That reminds me of my 8-year-old granddaughter. She loves playing restaurant (as the owner / ) and the last few times she says she recycles food from other tables.

I have always taken the attitude of just raising prices on menu is the way. The old flag I flew under that charged for all the extra dressings offended me and I refused to do it in my stores. I just charged more for soft drinks to cover it. That said after a while I start to think why should proper and decent people who don't order 6 sides of ranch or mooch water have to pay for those that do???? I'm starting to change my view on things as the world gets stranger.

You argued that it was $.65 at the restaurant, so I think Mud has it right.

The list of failed eating joints after the accountants take control is endless. You would think they'd get it after watching place after place go cheap and go broke.

Not sure your 3rd question was answered even though rhetorical but as a business owner you can choose to charge for the extra (1) or all (6). The sense of entitlement by people still baffles me. Anyone who has never owned a business or been responsible for the operational day-to-day or P&L have no clue. "Why are you charging me .15 for water? That doesn't cost you anything." In that case ma'am our restroom is out of order to you.

I nominate this thread for this year's petty award. Good grief... if you can't afford to eat out & tip, then cook for yourself. Seems like a no-win situation for restaurant owners these days with food prices, labor shortages, and having to deal with people who just like to complain.

There is a tendency for people to see every dollar they spend as profit for the business. I have heard 1000 times the glass of tea only cost you a dime. That is a narrow view of things. It all adds up on a P and L. The napkins, the paper towels in the bathroom, the soap, the guy who washes the glass or in my case the cup. The Splenda, the lemons, the electric bill, the labor to make the tea, etc etc. And don't forget they will ask for a togo cup and get a refill to take back to the office.... I have always said that a person will buy a new car and get screwed out of 1000s and continue to buy a new car from the same dealer time and time again but if they think you stuck them with a quarter on their lunch they will hate you forever. This post is an example of that. I think there was a time where places were so desperate for business and did make so much money they didn't care. Now it's changed a bit and the consumer is gonna see more of it. Ie credit card fees etc. I was at a place recently that charged 3 bucks of an extra plate if you are sharing a meal.

It seems, at least here in Texas, the sacred cow is the huge, bottomless bowl of chips and salsa at Mexican restaurants, especially TexMex places. It is not as common in some of the “authentic” Mexican places, but it has to be a big expense. Maybe the $15 margaritas made with cheap tequila help cover the cost.

The smart restaurant owner builds everything into the menu prices including extra condiments, etc. My friend does this then he frequently comps drinks, sides or meals to repeat customers. Makes him look good and keeps repeat customers happy

Hey!!! You can't buy that new iKon if you don't save that first .65 ... Dan

I think you try and do that. I hate for everything to go well and their last impression is a charge on the bill that influences their otherwise great experience. That said it's not always easy and when a customer goes off menu with requests it can get touchy. My old neighbor at the old up n smoke location used to have a special person charge of $2 lol. I also think it depends on the spend. For example, when I bought my wife's car which was rather pricey I asked the dealership to tint the windows. They did at no charge without batting an eye. Now if I go buy some beater off the used car side for 6k for my kid to drive I would expect them to charge me for the tint. I get that completely. If I have a person come in and run up 150 dollar tab for him and his wife they aren't being charged for extra stuff especially if they are regulars. If I have a person order the cheapest thing on the menu, drink water, and ask for a bunch of extra stuff they are fairly certain to get charged for extra stuff. It's not that hard a concept.

Friday night, like every Friday I will have a bill that is north of 120 before a large tip. It will be a pile of margaritas, a half order of nachos that my wife and I split and we will eat 3 baskets of chips and salsa. I feel good about it.

x2 (insert sloppy beers for margaritas)

If you're eating out, and worried about .65.....then you probably shouldn't be eating out.

I said what I said.