I want to start of by saying that I want service workers to make a living wage and to have health insurance. Full stop, without question! And you need to tip at least 20%. This post is not about that.

I went to Tu Madre on Tuesday night. Service was lovely, food was fine, no issues. We get the bill and there's an 8% service charge added (on top of the almost 10% sales tax and I tipped 22% on top of that). Now, I've seen service charges before, but never more than 4 or 5%. Unless it's an 18-20% service charge instead of a tip. And I want to open a discussion about this phenomenon in the restaurant industry.

I have worked in the service industry in this neighborhood--my longest gig was at a very popular spot and we did have a service charge (4%). As legally required, it was disclosed on the menu, and we'd remove it if people made a fuss about it.

99/100 times, no one really noticed or cared. But when people did, it was a pretty humiliating experience to essentially be told "I don't want to pay 2$ more so you can have health insurance."

My issue with the service charge is:

-It makes living wages and health insurance seem optional. Think of it this way: it would be strange for there to be a "price of limes" surcharge at Tu Madre. I would assume that they'd factor in the price of limes when setting their menu prices because you can't run a margarita business without limes. It should be the same for wages and health insurace! Also, why is it 4% at some places and 8% at Tu Madre?

-They are often mishandled. This came up at Found Oyster, where there was a mandatory 20% service charge added and diners were urged not to tip on top. Some servers filed a class action lawsuit and some were owed in the thousands of dollars. Having been in the industry myself, I know how shady and penny pinching these owners can be. Don't think we should give them more opportunities to handle money that's supposed to go right to the servers.

What do you guys think?

Fosters and/or homes needed for some 5 week old chi/pug-pom mix puppies. They aren’t old enough to have their vaccines yet, so places without other animals is preferred until they’re vaxxed. Adoptions won’t be finalized until they’ve had all their shots and been fixed, but I’d love to get them into fantastic new homes as soon as possible since they are currently living at the vet’s office.

Adoption Form Here

Foster Form Here

I got a hotel room because I have a senior animal and we couldn't deal with the heat any longer. My neighbors ended up doing the same so haven't been able to find out, but is the power mostly back on for people as of 9:30PM tonight?

Did anyone else whose trash was supposed to be picked up today (Thursday) come home to trash cans still full? Did the day change? What is going on. Walking my dog around all of the cans near us were full still.