The Taco Bar in Seaside
- Thread starter Beach House 25
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You are the acception, not the rule. My daughter, being in the food service industry would have tipped, but most 14 + year olds that vacation in the area, would probably not tip. So which is better...to rely on people such as yourself that would tip 20%, or make an accross the board mandatory tip of 15%? As I said, to me it is more of an insult to my integrity to be automatically billed 15% in a fine establishment, as if I would go into a fine restaurant and stiff the wait staff....:angry: One does not belong in a fine establishment if they would do so, however, in an open air establishment such as this, people stiff them all the time. A different clientele all together.Dave,
Man I almost choked on my coffee when I realized that you were the owner? of The Taco Bar. Thats in a good way. 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!
I haven't been in the Taco Bar recently, so I don't know if there is a notice regarding the 15% gratuity. But like BeachHouse, I would have been a little put off by the forced gratuity if I was unaware. Hearing the reasoning behind it, I get it. On the other hand, I typically tip at least 20%, but when forced by the house(or the waiter) to a certain percentage, that's what they get.
On yet another hand it sucks to be the waiter on a table when everyone Thinks they've put in their share, and some obviously haven't.
On yet another hand it sucks to be the waiter on a table when everyone Thinks they've put in their share, and some obviously haven't.
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?
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?
Sorry BR have to disagree with you on the "Clearly" posted, I was not going to say anything about it but since you brought it up, Its a piece of Copy paper on the wall that unless your looking to the right for some reason you would not see it. I mean come on now why would I be surprised if it was right there where you could see it on the wall with the menu? No its not in "Plain sight IMHO, and now that its out maybe Dave can fix that? My first knowledge of the auto tip was when the young man handed me the bill and he said a 15% surcharge had been added.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?
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Shouldn't we draw a distinction here between full-service table waiting and a walk-up counter? Really, how is this taco bar any different than the old Airstream sushi bar? Or for that matter, Burger King?
It's COUNTER SERVICE, people. The food comes in plastic baskets lined with wax paper. 15 percent? Auto tipping has to be relative to the food you get and how you get it. Sorry, but this doesn't qualify, IMO.
It's COUNTER SERVICE, people. The food comes in plastic baskets lined with wax paper. 15 percent? Auto tipping has to be relative to the food you get and how you get it. Sorry, but this doesn't qualify, IMO.
Yes, the policy is clearly posted next to the register.
Dave, can you explain about the rounding up??
See my post above.
See my post above.
I am Taco Bar regular, love the Burritos, Tacos and Dip...Mike is a great Manager and Guy and everyone is always super friendly...Great Job Guys...See you soon!
Flip Flops Grills
Flip Flops Grills
Perhaps we should start a poll...
Do you prefer surly service from someone who is not very skilled at the job, or do prefer the 15% automatic tip and a waiter who is competent, friendly, and as often as not a nice college kid working a summer job and may be able to tell you about some great hiking or new band as you have a drink and a couple of tacos?
I mean, we lament the exploited eastern European labor on one thread, and then complain about automatic tipping on the next. I'm glad to have the choice to go somewhere with a pleasant and happy staff.
Do you prefer surly service from someone who is not very skilled at the job, or do prefer the 15% automatic tip and a waiter who is competent, friendly, and as often as not a nice college kid working a summer job and may be able to tell you about some great hiking or new band as you have a drink and a couple of tacos?
I mean, we lament the exploited eastern European labor on one thread, and then complain about automatic tipping on the next. I'm glad to have the choice to go somewhere with a pleasant and happy staff.