tipping question for a partial service restaurant? archived

I know there will be some who think you are being generous but I think that's the correct amount. We see this at Tinga's where you place your order at the counter and the waitstaff brings you food. They re-fill drinks and clear the plates etc. I always leave between 15-20% no matter what.

depending on the service i would give eighteen to twenty percent. the only thing different then a regular restaurant is you placed your order at the counter.

a group of us went to snuffy's last weekend for the brunch. when we got our checks there was a 'service charge' of almost four dollars. we though this was the tip, but were told no, the tip was separate. most of those in the group didn't leave the 'extra' tip. sure the staff refilled our drinks and cleared the plates, but who leaves a eight dollar tip for a twenty dollar brunch?

15% is more than enough. 10% is the norm for partial service.

This is from a website on tipping:

Dining


Server at a full-service restaurant - 15% to 20% of your total bill. If you've used a discount or received any free items, you should tip on the amount that your bill would have come to if you'd paid full price. If your party is large or placing many special requests, you should increase your tip appropriately.


Server at a partial service restaurant - 10% of your total bill. Use discretion based on how much the server is expected to do for you.


Sommelier - 15% to 20% of your total wine expenditures.


Delivery person for individual home food delivery - 5% to 10% of the total bill.


Delivery person for large corporate delivery - 15% of the total bill. 20% if the person is required to handle unloading of the food and setting up the entrees.


Host - No tip is necessary, unless you convince the host to give you special service. In that case, make your tip appropriate for the size of the favor.


Take Out - If the restaurant features carryout meals, 10%. If the restaurant is typically only a sit-down location, tip at least 15% for the effort.

Sportsnut, FYI, Tinga now takes your order at the table.

Hmm, do people tip for takeout? Am I being a cheapskate?

15% is fine. 10% is light (despite the above quote)

I don't normally, but might if the person behind the counter is extremely pleasant or helpful.

Posted By: just the aunt
a group of us went to snuffy's last weekend for the brunch. when we got our checks there was a 'service charge' of almost four dollars. we though this was the tip, but were told no, the tip was separate.

Did you ask what "service" that 20% was for?

Posted By: grilled weberTake Out - If the restaurant features carryout meals, 10%.

seriously? you mean we're supposed to tip for chinease food when we get it?

Posted By: RobBHmm, do people tip for takeout? Am I being a cheapskate?

i'm curious about this too. and what's considered 'take out' vs 'fast food?'

Posted By: oldfartDid you ask what "service" that 20% was for?

yes. that's how we found out it wasn't considered the tip. told us it was for getting the drinks that weren't included in the cost of the brunch and clearing the dishes from the table. the 'service charges' seemed to vary amongst us. but they were all around four dollars.