Imagine that you go out for dinner to a restaurant you've wanted to try for a while. The service is amazing, but the food isn't. Maybe it's a little cold, or not very flavorful. The server is attentive and apologetic, and returns your meal to the chef. However, even the second time around, the food just isn't that great.
Now imagine you're at the same restaurant, and the food is awesome but the service is sub par. You have to ask for a glass of water twice, and the second time you ask, the server acts inconvenienced. Throughout your meal, which is delicious, you feel ignored by your server.
Which scenario would bother you more? When dining out, which is more important to you: the service or the meal? Sound-off now, Milwaukee!
The service. I can deal with food that's simply OK if I feel like my overall experience is really good, meaning the atmosphere and the service are top-notch. A nice, attentive server goes a long way when dining out.
The food. I go to restaurants for pretty much one reason: to eat good food that I can't or wouldn't make at home. If the food's not spectacular, there's no reason for me to return to the establishment when there are plenty of other restaurants with consistently delicious dishes.