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restaurant/coupon etiquette

Discussion in 'Food Talk' started by friction, Mar 21, 2012.

  1. Mar 21, 2012 at 9:04 AM
    #1
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey all - A friend of mine owns a bistro in my neighborhood with incredible food. It is not cheap ($25+) for the upper eschelon entrees, without salad...anyway, I support his establishment as often as I can. He constantly offers groupons at essentially 50% off ($25 gets you $50).

    Is it cool to use these in a friend's place? I essentially go there twice as often with these coupons as I could afford otherwise (and I don't always use them, just intermittently). When I have the groupons, I'll generally tip at least 50% of the prediscounted bill (say $25-$30 for the server or bartender if we chose to eat at the bar), so the staff is generously compensated.

    Any of you owners? What say you?
     
  2. Mar 21, 2012 at 9:25 AM
    #2
    resq330

    resq330 El' Capi-Tan

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    No owner, but I say if he's a friend and you're returning the discount in a generous tip...why not!
     
  3. Mar 21, 2012 at 9:40 AM
    #3
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the reply. I don't want to be a cheapskate, but I truly can't afford his place as often as I'd like to.
     
  4. Mar 21, 2012 at 9:41 AM
    #4
    blackhawke88

    blackhawke88 wo ai ni bao bei ^_^

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    hell If my friend had a restaurant I'd be eating there for free :cool:
     
  5. Mar 21, 2012 at 9:50 AM
    #5
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Buzzard. :D
     
  6. Mar 21, 2012 at 9:51 AM
    #6
    LUSETACO

    LUSETACO Here for the Taco Pron

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    Your friend is still making money and the waitstaff is well compensated. I dont see a problem.
     
  7. Mar 21, 2012 at 10:30 AM
    #7
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. He is too polite to say otherwise when I asked him about this.
     
  8. Mar 21, 2012 at 10:32 AM
    #8
    acdronin

    acdronin Well-Known Member

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    I always tip as though it was the full bill
     
  9. Mar 21, 2012 at 10:43 AM
    #9
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, me too...and I quite often tip around 50% no matter where I am.

    Tipping on the full tab is common sense, but common sense ain't too common.
     
  10. Mar 21, 2012 at 10:49 AM
    #10
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    50%?!?! Are they giving you blowjobs under the table? Are you tipping on the tax, too? How can you even afford to eat out? :D
     
  11. Mar 21, 2012 at 10:58 AM
    #11
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    BJs get 100%, HJs get 75%, good service gets 50%...but I ALWAYS get good service when I go back to places because I tip 50%. ;)
     
  12. Mar 21, 2012 at 12:14 PM
    #12
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    FTFY
     
  13. Mar 21, 2012 at 12:55 PM
    #13
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    They surely enjoy my big tip, too. :eek:
     
  14. Mar 21, 2012 at 1:13 PM
    #14
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    :hungry: Here is what I had last Saturday - washed it down with a can (or 2) of Schlitz (no joke):

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Mar 21, 2012 at 1:18 PM
    #15
    LUSETACO

    LUSETACO Here for the Taco Pron

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    ^^^^ That looks good!!!
     
  16. Mar 21, 2012 at 1:26 PM
    #16
    LMR

    LMR GO JETS GO

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  17. Mar 21, 2012 at 1:30 PM
    #17
    drtydru

    drtydru Well-Known Member

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    They serve Schlitz at a restaurant that has entrées for $25+? Thats hilarious.

    I work at a nicer restaurant and am more than happy when the servers get a tip in the 15% range. We do have lots of tourists, but a good mix of locals too.

    If your buddy signed up for the groupon deal, you should not feel bad at all that you use the service he signed up for. When it comes to restaurants, its asses in the seats and turnover that matter. If he smart, he marks everything up 3 times what he paid. This is very common. Hell he probably made more of those two Schiltz's you drank than the food LOL.

    Its all about word of mouth too. The more you are talking about how great the service is and how amazing the food was and that they have Schlitz the more people will try it. If he can get repeat customers off a groupon he's happy.
     
  18. Mar 21, 2012 at 1:43 PM
    #18
    brny67

    brny67 Well-Known Member

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    The food looks great dude totally use the groupons, u r bringing business to his place and I am sure u tell people about his restaurant.
     
  19. Mar 21, 2012 at 1:47 PM
    #19
    05sctaco

    05sctaco Well-Known Member

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    Shut Up! I'll be setting up my coffee supplier account soon. Since the espresso machines aren't hooked up, i can't pull espresso, no no beans right now. My sample batch is all gone now.
     
  20. Mar 22, 2012 at 5:07 AM
    #20
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Only the best. I splurged - I usually go for the Old Millwaukee (not kidding, either). :D

    It is called Cork and their hook is wine, which I know fills their pocket as well more than the food. They do have very good beers, too, but I'm a meat and potatoes (and cheap beer) type of guy. The GF usually racks up a few glasses of decent wine though to balance my simpleton self out.

    Thanks for the reassurance!
     

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