Professional Server Shoes - Recommendations

[Gadritan]

So I got a gig at a new high class resteraunt that's opening in two weeks. Never actually been a server, but wormed my way in because of all my customer service experience from years ago and some killer references.

I need some pro server shoes, and reviews are all over the place. Having zero experience, I'm clueless on which brands and such are actually worth a shit. So I'm looking for some recommendations.

Obviously my two main concerns are comfort and traction on wet surfaces.

Budget is $100 max, but the cheaper the better.

[Mythe_Seraph]

I've worked in restaurants a ton, and I've never had any sort of problem wearing any types of shoes when it comes to being in the kitchen. You'll learn to tread lightly on that surface, whether it's wet or not. You wont be stomping around like a dinosaur.

I know a lot of servers wear those Sketchers that have like the arch under it that help tone your thighs and calves or what not, and those run pretty cheap. I think they're called shape ups? But if you have a thinner figure you're gonna look like a clown with those big ass shoes.

Personally I wear black vans, the ones with the laces because I can walk around all day in those and they're comfortable to me. I know those don't scream super classy but I've gotten away with it even at some of the upper class restaurant locations I've been at. I also had all black Nike Flash series. I would go to Kohl's or something and just get whatever is all black and looks nice with whatever it is you're going to wear, I'm guessing black slacks (unless you're working at like the cheesecake factory, in which case it will be white) so anything that is all black will be fine. All black. No white details or things other than that. I would shy away from brand names or logos on the sides or top etc. A general rule of thumb though is to just match the size of your shoe to the size of your dress pants, if they're a bit baggy you're ok with a larger type shoe. If you're wearing a more fitted type of pant leg then get a smaller looking shoe.

[Ghost_Wheel22]

Something like these or more formal?

http://www.zappos.com/skechers-work-exalt-black

[Headspace]

Bojangles is high class?

[HadesWeaponx]

I wear these:

https://www.shoesforcrews.com/sfc3/i...er=1010&size=9

They are comfortable when broken in, incredibly slip resistant and supposedly shoesforcrews shoes last for quite a while. I've had them for about a year so far and they're still in good shape.

[Melena]

My wife when she was a expediter at Famous Dave's and Uno's swore by the Sketchers with the safe slip resistant shoes. I use something similar for work since I'm in a jail and it gets pretty gnarly in the housing units sometimes and i've had no problems with them.

[AshTS]

If you aren't going to be running food and out of the kitchen, I would find a cheap pair of corfams. If you are going to be running food, Hades is right on.

[Gadritan]

Bojangles is high class?

You're god damn right.

Something like these or more formal?

http://www.zappos.com/skechers-work-exalt-black

Something along those lines, though maybe a bit more formal.

Personally I wear black vans

There's no way that would fly here lol. The average patron will be spending $300+.

Btw, I'm really looking for personal experience (I can google too) for suggestions since I've seen a lot of harsh reviews for "non-slips," that are actually like ice skates on wet surfaces.

I really don't want to take any chances since a slip could cost me my job.

[Gadritan]

If you aren't going to be running food and out of the kitchen, I would find a cheap pair of corfams. If you are going to be running food, Hades is right on.

I will be running food, and Hades' suggestion does seem like the best bet so far

[Kenshiin]

Walmart sells a brand of non slip shoes that come in different styles. Cheap and do the work. Tredsafe is the brand name

[Raldo]

I don't have any particular brands to suggest, but I'll second the non-slip suggestion. Don't buy dress shoes with flat bottoms, you WILL slip on a spill sometime and fall on your ass.

[Nightfyre]

I don't have any particular brands to suggest, but I'll second the non-slip suggestion. Don't buy dress shoes with flat bottoms, you WILL slip on a spill sometime and fall on your ass.

This. I've got a pair of decent looking nonslips that ran me about 50 bucks and have good support, I'll check the brand/style name when I get out of class.

[Mythe_Seraph]

If you're running food get the most comfortable shoes you possibly can. I walked more when running food than when I served by at least twice as much. If you find your feet hurting or sore at the end of the day your desire to work is going to plummet.

[SephYuyX]

For whatever reason I imagined a computer server with shoes on.
I guess thats what I get for working 50 hours already this week while being around servers.

[HadesWeaponx]

I will be running food, and Hades' suggestion does seem like the best bet so far

I wait on tables, run food, in and out of the kitchen etc. and I've never slipped as of yet. The only problem I had with these shoes are the break-in period, like I mentioned before. The first week wearing them was brutal, but after that was smooth sailing. I've even been complimented on the shoes a couple of times. They look snazzy when shined.

[Conrad]

I just got a second warehouse job at a department store and am looking at the same types of shoes. They say that sneakers are okay, but I'm looking to not have to change my shoes when I come from my first job which is business casual. I'm wearing an old pair of hush puppies that I found in my closet and fit perfectly. I think I wore them once to a wedding or something and promptly forgot about them.

Hades' link looks great though, thanks!

[Nephlite]

I worked in a Ruth's Chris for a bit. The standard there was "black shoes" but didn't say what kind. I wore basic high-top black Air Force Ones with a insert for the arch support. Would be on my feet all day long, never had any problems whatsoever. I would keep them polished too just for professionalism's sake and never had anyone complain I wasn't wearing "dress" shoes.

If you're forced to wear something more dress-like and you don't mind high-gloss, then I would suggest these:

http://www.galls.com/cgi/CGBCSTYL?PMSTYL=FW052

Might not look like it but they're extremely comfortable, durable, and had my fair share of foot-chases in a pair like that. Slip resistant soles as well for wet-weather operations and are fairly cheap to boot.

[Callisto]

Usually when I was a waiter I just get whatever cheap shoes looked how I wanted and then replaced the insoles with something high-quality. I tended to replace the shoes fairly often just because they got nasty quickly.

[Gadritan]

but I'll second the non-slip suggestion

Some serious face palm posts already flying around up in hur.

[Gadritan]

The only problem I had with these shoes are the break-in period, like I mentioned before.

Kind of in a good spot as far as that goes. We've got two weeks of training (5hr light days) before it opens, so it'd give me ample time to break them in.