The Best Waiter in Los Angeles (tm)

It's taken us years of research, miles of plates, and yards of waistbands to figure this out, but folks, we have found him (or her, but this her happens to be a him). The Best Waiter in Los Angeles (tm).

It's not easy being a waiter, especially in this town where about 99% of the waitstaff population are so busy trying to get that guest role on "Two and Half Men" that they don't really put so much into the plate-slinging. Where's the motivation? Unless they're a method actor researching a role for a remake of "Diner", you usually get about average service, nothing less, nothing more.

However, there are those very few and far between people who go the extra mile, and ten more to hammer the point home. We mean the people who remember your face, your name, what you usually order, and how you usually order it. They can calculate in their brain at what point you will be needing a refill, and they are there filling up your glass just as you set it down, freshly empty. There are those that are so good that you don't really notice them at their job, because your food always arrives quickly, and you don't have any problems, but we mean the ones who make you pause and go "Damn, he's good."

We've found just such a waiter. His name is Roberto Salcedo, and he works tirelessly at Chevy's in Glendale on Brand Blvd. Now, some of you are probably already turning up your noses and saying "A chain restaurant? Pfft. I laugh at your culinary taste, LAist. Bring me another Pinot Noir, garcon. Muhahaha!" Apparently, you people are also evil mad geniuses plotting to overthrow the governor, we're not sure.

But, we know that if you go to Chevy's and ask for Roberto, you won't be sorry. Not only will you not be sorry, you'll be happy. In fact, you'll be full, happy, and ready to spread the word. You know a waiter is great when you go back to a place, and it's his (or her) day off, and the dining experience just isn't the same. It's like playing baseball without a shortstop, or playing Monopoly without the little race car token. It's that one little thing that makes a difference. When Roberto isn't busy making sure your meal is in tip-top shape, you'll find him helping everyone else at the restarant out. He just doesn't stop, people.

LAist can heartily recommend the Smoky Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas, and a watermelon margarita. And of course, Roberto. If you have had your own Best Waiter or Waitress (Waitperson? Are we sort of done with the era of being PC?) experience, let us know!