John R, the 15% add-on gratuity is clearly posted.
But thinking about this brings up a dilemma for me which is inconsistent with my earlier remarks regarding Taco Bar. At Tacqueria Del Sol in Atlanta, there are two choices for dining. The most likely is to stand in a long line and order and pay up front at the cash register. As far as drinks go, depending on your choice, if you want a margarita, the cashier pours a margarita from a pitcher right by the cash register, grabs a beer, or hands you a cup for self-serve non-alcoholic drinks. A runner (literally) brings your food, and that's the last contact one has with an employee (unless you want another alcoholic drink, which in this case, you walk up to the bar and wait). Hubby leaves a dollar per person for this type of service, plus a tip to the bartender if we have extra drinks.
The second scenario (for the regulars who are in the know) is to have one member in your party check out to see if there's room at the bar. If there is, s/he waves everyone in the party in, effectively bolting the line. When you sit at the bar, you get continuous service -- the bartender repeated returns to see if you'd like anything else, etc., like at a regular full-service restaurant. You don't pay until AFTER you eat (as opposed to up front). In this case, hubby tips 15-20%, depending on if we're in-and-out, or spend time over cocktails.
Do you think this is the right approach to tipping at this place?
The wife and I stopped in Seaside today for a late lunch and decided that we would give The Taco Bar a try, we were pleasantly surprised, the food was excellent and the service was very good. The young man that was there was an excellent representative of the establishment. Very polite and took good care of us during our luncheon.
I disagree with a 15% automatic charge to the bill for the tip. I was a bit shocked, but the service was good and I would have left it anyway. But for an open air small ?Taco Bar? setup I was most certainly surprised. I understand that in fine dinning it?s a good chance this will occur,
But in an open air maybe 20 people max setting and single server, I feel it?s a bit over done. I honestly felt that I would not return because of this policy, but I will if that young man is they?re working because I know he will earn his 15%. Other than that.. Great place. 
. Thank you for responding to the thread, it has taken a life of its own. The young man that served us yesterday would have most likely gotten a $5.00 tip anyway. It was not his service that I questioned nor the food, Just the way it was setup for what I would call counter service. Dave you provide Great food and super service at Bud and Allies. Now I understand why the Taco Bar has the same. Congrats on the job you and your folks do! It just makes it that much better for us here in Sowal!
