Big Country Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Is it customary to tip at a restaurant for curbside service? For example at Outback you can call in an order, and drive over in 20-30 minutes to pick up your food. At the Outback near my house, they come to your car, take your CC or cash and process that, get your food and give change etc. In this case, what, if anything do you tip the person? What if they don't come to your car, and you have to go in to pick up the food yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 I never use curbside service. If I wanted fast food I would have gone to McD's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 I'm not sure. I've used that Outback curbside service before and used a credit card so there was automatically that "gratuity" line. I think I probably threw a couple bucks on there (would have been about a $20 order for me and wife), so voted 10%. I've been to Sonic a few times here in Austin and have never tipped them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 That's a flat-rate $2.00 for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqualung Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Couple dollars for walking across the pavement sounds about right to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Never more than $5.00 and nothing at all if I go in and get the order. My wife tips even if she goes in but I really don't agree with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ksu70 Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I have never used that service either but the $2.00 concept sounds about right as long as the individual isn't an ass. For me it is less about the actual service and more about remembering what it was like when I did stuff like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJoTheWebToedBoy Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Curbside or go in and get the order, there is no tip. Walking across the pavement does not warrent a tip. P.S. Never used the curbside service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 the tip meter starts at 20% at the beginning of the meal. it can only go down, not up. the rest is up to the server. and no tip on booze part of bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefjay Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 (edited) 15% normal but will bump it up or down depending on the service. Edit to actually answer BC's question. I did not used to tip curbside but I do now. I usually do Outback, maybe 10%. Edited June 26, 2007 by chiefjay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I don't think a lot of people are grasping this curbside pickup concept that BC is talking about. What service would you guys that are saying depends on service talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I don't think a lot of people are grasping this curbside pickup concept that BC is talking about. What service would you guys that are saying depends on service talking about? good point....i dont tip for curbside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 $2 flat fee usually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Never more than $5.00 and nothing at all if I go in and get the order. My wife tips even if she goes in but I really don't agree with that. Sounds like your wife and my SO go to the same tipping school. Being that our curbside bill at Outback is around the $30 range, I usually like to leave about $3 which is 10%. My SO always gives them $5 regardless, even if she has to go in. Now you have to realize that if you ask for extra things like extra butter, for instance, these people get the supplies themselves so if they do me up right, I'll more than likely toss them a 5 spot too. I used to work in the restaurant business so I usually do them up if the service is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grits and Shins Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I would likely give a small tip. How about the tip protocol at a buffet like Golden Corral where a person brings you dishes, bread and refreshes your drinks ... but you serve yourself in all other ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Curbside = 5-10% (whatever gets you to the next nearest whole dollar ... I'm not putting any more loose change in my pocket) Go inside and get it myself = bupkiss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 You're all wrong on this one... 20% is no longer the number, its 30%. And yes, you should tip the curbside people, they're only making 2.16 an hour. They pay there bills with tips. It seems like we've got a lot of cheap asses here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 And yes, you should tip the curbside people, they're only making 2.16 an hour. They pay there bills with tips. It seems like we've got a lot of cheap asses here. I agree you should tip them but you should NOT tip them the same % as you do your server if you were inside the restaurant. The curbside servers can take care of many more orders than the servers inside (plus they aren't checking on you, getting refills, etc.). 10% is the ticket for curbside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Roller Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Mrs HR is a great cook. I don't do "curbside" anything. She gets the same tip she's been getting for the past 31 years. And I give her 100%. Even if she asks for more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 (edited) I have heard that the people that work the "To Go" side, have to do all the boxing up of the food, making sure you have utensils, etc., so yeah, I throw them a couple bucks. I usually tip 20%, but I don't include tax in figuring it when I sit down inside to eat. Edited June 26, 2007 by CaptainHook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 You're all wrong on this one... 20% is no longer the number, its 30%. Care to back that up with a link? I don't know anyone that tips 30%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 You're all wrong on this one... 20% is no longer the number, its 30%. And yes, you should tip the curbside people, they're only making 2.16 an hour. They pay there bills with tips. It seems like we've got a lot of cheap asses here. I tip based on service, not a percentage. Give me good service, I give a good tip (always look both ways before crossing). Give me bad service, I give a bad tip. F all the 20% crap, the "they make x per hour crap, and anything else like that... Its their JOB. If they perform well, they get rewarded. Maybe not by everyone, but that is how they make their money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonKnight Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Curbside service is almost as hard as waiting tables. I worked for OSI (Outback, Carrabbas) for years. I did curbside (and a couple hosteses )a couple times, its not easy. First you have to take an order over the phone which sux. The ticket writing and dropping is exactly the same as the servers. Next time you go to Outback look at the archaic ticket system they use, its a pain. Durring the rush you have like 20 bags of different peoples food that has to be kept in order. Add in rain and this job defenitly sux. Unless a bartender is putting your "to go" order together it is customary to tip exactly as you would a server. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Curbside I do 10%+. Never as much as when I go inside where it's normally 20% for obvious reasons. 30% now at a place that isn't that upscale??? I vote they get another job. And don't let mah sweet ice tea run out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Curbside service is almost as hard as waiting tables. I worked for OSI (Outback, Carrabbas) for years. I did curbside (and a couple hosteses )a couple times, its not easy. First you have to take an order over the phone which sux. The ticket writing and dropping is exactly the same as the servers. Next time you go to Outback look at the archaic ticket system they use, its a pain. Durring the rush you have like 20 bags of different peoples food that has to be kept in order. Add in rain and this job defenitly sux. Unless a bartender is putting your "to go" order together it is customary to tip exactly as you would a server. Yeah it seems like the only real difference is they're not refilling your drinks. But the packaging of the order could be a little more involved than just bringing it out to the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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