Busser/Food Runner – Upscale Mexican Restaurant
Santo Agave – Urban Kitchen & Tequila Bar
Location: Park West, Peoria, Arizona
Job Type: Full-time and Part-time
Compensation: Hourly wage plus tip-out
About Santo Agave
Santo Agave is an upscale, modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar offering chef-driven cuisine, premium cocktails, tableside presentations, and an energetic dining experience. We are seeking dependable, hardworking, and team-oriented Bussers/Food Runners to support our service team and help provide an exceptional experience for every guest.
Position Summary
The Busser/Food Runner is responsible for maintaining clean and properly prepared tables, delivering food accurately and promptly, assisting servers, and keeping the dining room organized throughout service.
Team members must be able to perform both busser and food-runner responsibilities and may be assigned to either position based on the needs of the restaurant. This is a fast-paced, physically active role requiring urgency, organization, teamwork, and close attention to detail.
Bilingual English and Spanish is preferred but not required.
Food Runner Responsibilities
- Pick up completed dishes from the expo line and deliver them promptly to the correct tables and seat positions.
- Confirm table numbers, seat numbers, menu items, temperatures, garnishes, and special modifications before leaving the kitchen.
- Follow the direction of the chef or expo and maintain proper order priority.
- Announce and identify each dish clearly when presenting it to guests.
- Use proper plate-handling techniques and avoid touching food-contact surfaces.
- Assist with setting down plates, clearing space, and properly positioning items for guests.
- Communicate missing items, incorrect preparations, guest requests, and allergy concerns immediately.
- Help maintain proper ticket times by running food with speed, accuracy, and urgency.
- Return incorrect or incomplete dishes to expo and clearly communicate the problem.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and properly stocked expo and food-running area.
- Assist with delivering condiments, sauces, side plates, serving utensils, and other items required for each dish.
- Understand the basic ingredients and presentation of each menu item.
- Never allow completed food to remain unnecessarily under heat lamps or at the expo station.
Busser Responsibilities
- Clear, clean, sanitize, and reset tables quickly according to Santo Agave’s standards.
- Maintain tables throughout service by removing used plates, glassware, silverware, and unnecessary items.
- Refill water and assist with other nonalcoholic beverages when directed.
- Mark tables with the correct silverware and utensils for appetizers, entrées, steaks, seafood, and desserts.
- Keep tables clean and organized between courses without interrupting the guest experience.
- Assist servers with plate removal, table maintenance, beverage refills, and guest requests.
- Monitor the dining room and respond to tables proactively without waiting to be asked.
- Keep service stations stocked with clean silverware, glassware, napkins, plates, trays, and other supplies.
- Maintain cleanliness in the dining room, patio, service stations, and assigned support areas.
- Sweep or clean spills immediately and place proper safety signage when necessary.
- Transport dirty dishes and glassware carefully to the designated dishwashing areas.
- Separate trash, dishes, glassware, and silverware according to restaurant procedures.
- Assist with opening, closing, and side-work responsibilities.
General Responsibilities
- Work closely with servers, bartenders, hosts, cooks, chefs, expo, and management.
- Follow all food-safety, sanitation, workplace-safety, and company procedures.
- Communicate professionally with guests and employees.
- Maintain a clean uniform and professional appearance.
- Handle plates, trays, glassware, and restaurant property carefully.
- Move quickly while remaining safe and aware of guests and coworkers.
- Notify management immediately of spills, broken glass, guest concerns, injuries, or unsafe conditions.
- Assist teammates wherever needed to maintain smooth and efficient service.
Qualifications
- Previous busser, food-runner, or restaurant-support experience is preferred but not required.
- Experience in an upscale, high-volume, or full-service restaurant is a plus.
- Ability to learn table numbers, seat positions, menu items, ingredients, and service procedures.
- Ability to follow expo instructions and deliver multiple dishes accurately.
- Strong sense of urgency, organization, and attention to detail.
- Dependable attendance, punctuality, and a positive attitude.
- Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively as part of a team.
- Bilingual English and Spanish is preferred but not required.
- Familiarity with Toast POS or kitchen-display systems is helpful but not required.
- Must possess or obtain all food-handler certifications required for the position.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to bend, reach, carry trays, and safely lift up to 40 pounds.
- Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, brunches, and special events is required.
What We Offer
- Hourly compensation plus tip-out.
- Full-time and part-time opportunities.
- Training in elevated restaurant service and food presentation.
- A professional, energetic, and team-oriented workplace.
- Opportunities for advancement into serving, bartending, culinary, or supervisory positions.
- Employee dining benefits in accordance with company policy.
How to Apply
Please submit your résumé through Indeed and include your current availability. Candidates should be prepared to work a scheduled interview or training shift to demonstrate their speed, accuracy, communication, and ability to perform both food-running and bussing responsibilities.
Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.
Santo Agave is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, performance, reliability, and business needs.
Pay: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
