Curb-side take-out tipping

[peg8457]

I frequently get take-out food from Outback, where they provide curb-side take-out. I'm always confused about how much to tip for this service.

[jamesglewisf]

I think it goes either way. If you are at a restaurant where you order the food at the counter and someone brings it to your table, but you are responsible for all of your drink refills, silverware, etc., then you are not supposed to leave a tip. We have a restaurant like that in town that is called Tin Star.

On the other hand, if you were at a Sonic restaurant where they bring the food to your car, then you do normally give a small tip. But they will typically come out and give you a refill if you need it.

At a place like Outback, it is probably a waiter or waitress that would otherwise be waiting on a table, but I don't think that taking an order and delivering it to your car is the same investment that the waitstaff make at a normal restaurant.

All of that said, I wouldn't tip. If you want to tip something, make it 5-10 percent.

[Noseypoo]

I wouldn't tip ... unless they come out, take your order and THEN bring the food out ;)

[Pinkwoman]

I worked at Applebees for almost two years, and they also have a carside delivery program, and it is not as easy as it may look. Not only do we take your order with all of your special requests, just like we would if you came in, but we have to do it quickly over the phone, and make sure that your order is 100 percent perfect since you are taking it out of the resturaunt. And because it is a take out order, there is a lot more prep involved in getting it ready for you than it would if we brought it out on a plate. And while on a busy night while waitressing I might have 4 or 5 tables, when I did carside, I would have upwards of 10 orders at a time. And not only did I do all of this, but I also timed the orders to perfection and had them delivered to your car in seconds in rain, shine, snow, and freezing temperatures. I say, for any order under $20, a few bucks is fine, anything above that, especially if there are a lot of special requests, 10-20 percent is appreciated. I don't run to you car for my own enjoyment, I do it as a service to you and your bust life, and remember, I don't make any more in wages that a waitress, so try to be appreciative :)

[jamesglewisf]

Sounds reasonable. Thanks for the explanation!

[Teresa]

Ummmmm Pinkwoman... do you type, lay bricks, cook, clean, are you good with kids, do you make jewelry, clean cars, design buildings? Sorry, but just wondering what your plans are.

One cannot hide behind the server thingie forever.... We all sprout wings.

[Pinkwoman]

Actually, I will be a junior at Portland State University this year majoring in Elementary education. I have a 3.4 GPA, I rent my very own apartment, I love to babysit and play with my 2 dogs, I am a very proficient writer and scored a 1260 on my SAT's in the 90th percentile of my graduating class. I just happen to enjoy waitressing and it pays tuition.