Split fee at restaurants
 

Has anyone dealt with the "split fee" issue at restaurants here in The Villages?

The other day we had lunch for the first time at Athens in Spanish Springs. The host explained it's a family Greek restaurant, and seated us outside. We weren't super hungry, so decided to order one gyro with fries. I noticed the menu said there was a $1.00 fee for split orders. When we ordered, I specifically told the waitress we did not want to pay for them to cut it in half, and just requested 2 plates.

Many restaurants will bring the second plate at no charge, and let the customers do the "work" of cutting the sandwich in half. When we got the bill, sure enough they charged the $1.00 split fee. But for what, because they didn't even cut the sandwich! I asked the waitress about it, and she got argumentative with me, and said she'd have to ask the manager. The host walked by, and I asked him about it. He was blase', said it was taken care of, and hoped we would come back. I said I doubted we would.

Sure, restaurants and businesses are hurting for extra money, and it was only a dollar. But it was the principle of the thing, and I felt it was not disclosed properly. Any thoughts?

The waitress had to care of 2 people not one and the extra dish needs washed and all that costs time and money....I think you are over reacting to the one dollar split charge !

Are you kidding me.........This has to be a fake post :pray:
Skip 2

We never split a plate because we think it is unfair to the restaurant. We both order meals and bring home the rest if we are not that hungry.

Everybody wins and we have leftovers.

I don't think the phrase "split fee" refers to a fee for someone physically cutting the menu item to be shared, PandG. I believe it just means you are splitting a menu item(s) and there will be an up-charge of $1 for sharing. The logic is what sueandskip explained.

How was the gyro? How would you rank the service prior to the dispute over the $1 fee?

I can not believe you are questioning $1.00 for the extra plate. I guess you didn't tip the waitress either. Now I have heard everything. Shame on you.:sing:

Sometimes if the portion is really large and we aren't going straight home, we will split and leave extra for the server.

Another option if not especially hungry is an appetizer instead of an entree.

Sorry for the post
 

OK, OK... It just seemed silly to charge a fee without doing anything. We did tip the waitress generously, as we do no matter what. She was grumbling to another waitress about the couple next to us having only 2 cups of coffee and nothing else. The gyro was good, but the service was not.

I never even heard the term SPLIT ORDER before. I would not do that even when the grandchildren are here and eating with us. I also would fight for the principal of the thing, but $1 plus or minus would not effect my Principals.

I know that some restaurants charge $3, others won't let you do it, and still others seem not to care one way or the other. My wife and I like to 'share' a single meal because most restaurants give you more than enough food for two people and we don't like having to go home right after dinner to get the leftovers in the frig. If you're following a 'calorie restricted' diet there's MORE than enough food in one serving fro two people. When we do this I tend to over tip the server because they have to do pretty much the same amount of work for serving two people.

just remember they are allowed to pay servers below minimum wage because they get tips. 2 cups of coffee or 1 gyro means low tip and those tables are tied up. most will smile sweetly however, and internalize their 'comments'
:Screen_of_Death:

You read the menu and it said what the fee was you should have paid it. Why should change because of you

My suggestion; go to Subway - order a five-dollar footlong with exactly the add ons you want and they will actually cut it in half for you. AND you don't have to tip anyone! By the way - the "principle of the thing" was on the side of the restaurant IMO.

I have to agree with the rest of the posters. First of all, you say you knew about the fee at the time you ordered. I'm sorry, but you are not more special than the other patrons and should have accepted the fee graciously. Why should the restaurant take on the ecomonic affects because of your decision? It is only a dollar, for goodness sakes! You say the food was good, but not the service. I think you set the tone for the service you would receive the moment you sat down and told the server you didn't want to pay the split fee. I feel you we're disrespectful to the restaurant, server and manager and got back the same attitude.

The $1.00 fee was published by your own admission. The waitress waited on 2 people, provided silverware, plates, napkins and water for 2 people and the restaurant had to spend its time and water and equipment to wash 2 place settings. You owed the $1.00 fee fair and square.