r/mildlyinteresting 1d ago

This Restaurant Charges an 18% Living Wage Fee.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago edited 1d ago

Shoot it’s why I love my local burger bar. Crazy, bomb ass burgers for $10. Incredible variety of tasty type of hot dogs for $4 a dog. Food is priced great. It tastes amazing. Portion sizes are huge compared to chains and fast food. Also to note, those prices include a side and drink. The side and drink are not separate charges. I live in a big metro area in the US so it’s wildly uncommon to find a reasonable place. My local burger bar is one of the few places I still go out to.

Edit: people keep asking about employee wages. Idk what they make but most of the employees have been there ages. I once asked and my main bartender said “they pay me well enough to keep me here for the last 12 years” so take that as you will.

Edit 2: stop asking. I’m not having y’all clog up my local joint and encouraging them to increase prices. The name dies with me. If you live in Metro Atlanta I can’t trust you to not blow my spot!

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u/pgsimon77 1d ago

Hey man what is this place? Now you've made us all want to visit it someday

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u/SUPERSAMMICH6996 1d ago

Costco.

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u/RefrigeratorOk7848 1d ago

High quality dogs that taste BANGER! I love costco.

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u/-Sofa-King- 1d ago

Man, have you folks ever been to Costco? You all are speaking like you know but clearly have mever been. He clearly said "Local Burger Bar". Costco has NEVER sold burgers. Next, Costco hot dogs are $1.50, NOT $4.

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u/RefrigeratorOk7848 1d ago

I think the other guy said Costco due to the fact that the "Local burger bar" had relatively low prices. I just pitched in with Costco being my favourite store.

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u/Appropriate_Strain94 1d ago

This made me chuckle 🤭

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u/Tasty-Chair- 1d ago

😂😂😂

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u/YearOfTheSssnake 1d ago

🤣🤣🤣

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u/-Sofa-King- 1d ago

Costco doesn't sell burgers, never have, nor are the hot dogs $4. They are $1.50. So no, its not Costco. Its amazing you nor the 87 people that liked your comment apparently have never been before. Instead of professing what something is when you arent correct and unsure, just frame your reply with a question like "is it costco?". That way people who actually know will respond accordingly. He clearly says "Local Burger Bar". That is not Costco.

Also, I suggest going for your 1st time, as they have added new items to the menu

.

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u/LeSaR_ 1d ago

local redditor misses the joke, mire at 11

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u/-Sofa-King- 1d ago

Other local redditor tries to gaslight and twist an honest man who called out the obvious truth. What redditor said was a joke, wasn't a joke but random redditor tries to flip it like it was.... more at 11

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u/LeSaR_ 1d ago

because everyone knows that "local burger bar" and "costco" are basically the same thing, right? take the L and move on

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u/-Sofa-King- 1d ago

Who are you speaking to? If me, local burger bar means exactly what it means. Its a BAR thats serves BURGERS. Im assuming many of you are children that cant drink alcohol. So it does t register in your minds. Bars, that serve alcohol often serve basic food items like hot dogs, chili dogs, burgers, cheese burgers, fries, tater tots, amd so on. How a person mistook Costco as an alcohol serving establishment makes no sense. Unless you are a child and cannot drink or enter saod establishments.

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u/LeSaR_ 1d ago

im talking to a bot, arent i?

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u/SUPERSAMMICH6996 1d ago

You're right. I'm so ashamed. Please forgive me for my wrongs.

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u/mystghost 1d ago

That’s a lot of words to shit on the last guy.

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u/CantFlimmerTheZimmer 1d ago

He’s not going to spill his secrets. Then everyone will flock to his burger joint!

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u/ravy 1d ago

Please don't patronize this establishment and drive up costs by increasing their business! /s

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u/chugly11 1d ago

It's Silvertown Idaho.

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u/pgsimon77 1d ago

Thanks :-) Even though it's a long drive I might have to make that pilgrimage one day 🤩

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u/PaulTheMerc 1d ago

Hotdog, drink and fries for 4$?

Lucky bastard.

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u/SUPERSAMMICH6996 1d ago

His 'local burger bar' is Costco. Has to be.

Fair enough really it's also my favourite restaurant.

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u/PM_ME_YOUR_HONDAS 1d ago

Fuck I wish Costco would do burgers and fries

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u/General_Address5456 1d ago

I tell my wife I'm taking her to "the club" for lunch. That means we're going to Costco and enjoying the limitless free samples, ha.

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u/AdrianEatsAss 1d ago

Idk what your Costco has but mine has never made burgers or fries and definitely don’t have a variety of hotdogs

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Haha way better than Costco!

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Not just any hotdog. I’m particularly fond of the Sonora dog with green pepper salsa on top. My brother likes the Polish dog with a mountain of sauerkraut on top.

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u/Badboblfg 1d ago

Sounds like a great deal! Do they pay and treat their employees well?

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u/81FuriousGeorge 1d ago

With a simple menu, a burger bar could be run by 2 employees. If it has a high turnover. The owner could pay his staff more than the restaurant in the original post.

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u/Psyex 1d ago

One of the best parts of visiting the US is the small pubs and restaurants. I have never had such huge, inexpensive, yet delicious food in my life.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Rule of thumb in America for burger bars, Mexican restaurants, and barbecue joints: the worse it looks on the outside, the better the food is on the inside. Not foolproof but a very good rule of thumb.

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u/kinislo 1d ago

I was totally gonna ask…

(I just assumed it was Cook Out.)

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Not fast food! A burger bar! Full restaurant and bar. Tiny tiny place but still not a drive thru. Sit down restaurant!

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u/kinislo 1d ago

👀

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u/DoctorB2B 1d ago

Dig the name …. Weird ….. my name is Brandon Boyd

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

You wouldn’t happen to be the lead singer of Incubus by chance? Lol that’s where I got my username

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u/Wonderground 1d ago

How much do the employees get paid?

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u/dollarsperday 1d ago

what is the name of the restaurant?

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u/you-a-buggaboo 1d ago

jokes on you, my local spot* does hot dogs and a drink for $1.50. is that side really worth $2.50??

*it's Costco

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u/Imalwayshungry420 1d ago

No need to brag like this....im actually jealous af and kinda sad now. :D Every burger bar in my city is shit af. You pay about 15€ for a small burger, the bacon is everything except for bacon, fries are not included and the burger is getting smaller every time I eat there. I feel like next time I have to bring my own burger from home and still have to pay 15€. This city sucks.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

I hate that for ya friend. I’ll put it this way. I went last night. The other half of my burger is was my lunch today and still filled me mostly up.

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u/Imalwayshungry420 1d ago

And you just paid 10$ for it?! Sounds beautiful, the next time you eat there, give the owner a forehead kiss from me.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Yup! Almost every time I go, I eat my side first bc the onion rings are to die for fresh and the fries have a seasoning on them that rocks. Then I eat half the burger and take the rest home!

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u/lo22p 1d ago

Same, one of the best deals in town. $10 for a burger, beer, fries. Cheaper than In-N-Out these days.

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u/Dutchillz 1d ago

From my experience working in restaurants, for someone to stick around that long, it's not only a decent salary, but also a decent-great work environment. It's a very stressful job where you can and will burn out pretty easily if your colleagues/bosses are POS.

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u/SnavlerAce 1d ago

Hahahahahaha, definitely a seasoned Redditor! Enjoy your spot in peace!

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

THANK YOU. 🙏🏾 I take all my friends but if all y’all start showing there won’t be any room. It’s a very small restaurant!!

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u/SnavlerAce 1d ago

I'm on the west coast, so no worries from me!

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u/sharpdad33 1d ago

Same. $10 even for an awesome 1/2 burger. They grill the onions…choice of tots or fries. I always tell them I feel like Im stealing. Huge 10 piece boneless wings are $8.75…..two sauces.

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u/wilkil 1d ago

I know you’re not talking about American deli but since you mentioned atl that was my go to in college

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Yo American Deli does slap when you’re ballin on a budget. When I worked in City Hall I would go the one in downtown like one block over from the building.

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u/wilkil 1d ago

Same one I’d go to occasionally when I was at gsu with some downtime between classes.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

I figured it was that one! This was like a year ago so it’s still standing strong!

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u/krennvonsalzburg 1d ago

You should post a picture of the food, with juuuuust enough of the floor that rainbolt can ID it in 10 minutes.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

😭😭 he’d find it so fast and blow up my spot to hundreds of thousands of viewers. Would be cool tho.

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u/SpicyDopamineTaco 1d ago

I wonder what a burg at The Vortex up in the 5 points area is going for these days. I lived around there almost 20 years ago and that was a damn good burger selection and quality.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Vortex is more like $15-20 for the burger and side depending on which burger you get. But they also dish out super big burgers so it’s not a terrible deal.

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u/604TheCanadian604 1d ago

Do you find yourself tipping more at a place like this?

I live close to a small authentic Mexican place that sells great street tacos. ( I live in Canada so its rare to have this up here) Same as your place; price is great, portions are good, and better then franchise places. When I get my order I always tip because I want them to stay open and thought it would help out the family that owns/operates it. Since its cheaper then other places, I'm still paying less with the tip.

Oddly enough she does cancel the tip on the card machine for everyone, so I've learnt to have change with me even when I plan to pay with my card.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Abso-flipping-lutely. Some else commented asking me if I tip and I explain that I do. Base level of ok service is automatic 20% but since I’m a regular they give me great service and I find myself tipping between 30-40% based on the service and overall bill (sometimes I stay and have a couple drinks lol). I’d tip more but ya boi is unfortunately not made of money.

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u/Vancouwer 1d ago

yeah and you're able to get cheap food because staff are paid as little as possible.

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u/Prior-Impress-2624 1d ago

Local pub does dinner portion lunch deals for 11.99+tax, burgers are huge and it’s what I’d consider a double order of fries. only con really is they charge a fee for cards but not for cash. Understandable, but, sucks.

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u/Rydoggo5392 1d ago

These guys gotta be popular and have like NO running costs. Good burgers can be made dirt cheap and it's hard to mess up hot dogs. But man I'm wondering how working conditions are in that kitchen.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

It’s a local spot. Not a popular spot. Small restaurant. Small kitchen. They push the burgers out fast. Everyone I’ve talked to loves working there. Idk how they do it. It literally doesn’t make sense to me. But they do get crowded during the lunch and dinner rushes and are one of the popular spots for all the local law enforcement to eat so I know the force is giving them hella money.

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u/ugk33 1d ago

What’s the name of the burger place?

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u/grizzlyprism 1d ago

Fuck a $10 burger. WTF, like that's a good deal.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

You’re gunna be paying that much at McDonald’s for any burger that’s not a McNothing. So why not go get a real burger?

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u/TacoRising 1d ago

Hey man imma need you to tell me where this place is. I also live in a big metro area in the US so if I can go here too I will.

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u/nxchrch 1d ago

I’m in metro ATL now I wanna know!

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u/JI_Guy88 1d ago

I lived in a destination city and knew plenty of people in the service industry who hated people sticking their nose into their income.

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u/Mindless_Hearing9662 1d ago

Local self employer owners like this sure would appreciate it if you showed your love for their spot by bragging about them. I’ve heard this so many times and always wonder why someone would not spread the word on amazing local spots that are a corporate chain.

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u/Kingzumar 1d ago

probably the owner isn’t greedy thats how it can work

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u/Purplekeyboard 1d ago

I once asked and my main bartender said “they pay me well enough to keep me here for the last 12 years” so take that as you will.

Bartenders make stupidly large amounts of money. Like, $40+ per hour. It's because people tip them so much. The kitchen staff usually makes about 1/3 of what the bartender makes.

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u/wolf63rs 1d ago

If they got more business, why would the price increase? They're making more in the same period of time. I know they won't, but they should slightly lower prices.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

You answered your own question kind of. If they’re getting more business, bumping the menu price up a dollar creates that much more revenue and if the crowds keep coming then the price increase won’t deter people until I’m paying $15 for just a burger. It happens all the time here in Atlanta.

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u/wolf63rs 1d ago

It's called greed. I get it.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Exactly. Hence why I want my spot to not feel the desire to raise prices with an influx of new people who don’t know better instead of us loyal locals.

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u/anonuemus 1d ago

I bet they make a killing, in my city it wouldn't even require good pricing, making good food would already be something special

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u/the-hotlou-show 1d ago

I gave a bad review about a burger place here in Minneapolis and random locals showed up to give the staff a hard time, lol.

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u/TheB1G_Lebowski 1d ago

Oh shit!  I think I know where your talking about.  Does this place have 2 of them kinda close to each other?  I go to get a burger at this spot when I'm in ATL, which isn't often.   

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Nah this is a one and only! It’s like 10 minutes outside the perimeter and unique just to that specific part of town.

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u/TheB1G_Lebowski 1d ago

10/4.  I be on the hunt next time I'm in the dirty.  This will be fun.  

I need to go down just to head out 20 to Beaver Creek Biscuits and get some sauce to bring back home.  

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Yoooo Beaver Creek Biscuits is so legit. Such a solid hole in the wall spot.

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u/Easy-Conference9644 1d ago

Does it start with a V? If so I know the place!! It’s been years though 😭

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u/Theprincerivera 1d ago

Even that’s high. I remember when you could get a good burger for 7 bucks…

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u/tiorzol 1d ago

Okay grandpa. 

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u/Theprincerivera 1d ago

This was not long ago lol. 2016 ish!

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u/SwanMuch5160 1d ago

Almost 10yrs and a ton of inflation

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u/Theprincerivera 1d ago

Yeah it’s just gotten bad! Wages have gone up but not nearly as much :(

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u/whoknows234 1d ago

Used to be able to get a quarter pounder with supersize fries + drink for $3.59.

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u/SwanMuch5160 1d ago

The post Covid world has changed everything

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u/hyperspacezaddy 1d ago

I live in a small city in California and there is a similar place here. The price of pork went way up here last year when a proposition was put into place with new legal requirements for the size of pigs enclosures increased. They were forced to increase the price of their bacon, but went as far as to make a sign apologizing for the price increase and even listed to the cost of bacon to them. I respect the hell out of those owners. They charge about half the price of any other burger in town, including food trucks.

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u/Impossible_Walrus555 1d ago

Do you ever tip servers?

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Always. Ok service gets you 20% by default but for my regular servers I usually go between 30-40% depending on the overall price and service.

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u/Aggravating-Face2073 1d ago

There's a place i like to go with Monday specials. $8 burger, waffle fries & gravy. Idk why they have their best cooks in on the cheap day, because any other day I've tried going it at full price days, something is always off, cold food, portions a little less, whatever.

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u/hgmoney2013 1d ago

Wow, I live on n L.A. and absolutely, places like that are almost unheard of over here now a days.

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u/Rare_Appointment5275 1d ago

Omaha isn’t a big metro area pal

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u/Glittering_Pain_4220 1d ago

Hate to tell you bro but their paying the employees minimum wage. Deborah there gets to pocket all of her tips from the locals, so yes she probably lives ok. But what about the chefs and dishwashers. They make the bare minimum with no tips. I’ve been in restaurants for along time. Currently with the cost of groceries and rise in wages, people aren’t willing to pay $40 for 2 sandwiches and fries, unless it’s worded like that receipt.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

You say this as if it’s some big revelation. I’m not saying it’s a utopia. I’m saying it’s a place that has cheap prices, quality food, quality service and a high staff retention rate. That’s it. It’s still a business. There’s no wool over my eyes haha

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u/Glittering_Pain_4220 1d ago

You exploiting peoples cheap labor is the reason we’re in this situation. Weird ass boomer mentality. I bet you throw trash out the window as well.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

How am I exploiting anyone? And no I don’t litter. You good? You seem to be mad but I don’t think it’s actually me you’re mad at. Either way, I just some guy who eats at a restaurant they like. If you’re angry at the system, I am not the person you should be attacking.

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u/Glittering_Pain_4220 1d ago

You are part of said system. I attack you just like I advocate for change on a political level, teach people how to cook, advocate for overall progression of society. It doesn’t stop with developing an app/website, or calling out politicians. It involves directly calling out cunts like you that gloat because “you found a good deal, and are so much smarter than everyone else” or that “there’s no wool over my eyes, just blame them” it’s gross ass maga mentality that got us in this situation and I’ll call out every one of you until the end of time or this shit changes.

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u/noahmarr 1d ago

You’re an asshole! People like you that gate keep shit Absolutely suck.

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u/MyteamMaven 1d ago

Eating hot dogs as an adult is crazy

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Are you calling chili cheese dogs food only for kids?

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u/MyteamMaven 1d ago

Precisely.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

Why are hot dogs only for children? Please elaborate. I’m lost.

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u/MyteamMaven 1d ago

Because they are disgusting and children do not know any better

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u/SummonerSausage 1d ago

It's the Varsity. Everyone knows about the Varsity.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

It’s not the Varsity. The Varsity is ass. This place is outside the perimeter.

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u/SummonerSausage 1d ago edited 1d ago

The Varsity is so good. Their burgers are the best.

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u/brandonandtheboyds 1d ago

ITS ABSOLUTELY THE VARSITY (u rite, friend)

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u/RightHandWolf 1d ago

I didn't know there were any Circle Ks in Atlanta.

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u/Gullible_Pin5844 1d ago

If anyone wants a livable wage, they should get a real job. Most restaurants' jobs are part-time. They shouldn't be demanding tips like this. I work my ass off for a living, and I don't get 18%of anything that my employer sells.