Dining solo can feel awkward in its own right, but what if the place that you want to eat alone at refuses to seat you with the rest of the restaurant, just because you're without a party of people?

In the 1984 rom-com “The Lonely Guy,” a crowded restaurant goes silent when Steve Martin tells the host he wants a table for dinner alone. A spotlight shines on him as he walks awkwardly to his seat.

Look around area restaurants today and you’ll see what seems to be plenty of unfilled seats. Though these chairs might seem empty, they actually are filled with respect for those who have served the ...