🚀 go-pugleaf

I had an experience today with the newly-relocated Rio Grande Cafe in 
Bethesda, and I was wondering if this is a new policy, or if anyone else 
has any experience with carry-out at Rio Grande:

I called to place a take-out order at 4:40pm today (Sunday). I had other 
business in Bethesda anyway, so I thought I'd place an order and take 
home some enchiladas. A hostess who answered the phone would not take 
the order. She said that RG does not accept take-out orders after 5pm on 
Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, and that the restaurant does not accept 
take-out orders by phone.

A few minutes later, I was in Bethesda. Not having any luck on the 
phone, I stopped by the new RG Cafe at 5:05pm and went to the bar and 
asked if I could place an order to go. The bartender frowned and said, 
probably not. He consulted with an assistant manager who declined to 
take my order. He said something about their being "too busy" [to accept 
a take-out order] after 5:00pm.

Now, I am not in the restaurant-management business... but it seems to 
me that if your restaurant's busiest time is after 5pm, then you would 
encourage take-out orders at those times. On a take-out order, you get 
to sell the same food that a seated customer would order, but the 
take-out customer does not need to wait to be seated, does not occupy a 
table, does not need water, chips/salsa, set-ups, etc. A take-out order 
requires minimal waiter/waitress time and is immediately accompanied by 
a guest check.

I was wondering if anyone else has any experience regarding take-out 
orders at Rio Grande (any of the cafes in No. Va. or Montg. Co.). I 
never heard of a restaurant turning away a take-out customer at 5:05pm. 
Besides, Austin Grill is just a few blocks away.