The Great “Warmer Upper” Incident (& One I’ll Never Live Down)

Some stories have a way of staying with you—popping into your mind out of nowhere years later, or becoming the first thing retold at family gatherings before anyone’s even had breakfast.

Now, before I begin, let me ask:

Have you ever heard the expression “warmer upper”? Because I hadn’t. Not once. Not until I worked at Buffalo Wild Wings, of all places.

B-Dubs was known for its massive TVs, go-to for or after sporting events, and more wing sauces than one should legally be allowed to choose from. Coffee? Not a big thing. But still—we had it, and one quiet morning shift, I served it.

It was right after opening—11 AM. A solo guest came in and settled into one of my booths. He was a kind older gentleman, slightly distracted. He asked for a cup of coffee while he looked over the menu, which I promptly delivered like the professional caffeinator I am.

Fast forward a bit—he’d gotten his food, and I was making my rounds, checking on tables. I spotted his coffee cup, barely a quarter full. Naturally, I asked if he wanted a refill.

Without looking up, he quickly said:

“No thanks. But I’ll take a warmer upper.”

I froze, confusion written on my face. I blinked, then smiled as if I totally understood. Then turned and walked to the kitchen, baffled.

“A warmer upper? What is that?”— I thought 💭

All I knew was that I had a cup of lukewarm coffee, a microwave, and a man who clearly didn’t want a refill—but somehow still wanted…something.

So I did what any logical (and slightly panicked) server would do: I popped that bad boy into the microwave.

Thirty seconds later—I triumphantly returned and placed his now very warm coffee back on the table.

He looked at it and then looked at me.

He burst out laughing.

Like, actual belly-laughing.

In the middle of a mostly empty restaurant at 11:30 AM.

Through the laughter, he explained that “warmer upper” was just his way of asking for a refill—you know, to “warm the cup back up.”

Oh.

OH.

Still confused (and now quite embarrassed), I smiled politely, went back to the kitchen, and poured him an actual fresh cup of coffee. I couldn’t, and still can’t, help but think:

“Sir… a simple ‘yes’ would’ve sufficed.”

Lesson learned:

In the world of customer service, expect the unexpected. And, if someone asks for a “warmer upper”? Just smile, nod—and head straight for the coffee pot. Not the microwave.

The end.