Should I tip when I get my meal to go?

Question

Should I tip when I get my meal to go?

Answer 1

Yes you should. I work as a waitress, and I'm taking time away from my tables to do your order. Yes, the cook cooks the meal, but I have to make sure that you have the condiments, the silverware, and your full order. Sometimes I have to do the salads and the soup. It depends on what restaurant you are at. But I am responsible to make sure your order is complete.

It's funny how some people order food to go. Some call a few times to change their order. These people are called idiots...

Just like at a fast food joint, you check your order before you leave to make sure you have everything. Otherwise ask the waitress for whatever you need. Some waitresses don't care and just throw it in the bag. My husband always says "You go through the drive thru and you get f---ed". That's happened many times with me!

Answer 2

This never occurred to me but, after reading comments from from some of the servers who have to compile the meal, I'll do it from now on.

Answer 3

Well I'm a waitress at Steak n Shake and my opinion is when folks get their food to go it's a pleasant suprise if they tip but I'm not mad if they don't,plus depends on how much food it is too,if it's alot then yeah it'd be nice to tip.

Answer 4

It's up to you, but keep this in mind.  In restaurants that I've worked at, to-go meals are not rung up under my personal sales, therefore I didn't have to pay taxes on them, and since I really didn't do anything for the customer, I would give any tip given to me to the kitchen....and I can tell you that 99% of servers don't do this.  

So, if you do tip, try to give it to the kitchen staff directly...otherwise they'll never see it.

Answer 5

Yes, the "to go" person does quite a bit of work to get that meal to you.  8-10% is a nice tip.  Otherwise a couple bucks are always appreciated!

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

No

Answer 8

I did it for a long time, but noticed that even when I tipped I still got S****y To-Go service, and my orders would be inaccurate just as often.  I figured for the extra couple of $$, the person handing me the food would assure that everything was correct.  

I now rarely tip for to-go, unless I go where I'm known as a regular, and get treated decently.  But if it's at a no-name place that I rarely frequent, I don't.

Answer 9

yes you should always tip if you are getting carry out from a sit down resteraunt. 15-20% for sit down service and 10% for take out sevice.

Answer 10

I usually don't, but if I'm at Sonic or some place like that, I do!

Answer 11

yes, you should.  In the US, the restaurant industry is primarily a tip-based income.  Salaries for all employees are accordingly low.  Even when you're getting a meal to go, the cooks, and whoever takes your order, is depending on tip money (and will be taxed on it whether they receive it or not) to make their living.  

You should tip at least 5 to 10 percent for a To-Go order from a regular sit-down restaurant.

Answer 12

YES!!!  heres why.

ok first off. to anyone who thinks your to-go person just stands in one station and smiles when you walk through the door, you need to get your head out of your ***. We are an elite group of people who rush to answer your phone calls, talk over loud servers and customers screaming. We listen to you yell at your children, and put us on hold while you take another phone call, even though we have people wating on us, and the other lines ringing. we rush back to the kitchen to make sure your food is ready. We pour your dressings into the containers and double check to make sure the kitchen staff got everything right. we yell at the kitchen staff if they messed up. We dont just put food in a d**n bag. We have to actually “prepare” your food. Even though must of us get paid higher we still do alot of work. Actually most servers hate doing to-go work. (You do more work). Oh and I dont get a break…. I have to answer the d**n phone… you know for to-go orders, serving calls to talk to other people, people asking if we are hiring, wives and husbands calling for each other. and such. Your server ACTUALLY gets a BREAK. I DONT. I have to hear the gripes of other employees for them having to hear the phone, while im in the back looking for more lids and other things, because you sir/maam need 3 things of honey mustard in your dressing, hmmm. So the NEXT time you think about NOT tiping that to-go person who probably does ALOT more work think about this- If you were at a table, your server is more likely doing the following- Smoking, serving other tables, or talking to other serves. Well when you do to-go. that person is doing alot more than a server. (yes on Occassion we do have a “down” times…. but we still have to answer the phone and deal with people on the phone- we are basically secretaries for the resturaunt as well)

BTW. If you dont tip me I dont take it as a sign of your order being wrong… or that your upset with me… MOST people actually tell me. but when you DO…. dont leave me 2 bucks for a 30 dollar order. I take that as your being CHEAP.

Answer 13

i work at california pizzia kitchen both as a server and at take out, my answer is yes!! we are working for tips and that is the majority of our income, also, if you tip we are more inclined to get your food faster, make sure its accurate(down to every single detail including portions), and offer you extras, those who dont tip get minimal service so we can focus on those who do tip us.

Answer 14

You should ALWAYS tip!

Even when doing take out.(I'm not talking about anything fast food) but any type of sit down restaurant where you normally would tip, you should most certainly tip. People working in restaurants only make about 3 dollars an hour.. so they are relying on tips.

I think everyone needs to at least work in the restaurant business at least once. Maybe more people would understand how hard it really is.

Answer 15

I tip a few bucks whenever I order take-out if the service is good and quick ... if the service sucks or my order is wrong, I generally tip one dollar.

Answer 16

It depends on if you are waited on and served while you waited for your item. if they got you a drink while you waited then your expected to tip.

Answer 17

i would if i knew i had enough.

Answer 18

Yes, you should always tip whether you are eating in or getting a meal to go.

Answer 19

You should, but the percentage may be a little smaller than if you actually ate in.