Diner Dash Tips and Tricks
by Karla Munger

~INTRODUCTION

I absolutely love this game, but I found it more than a little tricky at first. At one point, in fact, I became so thoroughly stuck that I started to think the game was unbeatable. Diner Dash can definitely be a challenge. It can also be tremendous fun!

The following helped me complete the game, although I'm sure there are other folks out there who have approached it differently. Many strategies can be applied to Diner Dash.

Everything that follows is rather detailed and written with the novice player in mind.

The game is playable in either full screen mode or inside a window. I'm partial to full screen, but if you play in a window it's easier to refer to these tips.

Everything covered here pertains to Flo's Career mode, which consists of five restaurants at 10 levels of play each. There is also an Endless Shift mode in which you play a single shift for as long as possible. These tips and tricks can generally be applied to that mode, as well. I prefer Career Mode -- I think it's more fun.

The basic premise of Career Mode is this: Flo, a burgeoning restauranteur, starts with one rather run-down establishment, and it's up to you to help her earn enough money not only to fix that one up, but to purchase and improve four additional restaurants. You accomplish this by serving a variety of customers and making sure they leave happy.

Gameplay basics, which are straightforward and easy to master, are covered in a brief tutorial that represents Restaurant 1, Level 1 in each brand new game.

~CUSTOMERS

You'll be seeing six different types of customer, each with distinct personality traits. A list of them with their corresponding characteristics is found in the game's Help Section, which is accessible through the Main Menu.

All customers have "happiness meters" represented by rows of hearts (see the YOUNG LADIES at left). These appear either directly above customers as they stand in line, or along edges of tables after they're seated (you can see this in the illustration at right, below).

As customers get more and more upset they'll wear increasingly sour facial expressions, and their hearts will decrease in number until they have none. Then they'll leave -- and cost you quite a few points in the process.

Conversely, the more hearts customers have when they leave, the more points you'll get (happier equals better tip!). Each type of customer becomes unhappy at a different rate of speed.

The displeasure of seated customers is also indicated by puffs of steam over their heads. Each time this happens, they lose a heart.

Customers and seats come in a variety of colors, and it's possible to add to customers' happiness (thereby gaining more points) by putting them in the same color seats. You'll notice that some levels start out with some of the seats already colored, and in others, all seats start out one of two shades of gray.

If not matched, a seat will take on the color of its current occupant. For example, if you put a blue customer in a red seat, it will change to blue and remain that way until a customer of another color lands there. Putting any color customer in a gray seat will turn it that color. The one exception to color-matching occurs toward the very end of the game, when all seats start out black and stay that way (you'll know it when you see it).

Color-matching may also increase a seat's value. This doesn't always happen, but when it does, it's indicated by a seat-flag reflecting "x2," "x3," etc. If the next customer to sit there is also that color, you'll score more points.

The bad thing about color-matching is that it can be tricky and slow you down. Depending on the crowd and how fast the pace is, I try to do it only when I know it won't interfere with things that are more important.

When a shift gets hectic, color-matching becomes one of my last priorities. During these times, unless you can hit matches right away, I suggest forgoing them in the interest of customer satisfaction. It's always better to sacrifice color-matching points than to lose customers.

~CUSTOMER ARRIVAL/LONG LINES

If a long line of waiting customers accumulates it will stretch out the door, and not all waiting customers will be visible. When this happens, every group of customers you seat will bring another group through the door. The good news is that customers don't start losing happiness until they're inside.

A brief sound of customer chatter can be heard as each new party arrives. You can get a general idea of the length of the line outside by the number of times you hear this sound.

In determining seating priority, I consider such things as customer type (demanding? laid back?), the amount of time they've been waiting, and the number of hearts they have left.

~CHAINING

This is something you'll learn about in the tutorial. It consists of performing the same action (taking orders, clearing tables, etc.) as many times as possible without interruption. Each chain yields a bonus score; the longer the chain, the larger the bonus.

Chaining is the single, most important key to success in Diner Dash.

I've found that the safest thing to chain throughout the game is clearing tables. I let as many dirty dishes accumulate as possible and clear them in multiples when the tables are needed for new customers. This also serves to separate clearing from check-dropping and helps me avoid accidentally clicking twice and wiping out my clearing points (see next section).

Seating customers is the only activity that won't interrupt a chain. For instance, you can take an order, seat some customers, then take another order and still get a bonus for chaining two consecutive orders.

~CARRYING ITEMS/DROPPING CHECKS/CLEARING TABLES

At Flo's first four restaurants, you'll only be able to carry two things at a time (this number increases to four when you reach the fifth -- and final -- restaurant). You will, however, be able to drop as many successive checks as you'd like throughout the game.

When dropping checks and clearing tables, try to avoid double-clicking in order to accomplish both actions in rapid succession. This will result in your not getting any points for clearing.

Instead, you'll need to click on customers to give them a check, wait for them to pay and leave (you'll hear a cash register and they'll jump up and disappear), then click on the dirty dishes. If you're really pressed for time, though, go ahead and double-click. Whatever points you do get will be better than losing customers.

~GENERAL TIPS

You don't have to wait for Flo to finish doing something before you tell her to do something else. She'll remember everything you click on, with one exception. If you tell her to do something she can't do -- such as serve snacks to customers who no longer want them (more about snacks later) -- she'll stop in her tracks. Anything you've clicked on after that will be lost, and you'll have to click on it again to get her moving. You'll also have to click on the busing station to dump the snacks unless another party happens to be requesting some.

Also, if Flo picks up snacks and discovers, before she reaches the table, that the requesting party no longer wants them, clicking on the busing station (or other customers) won't save any time. Flo will still go to the requesting party's table, where she'll stop dead. You'll have to click the busing station again if you want to toss the snacks.

Don't feel as though you have to use all of your tables at all times, particularly at the more advanced levels. I fell into this trap early on and made some very unfortunate messes.

A good rule of thumb is to seat only as many customers as you feel you can reasonably handle. Makes sense, doesn't it?

If you get into a hopeless jam-up, you can start any level over. Just hit the Pause button, click Quit Game, and at the Main Menu click Flo's Career, then Continue.

Try not to tire yourself out by playing too many levels of Diner Dash in a row, especially when things start to get hectic. Too much game in one sitting can generate increasingly diminished returns -- and believe me, I should know.

I also know how addictive this game can be; nevertheless, I recommend frequent breaks. If you need a breather in the middle of any level, just hit Pause. You'll then have the option of returning to the game at any time.

If you hit a rough spot, try not to get discouraged. Once you get the hang of things, you'll be racking up expert scores in no time.

Okay, are you ready? Let's get started!

~PLAYING THE GAME

After the tutorial, Diner Dash starts out slowly -- but don't let that fool you. The pace will definitely pick up, and at times you'll be running around at warp speed trying to keep up with things. When this happens, it's important not to panic. You'll have opportunities to try again should you not succeed right off the bat. (Repeat after me: It's only a game.)

A clock appearing at upper right will reflect how much time is left before the restaurant closes. The most important thing about closing time is that you won't be getting any new customers. You're permitted to keep playing until everyone has been served, and in most cases, you'll have enough time to clear all tables.

Point of information: don't be concerned if Flo doesn't reach the busing station with the very last batch of dirty dishes. Dish-clearing points are awarded when the dishes are first picked up.

At each restaurant, things start out fairly simple. You seat customers, take/serve orders, drop checks/collect money, and clear tables.

At these early stages, you may be presented with opportunities to make chains of twos or threes. If they fall into your lap and you can do them quickly, by all means take 'em!

Otherwise, I recommend paying more attention to customer satisfaction. The only way of not losing customers at each restaurant's early levels is to keep them happy by getting them in and out as expediently as possible. A little later, you'll have access to tools that will help with the happiness issue, and you'll be better able to chain without risking customer loss.

~RESTAURANT 1

As previously mentioned, Level 1 consists of the Tutorial. Levels 2 through 4 are straightforward and relatively slow. All customers are Young Ladies, who are fairly reasonable in their demands.

At Level 5, a COFFEE MACHINE will appear on the right-hand side of the counter. This is the first of several beverages you'll be seeing, and serving coffee to customers either while they're looking at menus, ordering, or eating will increase their happiness. But you don't want to wait until they're ready to leave, because clicking on customers at that point will only result in your giving them a check, even if you're carrying coffee. They'll leave, and you'll still have the coffee.

If this happens, you can either give the coffee to other customers or dump it. If you ever find that you're carrying something you want to get rid of, just click on the busing station. But take care not to be carrying an order at the time, or the order will also be tossed out (I've actually done this). If it does happen, though, you're not completely out of luck. The cook will automatically make another one, but it will cost you time.

Additionally, the coffee machine is one of the tools that will give you some leeway in building chains. For instance, you can hold off seating folks who appear in line at different times until you have, say, three parties of the same type of customer with varying numbers of hearts. After everyone is seated, you can serve coffee to the least happy group.

You can also hit the least happy group with coffee after you've taken or served several orders so as not to break a chain. Seating parties in this fashion also means that they'll all order, finish, etc. at approximately the same rate.

Tip: If you're taking an order to a party or taking a party's order and need to serve that party a beverage, you can bring both the order and the drink (or just the drink when taking an order), and click on the party twice to execute both actions. The drink will always register first, and the opportunity for chaining order-taking and delivery will remain. If this sounds confusing, it will become clearer once you've seen it in action.

The coffee machine isn't accessible at all times; once you use it, it takes awhile to become active again. When it does, mugs will appear beside it and everything will be highlighted in flashing yellow. Remember: serving coffee will break a chain in progress.

At Level 6, a FOOD CRITIC makes the first of several appearances. It's important to keep her as happy as possible. If she gets mad, it can cost you.

Level 7 introduces a new kind of customer: SENIOR CITIZENS. They're patient, but very s-l-o-w. I try to seat them before other customers whenever possible because they take so long to order and eat. Seating several groups of them at once is even better.

There will be times later in the game when it's also advantageous to hold Seniors in line until just about everyone else has been served. Such opportunities are most prevalent at the busier levels.

In Levels 8, 9 and 10, you'll get more tables and the pace will pick up. Other than that nothing new happens, so it's a matter of just keeping up with things.

RESTAURANT 2 (FLO'S TIKI PALACE)

Levels 1 and 2 are pretty straightforward, with two types of customers: Young Ladies and Seniors.

At Level 3, TIKI DRINKS make an appearance. They work the same as coffee does to keep customers happy. Here, you'll have a chance to get in some solid chaining of twos and threes. Customers remain Young Ladies and Seniors.

Level 4 brings my most favorite thing in the entire game: a PODIUM. This will enable you to chain more effectively, which can dramatically increase scores.

Click on the Podium, and Flo will talk to customers waiting in line. When the small heart on the front of the Podium expands to fill the larger heart, the smaller hearts in the periphery will fly away and customers will get a dose of happiness.

As with beverages, the Podium goes through a "recharge" period during which it can't be used. But you can still click on it, and Flo will simply stand beside it and start talking as soon as there's a new supply of happiness.

If Flo is at the Podium and no customers are in line, she'll stand there and talk to nobody (as I often do). However, if customers appear while she's talking, they'll get the benefit of a full shot of happiness when she's finished.

You can also leave Flo at the Podium after a happiness cycle has completed and she'll automatically start talking when the Podium is recharged. This is most useful when you're about to seat new groups of customers and Flo doesn't have anything else to do at the moment.

I start Level 4 by heading straight for the Podium and letting several groups of customers accumulate. This is how I also begin all subsequent levels that include a Podium for the balance of the game.

Getting back to Level 4: when Seniors appear in line, I try to seat them first since they're slow to order and eat. At minimum, I try to keep customers seated at four of the five tables. There is great potential for chaining at this level.

At every opportunity, I return to the Podium and let it complete at least one happiness cycle, even if it means that seated customers will have to wait a few extra seconds for attention. If I see that any seated customers are getting low on happiness, I'll hit 'em with some drinks on the way to and/or from the Podium.

I also try to return to the Podium between dropping checks and clearing dishes, and between clearing dishes and seating new customers. While Flo is talking, you'll have a little time to plan where you're going to seat which customers, which can result in more color matches between customers and seats.

Tip: I've noticed that if you pick up a party of customers while Flo is talking, get them over to a table, but don't let go of 'em until Flo finishes talking, they'll get a shot of happiness as if they were still in line. This may sound somewhat trivial at the moment, but you might want to keep it in mind for later, when things get really hectic and every second counts. This will also give you a few extra seconds to match customers with seat colors.

Level 5 brings more seating and quite a crowd -- again, Young Ladies and Seniors -- so you need to pay close attention to the expressions worn by those in line. If any party starts scowling, try to seat them ASAP and by all means, give 'em some drinks.

As previously mentioned, if a line gets long enough it will stretch out the door and you won't be able to see all waiting customers. Every party you seat will bring another through the door.

At Level 6, you'll be introduced to a new type of customer: BUSINESSWOMEN. They tip well but are always in a hurry and are far less patient than the customers you've seen so far. You'll also be serving Young Ladies and Seniors.

Again, head for the Podium right away. Since Businesswomen get upset relatively quickly, try to give them priority.

Level 7 sees more seating and the return of the FOOD CRITIC. Watch for her arrival, and remember to keep her as happy as possible.

Level 8 will give you a workout. It's all Businesswomen, and keeping them happy can be quite a juggling act. I concentrate on talking at the Podium (and returning there as frequently as possible), serving drinks, getting customers seated, taking orders and serving them, and dropping checks. Color-matching is not a priority, and the easiest thing to chain is clearing tables.

In Level 9, the place again has more seating and is looking pretty snazzy. It's also looking pretty busy. You're back to the three types of customers, but it may still be a challenge to keep up with things and keep everyone happy.

Use the Podium and serve drinks as often as possible. Regardless of their places in line, try to give priority to Businesswomen, followed by Young Ladies, then Seniors. Remember to pay particular attention to the back of the line, where customers are generally less happy.

If any waiting parties start to scowl, get them seated ASAP and hit 'em with some drinks. If they need more of a boost, you can hit 'em again both after they've ordered and while they're eating.

There are some great chaining opportunities here, especially if you can seat multiple parties of the same type customer at the same time. The level has seven tables, and it's possible to chain all seven if you work things right.

In Level 10, you'll see a slightly larger crowd with the same mix of customers. You'll still have seven tables, but remember not to seat more customers than you think you can handle.

Apply the same priorities as in Level 9. Customers seem to lose patience more quickly in Level 10, so I usually seat four or five parties at a time and pay extra attention to keeping the customers in line happy via the Podium. If seated customers get steamed, I serve them drinks. The important thing is not to lose anyone.

RESTAURANT 3 (Go With the Flo Seafood Dining)

Level 1 proceeds at a reasonable pace, and nothing new is added.

Level 2 sees the appearance of both BEER ON TAP and a Podium. Can you tell that the pace is likely to pick up quickly?

You'll have six tables, but note that four are two-seaters and only two are four-seaters. You'll be getting parties of three and four more quickly than you have tables at which to seat them.

Again, give priority to Businesswomen, followed by Young Ladies, then Seniors. Continue to use the Podium and serve drinks as often as possible. I try to serve only three or four tables at a time and, if possible, seat multiple parties of the same type of customer at once.

In Level 3, you'll get an additional four-seat table, for a total of seven tables altogether. The crowd will be big, but again, I try to seat only three of four parties at a time.

This level lends itself to chaining the clearing of tables. It's possible to let dirty dishes accumulate on six or seven tables if you work things right. This will give your score a healthy boost.

Let's say you seat three parties of Businesswomen. You may have time for a stint at the Podium before they order, but after they order, serve them before you return to the Podium. Then drop checks when they're finished, but don't clear tables -- return to the Podium instead.

Then, if possible, seat three or four parties of Young Ladies and follow the same pattern until you drop checks. You'll then have six or seven tables to clear at once, and you can return to the Podium before you do so. After the dishes are cleared you can go back to the Podium again before you seat any new customers.

In Level 4, customers arrive faster. Nothing else is new, so concentrate on keeping up with the pace.

Level 5 maintains the pace and sees the arrival of unlimited CRAB STICKS, located between the beer keg and busing station. Caution: the Crab Sticks, Beer Keg and busing station are fairly close together, so be careful not to click the wrong one by mistake, particularly when things get really busy.

Everything I say about Crab Sticks will also hold true for other unlimited snacks you'll be seeing as the game progresses.

Fortunately, Level 5 has no Businesswomen -- just Young Ladies and Seniors. But they can -- and will -- ask for Crab Sticks anytime (often in multiples), and you can't serve snacks unless they're requested. Also, be aware that serving snacks will break a chain. Further, there is no chaining bonus for serving multiple orders of snacks.

You don't have to serve Crab Sticks if your attention is needed elsewhere. Serving them will snag you some points and customers will lose one heart for each batch they don't get, but I've found that serving any of the snacks isn't worth what you may lose elsewhere in the process. The good news is that these and all other snacks are available at all times (no recharge period).

Serving Crab Sticks can turn into a mess if you're not careful, because customers only want them for a brief time which varies according to customer type. If you don't get to the tables fast enough, you could end up carrying one or two orders of Crab Sticks and end up having to dump 'em, unless other parties happen to be requesting some (and they usually aren't).

Also, as mentioned under General Tips earlier, if you don't reach tables requesting snacks in time, Flo will stop in her tracks and forget everything you may have told her to do after that, and you'll have to tell it all to her again.

Getting tangled up with Crab Sticks can slow you down and result in inattention to other customers. It's particularly bad if you accidentally dump a food order along with an order of Crab Sticks you no longer need.

I suggest serving Crab Sticks only if you know you have adequate time to do so. This also holds true for Levels 6 through 10 of this restaurant.

You can always replenish hearts seated customers may lose by serving them drinks, and the points you sacrifice for not serving snacks are negligible.

In Level 6, Businesswomen are back, and so is the FOOD CRITIC. Watch for her, and as before, treat her with TLC. Continue the seating strategy of Businesswomen first, then Young Ladies, then Seniors.

In Level 7, you'll see a new type of customer: COLLEGE KIDS. These kids are impatient while waiting for a table, but are less demanding once seated.

You'll also be seeing Young Ladies here, but no Businesswomen or Seniors. Fortunately, this level proceeds at a reasonable pace. You'll want to give seating priority to College Kids.

Level 8 sees the return of Businesswomen and Seniors. You'll have more seating capacity, the pace will pick up, and you'll be getting a lot more requests for Crab Sticks.

At this level, it may be more difficult to seat multiple parties of the same type customer, especially if any Businesswomen or Kids in line are getting really upset. If I see this happening, I'll seat them ASAP and hit 'em with drinks, if possible, no matter who else I have seated.

Pay more attention to customers at the back of the line, who lose patience more rapidly. And remember: if the line goes out the door, you'll get a new group of customers for each one you seat. It will help you keep up with things if you take note of which type of customer has just entered.

At Level 9, you'll be getting even more requests for Crab Sticks. As before, serve them only when you know there's enough time to do so without sacrificing the satisfaction of other customers.

Seating priority should be Businesswomen, Kids, Young Ladies, Seniors. You'll have eight tables at this level, but I generally serve four or less at a time.

In Level 10 you'll still have eight tables, and you'll start out with a bunch of Seniors. I let Flo talk at the Podium until three or four parties of them have accumulated, then seat them all at once. Seniors are easier to chain because they're so slow. Here, I can usually manage to chain every action.

The other three types of customer will quickly appear in line, though, so you'll want to concentrate on getting back to the Podium as often as possible, even if it causes seated customers to get a little unhappy (you can always serve them drinks). Seating priority is the same as in Level 9.

The easiest thing to chain throughout this level is clearing tables. I'm able to group this activity into seven- or eight-part chains with no problem.

RESTAURANT 4 (Chez Flo's)

Level 1 is quite slow compared with the last level. You'll still have the four types of customers. Just remember that you're back to having no tools to help with happiness, so concentrate on customer satisfaction. Chain where you can, but don't make it a priority.

In Level 2, you'll get both a Podium and a WINE BAR (remember, it works the same as the other beverages do). The pace picks up but is still manageable. Although there are seven tables, I try to serve around four at a time and seat parties of the same type of customer at once, with Businesswomen first, then Kids, Young Ladies, and Seniors. Again, talk at the Podium and serve drinks as often as possible.

Level 3 sees the arrival of unlimited FRESH BREAD, which works the same as the Crab Sticks in Restaurant 3 and is located in the same place. Customer arrival is a little more scattered, making it trickier to seat parties of the same type together. Keep customers happy by using the Podium and serving drinks; serve Bread only if you have adequate time to do so.

In Level 4, you'll see a marked change: there is now seating for eight at a BAR (it's more like a soda fountain counter), and you'll have only three tables (two tables for two and one table for four). The good news is that you won't be seeing any Businesswomen.

While it's true that you can seat several parties at the Bar at once, I've didn't care much for this arrangement at first and it took me awhile to get used to it. Color-matching is considerably more difficult, and although parties are separated by their respective hearts, clicking on individual parties (particularly parties of one) can be tricky -- especially when several are seated right next to each other, or when you're in a hurry, or both. It helps if you can click directly on the customers rather than on the counter.

Also, menus can obscure the number of hearts customers have. In the left-hand illustration above, all groups of customers have full complements of hearts but you can only see the bottom set in its entirety.

Further, it's difficult to tell how many parties' worth of dirty dishes there are to collect from the Bar. In the right-hand illustration, for instance, there are two groups of dishes: a group of five on top and a group of three on the bottom. This is not readily apparent.

If you find the Bar too cumbersome, it is possible to complete this level successfully without using it. Other strategies would be to use the tables first (leaving dirty dishes on them) then use the bar and clear all dishes at once, or use the bar for overflow if customers in line become too unhappy. Just go with whatever feels most comfortable. But take heed: you will be needing to use the Bar in order to succeed in later levels.

In Level 5, Businesswomen return and things get busier, although the pace is still relatively sane. The FOOD CRITIC also reappears (watch for her, dote on her), and you'll probably have to use the Bar in order to keep everyone happy.

In Level 6, you'll get two additional tables and more customers than in Level 5. The pace remains manageable. I tend to limit myself to serving four or five parties at one time.

Level 7 brings a new kind of customer: MR. HOT SHOT. These guys are the opposite of College Kids in that they're patient while waiting but demanding once seated. Customers also start to arrive faster, but you won't get any Businesswomen, Kids or Seniors this time -- just Young Ladies and Hot Shots.

The happiness of waiting customers should be a priority. If necessary, ignore Bread requests in order to talk at the Podium. Continue to serve drinks whenever possible. I like to limit myself to three or four seated parties at a time.

All five types of customers appear in Level 8, and you'll also get more tables. Although this is a lengthy shift, I continue to limit myself to serving three or four parties at a time, with priority to Businesswomen first, then Kids, Young Ladies, Hot Shots, and Seniors. I also make talking at the Podium a priority, serve drinks as often as I can, and ignore Bread requests if necessary.

Level 9 is also lengthy and the pace is a little quicker. There will be more of a mix of customers appearing in line, so keeping waiting and seated customers happy will become more of a juggling act. Try to pay attention to both customers in line and at tables (and at the counter), and go where you're needed most. As before, I find it helpful to limit seated parties to three or four at a time.

Level 10 is even busier and more crowded, and brings in a slew of Seniors right off the bat. This is somewhat of a sucker-punch because more impatient types of customers will start roaring through the door, and you could find yourself with a long line of increasingly unhappy customers while you're trying to shove Seniors through their meals and back out the door. (Shouting "Hurry up!!" doesn't help. I've tried it.)

The important thing is not to panic. Just remember to use your tools when and where they're needed, give highest priority to customer happiness and lowest to serving Bread, and seat only as many parties as you feel you can handle.

RESTAURANT 5 (Indian Restaurant)

Here, you're in for a real surprise. Flo undergoes a strange transformation -- she now has four arms, floats through the air on a cloud, seems to be wearing an upside down goblet on her head, and she's...yellow! Yikes!

This is actully great news, because now she can carry twice as many things. You'll also notice that tables now have faces on them...and seats look like (gulp) giant hands!

Maybe it's just me, but Flo seems to float a little more slowly than she moved when she was on the ground. Whatever the case, it took me a little while to get used to a floating Flo. And I was so accustomed to doing things in twos, I kept forgetting that I could now do everything in fours. Try to keep it in mind -- it's a big help!

At Level 1, you're back to having no tools. The crowd is a mix of all five customer types and the pace is relatively fast. You may be able to get in some chains of two or three while serving, but clearing tables will remain your best bet for chaining. I recommend just taking things as they come and concentrating on getting customers seated, served, etc. Try not to lose any parties.

Level 2 brings a Podium, a DRINK STATION, the same customer mix, and the FOOD CRITIC. Be on the lookout for her, and keep her as hap-hap-happy as possible.

You may have to do some scrambling during this level. I seat no more than four parties at a time, if possible. This meshes nicely with Flo's ability to do everything in fours, which in turn makes for more expedient chaining.

Be sure to pay attention to the line. If any parties get too upset, get them seated ASAP and ply them with drinks. If the line trails beyond the door, try to take note of which kinds of customers are entering. Talk at the Podium as often as possible and keep those drinks flowing (actually, Flo-ing would probably be more accurate).

Level 3 sees the arrival of unlimited PAPPADOM (a crisp, thin lentil wafer or pancake). The usual "unlimited snacks" strategies apply.

This is also a busy shift, but I tend to limit seated parties to three or less. Again, monitor the line for new customers/discontent, use the Podium, and serve drinks to keep seated customers happy.

In Level 4 you'll get more seating, including another Bar. You'll also have a bigger crowd, customers will arrive more quickly, and patience will disappear faster.

Monitor the line for unhappy faces and keep yourself glued to that Podium, even if you have to put off the requests of seated customers -- as long as they have sufficient hearts to stand losing one, of course -- in order to get through a happiness cycle. This will go a long way to keep customers in line from leaving, which can really cost you. You can always hit seated customers with drinks when you're finished at the Podium.

If need be, by the way, Flo can talk at the Podium with her arms full of dirty dishes (or anything else, for that matter). Just don't forget to have her take the dishes to the busing station when she's finished!

You'll also be getting a lot more requests for Pappadom at this level. I've found that it's possible to ignore most of them and still get an expert score, so make serving the stuff your very last priority.

In Level 5, you'll get a second unlimited snack item: SAMOSA (a kind of Indian pastry). It's in a stand that's identical to the one for Pappadom, but it's at the opposite side of the counter, just to the right of the front door. So now, customers can (and will) ask for Pappadom and/or Samosa.

You'll get another big crowd, although the pace is relatively manageable. Apply the same tactics as in Level 4. Remember to make talking at the Podium your #1 priority, and serving snacks your last priority.

Tip: If customers request different snacks at the same time, you can pick up and serve them simultaneously. As long as you click on both parties, Flo will know who gets what.

Level 6 brings additional seating and more customers than ever -- and here comes the FOOD CRITIC again (you know what to do) -- but things remain manageable. You'll get more parties of Seniors than anything else, and I suggest trying to seat them towards the end of the shift, if possible, and serve several parties of them at once. If you seat Seniors along with other customer types, though, remember to try to seat the Seniors first.

I don't put too much emphasis on chaining at this level. The easiest thing to chain remains clearing dirty dishes. If you work it right, you can rack up a big chain of dish-clearing with your last two rounds of customers. Start with all tables cleared, and count how many parties are still in line. Be sure their number doesn't exceed your total seating capacity, and seat half of them. When they're finished, don't clear tables and seat the other half. I've been able to achieve expert scores with this kind of final push.

The most important thing, again, is to talk at the Podium. Keep those waiting customers as happy as possible! And again, make serving snacks your last priority.

In Level 7, customers will arrive quickly right off the bat, and the line will not only trail out the door but probably down the street as well. Flo will have all four of her hands full just keeping up.

Try not to be intimidated by the size of the crowd. Just continue limiting seated parties to a reasonable number, do the Podium bit as often as you can, take note of what kinds of customers are coming through the door (some impatient types will arrive towards the end of the shift), serve lots of drinks, and keep snacks at the very bottom of your priority list.

You may be able to stockpile parties of Seniors for another chaining push at the end of this level. I'm usually able to accumulate six or seven parties of 'em for an end run. This can generate enough points for another expert score.

You might want to rest up before taking on Level 8. Here, you'll have a huge crowd, and not only will customers will arrive relatively quickly, they'll do everything else at warp speed. Be grateful that Flo has four arms, and get ready to scramble!

The instant you seat customers, they'll order. When they're served, they'll finish immediately. This is great for chaining, but it will take your attention away from the line for longer periods than in previous levels.

The only time you'll have for the Podium without risking customer loss is possibly between taking orders and serving them (this can be tricky, depending on how happy the seated customers are), and between dropping checks/clearing tables and seating new customers (this is a little more doable).

Pay as much attention as you can to the happiness of both the customers who are waiting and those who are seated. If you seat customers who are running out of hearts, serve them drinks if at all possible. However, it's better if you can avoid seating customers who are just about to blow by keeping the line sufficiently talked-up.

Fortunately, you'll have a lot of seating -- ten tables and a bar with eight seats. Forget about color-matching; it will slow you down too much. The good news is that the pace of this level goes so quickly that customers don't have time to ask for snacks.

If need be, I'll literally throw parties at open tables and spaces at the bar that are large enough to accommodate them. Then I'll immediately take their orders. If all have sufficient hearts, I'll talk at the Podium for one cycle, then serve the orders (this is also a good time to hit the unhappiest party with drinks), go right back around and drop checks (that's how fast they eat), then do another stint at the Podium. If I have enough open seating, I'll do another round of customers before I clear any dishes.

Tip: After you've clicked on all parties you're serving, don't wait for Flo to catch up. Go ahead and click on the parties again to give them their checks. I guarantee they'll be finished eating by the time Flo gets to them.

As far as how many parties to seat at once, you'll have to play it by ear. Everything goes so quickly that I don't recommend seating a large number of customers at the same time; I try to keep it at a maximum of four parties, although this isn't always possible if customers in line are getting really upset and you need to seat them quickly.

It's imperative to keep up with the pace during this level. Once things start going wrong it can have a domino effect and land you in a real jackpot of lost customers. I find that if I really scramble to keep everything together during roughly the first half of shift, I don't have to rush around nearly as much during the second half.

This is a tough level; try not to get discouraged if you aren't successful at first. Remember that you can keep trying, that it's only a game, and that you're supposed to be having fun!

Now, remember that one level I mentioned early on that has all black seating? Well, we've finally reached it. In Level 9, seats remain black at all times (looks strange at first, doesn't it?) and there is no color-matching, which can put a surprising dent in your score.

The pace is back to normal (whew). Snack requests are back, as well. Pay more attention to serving them whenever possible due to the color-matching score deficit.

I try to limit seated parties to four or five, and to hug that Podium as often as possible. Once again, you'll have ten tables and eight seats at the bar, and your best opportunity for chaining will be when clearing dishes. Stockpiling dirty dishes and clearing them all at once can substantially increase your score.

We now arrive at Level 10 -- the last one! This level will definitely test your endurance -- it's the longest shift in the game.

In Level 7, you had 29 tables of customers. In Level 8, you had 40. Level 9 brought 42. In this level, you'll get enough customers to fill 83 tables. Again, try not to be intimidated -- either by the crowd, or the Goal of 45,000 points (55,000 for Expert). After I'd gained some experience, I was able to score close 80,000 points!

Fortunately, the pace is reasonable. You may start to feel as though it's never going to end, but don't let it get to you. Just apply the strategies you've learned, and remember that if you need a break, you can put the game on pause. I know you can get through this final challenge!

After you've completed Level 10 you'll be treated to what I think is a pretty cute ending to the story.

If you enjoyed this game be sure to check out Diner Dash 2 (Restaurant Rescue), where Flo comes to the rescue of four friends who are in danger of losing their restaurants. It has a more polished look, more options, some new customer types, and is great fun! Try it for free here!

Copyright © 2006 by Karla Munger
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