Another tipping question

[mamamilkers]

If you eat at a place where you order your food at a counter but the food is brought out to your table by the staff, how much do you tip? I always see tip jars(or space to write a tip on my cc slip) at these restaurants and I never know what to tip. Sometimes places bus the table for you, sometimes you have to do it yourself, if that matters, but they never offer any other sort of table service.

Thoughts?

[trinity6232000]

I believe that 15% is the standard for tipping. I live in PA, we have 7% sales tax, so my minimum tip is 2X the tax and rounding up. Makes it easy for me, instead of actually having to do any math. If I received really good service, or had an exceptional waitress/waiter then I tip more than the 15%.



I found this, if you wanted more information.

[MomToKandE]

The only place I usually go with this type of setup is Cosi. It's basically fast food (maybe "quick casual" is the official designation). You order at the counter, they give you a number, you take a seat and display your number, then they deliver the food to your table. When you're done you clean up your own table.

It's never occurred to me to tip there. I assume the employees make a regular hourly wage not the sub-minimum wait staff kind of pay.

[Mom2J]

FWIW, I worked in the food industry for many years, and I usually tip well- I don't think there is a set amount for that situation. It's not a 15-20% thing, b/c you aren't getting full service- they are just bringing your food, and MAYBE bussing the table. I usually go with a dollar and maybe some change if they have a tip jar. If you leave the tip on the table, I'd probaly leave a tiny bit more- like $2.

In those types of places, the employees should be getting an hourly wage, and the tips should be a little bonus. I treat it like I would a coffee shop or take out.

[hillymum]

You mean a place that serves the same way as Chuck-E-Cheese? I have never left a tip. I've never even seen a tip jar.