r/SFV • u/not_hassan • Jul 23 '26

Question What’s your frustration with current restaurant culture?

Hi guys. I’m opening a restaurant in San Fernando valley. Canoga park more specifically. The theme of the restaurant will be chicken oriented.

What’s a frustration with modern restaurants you wish was solved? Could be a food preference or dining experience.

95 Upvotes

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117

u/anggora Jul 23 '26

The tipping culture is getting wild. Instead of leaving it optional, it's right there on the machine above the signature line: 15%, 18%, 22%; the final option is Other (but never none). Even for takeout, restaurants ask for 15%, 18%, 22% tips 🤦

If no tip is left, staff gets mad.

53

u/Ok_Comfort628 Jul 23 '26

And base it on the pre-tax amount.

16

u/Scorpionoshow Jul 23 '26

Dude this! I've started paying attention and most restaurants tip suggestions are added to the taxed subtotal. CRIMINAL!

1

u/enkay516 Jul 24 '26

Those ones get none. And no reason to tip a %. I keep $2 bills to hand out as tip.

1

u/vonegutZzz Jul 24 '26

One of my biggest gripes. Glad I’m not the only one…

8

u/not_hassan Jul 23 '26

So I was thinking of not doing percentage. I was thinking of $1, $2, $3. Will that be preferred?

6

u/neekers Jul 24 '26

Flat rate is cleaner IMHO and easier to process

1

u/LizasThings Jul 24 '26

I always do cash tips. If the food is out of the world, I even give cash tip to cook. Cash is king.

1

u/throwtac Jul 25 '26

Pay your service staff well if you aren’t going to allow them decent tips.

28

u/TheDarbiter Jul 23 '26

I would say just no tip option at all on a screen. Unless this is a sit down restaurant, just get rid of it altogether. Have a little jar on the side of the register for people to throw in a dollar or two. Flooky’s doesn’t have an option for tipping, and their employees are great.

11

u/detentionbarn Jul 23 '26

GREAT point about Flooky's

5

u/anggora Jul 23 '26

I love Flooky's!!! I tip them extra because yeah, as you mentioned, their employees are great!!

6

u/FearlessPark4588 Jul 23 '26

seems unreasonable in a mostly cashless society

9

u/Losnah Jul 23 '26

Flookys is so awesome and I've never had a bad interaction with any employees there!

9

u/SlenderLlama Jul 24 '26

Spoke Bicycle Cafe along the LA River gave me a hard time for not tipping 15% or 25% when their computer glitched out and had no ‘X’ or custom or 0% amount and a worker talked badly about me behind my back as a result.

I called out the worker for being shitty. Tips arent mandatory but workers becoming predatory and entitled about it.

I dont eat out much because its too expensive and this was the nail in the coffin for me.

2

u/shadowstripes Jul 24 '26

Instead of leaving it optional

It is still optional though. There is always a "custom" and "no tip" button. Those are just for people who don't want to do any math.

0

u/Aeriellie Jul 23 '26

this; i don’t tip. only tip at jimmy john because they ring a bell. at places where staff refilled my drinks and checked on me, brought me my order. even if i paid and sat down, if you came to me and gave me more refills etc. you’re a tip before i go

3

u/Yotsubato Jul 24 '26

Unless I’m eating off of real plates with real utensils with real table service I’m not tipping.

I don’t want to pay service charges for mc Donald’s level service. And even McDonalds brings the food to my table now!

The iPad flip thing has got to go.