How to become a regular at a small local restaurant
How I did it: I don't even know how it happened! It wasn't until a new waiter got my order wrong and the cooks corrected him that I realized I was a regular.
Now I'm a regular at three different places that I'm aware of: McMennamin's on High Street, Maple Garden, and Barry's. At all of those places the waiters or baristas can predict my order or they know my name. It's a pretty cool feeling!
Lessons & tips: Smile, chat and tip. It also helps if you've ever worked in a restaurant, since you're more sympathetic towards other people who work in restaurants.
Resources: Though I already knew about the places I'm a regular at, a local listing of restaurants would probably be useful. I read the Eugene Weekly (weekly free liberal news magazine) and magazines like that have good restaurant reviews.
