Restaurant Server

Position: Restaurant Server
Department: Food & Beverage
Location: Chicago, IL
Employment Type: Full-Time / Hourly
Compensation: $12.70 per hour + tips

Truth Be Told , the British-inspired tavern located within The Study at University of Chicago , is seeking an engaging, attentive, and hospitality-driven Server to join our Food & Beverage team. This position is responsible for creating a warm and memorable dining experience through knowledgeable, thoughtful, and efficient service.

Truth Be Told is open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our Servers play an important role in bringing the tavern experience to life, welcoming hotel guests, university visitors, neighborhood regulars, and members of the Hyde Park community while guiding them through our food and beverage offerings.

The ideal candidate genuinely enjoys hospitality, meeting new people, and creating connections with guests. We are looking for someone who is engaging without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being pretentious, attentive to the details, and comfortable balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced restaurant environment.

Our caring and attentive associates reinforce our belief that guest service is our highest priority. We seek energetic, service-oriented individuals who take pride in creating thoughtful experiences, enjoy working as part of a team, and understand how genuine hospitality can turn a meal into a memorable experience.

Restaurant Snapshot

• Truth Be Told - British-inspired tavern located within The Study at University of Chicago
• Approximately 100-seat restaurant and tavern
• Open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar service
• Classic British-inspired dishes and traditional tavern influences
• Food and beverage program featuring cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine
• Serving hotel guests, university visitors, Hyde Park neighbors, and the surrounding community

Responsibilities

• Provide warm, attentive, and efficient table service while creating an engaging and welcoming experience for every guest.
• Welcome guests to Truth Be Told, establish a genuine connection, and remain attentive throughout the dining experience.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of food menus, ingredients, preparation methods, daily offerings, and beverage programs.
• Guide guests through menu selections and make thoughtful food and beverage recommendations based on their preferences.
• Accurately take and enter food and beverage orders and communicate appropriate information to Culinary and other Food & Beverage team members.
• Understand allergy and dietary concerns and follow established procedures for communicating guest needs to the Culinary team.
• Deliver food and beverages accurately and efficiently while following established service and presentation standards.
• Monitor the guest experience throughout the meal and anticipate additional needs without being intrusive.
• Respond promptly and professionally to guest requests or concerns and involve restaurant leadership when appropriate.
• Maintain working knowledge of cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine and continue developing food and beverage knowledge.
• Accurately process guest checks, cash, credit card transactions, hotel room charges, and other forms of payment.
• Complete opening, closing, and ongoing side work, including setup, stocking, cleaning, polishing, resetting, and organization of assigned service areas.
• Maintain clean, organized, sanitary, and service-ready tables, stations, and surrounding restaurant areas.
• Work collaboratively with Bartenders, Restaurant Support, Hosts, Culinary team members, and restaurant leadership to provide seamless service.
• Assist fellow team members when needed and contribute to the overall flow and performance of the restaurant.
• Follow responsible alcohol service practices and all applicable liquor laws and restaurant procedures.
• Follow established food safety, sanitation, safety, and security procedures.
• Communicate and work effectively with Front Office and other hotel departments to support hotel guests and their dining experience.
• Perform additional duties as assigned based on restaurant and hotel operational needs.

Fundamentals

• Minimum of 2 years of serving experience in an upscale casual, full-service restaurant, hotel, tavern, or comparable dining environment preferred.
• Friendly, engaging, and professional demeanor with a genuine passion for hospitality and connecting with guests.
• Strong understanding of restaurant service standards and the ability to manage a section efficiently throughout service.
• Working knowledge of food, ingredients, allergy considerations, cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine.
• Desire to continually develop knowledge of food, beverage, hospitality, and service.
• Previous experience with restaurant POS systems and handling guest transactions preferred.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Ability to remain composed, attentive, and service-focused during high-volume periods.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative restaurant and hotel team.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Current responsible alcohol service certification recognized in Illinois preferred, or ability to obtain as required.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule based on restaurant needs, including early mornings, days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to stand, walk, and remain active for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or otherwise move items weighing up to 40 pounds.

About Us

The Study at University of Chicago is a 167-room hotel located on the Midway Plaisance in Chicago's historic Hyde Park neighborhood. Designed as a place of discovery and connection, the hotel reflects the character and energy of the University of Chicago while providing thoughtful, contemporary accommodations for university visitors, families, faculty, business travelers, and the surrounding community.

The hotel is home to Truth Be Told , a British-inspired tavern offering a welcoming gathering place for hotel guests, the University of Chicago community, Hyde Park neighbors, and visitors to the area. The property also features 4,700 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 2,500-square-foot Winter Garden designed for social events and private functions.

Eligible full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, and paid holidays. Team members may also participate in our 401(k) retirement savings plan and Employee Assistance Program.

Study Hotels is a drug-free workplace. Pre-employment drug test and background check required.

Study Hotels is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, disability, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

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