The Taco Bar in Seaside

[Beach House 25]

Man what a super Burrito! The wife and I stopped in Seaside today for a late lunch and decided that we would give The Taco Bar a try, we were pleasantly surprised, the food was excellent and the service was very good. The young man that was there was an excellent representative of the establishment. Very polite and took good care of us during our luncheon. The only downside to this that I have a little problem when I go out to eat that when I pay my bill I have no option to decide how my service was. I disagree with a 15% automatic charge to the bill for the tip. I was a bit shocked, but the service was good and I would have left it anyway. But for an open air small “Taco Bar” setup I was most certainly surprised. I understand that in fine dinning it’s a good chance this will occur, But in an open air maybe 20 people max setting and single server, I feel it’s a bit over done. I honestly felt that I would not return because of this policy, but I will if that young man is they’re working because I know he will earn his 15%. Other than that.. Great place.

[Beach Runner]

I totally understand why they tack on the 15% tip. They get screwed because you pay up front, it's an open-air restaurant, and so people bolt when they're finished with no fear of embarrassment for not leaving a tip.

[Beach House 25]

I totally understand why they tack on the 15% tip. They get screwed because you pay up front, it's an open-air restaurant, and so people bolt when they're finished with no fear of embarrassment for not leaving a tip.

I can honestly say I have never felt Embarrassed when not leaving a tip. The server was not worthy of it and they should have been embarrassed for the lack of service to the guest.

I have eaten in many out door "Fine dinning" open air places in Europe (Spain, France, Italy) and Asia, Never was a "Tip" added and the ones that served us proper got the "Tip" the ones that did not got a dirty table to look at. Could be I was just lucky, But I honestly prefer control of thanking someone for their services.

Now I will say it takes allot for me to go to that extreme but... I admit I have done it for a just cause, More than likely the manager was notified and the server knew why we done what we had.

But the bottom line is ... I do not like it... My opinion. I most likely would not go back.

Rollie Pollie has a "Tip" jar on the counter... Works for me....

[Beach Runner]

Ditto -- I'm a world traveler as well. But Taco Bar gets a lot of kids who think it's the 30-A version of Micky D's where no tip is expected. Personally, Mike, et. al., have given us great service.

[Smiling JOe]

Interesting perspective. Maybe Dave's managers train all their staff of the Taco Bar to give great service, yet you are going to not go back in case you don't get good service, when you admit to having good service. That math don't add up, but different strokes for different folks. I could see your complaint as legitimate if the service sucked. If that was the case, you should have no problem demanding the 15% back and letting the manager know. However, if you were going to pay it anyway, the thought of not going back sounds silly.

[Beach House 25]

Ditto -- I'm a world traveler as well. But Taco Bar gets a lot of kids who think it's the 30-A version of Micky D's where no tip is expected. Personally, Mike, et. al., have given us great service.

I agree, The young man was very well mannered and very pleasant.

And I can see that point about the kids, Tuff call for me though, I will give it some thought, The food and service were excellent like I stated earlier. Thanks for the heads up on why, I never thought about it that way...

[Beach House 25]

Interesting perspective. Maybe Dave's managers train all their staff of the Taco Bar to give great service, yet you are going to not go back in case you don't get good service, when you admit to having good service. That math don't add up, but different strokes for different folks. I could see your complaint as legitimate if the service sucked. If that was the case, you should have no problem demanding the 15% back and letting the manager know. However, if you were going to pay it anyway, the thought of not going back sounds silly.

Silly as it sounds JOe thats how I felt until I read BR's post I had never thought of the "Kid Factor" Still kinda hard to think that I must be told what to do in spending my money on a "Tip" service, But very understandable when you look at it with BR's prospective.

[Chickpea]

Excellent food - service for us has always been great and FWIW and IMHO, I have zero problem with 15% being added.

[TreeFrog]

When the Taco Bar first opened, the bartenders weren't making any money because of the "Micky D" factor BR mentioned. The automatic 15% tip was added several weeks later. Dave & Co. did the right thing, otherwise a job at the Taco Bar would be the "penalty box" for an otherwise hard-working bartender.

[Chickpea]

When the Taco Bar first opened, the bartenders weren't making any money because of the "Micky D" factor BR mentioned. The automatic 15% tip was added several weeks later. Dave & Co. did the right thing, otherwise a job at the Taco Bar would be the "penalty box" for an otherwise hard-working bartender.

Figured as much- makes total sense to me.

[NOLA TRANSPLANT]

O.K. So my question is this, Are these guys getting paid a minimum wage such as the state minimum wage or more? This is always a sticky area. When you go to get a take out order from a restaurant do you tip on that? In essence a to-go order and and a counter order is the same. The only difference between counter and to-go is usually the person taking care of your to-go order in a restaurant is making half of what a counter person makes.
Now, I know I'm probably adding fuel for a potential heated battle (which is not my intention) but I have always been told that this is the profession one has chosen and if one didn't like the pay one should seek employment else where.
Bud and Alleys has this policy and you know, it is what it is. Some people are put off by it and some aren't. Imagine the one's who don't even know about it and leave extra.

[Allifunn]

I totally understand why they tack on the 15% tip. They get screwed because you pay up front, it's an open-air restaurant, and so people bolt when they're finished with no fear of embarrassment for not leaving a tip.

This is so true! So many kids eat there and don't think about a tip! My daughter included...but she would tip!

I agree, The young man was very well mannered and very pleasant.

And I can see that point about the kids, Tuff call for me though, I will give it some thought, The food and service were excellent like I stated earlier. Thanks for the heads up on why, I never thought about it that way...

What is wrong with leaving an extra tip if you want to? I get mad when upper end restaurants have an automatic tip factored in, I see it almost as an insult, but an open air place, to me, is acceptable.

When the Taco Bar first opened, the bartenders weren't making any money because of the "Micky D" factor BR mentioned. The automatic 15% tip was added several weeks later. Dave & Co. did the right thing, otherwise a job at the Taco Bar would be the "penalty box" for an otherwise hard-working bartender.

I have always gotten good friendly service there...and I LOVE THE TACOS!!!! (esp the fish taco)

O.K. So my question is this, Are these guys getting paid a minimum wage such as the state minimum wage or more? This is always a sticky area. When you go to get a take out order from a restaurant do you tip on that? In essence a to-go order and and a counter order is the same. .

Most times my food is brought out to me...so that also makes them a waiter of sorts, entitled to a tip. IMHO any place that serves alcohol is a place to tip. Micky D's, well I've just never thought about tipping the counter person in fast food establishments. (I do not eat at Mickey D's BTW! BARF)

[tistheseason]

In Atlanta there are many order at the counter restaurants. Some of them they will bring your food to you. While we tip generously in traditional restaurants. We don't in counter orders. If they bring our food to us, we'll generally leave something -- but not 20%. If I have to do most of the work, who am I tipping exactly? I think the staff in these type of establishments should be paid a regular salary. Just my 2 cents.

But I am curious? Where do most people draw the line?

PS. I have never been to the Taco Bar mentioned in this thread. Just giving my opinion in general.

[Smiling JOe]

Good question. The short answer is it is highly unlikely that the Taco Bar would have either no employees, or very crappy employees, and either way, be out of business very quickly if they took the attitude of like the pay or don't work here.

O.K. So my question is this, Are these guys getting paid a minimum wage such as the state minimum wage or more? This is always a sticky area. When you go to get a take out order from a restaurant do you tip on that? In essence a to-go order and and a counter order is the same. The only difference between counter and to-go is usually the person taking care of your to-go order in a restaurant is making half of what a counter person makes.
Now, I know I'm probably adding fuel for a potential heated battle (which is not my intention) but I have always been told that this is the profession one has chosen and if one didn't like the pay one should seek employment else where.
Bud and Alleys has this policy and you know, it is what it is. Some people are put off by it and some aren't. Imagine the one's who don't even know about it and leave extra.

[Beach House 25]

O.K. So my question is this, Are these guys getting paid a minimum wage such as the state minimum wage or more? This is always a sticky area. When you go to get a take out order from a restaurant do you tip on that? In essence a to-go order and and a counter order is the same. The only difference between counter and to-go is usually the person taking care of your to-go order in a restaurant is making half of what a counter person makes.
Now, I know I'm probably adding fuel for a potential heated battle (which is not my intention) but I have always been told that this is the profession one has chosen and if one didn't like the pay one should seek employment else where.
Bud and Alleys has this policy and you know, it is what it is. Some people are put off by it and some aren't. Imagine the one's who don't even know about it and leave extra.

Now thats some very good points.

This is so true! So many kids eat there and don't think about a tip! My daughter included...but she would tip!

Point here is she has a choice!

What is wrong with leaving an extra tip if you want to? I get mad when upper end restaurants have an automatic tip factored in, I see it almost as an insult, but an open air place, to me, is acceptable.
I have always gotten good friendly service there...and I LOVE THE TACOS!!!! (esp the fish taco)

See if I had the choice I might have even left more than 15%. But since I didn't and I felt forced to accept what service was provided, Well he was a nice guy! But I wonder how many have left nothing more behind once they knew the "Tip" was taken care of?

Most times my food is brought out to me...so that also makes them a waiter of sorts, entitled to a tip. IMHO any place that serves alcohol is a place to tip. Micky D's, well I've just never thought about tipping the counter person in fast food establishments. (I do not eat at Mickey D's BTW! BARF)

In Atlanta there are many order at the counter restaurants. Some of them they will bring your food to you. While we tip generously in traditional restaurants. We don't in counter orders. If they bring our food to us, we'll generally leave something -- but not 20%. If I have to do most of the work, who am I tipping exactly? I think the staff in these type of establishments should be paid a regular salary. Just my 2 cents.

But I am curious? Where do most people draw the line?

.

I have never "Tipped" counter help in the past as well. Now had I been sitting at the bar drinking than he becomes a bartender and of course you tip a good bartender. But someone just handing you the food over the counter, well thats a good question, We sat at the bar and it was slow and the young man was very nice with conversation and he placed the food nicely in front of us. Shrug guess its a choice thing for me, I prefer to choose. But BR did bring in a few good points.

[chrisv]

We sat at the bar and it was slow and the young man was very nice with conversation and he placed the food nicely in front of us. Shrug guess its a choice thing for me, I prefer to choose. But BR did bring in a few good points.

So you sat at the bar, ordered, drank(?) and ate, all at the bar? The bartender served you exclusively? I've never been to the Taco Bar, so excuse my ignorance in how things operate.

I spent half of my adult life bartending in a resort town, in a casual-type establishment. Frequented by everyone from dirtbags (the kids?) to big-shots (Beach House 25?). And we never added a gratuity to any bills. It's not appropriate, IMO. Seems that this bartender had plenty of opportunity to earn a good tip from Beach House 25, it being slow and he sitting at the bar for service.

Now posting notice and adding a gratuity to large parties seems reasonable to me.

[Smiling JOe]

Just curious, what is different between an auto gratuity on a party of six or more, vs a party of one? Both are done so that the server doesn't get screwed. Why is one accepted and the other is not?

[chrisv]

Just curious, what is different between an auto gratuity on a party of six or more, vs a party of one? Both are done so that the server doesn't get screwed. Why is one accepted and the other is not?

Good question, and one I have no answer for other than personal experience. Notice that I said 'posted'. I think that's a key. When I have been part of a large party, it seems that it's always a cluster when it comes time to pay the bill, maybe that scene repeated over and over led to the auto gratutity. That and servers complaining of being stiffed. But service at a bar- I don't see it as reasonable.

[egrp]

kids its a $7 burrito in Seaside...no one cares about 15%.

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Man what a super Burrito! The wife and I stopped in Seaside today for a late lunch and decided that we would give The Taco Bar a try, we were pleasantly surprised, the food was excellent and the service was very good. The young man that was there was an excellent representative of the establishment. Very polite and took good care of us during our luncheon. The only downside to this that I have a little problem when I go out to eat that when I pay my bill I have no option to decide how my service was. I disagree with a 15% automatic charge to the bill for the tip. I was a bit shocked, but the service was good and I would have left it anyway. But for an open air small “Taco Bar” setup I was most certainly surprised. I understand that in fine dinning it’s a good chance this will occur, But in an open air maybe 20 people max setting and single server, I feel it’s a bit over done. I honestly felt that I would not return because of this policy, but I will if that young man is they’re working because I know he will earn his 15%. Other than that.. Great place.

Thanks so much for the input and good comments; I really appreciate it BH 25.

Basically my bartenders were making very few tips when we opened in April because of the walk up format. When folks sat at the bar they were getting tips but if they sat at the outdoor tables, very few tipped. Our food runners and bartenders were getting stiffed about 85% of the time.

I had seen in Miami and many, many establishments in Europe that had an auto gratuity. Also one of my managers had done an auto gratuity at a beach bar and it worked very well with a very small complaint percentage.

I am proud of my managers efforts to hire exceptional employees and always hope they perform excellent service but as in every human endeavor mistakes are made from time to time. I agree that if anyone is not happy with the service or just have an issue of the principal of the policy at the Taco Bar they may have it removed by the Manager. I do respect your opinion on the matter.

I made the percentage 15% because customarily folks tip 10% to 15% for normal service and 20% and up for exceptional service. I believe our servers are striving for the extra 5% or more. The notion the staff will be complacent with an auto 15% just doesn't fly with me.

I hope you will return for I believe we provide a quality product with great service in a fun atmosphere. Either way, the auto gratuity is here to stay. Thanks again for your input.

Dave

[chrisv]

kids its a $7 burrito in Seaside...no one cares about 15%.

Thanks for putting it into perspective

And Dave, as usual, thanks for your excellent and very reasoned reply!

[Smiling JOe]

kids its a $7 burrito in Seaside...no one cares about 15%.

Judging by the line of 20-30 people deep at 2pm during the season, at Pickles, I'd guess that a $7 burrito is in line in regards to pricing. Lunch at Pickles is an easy $10.

[SWGB]

Just curious, what is different between an auto gratuity on a party of six or more, vs a party of one? Both are done so that the server doesn't get screwed. Why is one accepted and the other is not?

The general reason for an auto gratuity for parties of 6 or more is because the more in the party the more work for the waiter. Generally while keeping the same number of tables. I have worked in many establishments where the waiters (myself included) would often have a mini-meeting in the server station to get a second opinion about auto-grating a table. Certain large groups will always get auto-grated by any good waiter because it is just known that you will get screwed if you don't. These include, but are not limited to; highschoolers, any club that requires a colored hat, and I hate to say, but foreigners. Generally the reason for foreigners is that most European countries just pay there waiters a flat liveable wage.

This might gross some people out, but there are resources on the web:

www.waiterrant.com
www.bitterwaitress.com
www.stainedapron.com

[Beach House 25]

kids its a $7 burrito in Seaside...no one cares about 15%.

Two Burritos and Chips and salsa and two teas,
$30.00 ... adds up quick. But have to admit the food was good.

15% $4.50? Pretty good tip for counter service IMO.

[NotDeadYet]

I don't have a problem with the 15%. I am a little unsure how I feel though about having the bill rounded up to the next even dollar so I get less change. Is this some new practice Happened twice, so I assume it is standard procedure there?

[Beach House 25]

Thanks so much for the input and good comments; I really appreciate it BH 25.

Basically my bartenders were making very few tips when we opened in April because of the walk up format. When folks sat at the bar they were getting tips but if they sat at the outdoor tables, very few tipped. Our food runners and bartenders were getting stiffed about 85% of the time.

I had seen in Miami and many, many establishments in Europe that had an auto gratuity. Also one of my managers had done an auto gratuity at a beach bar and it worked very well with a very small complaint percentage.

I am proud of my managers efforts to hire exceptional employees and always hope they perform excellent service but as in every human endeavor mistakes are made from time to time. I agree that if anyone is not happy with the service or just have an issue of the principal of the policy at the Taco Bar they may have it removed by the Manager. I do respect your opinion on the matter.

I made the percentage 15% because customarily folks tip 10% to 15% for normal service and 20% and up for exceptional service. I believe our servers are striving for the extra 5% or more. The notion the staff will be complacent with an auto 15% just doesn't fly with me.

I hope you will return for I believe we provide a quality product with great service in a fun atmosphere. Either way, the auto gratuity is here to stay. Thanks again for your input.

Dave

Dave,

Man I almost choked on my coffee when I realized that you were the owner? of The Taco Bar. Thats in a good way . Thank you for responding to the thread, it has taken a life of its own. The young man that served us yesterday would have most likely gotten a $5.00 tip anyway. It was not his service that I questioned nor the food, Just the way it was setup for what I would call counter service. Dave you provide Great food and super service at Bud and Allies. Now I understand why the Taco Bar has the same. Congrats on the job you and your folks do! It just makes it that much better for us here in Sowal!

[30A Skunkape]

How does everyone feel about an automatic 15% being added and then having a line for yet more tippage there for filling in on credit/debit reciept? I feel like a dirtbag when I draw a line through it, but if they do more for me I leave a few extra dollars in cash (cash tips rule!)

[Smiling JOe]

I've worked in the industry for numerous years. I disagree with your point that waiting on a party of six requires more work for the server. Perhaps, if you are comparing it to taking care on one party of one. However, let's keep only apples in this basket. Taking care of one party of six is much less work than taking care of six parties of one. Six trips to the table to take an order, six trips to the kitchen to get drinks, six trips for giving specials, six tickets to enter into the POS, etc. Time and effort is much less when you have only one party of six vs six parties of one.

The general reason for an auto gratuity for parties of 6 or more is because the more in the party the more work for the waiter. Generally while keeping the same number of tables. I have worked in many establishments where the waiters (myself included) would often have a mini-meeting in the server station to get a second opinion about auto-grating a table. Certain large groups will always get auto-grated by any good waiter because it is just known that you will get screwed if you don't. These include, but are not limited to; highschoolers, any club that requires a colored hat, and I hate to say, but foreigners. Generally the reason for foreigners is that most European countries just pay there waiters a flat liveable wage.

This might gross some people out, but there are resources on the web:

www.waiterrant.com
www.bitterwaitress.com
www.stainedapron.com

[Smiling JOe]

How does everyone feel about an automatic 15% being added and then having a line for yet more tippage there for filling in on credit/debit reciept? I feel like a dirtbag when I draw a line through it, but if they do more for me I leave a few extra dollars in cash (cash tips rule!)

As long as you are tipping decently via the 15% auto tip, servers aren't upset with your line through the tip line. If you feel an extra gratuity is needed, add it to the line. No biggy. It's easier to print the line for the poeple who use it, rather than not print it and have people wanting to add one.

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Dave,

Man I almost choked on my coffee when I realized that you were the owner? of The Taco Bar. Thats in a good way . Thank you for responding to the thread, it has taken a life of its own. The young man that served us yesterday would have most likely gotten a $5.00 tip anyway. It was not his service that I questioned nor the food, Just the way it was setup for what I would call counter service. Dave you provide Great food and super service at Bud and Allies. Now I understand why the Taco Bar has the same. Congrats on the job you and your folks do! It just makes it that much better for us here in Sowal!

Thanks so much BH 25, I almost choked on my coffee finding someone who actually did not know what I do. After 23 years in business, it is refreshing to still sometimes be anonymous in SoWal for me.

Dave

[Chickpea]

Thanks so much BH 25, I almost choked on my coffee finding someone who actually did not know what I do. After 23 years in business, it is refreshing to still sometimes be anonymous in SoWal for me.

Dave

[Allifunn]

Dave,

Man I almost choked on my coffee when I realized that you were the owner? of The Taco Bar. Thats in a good way . Thank you for responding to the thread, it has taken a life of its own. The young man that served us yesterday would have most likely gotten a $5.00 tip anyway. It was not his service that I questioned nor the food, Just the way it was setup for what I would call counter service. Dave you provide Great food and super service at Bud and Allies. Now I understand why the Taco Bar has the same. Congrats on the job you and your folks do! It just makes it that much better for us here in Sowal!

You are the acception, not the rule. My daughter, being in the food service industry would have tipped, but most 14 + year olds that vacation in the area, would probably not tip. So which is better...to rely on people such as yourself that would tip 20%, or make an accross the board mandatory tip of 15%? As I said, to me it is more of an insult to my integrity to be automatically billed 15% in a fine establishment, as if I would go into a fine restaurant and stiff the wait staff.... One does not belong in a fine establishment if they would do so, however, in an open air establishment such as this, people stiff them all the time. A different clientele all together.

[John R]

I haven't been in the Taco Bar recently, so I don't know if there is a notice regarding the 15% gratuity. But like BeachHouse, I would have been a little put off by the forced gratuity if I was unaware. Hearing the reasoning behind it, I get it. On the other hand, I typically tip at least 20%, but when forced by the house(or the waiter) to a certain percentage, that's what they get.
On yet another hand it sucks to be the waiter on a table when everyone Thinks they've put in their share, and some obviously haven't.

[Beach Runner]

John R, the 15% add-on gratuity is clearly posted.

But thinking about this brings up a dilemma for me which is inconsistent with my earlier remarks regarding Taco Bar. At Tacqueria Del Sol in Atlanta, there are two choices for dining. The most likely is to stand in a long line and order and pay up front at the cash register. As far as drinks go, depending on your choice, if you want a margarita, the cashier pours a margarita from a pitcher right by the cash register, grabs a beer, or hands you a cup for self-serve non-alcoholic drinks. A runner (literally) brings your food, and that's the last contact one has with an employee (unless you want another alcoholic drink, which in this case, you walk up to the bar and wait). Hubby leaves a dollar per person for this type of service, plus a tip to the bartender if we have extra drinks.

The second scenario (for the regulars who are in the know) is to have one member in your party check out to see if there's room at the bar. If there is, s/he waves everyone in the party in, effectively bolting the line. When you sit at the bar, you get continuous service -- the bartender repeated returns to see if you'd like anything else, etc., like at a regular full-service restaurant. You don't pay until AFTER you eat (as opposed to up front). In this case, hubby tips 15-20%, depending on if we're in-and-out, or spend time over cocktails.

Do you think this is the right approach to tipping at this place?

[Beach House 25]

John R, the 15% add-on gratuity is clearly posted.

But thinking about this brings up a dilemma for me which is inconsistent with my earlier remarks regarding Taco Bar. At Tacqueria Del Sol in Atlanta, there are two choices for dining. The most likely is to stand in a long line and order and pay up front at the cash register. As far as drinks go, depending on your choice, if you want a margarita, the cashier pours a margarita from a pitcher right by the cash register, grabs a beer, or hands you a cup for self-serve non-alcoholic drinks. A runner (literally) brings your food, and that's the last contact one has with an employee (unless you want another alcoholic drink, which in this case, you walk up to the bar and wait). Hubby leaves a dollar per person for this type of service, plus a tip to the bartender if we have extra drinks.

The second scenario (for the regulars who are in the know) is to have one member in your party check out to see if there's room at the bar. If there is, s/he waves everyone in the party in, effectively bolting the line. When you sit at the bar, you get continuous service -- the bartender repeated returns to see if you'd like anything else, etc., like at a regular full-service restaurant. You don't pay until AFTER you eat (as opposed to up front). In this case, hubby tips 15-20%, depending on if we're in-and-out, or spend time over cocktails.

Do you think this is the right approach to tipping at this place?

Sorry BR have to disagree with you on the "Clearly" posted, I was not going to say anything about it but since you brought it up, Its a piece of Copy paper on the wall that unless your looking to the right for some reason you would not see it. I mean come on now why would I be surprised if it was right there where you could see it on the wall with the menu? No its not in "Plain sight IMHO, and now that its out maybe Dave can fix that? My first knowledge of the auto tip was when the young man handed me the bill and he said a 15% surcharge had been added.

[JB]

Shouldn't we draw a distinction here between full-service table waiting and a walk-up counter? Really, how is this taco bar any different than the old Airstream sushi bar? Or for that matter, Burger King?

It's COUNTER SERVICE, people. The food comes in plastic baskets lined with wax paper. 15 percent? Auto tipping has to be relative to the food you get and how you get it. Sorry, but this doesn't qualify, IMO.

[Dave Rauschkolb]

I haven't been in the Taco Bar recently, so I don't know if there is a notice regarding the 15% gratuity. But like BeachHouse, I would have been a little put off by the forced gratuity if I was unaware. Hearing the reasoning behind it, I get it. On the other hand, I typically tip at least 20%, but when forced by the house(or the waiter) to a certain percentage, that's what they get.
On yet another hand it sucks to be the waiter on a table when everyone Thinks they've put in their share, and some obviously haven't.

Yes, the policy is clearly posted next to the register.

[NotDeadYet]

Dave, can you explain about the rounding up??
See my post above.

[flipflopsgrill]

I am Taco Bar regular, love the Burritos, Tacos and Dip...Mike is a great Manager and Guy and everyone is always super friendly...Great Job Guys...See you soon!

Flip Flops Grills

[rapunzel]

Perhaps we should start a poll...

Do you prefer surly service from someone who is not very skilled at the job, or do prefer the 15% automatic tip and a waiter who is competent, friendly, and as often as not a nice college kid working a summer job and may be able to tell you about some great hiking or new band as you have a drink and a couple of tacos?

I mean, we lament the exploited eastern European labor on one thread, and then complain about automatic tipping on the next. I'm glad to have the choice to go somewhere with a pleasant and happy staff.

[Allifunn]

Shouldn't we draw a distinction here between full-service table waiting and a walk-up counter? Really, how is this taco bar any different than the old Airstream sushi bar? Or for that matter, Burger King?

It's COUNTER SERVICE, people. The food comes in plastic baskets lined with wax paper. 15 percent? Auto tipping has to be relative to the food you get and how you get it. Sorry, but this doesn't qualify, IMO.

You can not possibly compare the taco bar to burger king.... Two totally different atmospheres and concepts.

[TreeFrog]

It's COUNTER SERVICE, people.

It's SEASIDE, people.