Reviews of restaurant Tgiving meals

ok, I will try...

I always tip on the total amount. that is just me. my choice, not anyone elses. I actually tip at least 20% (unless service is just horrible) because it is easy to calculate. I think that when the server does it it is like trying to get extra $ (not alot) from the customer. the tax is not a service that the server gives so why should they make an extra amount on it anyway. do u understand my logic now???

I completely understand what you are saying, and did from the get go. My sister makes the same point. I just don't understand why you expect the restaurants to do the math differently than probably 90%+ of the public. I bet the general public also rounds up the total to the nearest dollar before adding the tip, for easier math calculations. So in reality, if no additional gratuity is added, the server is making less percentage than normal, due to the lack of customers rounding up for the tip.

I still love you guys. I just don't get your way of thinking, especially based on your statements that you would add even more money.

I once had a server many years ago in CoCoa Beach that gave the check to the customer with tax added to the full amount, making a tip appear to be the tax...they gave him their card and added another tip on the whole amount. That worked for about two days. Those were the days when I rang up all checks. I had been out a few days so he tried to pull a fast one....not one customer caught it, but I did the first time he tried it.....I gave him a warning, the next day he did it again and was fired.

Our servers very seldom self-tip on tables of 6 or more. They know their service and the food with atmosphere usually assures them a great tip. I agreed with Sj on the servers deserving tip plus a little more on Holidays. But I believe that it is the diner's descretion to tip over 20%....having nothing to do with the amount of the sales tax. I would be surprised if the Florida Sales Tax Department wouldn't expect .07% of the tip on the sales tax amount. I'm not sure if that makes sense or not!!!!

Anyway Happy Tipping with great service and food!;-)

It does make sense about the tax on the tip. I'm not sure about FL laws on this, but in GA, a "required" gratuity or service charge, is required to be taxed. If it is voluntary, tax is not applicable to the gratuity or service charge.

Just curious to know when sales tax in our area went to 8 cents on the dollar as was stated in the first post regarding this? Maybe that "required" 20% gratuity was taxed, raising the total tax, thereby looking like 8% tax rather than 7%.

Please remember that when you eat out on Thanksgiving, the servers are not celebrating the holiday with their friends and family. They are busting their @ss, sacrificing their holiday, so that you can enjoy yourself. You guys lighten up on Criolla's and just be thankful that they were open for you to take your family out for lunch, so that you could have it easy. We are only talking about an extra 1.5 cents on the dollar. If you spent $200, that is a whopping $3, and hardly worth groaning about, especially on a holiday like Thanksgiving. Get-fo-real.

SJ - the servers chose their profession. Working shifts on holidays and such is part of the job description in the restaurant business. Sacrificing their holiday...busting their @ss so everyone else can enjoy themselves?? That is bologna -they chose to be there (it's always a choice) and don't deserve any special accolades - financially or otherwise - IMO. It is their job to be there.

This whole conversation boils down to principle - it was not right for the restaurant to do what they did based on principle IMO. You are right - the amount in question is insignificant. But that is not the issue - it's that the restaurant (or server or whoever?) took it upon themselves to break regular procedure. And the restaurant here has acknowledged that they made a mistake.

I simply disagree and say that regular procedure is to tip on the taxed amount. Even Skunky and IBD admit to calculating their tip amount that way.

Back on topic! We need food reports, people!

Back on topic! We need food reports, people!

Great tip!

Yes, reports please!!

well, this has been exciting...

My family dined at Cafe 30A Thanksgiving day and we all thought the food was delicious. We have a large group and the majority rules on dining choices. I am in a wheelchair and frequently encounter barriers to access. The staff at 30 A went out of their way to make access a breeze and the dining devine. I have wondered whether I would be able to access Criolla's. We ate there years ago but I haven't been back since I have been riding and I hesitate to go places if I am not sure what I will find. Does Criolla's have ramp access? By the way, I want to thank the entire Grayton community for being so wonderful. I had a fabulous time. My family has a trip to Sandestin ( or any number of other resorts) we plan to sell that and come back to Grayton. Thanks to all

SJ - the servers chose their profession. Working shifts on holidays and such is part of the job description in the restaurant business. Sacrificing their holiday...busting their @ss so everyone else can enjoy themselves?? That is bologna -they chose to be there (it's always a choice) and don't deserve any special accolades - financially or otherwise - IMO. It is their job to be there.

Just because something is part of your job doesn't mean it doesn't suck or that you don't deserve appreciation for it!

Got a phonecall from my brother while Gma, Mom, and I were doing the dishes Thursday night. After cooking 65 gallons of gravy and 70+ turkeys to feed 1000 people he went home and was feeling quite bummed as he walked the dog down the street and other folks finishing their holiday gatherings.

Not only does he not get to spend Thanksgiving OR Christmas with his family because he is REQUIRED to work, he can't even enjoy the traditional food because he's sick of it by the time he's done preparing it for everyone else!

Glad to hear that Caf? 30-A was good (no surprise, though). I am thinking about not slaving over the stove next year and going out on Thanksgiving Day, perhaps cooking a turkey for lunch to make sandwiches, etc. Sometimes even the best of restaurants can be a disappointment on holidays because of the "special" menus (case in point, New Year's Eve at Bud & Alley's, which we've given up on -- sorry, Dave).

BTW if you are in Atlanta on Easter and don't want to cook, try Blue Ridge Grill -- it's excellent because they don't have a special menu. I recommend the shrimp and grits.

Bait House Thanksgiving Lunch

Ate there last year and thought it was better last year

The good:
Convenient (I am in Watercolor so could walk)
Raw oysters appys
Ham
Oyster dressing
pearl onions

The OK:
Gumbo-too oily and thin
Etoufee-shrimp good but flavor not really etoufee
turkey


The bad
overcooked green beans
too sweet cornbread dressing

The REALLY bad:angry:
a $25 corkerage on our bottle of wine

Can't comment on the desserts as I am not a big dessert fan

Can't be here next year because of work but would like to try somewhere else the next year. Any feedback on Fire's spread?

My family dined at Cafe 30A Thanksgiving day and we all thought the food was delicious. We have a large group and the majority rules on dining choices. I am in a wheelchair and frequently encounter barriers to access. The staff at 30 A went out of their way to make access a breeze and the dining devine. I have wondered whether I would be able to access Criolla's. We ate there years ago but I haven't been back since I have been riding and I hesitate to go places if I am not sure what I will find. Does Criolla's have ramp access? By the way, I want to thank the entire Grayton community for being so wonderful. I had a fabulous time. My family has a trip to Sandestin ( or any number of other resorts) we plan to sell that and come back to Grayton. Thanks to all

I believe you would be okay at Criolla's, although I have realized with a friend in a wheelchair that a 2 inch threshold can mean all the difference. I would call them or PM them and ask, I'm sure they would be happy to accomodate you.

SJ - the servers chose their profession. Working shifts on holidays and such is part of the job description in the restaurant business. Sacrificing their holiday...busting their @ss so everyone else can enjoy themselves?? That is bologna -they chose to be there (it's always a choice) and don't deserve any special accolades - financially or otherwise - IMO. It is their job to be there.

This whole conversation boils down to principle - it was not right for the restaurant to do what they did based on principle IMO. You are right - the amount in question is insignificant. But that is not the issue - it's that the restaurant (or server or whoever?) took it upon themselves to break regular procedure. And the restaurant here has acknowledged that they made a mistake.

Actually in some restaurants it is NOT a choice as you have stated.... Now there aren't any restaurants here that I know of who make it a non-choice issue but there have been restaurants in the
pass in other cities where it wasn't a choice. I had the freedom because I usually had more seniority, but there were those who had less and they didn't have the freedom. Or the case where they got off one holiday but have to work another. So with that being said while were serving up bologna, we may be doing it because we have to or we have a family that greatly depends on our wages and we CAN NOT make the choice NOT to work that day.

Thanks YALL'

Just because something is part of your job doesn't mean it doesn't suck or that you don't deserve appreciation for it!

Got a phonecall from my brother while Gma, Mom, and I were doing the dishes Thursday night. After cooking 65 gallons of gravy and 70+ turkeys to feed 1000 people he went home and was feeling quite bummed as he walked the dog down the street and other folks finishing their holiday gatherings.

Not only does he not get to spend Thanksgiving OR Christmas with his family because he is REQUIRED to work, he can't even enjoy the traditional food because he's sick of it by the time he's done preparing it for everyone else!

WELL SAID SCOOTER!!!

Actually in some restaurants it is NOT a choice as you have stated.... Now there aren't any restaurants here that I know of who make it a non-choice issue but there have been restaurants in the
pass in other cities where it wasn't a choice. I had the freedom because I usually had more seniority, but there were those who had less and they didn't have the freedom. Or the case where they got off one holiday but have to work another. So with that being said while were serving up bologna, we may be doing it because we have to or we have a family that greatly depends on our wages and we CAN NOT make the choice NOT to work that day.

Thanks YALL'

I was referring to it being a choice to work in an industry where it's known that holidays and such are "working" days. If you don't want to give up your holidays, choose another profession is my point. It's always a choice ;-)

BTW - Mr. IJ is "in the business", I was in the business before the kids and missing holidays is part of the package. Nuff said.

Hi everyone,

We just returned late last evening from our Thanksgiving Holiday in SoWal to cold weather & snow in MI. Here's our Thanksgiving dinner report @ Criolla's.

Good: The food was wonderful and everything we expected. We definitely will go back to Criolla's. They are on my top 10% of favorite restaurants in SoWal.

The bad: I didn't like the 20% tip added to our bill for a party of (2). I would have given 15% or more if I had the choice. I also didn't appreciate paying extra (about $5.00 bucks) for coffee. Coffee/tea drinks should have been included. I don't like surprises.

I'll post a complete trip report with pictures in a few days on restaurants, real estate, etc. during our stay in SoWal. We love SoWal.

T

I was referring to it being a choice to work in an industry where it's known that holidays and such are "working" days. If you don't want to give up your holidays, choose another profession is my point. It's always a choice ;-)

BTW - Mr. IJ is "in the business", I was in the business before the kids and missing holidays is part of the package. Nuff said.

Words fail me.

We ate at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Destin and it was terrible. Gristle, cold, very little gravy....no color on the plate, no cranberries or veg or salad came with. All extra. Sort of like a plate from a soup kitchen. All 3 of us felt it was bad enough never to go back. Plus they add $5 to park on your bill. It is one thing to tip the valet...but really!

Hi everyone,

We just returned late last evening from our Thanksgiving Holiday in SoWal to cold weather & snow in MI. Here's our Thanksgiving dinner report @ Criolla's.

Good: The food was wonderful and everything we expected. We definitely will go back to Criolla's. They are on my top 10% of favorite restaurants in SoWal.

The bad: I didn't like the 20% tip added to our bill for a party of (2). I would have given 15% or more if I had the choice. I also didn't appreciate paying extra (about $5.00 bucks) for coffee. Coffee/tea drinks should have been included. I don't like surprises.

I'll post a complete trip report with pictures in a few days on restaurants, real estate, etc. during our stay in SoWal. We love SoWal.

T

I look forward to seeing your report!