That moment the drain clogged on a Friday night and I had to think fast

I was running a fish station at a busy place in Portland last month and the main floor drain just backed up during the dinner rush. Water and fish scales started pooling around my feet while I had tickets piling up. I grabbed a bucket and a plunger from the back, cleared it in about 2 minutes, but then had to mop and bleach everything between orders. Has anyone else had a line cook emergency turn into a plumbing fix on the spot?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_rose13d ago

The first time it happened to me at a little sushi spot in Denver, I just called the landlord and waited 45 minutes while the water kept rising. Now I keep a drain snake in my car. That night made me realize a lot of restaurant problems don't wait for maintenance. Do you still keep a backup kit nearby or did that one night teach you to be ready?

river_thompson13d ago

Sorry but waiting 45 mins is on you, just grab a bucket or something.

paige_bell8113d agoMost Upvoted

Read somewhere that restaurants in flood zones often keep a wet/dry vac in the back for exactly this reason. Might be smarter than waiting around with a bucket.

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