Take out question

[paintnolish]

So how is that any different than the people at McD's in the take out window? they do the same thing for the same pay? Why do they deserve it if the McD's people don't.

If you're just talking base hourly pay, a McD's employee makes more than a server, at least in IL. I make $4 something an hour without tips.

 

[onelilspark]

I'll tip 10%, so about half of what I would do if I was in the restaurant. Most of the places I pick up from I frequent as a eat-in customer. But if I don't frequent them, I'll still give 10%.

 

[Hannathy]

If you're just talking base hourly pay, a McD's employee makes more than a server, at least in IL. I make $4 something an hour without tips.

No the person I was quoting or referring to stated that they make either min. wage or above it and I said that is just like McD's workers. That is what happens when the whole thread isn't read.

 

[tlbwriter]

I worked in restaurants for years but we never had a "take out" person just the bartenders would do it so I turned to my DH for an answer to this question. He is a General Manager at a well known restaurant and they have people who just work the take out counter, he said they make either minimum wage or a little above and that people generally should tip between 5% and 7%.

But I thought the reason we tip waitstaff is because they make less than minimum wage...

 

[Rora]

I don't tip if I'm picking up the food. I do if it's delivered.

I love take out!

 

[HM]

I don't tip when I take out Pizza, Chinese, or similar. The workers that ring up your order in those type stores are paid minimum or better wage.
I tip 10% when I take out from Carrabas, LoneStar, Red Robin, etc, where a waiter brings the food to me after ringing it up. The people who take your order there, are paid less than minumum and the gov't is expecting them to pay 10% taxes of the meal cost they serve.

 

[mikehn]

Let me get my post in before this thread gets closed.... I dont tip for carryout

 

[FlightlessDuck]

No, I see no reason to. The server didn't do anything but bag up my take-out. I don't consider that something tip-worthy. Maybe I will add $1 if I am in a good mood.

 

[MIGrandma]

I used to work as a waitress. Most of our to-go order people did tip, and we certainly appreciated it. A few didn't, but most did. Just because it's a to-go order doesn't mean it didn't take work to put it all together. Usually it was me, the waitress, who answered the phone to take the to-go order. Yes, the cooks prepared the food but rather than putting it on a plate, they put it in a styrofoam to-go box. That was the end of their work. The rest of it was done by the waitress.

I opened each box, checked to make sure each item ordered was correct. I put the boxes into a carry-out bag. I put in napkins, any condiments that were needed for the food, plastic eating utensils. If dessert was ordered, I boxed that up and added it to the bag. If salads were included that was the waitress's job as well to get those ready and put in the bag. If drinks were ordered I also filled those.

Then, when the person comes in to pick up their order it was almost always a waitress, again, who brought the bag out from the kitchen and rang up the order.

All of this takes time and effort. Plus it takes time away from our in-dining-room customers who may be waiting for drink refills, or are ready to order, but the waitress can't get to them because she's dealing with a to-go order. And sometimes those orders could be quite large.

So, yes, having the to-go customer tip a few dollars was always, always very much appreciated.

 

[TinklednPants]

Yes, I tip all restaurants whether dining, having delivered or taking out. Note: I don't eat at McDonalds or other fast food establishments.

 

[tasha99]

I don't tip for takeout because I tip for continued service. When you eat in, the waitperson keeps checking on you and bringing drink refills--to me, that's what the tip is for. I do tip for pizza delivery, but that's it on takeout.

There is a local trend in my town for nicer places that are sit down but self service. Even self bussing of the table is expected (they have places to put your dishes to be washed). I don't tip at those places since I feel I'm waiting on myself. Waitresses in my area make minimum wage before tips ($8.40 per hour).

 

[lovebuzz]

I worked in restaurants for years but we never had a "take out" person just the bartenders would do it so I turned to my DH for an answer to this question. He is a General Manager at a well known restaurant and they have people who just work the take out counter, he said they make either minimum wage or a little above and that people generally should tip between 5% and 7%. The take out people are getting all of the food together, making sure all condiments are in the bag, utensils, napkins, drinks, etc... Basically they do alot of what the servers do, plus if the restaurant has curbside take out then the person has to bring the food to your car and back and forth to take payment. Having been a server for far too long I tend to overtip, even the take out people but I think 5%-7% is fair.

As a former waitress.... DING, DING, DING We have a winner!!!!

 

[paintnolish]

No the person I was quoting or referring to stated that they make either min. wage or above it and I said that is just like McD's workers. That is what happens when the whole thread isn't read.

Chill or you won't get a tip.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Ugh. It's bad enough we're expected to tip those who don't make minimum wage.

But now we're also expected to tip people who do? But only if they're in food service. Because I know people aren't tipping the poor cashier at Wal-Mart who just had a customer scream at them for twenty minutes because they're out of <insert popular Christmas toy here>.

I don't get it.

 

[Christine]

I tip for this reason:

The take out people are getting all of the food together, making sure all condiments are in the bag, utensils, napkins, drinks, etc... Basically they do alot of what the servers do, plus if the restaurant has curbside take out then the person has to bring the food to your car and back and forth to take payment. Having been a server for far too long I tend to overtip, even the take out people but I think 5%-7% is fair.

I don't tip the usual 20% as I do for table service but will usually throw a $5 tip on a $50-$70 tab. I don't tip these folks based on the total but more or less based on their task of making sure all the items make it from the kitchen into my bag, making sure I have all the condiments, and how good the service was when I placed the order. Often times I will be riding past Red, Hot, and Blue and will stop in and order and wait. The staff there is usually very helpful in telling me what my "best deal" would be for the number of people and I appreciate that.