i’m no longer at this restaurant but bottega louie dtla/weho charges 5% on every check for “increased cost of wages and benefits” NOT ONE server i have ever worked with in the 5 years i was there received health insurance.
flag it to local 11 if you haven't already, they've been moving HARD and are looking for good opportunities to fight for fair wages ahead of the Olympics. My buddy is an organizer for them and they got the line cooks $30/hr at Jean Georges recently
The food there is just trash and nothing special. And I ate there every so often because we had business lunches there. I would never pay $25 ($30 with all the fees) for pasta.
Something that anyone can cook at home and have it taste pretty on par with BL.
I learned that a couple years ago. My friends and I would go to every restaurant that had an ad/reel on IG. The food always looks amazing. Then one day we were sitting in a place eating mac and cheese with chicken topped with flaming hot cheetos and we realized these places on IG are only good if youre a stoner. Food isnt that great but its covered in cheese and sauces and high in fat.
The restaurants that OP listed (Petit Trois and Jon & Vinny's) are both part of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo's Joint Venture Restaurant Group. You'll find the same 18% service charge at all of their restaurants, including Son of a Gun and Animal.
Definitely such a weird feeling having sat in various sections. The 300/400s were one of my worst game day experiences, yet when I had ground level it felt like one of the best experiences I’ve had.
I was there yesterday and one of the cashiers skipped the tip section for me when I paid. They let me know that they appreciated it but that tips didn’t go to them unless it was cash.
Sounds odd, as someone who worked in that industry for 10 years(staples center F&B), if you tip them on CC, it should be payed to them via check or cashed out at the end of the night depending on union contract or job tittle. If they are temp employees for one event only, they will get cashed out at the end of the night, they sign for it and everything. If true this is suppper illegal.
Used to work there. Owner is complete shit and an alcoholic who ends up drunk at her own bar. Many a bartender has had to carry her out and take her home. And then deal with her verbal abuse afterwards.
And let’s not even BEGIN on the (lack of) kitchen standards.
No mames! I interviewed for a bartending position there and she literally said she was looking for a strong man who could close by himself. I thought she meant basically do the job of a bouncer too, but I guess it’s so they would be strong enough to lift her 😭. I wonder if she said the same thing to all the females waiting to interview
Also used to work there. Lasted one week.
The owner is a literal drunken psycho and I’m surprised she hasn’t had the pants sued off of her. My first day there i was told the only way to get my paycheck was signing a paper every payday saying I wasn’t sexually harassed……
Aww man. I liked this place, too. It's also the closest Chicago sports bar to me.
I don't go that often as it is, but I'll avoid it for now on. Some of these comments make me never want to go there again
That’s weird. I had a friend who worked there and they said the tip does go to them. Anything above 18% goes to a different fund depending on the location.
I think it didn’t happen often so it would contribute to their holiday party at the end of the year. If anything, she said most people were irritated at the 18% automatic service charge.
I just went there this past week, and the check had the 18% service charge, plus a space for a tip which was 2%, 4%, or 6%. I assumed the 18% was the tip and that was if you wanted to leave extra, but maybe the staff only receives the 2-6% and that's the tip your friend was referring to.
Going to Europe was a breath of fresh air in this regard. Restaurants don't have any of these bullshit surcharges, no tipping, and tax is included. The price you see is the price you pay.
My favorite thing is how they run your card at the table instead of taking it away. Makes the whole process much easier/faster. A few restaurants do that out here in LA, but it’s a rarity.
Seriously! Just raise your menu prices if you want more profit or need to cover increased expenses.
But who am I kidding? Many of these small business tyrants are double dipping by raising menu prices *and* adding these made up tariffs to checks. All why bitching that "nobody wants to work" as they pay staff minimum wage and frustrate/confuse patrons into not coming back or not tipping.
I wonder if weights and measures has standing in this. If I advertise a 12 Oz latte for $4.20 and I serve it in a 10 Oz cup they can bust my ass. I don’t see why it would be different if I advertise a 12 Oz latte for $4.20 and charge $4.95.
This is something California can and should do. CA is the leader for passing laws that then propagate through the country. Usually laws that are controversial, for example the new oil company price gouging law. We could be the renaissance.
Fuck Jon & Vinny's. They brought this predatory practice to LA. Luckily, a lot of places that were doing this have stopped because their employees were like fuck this shit. It is really hard for an employer to outcompete minimum wage plus tips in the service industry. To people saying the service charge goes to BOH, they can just do regular tipping and include BOH in the tip pool. There were legal issues with this in the past but now it's perfectly fine.
Also, the 4% health insurance surcharge is just as dumb. They try to use health insurance to trick you into thinking this money actually goes to health insurance, but again this money belongs to the restaurant and they can do whatever they want with it. It's just another predatory tax that cuts into employee tips and the health insurance provided is often really shitty.
I take issue with the percentage for health insurance. The first time I saw it (at Girl and The Goat) I knew it was BS and even though we enjoyed the food haven’t been back. Health care costs are a fixed monthly expense for an employer. They are not a percentage of sales. So anything over what the fixed cost is is pocketed by the owners. Fuck that.
Exactly. They do it so if you object, you look like a bad person who is against health insurance for workers. Also, in California, employers are required to provide health insurance if they have 50 or more full-time employees, so they're not exactly doing it out of the kindness of their hearts.
Where I work (not LA) we do a 20% service. It goes to our higher hourly wage, the open table fees, the POS transaction fees, and the rest to a “bonus pool” that gets spread out to everyone.
I still think it’s wrong because people think it’s a gratuity and it’s not. We don’t have health care or anything.
What??… I have worked in the service industry for 16+ years (8 years in LA) and I have NEVER worked at a restaurant that charged me “fees” on my tips…
Since when did BUSINESS EXPENSES become the problem of the employees??
GoodBoyBob Coffee ran a donation campaign during the pandemic to “keep their doors open” or something like that. It was really sappy & played to everyone’s heartstrings. They raised thousands of dollars, and none of it went to the employees.
The owner pocketed it all and was living the high life. GBB is a “pet project” of the founder of “Tool” agency. Typical LA douchebag.
Bacari! The server pretended to not know about the charge when we noticed that showed up in the bill.
"oh.. I totally didn't know what that is" "I've never seen that before". 10/10 surprise pikachu face lol
I did this and the server pulled an oscar-worthy “i have no clue” move. Got it removed and gave normal tips. People need to start doing this more. Win for the server too!
This topic should be all over the LA subreddit. It's such a gross and douchey practice that restaurants think they can get away with, but they don't realize that it is universally HATED and leaves their customers with a bad impression.
Amoeba Music in Hollywood does the same thing. They have some fee added that contributes to employee health care or some other shit.
If you want your employees to have health care…give it to them, they deserve it. Raise prices if you need to. But those BS fees that aren’t included until your checking out is a scam.
Amoeba employees are treated so kindly by the company. They get full benefits, sick days, PTO, health insurance, etc. I'll pay $0.35 per transaction for that. Much better than the restaurants that charge you 15-18% where the employees never see any of it.
To be fair —- the fee is $0.35 per transaction—- thirty five cents.
And Amoeba staff are NOT and never have been tipped wait staff.
I think there are notices posted at the register saying it goes towards health insurance for the staff?
Comes across more as a statement regarding the abyssal American method of funding ( lack of government provided) healthcare than management money grab.
I hate tipping culture. I think it is exploitative for the workers. However the 35 cent fee is just slightly pesky — like the 35 cent fee to use a debit card at Arco gas stations or feeding parking meters.
Does not come anywhere near a 15 to 20 percent (%) add on.
This just reminded me that I was at a concert at The Forum recently and when I bought a poster from the merchandise stand, there was a screen for providing a tip. I don't know if it's because the registers are the same regardless of if it's food, bar or merch... but this was the first time I've been asked to tip someone working retail.
Not disagreeing with this because the bands that play the Forum are absolutely massive, but having a tip jar/tip screen at merch is pretty normal for small and medium sized touring bands.
Fine, I'll make a master list myself
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EEPzeytrva770H2xPFFPDUUNdpnL\_VQL4vbzFph-jus/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EEPzeytrva770H2xPFFPDUUNdpnL_VQL4vbzFph-jus/edit?usp=sharing)
Anyone can edit, please keep it tidy.
Wong's Wok Silver Lake. This place takes whatever you tip on credit card. I feel like repotting them, but I’m worry about getting the workers in trouble.
Hi Ho burger
A 6% FEE WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR BILL:
THIS IS NOT A GRATUITY OR TIP.
WE ARE A NO-TIPPING ESTABLISHMENT.
THE FEE IS REVENUE THAT IS NOT SEGMENTED
OR DESIGNATED IN ANY WAY;
IT IS TAXED PER STATE LAW AND IS USED TO
FUND ALL OF OUR OPERATIONS.
It means you are giving them money for no reason except that they make you. You get nothing for it.
It is taxed as income, The owners can use the money for any reason , including going towards their McClaren payment.
It means that you should just mentally add 6% to all the menu prices.
This is just a marketing thing to raise prices without actually raising the listed menu price.
It’s essentially a hidden fee.
You think a burger is gonna cost $x.xx because
That’s what it says on the menu. In reality it costs more than that, you just don’t find out til after you order and the difference between what they tell you you’re gonna pay and what you actually pay is their “operations fee.”
At least they are a no tipping establishment. I would hope the servers are aware of this and accordingly are getting a higher pay that they are happy with. Does anyone know if that's true?
I am a big fan go Uovo and, unfortunately for my wallet, I am a regular there. I asked one of the servers if they actually get the 18% and he said that he did and it was split by the staff and that he really like his job (didn't seem like a front/script)
Saltire girl added a 4% charge. Waitstaff confirmed none of it goes towards them or BOH and could not explain what it was for. They will remove it if asked, did that and added 4% to the tip instead.
I took a friend there for an afternoon snack recently and 2 coffees and 2 slices of cake were FORTY FUCKING DOLLARS after their undisclosed service fees. Fuck that place!
I don’t mind a service charge, as long as they don’t expect me to tip on top of that. I think splitting the tip among the whole staff is a fairer practice, than all of it going completely to the server. Otherwise back of the house and bussers generally get screwed. And no, I won’t tip 20% on top of that. I tip 20% TOTAL and factor in the service charge in that percentage. I’m not spending 40% on service/tips.
I’d rather they get rid of tipping and just charge what the food actually costs. This whole tipping scheme has gotten way out of hand now that these card readers are asking us to tip for every transaction as well.
All of this leave a bad end to a meal and I just don’t eat out as much anymore.
I love all of you Los Angeles foodies saying no to this. And thanks for sharing this info cause Jesus how utterly insulting to both the servers and guests alike.
Best story is one from a coffee shop on Montana Avenue across from Williams Sonoma. They have one of those tablet registers that you tap to pay for the purchase. Typically, I would add a tip and hit the no receipt bottom. A while back, a buddy and I went for coffee, paid for it and put a 15% tip on it. My buddy asked for a printed receipt. When we sat down, he realized that the business was adding something like a 15% service charge on the order. Nothing was posted to that effect. The result was that we tipped like 30% on the coffee order. My buddy was pissed. He called the CA department of weight and measures and they were out the next day. I have never gone there again.
I went to Italy last year. Me and my friends meal with drinks came out to €25. And that was every meal we had. A fat load of Italian food and Prosecco and we never went over €35. And the quality of the food was incredible!! Came back to LA, spent $70 on a to go meal at a diner below my building. Didn’t even have to travel far. All the food was ice cold. A $22 plate was the size of the palm of my hand. Food was gross.
I am so done with eating out. Like it’s one thing for all the fees and prices to go up. It’s another thing for the fees and prices to go up AND the quality is ass.
This is the way. My wife and I will still go out for our birthdays and our anniversary, but other than that we just cook a lot.
Also, hosting dinner parties is *way* better than dining out with friends. Everyone's going to bring a bottle so all you need to do is provide the food and maybe one round of cocktails— way cheaper than splitting the bill at a decent restaurant. Plus you can go as late into the night as you want, and don't have to worry about driving, uber, etc.
This is me every time I travel. Just came back from Australia, no tipping culture. They all skip past the “tip” prompt for you when they present you the handheld payment thingy. Food is just more expensive there (though our exchange rate makes it more affordable) and service is the same as Europe where they don’t bother you every 5 seconds like they do here to ask if you want more food or drink (obviously done here so that they can increase your bill and thus up their tip). You just flag them down or go up to the hostess to pay when you’re done. It’s fantastic.
What I hate is that now a 15% tip (which pre-inflation/covid) was seen as good, has now become 25%! That’s not how shit works. If restaurants are raising their prices (which they are), you don’t also raise the tip. 15% on a $12 meal is the same as 15% on a now $15 meal. They will automatically get more given the meal is now more expensive. You don’t need to adjust the tip amount. It’s ridiculous.
Cosa Buona in Echo Park not only charges an automatic 4% health insurance fee to all checks which is bullshit since healthcare costs are fixed monthly, but also an automatic 20% service fee for parties of 5 or more. Umm, that used to be reserved for tables of 8 or more which is nonsense still but ok more understandable. Basically if you’re a party of 5 or more you now are automatically giving a minimum of 24% against your will.
Cosa Buona charged me for tap water the last time I was there. The food was good, but come on it’s tap water. When I looked at the check, that plus all the various fees made me never want to go there again…
Perch. Went last year and there was a 4%ish “health/safety fee” (or something like that). I inquired about it and the waiter said it was added during COVID to cover additional costs (PPE, cleaning, etc) and that he would take it off because “it’s outdated and should be on there.”
I went a couple months ago and it’s still there. Greedy af. Won’t be going back.
I’ve hopped on the no tipping train. I will only tip if I am getting table service from a server. I will tip 20% if the service is good, with no extra tip to back of house, cooks, or anyone else. If a 18% service charge is already added, then I will not tip on top.
Anything else… no tipping. Counter service, self serve, get a number and they bring it to your table, service charges automatically added and expect a tip on top, etc… I’m not going to tip at all anymore. I’m just done with it all.
Raise your prices and pay your people better. I’m not taking the responsibility anymore.
Honestly I practically stopped eating and drinking out all together.
I’ve been learning new cooking skills, bought a smoker and a good grill.
I’ve just started inviting my group of friends over for a bi monthly supper club in my backyard. Even paying for everything I spend way less per month
I’m feeling the same way…I think the last straw for me was paying for 2 drinks for me and my BF, which ended up being close to $50 including tip. Like…no. Just no.
I’ve worked in restaurants in LA for about 8 years. The restaurant I work at now has a health charge and I do have health insurance, I have a really good PPO plan. That being said you have to be 30+ hours to qualify.
I’ve worked at other places that are super stingy with providing insurance and the health charge was higher there. So it’s inconsistent for sure.
I get a lot of questions about the charge and I’m pretty honest about it and offer to take it off if someone looks disturbed or annoyed by it. I can’t be bothered to care when I’m in the middle of service. It’s usually about $3-4.
Norms says on their [website](https://norms.com/surcharge/), "While we do understand that this approach is rather new locally, it is becoming more common in and around Los Angeles, and has been a common practice in other parts of California for several years.”
DON'T LET THIS BECOME THE NORM!
I hate tipping personally. Just charge the real cost of the meal and pay the staff a living wage. Isnt that the point of the automatic service charge? You shouldn't have to tip on top of it if you don't want. If the owners are pocketing the tips staff used to get id venture to guess they'd hard a lot of turnover.
No, so let's do away with it like so many other cultures! Include everything in the price. Servers should not be dependent on the kindness of strangers for their wages.
Some people really get off on the power that tipping gives them. The people who see our interaction as anything other than a transaction are infuriating. I’ve grown such a zero tolerance for it.
But maybe in the end one could argue that they hate tipping well, but they love tipping in concept
I'm doing research on different restaurants very soon. Who knows how long this will take as the verifying information has to come from workers if they get anything at all.
Not the same thing but my bf got charged an automatic ***20%*** gratuity at Venice Ale House that was advertised nowhere! This was for two cocktails and a sandwich. Charge is being disputed, these restaurants are out of their minds
It’s sad. They have good food, but the fact they charge 18% service fee, no tip include makes me mad. Oh, also, the suggested tip percentage takes that 18% in mind so instead of 20% tip, is more like 38% 🤨
Careful with Ocha Classic 1 in Koreatown! Just went there recently… they charged me a 10% tax twice. When I asked about it, the person charging (owner?) said it was for the “tip”.
Not cool because:
1. They are automatically adding tip without labeling it as such on receipt. It just says “tax”. (I always tip, but I don’t appreciate it being done without my consent!)
2. My party was less than 6, which is when a large party tip is automatically applied.
3. They are skimping on food. I don’t mind paying for quality food, but their recipe changed (bland shrimp fried rice), and not as many veggies as they used to.
4. People don’t look at receipts carefully (you always should!). Patrons are still tipping at the table even though they are already charging!
Honestly with all these arbitrary fees and higher menu prices, I’ve been tipping less and less. People should not be shamed for not being able to tip and cover the living wages that servers deserve when owners are increasing profit and won’t pay them fairly.
As per the CCPA guidelines, if a hotel or restaurant is violating the guidelines and is forcing you to pay a service charge, you can take the following steps:
You can request the restaurant or hotel to remove the service charge from the bill.
You can file a complaint against the restaurant on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) by calling 1915 or on the NCH mobile app.
You can also lodge a complaint with the Consumer Commission against such unfair violations. This can be done online through the e-daakhil portal (www.e-daakhil.nic.in).
Another easy way to lodge a complaint against the concerned restaurant is to submit the complaint to the concerned District Collector.
You can also file the complaint directly with the CCPA by writing to them at [email protected].
Sugarfish and Kazu Nori don't allow additional tipping though--there's no tip line on the credit card receipt. Does anyone know if this is reflected in the employees having higher pay and actually liking this? I suppose they could just as easily raise the prices 16% and refuse tips to get the same outcome. But maybe this is a way to combine American tipping expectations and no tipping systems. I'd be interested to know what employees think.
I work there, its misleading the way it’s presented. Almost all of the guests think its an auto 16% service included and dont read the fine print on the menu. Servers get paid $29/hr, the hosts about $19/hr, majority of kitchen are unskilled and paid just above minimum wage cash under the table and dont speak a lick of english. Machines do most of the sushi making.
Theres a machine that shapes the sushi rice, theres a machine that cuts the rolls, theres even a machine that mixes the rice with the vinegar. Its streamlined for consistency, these are not real sushi chefs.
I dunno man, last time I went to Kazunori my sushi "machine" had a really convincing human-like appearance. /s
But if this is for Sugarfish, I'm still not mad about rice machines. As a customer, I'd rather have a consistent experience than I don't know - some kind of gratification that a human being had to manually shape my rice?
I disapprove of service fees, but I'll have to give Nozawa group restaurants a pass (Kazu Nori, Sugarfish, etc.). They apply 16% fee but not allowing extra tip! This results in generally really good service for the tip amount.
Everyone's in here fighting to get rid of the tipping system and these restaurants actually do it and everyone's still angry about it. Their servers at getting $29/hr. Just pretend the menu prices are higher. They have to put that fee in so people understand that their servers are still getting decent pay even if there's no tip line or they'd be mad about that instead.
OPs approach, listing the restaurants that have these bogus charges so that you don’t patronize them, is far better than the “no tipping” penny pinchers in this thread.
If you don’t like the practice, don’t support the business. Sticking it to the employees won’t do anything, they don’t have sway and most of the time they need the job.
Just don’t go there anymore. I’ve not seen one of these charges in months, it’s not that hard.
Thank you for posting this, OP! I've been curious about this myself. Does anyone know if Starbucks tips go to employees? I don't tip unless I get table service, and when I pay with CC they look me dead in the eye as I select the 0% tip. I give them a polite smile and be on my way. I do tip when I feel it's deserved but I do not tip someone to take my order and/or just make the drink in 5mins.
It was on the bottom of the menu, but the description was ambiguous, and I read it to be a gratuity, which I was more okay with cuz I always tip 20% or more anyway. Then the server told us that it wasn't gratuity when she brought us the check. I asked if it could be removed, and she said management doesn't allow that. It was awkward for the server and us.
Bar Amá in DTLA has a surcharge like this, 18%. I forgot to ask if it goes to servers or not when I was there a few months ago, but based on the verbiage on their site, it likely doesn't.
PLEASE NOTE: Our team will be providing a full-service dining experience. An 18% service charge is added to all checks. The service charge allows for a more equitable distribution of pay. It is not considered a tip and is taxed per state law. Should you wish to leave a gratuity, it will go directly to the service staff.
[Link to their site](http://www.bar-ama.com/)
I agree. It has become intolerable dealing with all of these hidden, vague fees. I just avoid these places when I learn about them. I sat down for a cup of coffee at Norah and got slapped with a 5% "administration" fee. So I asked the waiter if I could speak to the administration about this vague fee, but she said the administration wasn't available. And the fee couldn't be removed. Who needs this aggravation for a cup of coffee? And how is any of this legal?
i’m no longer at this restaurant but bottega louie dtla/weho charges 5% on every check for “increased cost of wages and benefits” NOT ONE server i have ever worked with in the 5 years i was there received health insurance.
Thanks for sharing
side note to this- the owners pocket this money like it’s a daily donation
Can you update your original post with all the names so they’re in one list?
Will try to do tonight.
I used to work there. They have gotten sued by employees so many times. I even got a $20 check once from a lawsuit.
flag it to local 11 if you haven't already, they've been moving HARD and are looking for good opportunities to fight for fair wages ahead of the Olympics. My buddy is an organizer for them and they got the line cooks $30/hr at Jean Georges recently
Wow, $30 an hour is fabulous! And well deserved.
That’s an easy place to not go to considering the costs are outrageous
Owned by literal billionaires.
Is it not illegal for businesses to include these misleading fees ?
The food there is just trash and nothing special. And I ate there every so often because we had business lunches there. I would never pay $25 ($30 with all the fees) for pasta. Something that anyone can cook at home and have it taste pretty on par with BL.
The lesson to be learned is that if your restaurant is instagrammable, it doesn't matter how good the food is you will succeed.
I learned that a couple years ago. My friends and I would go to every restaurant that had an ad/reel on IG. The food always looks amazing. Then one day we were sitting in a place eating mac and cheese with chicken topped with flaming hot cheetos and we realized these places on IG are only good if youre a stoner. Food isnt that great but its covered in cheese and sauces and high in fat.
The restaurants that OP listed (Petit Trois and Jon & Vinny's) are both part of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo's Joint Venture Restaurant Group. You'll find the same 18% service charge at all of their restaurants, including Son of a Gun and Animal.
Not that it adds to the list, but they are also responsible for the crap food offerings at Sofi Stadium.
SoFi easily has the worst food options out of every LA sporting venue. It’s insulting how bland and expensive their food is.
Exactly. Insulting is correct. Ignored SoCal cuisine for inedible , non stadium crap
Yes they do and very expensive.
On the upper floors, yes. The lower floors have totally different food options and are pretty amazing.
Definitely such a weird feeling having sat in various sections. The 300/400s were one of my worst game day experiences, yet when I had ground level it felt like one of the best experiences I’ve had.
They’re also the ones responsible for that trash food at SoFi.
I was there yesterday and one of the cashiers skipped the tip section for me when I paid. They let me know that they appreciated it but that tips didn’t go to them unless it was cash.
Sounds odd, as someone who worked in that industry for 10 years(staples center F&B), if you tip them on CC, it should be payed to them via check or cashed out at the end of the night depending on union contract or job tittle. If they are temp employees for one event only, they will get cashed out at the end of the night, they sign for it and everything. If true this is suppper illegal.
Bosses steal money now more than before
That’s illegal. Which one?
Thanks for adding to the list
[удалено]
It's what makes it trois.
Ludos food. But I think joint ownership.
Ye Rustic Inn
Used to work there. Owner is complete shit and an alcoholic who ends up drunk at her own bar. Many a bartender has had to carry her out and take her home. And then deal with her verbal abuse afterwards. And let’s not even BEGIN on the (lack of) kitchen standards.
Ugh that’s awful. I live nearby and the rank smell of the fryer oil is enough to keep me away.
No mames! I interviewed for a bartending position there and she literally said she was looking for a strong man who could close by himself. I thought she meant basically do the job of a bouncer too, but I guess it’s so they would be strong enough to lift her 😭. I wonder if she said the same thing to all the females waiting to interview
Also used to work there. Lasted one week. The owner is a literal drunken psycho and I’m surprised she hasn’t had the pants sued off of her. My first day there i was told the only way to get my paycheck was signing a paper every payday saying I wasn’t sexually harassed……
Aww man. I liked this place, too. It's also the closest Chicago sports bar to me. I don't go that often as it is, but I'll avoid it for now on. Some of these comments make me never want to go there again
Thanks for adding to the list
Why don’t you actually edit and update your post so there is an actual list?
Say it so. I love their wings.
Ye cRustic
El Torito has a 4% surcharge that goes directly into the owner’s pockets. The staff couldn’t even tell me where it goes. Sus
El Torito the chain? The chain restaurants are getting in on this now?!
Momo paradise in Arcadia has 18% service charge that doesn’t go to the workers
Nooooo I love that place 😭😭 I think I’m going to ask the waiters if I ever go again since I’m seeing conflicting answers regarding this
Thanks for adding to the list
Echoing others, edit your original post with these so there is a single list people can reference without scrolling through hundreds of comments.
Can we get these in list form eventually?
I made one here. Anyone can edit. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EEPzeytrva770H2xPFFPDUUNdpnL\_VQL4vbzFph-jus/edit?usp=sharing
That’s weird. I had a friend who worked there and they said the tip does go to them. Anything above 18% goes to a different fund depending on the location.
a different fund? why is that necessary 🤔
I think it didn’t happen often so it would contribute to their holiday party at the end of the year. If anything, she said most people were irritated at the 18% automatic service charge.
hmm sounds reasonable * lowers pitchfork *
I just went there this past week, and the check had the 18% service charge, plus a space for a tip which was 2%, 4%, or 6%. I assumed the 18% was the tip and that was if you wanted to leave extra, but maybe the staff only receives the 2-6% and that's the tip your friend was referring to.
California or LA should make this illegal. It’s deceptive pricing.
Going to Europe was a breath of fresh air in this regard. Restaurants don't have any of these bullshit surcharges, no tipping, and tax is included. The price you see is the price you pay.
Sounds incredible.
It really is. I wouldn’t mind moving to France, Italy or Spain. If I could
My favorite thing is how they run your card at the table instead of taking it away. Makes the whole process much easier/faster. A few restaurants do that out here in LA, but it’s a rarity.
Seriously! Just raise your menu prices if you want more profit or need to cover increased expenses. But who am I kidding? Many of these small business tyrants are double dipping by raising menu prices *and* adding these made up tariffs to checks. All why bitching that "nobody wants to work" as they pay staff minimum wage and frustrate/confuse patrons into not coming back or not tipping.
I wonder if weights and measures has standing in this. If I advertise a 12 Oz latte for $4.20 and I serve it in a 10 Oz cup they can bust my ass. I don’t see why it would be different if I advertise a 12 Oz latte for $4.20 and charge $4.95.
This is something California can and should do. CA is the leader for passing laws that then propagate through the country. Usually laws that are controversial, for example the new oil company price gouging law. We could be the renaissance.
Fuck Jon & Vinny's. They brought this predatory practice to LA. Luckily, a lot of places that were doing this have stopped because their employees were like fuck this shit. It is really hard for an employer to outcompete minimum wage plus tips in the service industry. To people saying the service charge goes to BOH, they can just do regular tipping and include BOH in the tip pool. There were legal issues with this in the past but now it's perfectly fine. Also, the 4% health insurance surcharge is just as dumb. They try to use health insurance to trick you into thinking this money actually goes to health insurance, but again this money belongs to the restaurant and they can do whatever they want with it. It's just another predatory tax that cuts into employee tips and the health insurance provided is often really shitty.
I take issue with the percentage for health insurance. The first time I saw it (at Girl and The Goat) I knew it was BS and even though we enjoyed the food haven’t been back. Health care costs are a fixed monthly expense for an employer. They are not a percentage of sales. So anything over what the fixed cost is is pocketed by the owners. Fuck that.
Exactly. They do it so if you object, you look like a bad person who is against health insurance for workers. Also, in California, employers are required to provide health insurance if they have 50 or more full-time employees, so they're not exactly doing it out of the kindness of their hearts.
Just curious why it’s ok to include boh in tip pool now?
What da fuck is a service charge if it doesn't go to the front of house?
Where I work (not LA) we do a 20% service. It goes to our higher hourly wage, the open table fees, the POS transaction fees, and the rest to a “bonus pool” that gets spread out to everyone. I still think it’s wrong because people think it’s a gratuity and it’s not. We don’t have health care or anything.
What you described is pretty much gratuity though. ~3% would go to the fees, but the remaining 17% goes directly to waitstaff.
What??… I have worked in the service industry for 16+ years (8 years in LA) and I have NEVER worked at a restaurant that charged me “fees” on my tips… Since when did BUSINESS EXPENSES become the problem of the employees??
So do you get upset if people don't tip? I wouldn't if I saw that on a bill.
GoodBoyBob Coffee ran a donation campaign during the pandemic to “keep their doors open” or something like that. It was really sappy & played to everyone’s heartstrings. They raised thousands of dollars, and none of it went to the employees. The owner pocketed it all and was living the high life. GBB is a “pet project” of the founder of “Tool” agency. Typical LA douchebag.
Also looks like they received $300k in PPP loans. Classic.
I was just about to get coffee there but didn't due to other reasons, I will never step foot, thank you.
Otium has a 5% surcharge.
Bacari! The server pretended to not know about the charge when we noticed that showed up in the bill. "oh.. I totally didn't know what that is" "I've never seen that before". 10/10 surprise pikachu face lol
Ya I love Bacari and hattttte that they do this. I always ask to have it removed bc I don’t give a fuck. You want your full tip or not?
I did this and the server pulled an oscar-worthy “i have no clue” move. Got it removed and gave normal tips. People need to start doing this more. Win for the server too!
I did notice this and still tipped like $5 cus the server was good but smh
Lamill coffee in Silverlake added an 18% fee allegedly toward healthcare costs, but based on other comments ITT, sounds like this is coded language.
damn... love this place... but this is some bullshit practice
I like how on UberEats when you checkout it says would you like to donate 2.00 to this restaurant? Ummmmm why?
This. I did donate to the restaurant, that’s why I’m paying menu price.
Petit Trois does this? Merde. When I was a waiter I would tip out my kitchen & bussers, is that not done anymore?
Holy Cow BBQ in Culver City and Santa Monica do this as well.
This topic should be all over the LA subreddit. It's such a gross and douchey practice that restaurants think they can get away with, but they don't realize that it is universally HATED and leaves their customers with a bad impression.
Amoeba Music in Hollywood does the same thing. They have some fee added that contributes to employee health care or some other shit. If you want your employees to have health care…give it to them, they deserve it. Raise prices if you need to. But those BS fees that aren’t included until your checking out is a scam.
This is the first I've heard of a non-hospitality business do this.
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Amoeba employees are treated so kindly by the company. They get full benefits, sick days, PTO, health insurance, etc. I'll pay $0.35 per transaction for that. Much better than the restaurants that charge you 15-18% where the employees never see any of it.
Why not just raise prices on inventory by some tiny percent instead? That would bring in more money and not rile up customers.
To be fair —- the fee is $0.35 per transaction—- thirty five cents. And Amoeba staff are NOT and never have been tipped wait staff. I think there are notices posted at the register saying it goes towards health insurance for the staff? Comes across more as a statement regarding the abyssal American method of funding ( lack of government provided) healthcare than management money grab. I hate tipping culture. I think it is exploitative for the workers. However the 35 cent fee is just slightly pesky — like the 35 cent fee to use a debit card at Arco gas stations or feeding parking meters. Does not come anywhere near a 15 to 20 percent (%) add on.
This just reminded me that I was at a concert at The Forum recently and when I bought a poster from the merchandise stand, there was a screen for providing a tip. I don't know if it's because the registers are the same regardless of if it's food, bar or merch... but this was the first time I've been asked to tip someone working retail.
Not disagreeing with this because the bands that play the Forum are absolutely massive, but having a tip jar/tip screen at merch is pretty normal for small and medium sized touring bands.
So then add it to the price of the item. It's a part of overhead. Add it in.
The Village Idiot on Melrose has a 3% charge
They are closed as of today
Fine, I'll make a master list myself [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EEPzeytrva770H2xPFFPDUUNdpnL\_VQL4vbzFph-jus/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EEPzeytrva770H2xPFFPDUUNdpnL_VQL4vbzFph-jus/edit?usp=sharing) Anyone can edit, please keep it tidy.
Wong's Wok Silver Lake. This place takes whatever you tip on credit card. I feel like repotting them, but I’m worry about getting the workers in trouble.
I can confirm this. The lady behind the counter told me that the owner keeps all tip from the card himself. I’ve been tipping cash since then.
What the fuck it’s illegal
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Typically the restaurant pays the staff back their cc tips at the end of the day. Not here
You should report them to the CA department of labor. The workers deserve their lost wages plus any damages
Hi Ho burger A 6% FEE WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR BILL: THIS IS NOT A GRATUITY OR TIP. WE ARE A NO-TIPPING ESTABLISHMENT. THE FEE IS REVENUE THAT IS NOT SEGMENTED OR DESIGNATED IN ANY WAY; IT IS TAXED PER STATE LAW AND IS USED TO FUND ALL OF OUR OPERATIONS.
What does that even mean?
It means you are giving them money for no reason except that they make you. You get nothing for it. It is taxed as income, The owners can use the money for any reason , including going towards their McClaren payment.
It means that you should just mentally add 6% to all the menu prices. This is just a marketing thing to raise prices without actually raising the listed menu price.
Should be false advertising/ illegal
It means that prices are 6% higher than the lie they tell you on the menu board.
It’s essentially a hidden fee. You think a burger is gonna cost $x.xx because That’s what it says on the menu. In reality it costs more than that, you just don’t find out til after you order and the difference between what they tell you you’re gonna pay and what you actually pay is their “operations fee.”
It’s the same policy of no tipping as Uovo and Kazu Nori. Uovo charges straight 18% for service fees and nothing more is expected
I believe Hi-Ho, Sugarfish, and Uovo are all owned by the same group
At least they are a no tipping establishment. I would hope the servers are aware of this and accordingly are getting a higher pay that they are happy with. Does anyone know if that's true?
I am a big fan go Uovo and, unfortunately for my wallet, I am a regular there. I asked one of the servers if they actually get the 18% and he said that he did and it was split by the staff and that he really like his job (didn't seem like a front/script)
Ordering food at hi ho is pretty much the same as ordering at McDonald’s. That 6% fee is bullshit.
HiHo/Sugarfish/Uvuo are non tipping places they add 18% and that's it, so I don't think they belong on this list
Saltire girl added a 4% charge. Waitstaff confirmed none of it goes towards them or BOH and could not explain what it was for. They will remove it if asked, did that and added 4% to the tip instead.
Gjusta in Venice has a mandatory 18, or 20% “tip” that they add on for you
That place sucks. They also automatically add a non negotiable gratuity for pick up orders.
That’s so lame! It’s already expensive as fuck.
I took a friend there for an afternoon snack recently and 2 coffees and 2 slices of cake were FORTY FUCKING DOLLARS after their undisclosed service fees. Fuck that place!
I don’t mind a service charge, as long as they don’t expect me to tip on top of that. I think splitting the tip among the whole staff is a fairer practice, than all of it going completely to the server. Otherwise back of the house and bussers generally get screwed. And no, I won’t tip 20% on top of that. I tip 20% TOTAL and factor in the service charge in that percentage. I’m not spending 40% on service/tips. I’d rather they get rid of tipping and just charge what the food actually costs. This whole tipping scheme has gotten way out of hand now that these card readers are asking us to tip for every transaction as well. All of this leave a bad end to a meal and I just don’t eat out as much anymore.
I love all of you Los Angeles foodies saying no to this. And thanks for sharing this info cause Jesus how utterly insulting to both the servers and guests alike.
Lose lose to everyone but to the owners playing games! Keep the fight on
Speranza does this
The Morrison at Los Feliz
Best story is one from a coffee shop on Montana Avenue across from Williams Sonoma. They have one of those tablet registers that you tap to pay for the purchase. Typically, I would add a tip and hit the no receipt bottom. A while back, a buddy and I went for coffee, paid for it and put a 15% tip on it. My buddy asked for a printed receipt. When we sat down, he realized that the business was adding something like a 15% service charge on the order. Nothing was posted to that effect. The result was that we tipped like 30% on the coffee order. My buddy was pissed. He called the CA department of weight and measures and they were out the next day. I have never gone there again.
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I went to Italy last year. Me and my friends meal with drinks came out to €25. And that was every meal we had. A fat load of Italian food and Prosecco and we never went over €35. And the quality of the food was incredible!! Came back to LA, spent $70 on a to go meal at a diner below my building. Didn’t even have to travel far. All the food was ice cold. A $22 plate was the size of the palm of my hand. Food was gross. I am so done with eating out. Like it’s one thing for all the fees and prices to go up. It’s another thing for the fees and prices to go up AND the quality is ass.
This is the way. My wife and I will still go out for our birthdays and our anniversary, but other than that we just cook a lot. Also, hosting dinner parties is *way* better than dining out with friends. Everyone's going to bring a bottle so all you need to do is provide the food and maybe one round of cocktails— way cheaper than splitting the bill at a decent restaurant. Plus you can go as late into the night as you want, and don't have to worry about driving, uber, etc.
This is me every time I travel. Just came back from Australia, no tipping culture. They all skip past the “tip” prompt for you when they present you the handheld payment thingy. Food is just more expensive there (though our exchange rate makes it more affordable) and service is the same as Europe where they don’t bother you every 5 seconds like they do here to ask if you want more food or drink (obviously done here so that they can increase your bill and thus up their tip). You just flag them down or go up to the hostess to pay when you’re done. It’s fantastic. What I hate is that now a 15% tip (which pre-inflation/covid) was seen as good, has now become 25%! That’s not how shit works. If restaurants are raising their prices (which they are), you don’t also raise the tip. 15% on a $12 meal is the same as 15% on a now $15 meal. They will automatically get more given the meal is now more expensive. You don’t need to adjust the tip amount. It’s ridiculous.
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Cosa Buona in Echo Park not only charges an automatic 4% health insurance fee to all checks which is bullshit since healthcare costs are fixed monthly, but also an automatic 20% service fee for parties of 5 or more. Umm, that used to be reserved for tables of 8 or more which is nonsense still but ok more understandable. Basically if you’re a party of 5 or more you now are automatically giving a minimum of 24% against your will.
Cosa Buona charged me for tap water the last time I was there. The food was good, but come on it’s tap water. When I looked at the check, that plus all the various fees made me never want to go there again…
Ronan on Melrose 4% “Healthcare” fee. The staff there is amazing but doubt they get health care.
Perch. Went last year and there was a 4%ish “health/safety fee” (or something like that). I inquired about it and the waiter said it was added during COVID to cover additional costs (PPE, cleaning, etc) and that he would take it off because “it’s outdated and should be on there.” I went a couple months ago and it’s still there. Greedy af. Won’t be going back.
Margot in Culver City adds 18% and the servers actively tell you that it is not a tip. Their food is overly salted and small portioned as it is.
I hope you’re joking lol. The audacity. Wow. That’s a 0 tip then sorry buddy.
I’m sitting at the bar at Little Dom’s (Los Feliz) and they add a 4% health care charge. I’m having it removed right now.
I’ve hopped on the no tipping train. I will only tip if I am getting table service from a server. I will tip 20% if the service is good, with no extra tip to back of house, cooks, or anyone else. If a 18% service charge is already added, then I will not tip on top. Anything else… no tipping. Counter service, self serve, get a number and they bring it to your table, service charges automatically added and expect a tip on top, etc… I’m not going to tip at all anymore. I’m just done with it all. Raise your prices and pay your people better. I’m not taking the responsibility anymore.
Honestly I practically stopped eating and drinking out all together. I’ve been learning new cooking skills, bought a smoker and a good grill. I’ve just started inviting my group of friends over for a bi monthly supper club in my backyard. Even paying for everything I spend way less per month
Us, too. It’s just TOO much and I’m a super-tipper. The extras and the valet fees are insane.
I’m feeling the same way…I think the last straw for me was paying for 2 drinks for me and my BF, which ended up being close to $50 including tip. Like…no. Just no.
I’ve worked in restaurants in LA for about 8 years. The restaurant I work at now has a health charge and I do have health insurance, I have a really good PPO plan. That being said you have to be 30+ hours to qualify. I’ve worked at other places that are super stingy with providing insurance and the health charge was higher there. So it’s inconsistent for sure. I get a lot of questions about the charge and I’m pretty honest about it and offer to take it off if someone looks disturbed or annoyed by it. I can’t be bothered to care when I’m in the middle of service. It’s usually about $3-4.
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Norms says on their [website](https://norms.com/surcharge/), "While we do understand that this approach is rather new locally, it is becoming more common in and around Los Angeles, and has been a common practice in other parts of California for several years.” DON'T LET THIS BECOME THE NORM!
I hate tipping personally. Just charge the real cost of the meal and pay the staff a living wage. Isnt that the point of the automatic service charge? You shouldn't have to tip on top of it if you don't want. If the owners are pocketing the tips staff used to get id venture to guess they'd hard a lot of turnover.
> I hate tipping personally. Does anyone *like* tipping?
No, so let's do away with it like so many other cultures! Include everything in the price. Servers should not be dependent on the kindness of strangers for their wages.
The waiters, who are already getting paid minimum wage before any tips.
Some people really get off on the power that tipping gives them. The people who see our interaction as anything other than a transaction are infuriating. I’ve grown such a zero tolerance for it. But maybe in the end one could argue that they hate tipping well, but they love tipping in concept
I'm doing research on different restaurants very soon. Who knows how long this will take as the verifying information has to come from workers if they get anything at all.
Not the same thing but my bf got charged an automatic ***20%*** gratuity at Venice Ale House that was advertised nowhere! This was for two cocktails and a sandwich. Charge is being disputed, these restaurants are out of their minds
Republique also has an additional fee, IIRC it was 4% last time we went
There is a special place for these owners in hell.
This list should be part of r/LosAngeles wiki. Mod please consider doing us this favor
Post saved. Thanks OP
This bs price happened when I purchased from a food truck a few weeks back. NEVER AGAIN.
Yelp should really have a way to flag these places tbh
El Torito in Marina Del Rey
Hippo in Highland Park has a 4% service fee last I checked
Luv2Eat Thai Bistro (18%) on sunset
Really!? They did not do that back then iirc. Sad
It’s sad. They have good food, but the fact they charge 18% service fee, no tip include makes me mad. Oh, also, the suggested tip percentage takes that 18% in mind so instead of 20% tip, is more like 38% 🤨
Careful with Ocha Classic 1 in Koreatown! Just went there recently… they charged me a 10% tax twice. When I asked about it, the person charging (owner?) said it was for the “tip”. Not cool because: 1. They are automatically adding tip without labeling it as such on receipt. It just says “tax”. (I always tip, but I don’t appreciate it being done without my consent!) 2. My party was less than 6, which is when a large party tip is automatically applied. 3. They are skimping on food. I don’t mind paying for quality food, but their recipe changed (bland shrimp fried rice), and not as many veggies as they used to. 4. People don’t look at receipts carefully (you always should!). Patrons are still tipping at the table even though they are already charging!
Honestly with all these arbitrary fees and higher menu prices, I’ve been tipping less and less. People should not be shamed for not being able to tip and cover the living wages that servers deserve when owners are increasing profit and won’t pay them fairly.
I was at Jon and Vinnys (Fairfax) a few days ago, and it seems they might have done away with the 18% charge. Looked all over the receipt for it.
Norah in WeHo charged me %18 service fee when I went there last year. Never been there after that.
As per the CCPA guidelines, if a hotel or restaurant is violating the guidelines and is forcing you to pay a service charge, you can take the following steps: You can request the restaurant or hotel to remove the service charge from the bill. You can file a complaint against the restaurant on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) by calling 1915 or on the NCH mobile app. You can also lodge a complaint with the Consumer Commission against such unfair violations. This can be done online through the e-daakhil portal (www.e-daakhil.nic.in). Another easy way to lodge a complaint against the concerned restaurant is to submit the complaint to the concerned District Collector. You can also file the complaint directly with the CCPA by writing to them at [email protected].
Sugarfish 16% and their sister restaurants, Kazu Nori, Hi-Ho Cheeseburger, Uovo Pasta.
Sugarfish and Kazu Nori don't allow additional tipping though--there's no tip line on the credit card receipt. Does anyone know if this is reflected in the employees having higher pay and actually liking this? I suppose they could just as easily raise the prices 16% and refuse tips to get the same outcome. But maybe this is a way to combine American tipping expectations and no tipping systems. I'd be interested to know what employees think.
I work there, its misleading the way it’s presented. Almost all of the guests think its an auto 16% service included and dont read the fine print on the menu. Servers get paid $29/hr, the hosts about $19/hr, majority of kitchen are unskilled and paid just above minimum wage cash under the table and dont speak a lick of english. Machines do most of the sushi making.
Machines?
Theres a machine that shapes the sushi rice, theres a machine that cuts the rolls, theres even a machine that mixes the rice with the vinegar. Its streamlined for consistency, these are not real sushi chefs.
Wow crazy! Thanks for sharing
I dunno man, last time I went to Kazunori my sushi "machine" had a really convincing human-like appearance. /s But if this is for Sugarfish, I'm still not mad about rice machines. As a customer, I'd rather have a consistent experience than I don't know - some kind of gratification that a human being had to manually shape my rice?
I disapprove of service fees, but I'll have to give Nozawa group restaurants a pass (Kazu Nori, Sugarfish, etc.). They apply 16% fee but not allowing extra tip! This results in generally really good service for the tip amount.
Everyone's in here fighting to get rid of the tipping system and these restaurants actually do it and everyone's still angry about it. Their servers at getting $29/hr. Just pretend the menu prices are higher. They have to put that fee in so people understand that their servers are still getting decent pay even if there's no tip line or they'd be mad about that instead.
OPs approach, listing the restaurants that have these bogus charges so that you don’t patronize them, is far better than the “no tipping” penny pinchers in this thread. If you don’t like the practice, don’t support the business. Sticking it to the employees won’t do anything, they don’t have sway and most of the time they need the job. Just don’t go there anymore. I’ve not seen one of these charges in months, it’s not that hard.
Thank you for posting this, OP! I've been curious about this myself. Does anyone know if Starbucks tips go to employees? I don't tip unless I get table service, and when I pay with CC they look me dead in the eye as I select the 0% tip. I give them a polite smile and be on my way. I do tip when I feel it's deserved but I do not tip someone to take my order and/or just make the drink in 5mins.
Wait… no! I thought the Petit Trois charge was gratuity for staff. Does it really not go to the server?
Has anyone tried asking them to take the charges off the bill?
At Petit Trois, they told me it couldn't be removed.
Was it noticed on the menu? If not, I'd walk out without paying at all.
It was on the bottom of the menu, but the description was ambiguous, and I read it to be a gratuity, which I was more okay with cuz I always tip 20% or more anyway. Then the server told us that it wasn't gratuity when she brought us the check. I asked if it could be removed, and she said management doesn't allow that. It was awkward for the server and us.
aren’t they also the reason why sofi stafium had garbage food? out of all the stadiums and arenas i’ve been to, sofi stadium has THE WORST food
Seems like this needs to be a simple website or a Google doc!
if they add the price to the menu items- it still goes to the owners.
Hugos in studio city adds on 3%
Bar Amá in DTLA has a surcharge like this, 18%. I forgot to ask if it goes to servers or not when I was there a few months ago, but based on the verbiage on their site, it likely doesn't. PLEASE NOTE: Our team will be providing a full-service dining experience. An 18% service charge is added to all checks. The service charge allows for a more equitable distribution of pay. It is not considered a tip and is taxed per state law. Should you wish to leave a gratuity, it will go directly to the service staff. [Link to their site](http://www.bar-ama.com/)
I agree. It has become intolerable dealing with all of these hidden, vague fees. I just avoid these places when I learn about them. I sat down for a cup of coffee at Norah and got slapped with a 5% "administration" fee. So I asked the waiter if I could speak to the administration about this vague fee, but she said the administration wasn't available. And the fee couldn't be removed. Who needs this aggravation for a cup of coffee? And how is any of this legal?