Server Assistant / Polisher

Black Briar is a Bold American Tavern anchored by an open coal grill, a serious raw bar, and hospitality that feels instinctive rather than choreographed. We are opening in Chicago’s West Loop and building something meant to last — a restaurant with a point of view, a team with standards, and a room worth returning to.

We are looking for a Server Assistant / Polisher who sees what the table needs before anyone asks, moves with purpose, and understands that great service is built on the details no one notices until they are missing.

The Role

The Server Assistant / Polisher is the backbone of the floor — the person who keeps every table set, every glass spotless, and every section moving. You support the servers, runners, and bar so the guest experience feels effortless from the first seat to the last plate cleared. You report to the AGM and GM. This is a floor-first, team-first role. If you see support as background work, this is not the room for you.

What You Own

• Polishing glassware, silverware, and plateware to standard — nothing hits a table with a spot or a smudge
• Setting, clearing, and resetting tables quickly, quietly, and correctly
• Keeping water, bread, and table maintenance on point without being asked
• Running food and drinks with care and knowing what is on the plate when you set it down
• Reading the floor — the table that needs a reset, the server in the weeds, the guest looking for help
• Partnering with servers, runners, bartenders, and the kitchen to keep every section seamless
• Maintaining server stations, side stations, and service ware stock throughout the shift
• Handling guest requests with composure and warmth, and bringing in a server or manager when needed
• Completing side work and full open and close procedures to standard
• Learning the menu — ingredients, preparations, and allergens — and growing with the team

What We’re Looking For

• Prior experience as a busser, server assistant, runner, or polisher preferred — we will train the right person
• A sharp eye for detail and real pride in a clean, polished room
• Speed with composure — you can move fast without rushing the guest
• Warm, aware, and socially intelligent on a busy floor
• Illinois Food Handler and BASSET certifications required, or obtained before start date
• Able to stand and walk for a full shift and lift up to 50 lbs
• Reliable, punctual, and team-first
• A real interest in hospitality as a craft — and a path to growing on the floor

The Floor

Black Briar’s dining room runs on live fire, a raw bar, and a beverage program built to be taken seriously. The floor moves fast and holds a high standard — every member of the support team is expected to work clean, stay ahead of the section, and keep the room looking right all night. This is a place to get better at the craft, not coast through a shift.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly wage $13–$15, based on experience, + gratuity
• Health benefits
• Paid time off, accruing after 90 days
• Paid sick leave per Illinois law
• Employee dining benefit
• Annual performance review with merit increase opportunity

Who You Are

You take care of people for a living and you take pride in the details. You notice the empty water glass, the crumbs on the table, the server who needs a hand. You move with intention and you do not let the weeds rattle you. You know a perfectly polished glass and a well-set table say something about the room before anyone says a word. You are looking for a team where support is respected, service is treated as a craft, and everyone holds the line together. If that is you, we want to hear from you.

Apply

Black Briar is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects the city we are proud to call home.