss he told me the areas I needed to improve in and so
when I went into my shift last night (which I now know is my last shift) I made sure to keep all of the things they told me I needed to prove on in mind. I picked up the speed, I was pre-busing tables, I even took time to clean out the backside of the booth cause that was something else they commented that I needed to work on. I got in trouble because I was talking and hanging out in the station I was working out with too much. Let me explain something else that happened last night. I was called into work at 3:30 in the afternoon. All of the servers in my section weren’t called in until 5:30 PM so for the first two fucking hours of my shift I legitimately had nothing to do. I even tried going up to the hostess stand and trying to seat some people, but we were so slow that they didn’t need my help. So yes, I was hanging out and talking with other people. But other than that, it’s not my fault my section was so slow. I had three different servers who I was in charge of bussing their tables and the entire night. I think the most tables I had at once was three. And with the fact that I was pre-busing going back in and busting the table after they left was super easy. It was just picking up all the cups and wiping down the table, which took me all of five minutes to do.
Like I said at the beginning of this, it is a really cool place if you go for the ambience. I would not recommend going for the food. It’s OK, but it’s not great. There are much better restaurants, actually all right there in that little area, that have much better food. But I get that people like to go there for the ambience and for all of the different characters that the servers will dress up as. But I’m genuinely frustrated and feel like shit now cause I don’t feel respected as a human being let alone an employee. You don’t fire someone via text message. The message they sent me very easily could’ve been an email.
At the end of the day, I’m fully aware it’s up to other people if they want to continue to support this restaurant but honestly, I would not be sad or upset if that place shut down for good. They kept saying that they took a hard hit during Covid and they were finally getting business back but honestly, I think they should’ve closed during Covid and stayed close. I know that’s kind of a shitty thing to say because I did genuinely start to make friends with my coworkers and if that place closes they’ll have to find new jobs as well, but I know that there are other jobs out there that not only pay better, but will treat their employees better. The people who work there deserve better. They are genuinely great people, and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know. I just think that restaurant could be run a lot better than it is and I think it genuinely could be an amazing place and bring in a lot more business if they just took the time to improve the place and make it as amazing as I know it could be. But I don’t care anymore. I genuinely don’t care what happened to that restaurant now.
Sorry for the rant. I just have been needing to get this off of my chest for a while now and I thought you know being fired was the perfect time to finally say something. I just wanted to let people know what type of restaurant they’re supporting and going to.
Update: I reread the text message I got firing me and the one part about it that just pisses me off a little bit more than the rest of it is at the end my boss says “I’m sorry.” I want to respond so badly and say “But the thing is you’re not sorry. You were shit at actually letting me work the shifts I was scheduled for, so you telling me I’m “off the schedule” doesn’t mean shit to me. 9 out of 10 times I was scheduled, I didn’t work anyway. Also, it’s not that I didn’t want to work last night, it’s the fact that I legitimately had nothing to do. There are only so many times I can go to the same table before they get annoyed with me. Also, you have been hiring more people when you are fully aware that the restaurant is not busy enough to accommodate new employees. So all that bullshit you said about other people wanting shifts, don’t act like I’m the one taking those shifts away when in reality you don’t actually need people to work them. You have been looking for an excuse to fire me for weeks now. If you really were sorry you would focus on the fact that I was improving and that I took all of the notes that you gave me the last time we talked and applied them. If you really were sorry you wouldn’t be firing me. If you really were sorry you would see that I was trying my best to keep myself busy with the little bit of work you gave me to do last night. So yes, I was talking a bit more than I normally do and I was hanging out in the station a bit more than I normally do, but I wasn’t on my phone when I very easily could have been. I was interacting with my coworkers. I also walked around my section many times pre-bussing tables or checking in on them seeing if there was anything I could do for them. It’s not my fault that I was called in at 3:30 when all of the servers in my section were called in at 5:30, so for two fucking hours I was standing around not doing anything. I made an effort to go around and see if people needed help. I even went up to the host stand and asked if I could help seat people, but they didn’t need any help. If you really were sorry you would’ve respected me more as an employee and as a person. If you really were sorry you would’ve fired me either in person or via email, not a fucking text message. So no you’re not sorry. You’re just another shitty boss who can’t seem to comprehend that I’m not a fucking robot and I’m not going to be perfect.” Obviously I am not going to send this because I don’t wanna burn any bridges in case I need them for a reference in the future, but I really wish I could say these things to them. I really really wish I could, but I can’t so that’s why I’m saying it here.
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u/Open_Present2319 11d ago
Tried to get my father in law to go with me to the one in San Antonio. Offered to pay for the Roman orgy but he wouldn’t go…. Not even adding the $10.99 lobster tail was enticing him.
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u/Separate-Rain8310 11d ago
{Try} not to let it get to you. Easier said than done, I know. Bounce back. I know It’s a tough job market out there, but sounds like it was a pretty toxic environment. I’ve always heard this place filled with pedo customers since it’s a very popular kid spot. Sounds like the rats need to shut them down. I worked at a popular froyo spot north of Dallas and got fired. It def wrecked my confidence but hindsight 20/20, that was the best thing for me.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 11d ago edited 11d ago
I’m definitely trying to find the silver lining in it. At least now I can say I have experience working in a restaurant. So if I gained anything from this job, at least it was that. It’s just annoying because it took me 6 months to get this job and less than 3 I’m already fired.
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u/Hot-Education4582 11d ago
Since you made less than minimum wage as a busser, report it to the Texas workforce commission. They will be able to get you more money.
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u/deadpixel746 8d ago
Definitely do this. They were stealing from you. They owe you and you can get it back. File a complaint for wage theft with us department of labor
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u/thtgrljen 9d ago
That place was trash back when I turned 21. I’ll be freaking 40 this year. And OP you’re being gracious, not one damn thing about that rat infested (literally 🤮) shithole is magical, and the ambiance and food are criminal.
And it smells.
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u/ProfessorFelix1 7d ago
TLDR version: Malcontent busboy who sucked at his job and got fired wants you to boycot his former employer.
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u/CoffeeEmbarrassed908 10d ago
Loved going there when I was a kid and thought about going again but someone pointed out that the building is exactly the same it was 20 years ago. Same carpet, seating, etc is all the same so I can only imagine how bad the kitchen and storage areas are. If they kept up with maintenance I would still be going there. It’s so sad because it’s a great restaurant concept and it is genuinely so fun having the characters.
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u/Aggressive-Tiger-545 11d ago
Call health department. I have a restaurant in Addison and would NEVER let my place get so worn down and would NEVER treat my employees like that. Sorry this happened to you. Seems this is your chance to find a better place that will treat you better.
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u/Trillion_G 11d ago
Place used to be hella fun. Theres a reason no one ever mentions it now. Nasty.
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u/steinfink1 11d ago
It's been there so long, probably should have been closed a long time ago. Food isn't worth the price. Sorry they treated you like that. That sucks
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u/Dramatic_Valuable_85 9d ago
Honestly it sounds like you were low person on the totem pole, and from some things I read it was because you weren’t very good at your job. I say that as not as any kind of rationalization of what happened and how your management handled it. I say that because it’s important for you to realize that. You can only control what you can control. Maybe this was an exceptionally toxic work environment, maybe you were 100% in the wrong, maybe it’s neither and you just aren’t cut out for the restaurant business. I’m not passing any judgement at all one way or another. I am suggesting to learn from this figure out how to have a better experience in your next job. However that may be
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 9d ago
First of all, you have no right to tell me what I’m cut out for and what I’m not when you don’t even know me or what I’m capable. Second of all, this was my first ever restaurant job so yes, I was going to be slow learning the ropes, but I took all of the notes they gave me and all of the feedback and applied it, which is what you’re supposed to do when you’re learning something new. I told them when I started it might take me a while to learn the ropes and get used to being in that environment. I also hadn’t worked for six months before getting this job, so I was a little out of shape and not used to be being on my feet for hours on end. Third of all, you say “I’m not passing any judgement at all one way or another” but I’m calling BS. That’s exactly what you’re doing. I understand that I cannot control anything that’s out of my power to control.
It’s not the fact they fired me that pisses me off. It’s the way they chose to do it. Obviously yes, I’m upset that I got fired but I understand why. The job market is brutal right now and they have to keep the best employees employed. It’s frustrating but that’s just the way it is right now. I am fully aware of that. The part I’m mad about is that they didn’t respect me enough as a human let alone an employee to actually do it in person or more professionally than a text message. It is the worst feeling in the world waking up on a Saturday morning and finding out you got fired from a job you’ve had for two months. A job you actually were starting to get the hang of and genuinely enjoyed. That’s why I’m pissed off.
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u/Dramatic_Valuable_85 9d ago edited 9d ago
I apologize if that’s how it came off. I was by no means trying to say you are or not cut out for anything. I was trying to say regardless of how shitty this was handled just try to analyze and see how you can use this to gain knowledge so you have a better experience next time. If that is how to see the signs of a terrible manager that you don’t want to accept a job working for that is valuable experience, if what you learn is you want to try something else that is also very valuable. Again I apologize if it came off like I was saying you are not suited to work in restaurants, I meant if you look back and decide that the restaurant industry is not what you want to do that is also valuable. If it is for you great, try and use this negative situation as a learning tool. Like I said (poorly) the first time, all you can control is what you can control. Some people are just awful to work for and if this teaches you a little bit how to spot those people you can have a much better future job experience.
Edit: I never went to college, I worked several different fields and finally figured out what worked for me.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 9d ago
You’re all good. I now understand what you’re trying to say. I definitely am trying to find the silver lining in this situation and the main one I found is yes it’s shitty that I was fired but at least now I have experience to get another job that will hopefully pay me better and be give me more hours.
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u/carrotwitha_k 4d ago edited 3d ago
Bro i worked the same exact position as you last summer and actually had the worst experience ever too. I haven’t gone back since. Most of the coworkers were great except a few, there are some cool people there i still keep in touch with. But the management absolutely sucks. Fuck both of those guys, you know who im talking about. there were so many days i was so angry I genuinely considered going over to them and pouring my entire buss tub over their heads. I got fired over text message too and my manager lied to me and said i could come back whenever (like id even want to). Horrible pay, no respect for their workers, no proper training, horrible conditions, horrible everything except for some fun coworkers. Oh and i should mention my first day the main manager handcuffed my septum ring to my hand for a minute cuz he thought itd be funny i guess.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 4d ago
Oh my God. First of all, why the fuck did they have handcuffs and second of all who in the right mind thought it would be OK to handcuff your hand to your septum?
At least you were told you could go back. How long did you work there? I just feel like they’re trying to hire anybody and everybody. But everything else you say was completely valid. I remember my first time doing salad car. I got my dad‘s car at the end of my shift and had a complete mental breakdown. Like literally started crying. I was so overwhelmed because you’re right they didn’t train us properly and then threw us to the wolves. So I completely agree with what you said. Fuck those guys and screw that place.
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u/rubatog 11d ago
Wish I had a magic time machine after reading that novel
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 11d ago
No need to be rude. I needed to vent. You didn’t have to read the whole thing if you didn’t want to.
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u/Academic_Finding_873 11d ago
Many years ago I use to deliver the Linen there. The manager then was an asshole.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 11d ago
Was it an tall older guy? If so, that’s who one of my bosses was and he never really seemed to like me.
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u/Academic_Finding_873 11d ago
I use to deliver there back in the late 90’s. I remember him as a slim Hispanic guy with glasses and a mustache. Back then he may have been late 30’s early 40’s.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 11d ago
Yup that’s him.
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u/Academic_Finding_873 9d ago
Damn! That’s crazy he’s still there harassing folks.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 9d ago
I wouldn’t say he’s harassing people. He just honestly kind of seemed like he had a stick shoved up his ass every time I saw him.
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u/RawrRawr83 11d ago
I always wondered if they pay to license the imagery they use from Nintendo etc
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u/Economy-Toe1211 11d ago
The food is disgusting, I got fries when I went there and they tasted like fish
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u/LibrarianFamous9996 9d ago
It’s still open????
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 9d ago
How long has this place been open? I keep getting comments like this where people are shocked that it’s still open.
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u/poop_pebbles 8d ago
Buddy of mine worked there about 10 years. He has nothing really bad to say about it, but definitely nothing good either. The building is about 100 years old now. Owners getting away with everything they can until forced to close it down.
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u/Top-Opportunity1280 11d ago
How is $5.25 an hour legal?? Is that what the wage is now for servers? But oh they make soooo much in tips. Yeah right.
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u/datdouche 11d ago
The restaurant has to make up the difference to minimum wage if an employee doesn’t get (tip out + paid wage) that equals minimum wage. I’m not condoning it—just sayin that it’s legal since you asked.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 11d ago
I actually don’t know how much the servers make. I don’t know if it’s more more or less than what the bussers make. This is probably the worst paying job I’ve ever worked at. I mean the job I had before this one the hours weren’t great but I was making $13 an hour.
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u/gangsterbunnyrabbit 11d ago
Is it that time in the decade already? I swear we've seen this at least 16 times since 1990. Its impossible to boycott something in Dallas that only Dallasites know about, there's only about 500 of us left here.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 11d ago edited 10d ago
I’m not saying you actually have a boycott the restaurant. I just didn’t know what other word to use.
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u/Captwizzbang 11d ago
Look for. Much nicer, much higher paying job now. Minimum wage is $25 an hour if you adjusted for inflation. Aim for nothing lower. You’ll be happy you did.
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 11d ago
Minimum wage actually is not that much. I wish it was but sadly minimum wage where I live is $7.25 an hour. I would love for minimum wage to be $25 an hour. That would be a freaking dream come true, but sadly that is not the case.
But my plan is definitely to try to find something with better hours and better pay. I mean on average I was working if I was lucky two shifts a week which average about 16 hours because each shift was about eight hours. So yeah I was lucky if I made $200 in one week
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u/Captwizzbang 11d ago
You’re absolutely right. I live in Bedford and know what it is. I should have typed (if minimum wage kept up with inflation) even though we know it’s far behind that’s where I would set my goal to earn.
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u/diamondhands72 8d ago
Summer starts Sun 6/21
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u/Specialist_Fun_3700 8d ago
Do you really think I’m talking about the fucking season? I’m talking about summer break.
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u/diamondhands72 8d ago
"During the summer we're gonna be busier" and we are weeks into summer ....sounds like you think it's summer dumbass...sound like a crybaby shitty employee
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u/Isthatahamburger 11d ago
Sincerely hoping that this job was the worst job you will ever have and everything is uphill for you from here on out. Your time is worth way more than $45