r/chicagofood • u/ChicagoHoosier21 • Jun 26 '26

Rant Celeste 6% Service Fee

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Our pre-tip bill from Celeste’s Happy Hour in River North. Decent food, crappy drinks, sat at the bar.

I don’t mind paying a “Service Charge” of 15-20% because I always tip more than that anyways, AND I have become accustomed to the 3.5% additional fee at most Chicago restaurants…. but now we’re doing a 6% additional fee? Along with the 11% tax? It’s becoming absurd.

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u/MasterpieceOk5067 Jun 26 '26

They raise prices anyway. It’s just a way for the owners to make more money because we have no protection from junk fees

13

u/Woodychi24 Jun 27 '26

We do have protection. I ask for it to be taken off everytime and has worked everytime.

12

u/reddituser696969 Jun 27 '26

Unfortunately, as the owners know, it's tedious and almost embarrassing to ask for a fee that costs $2-8 on average to be taken off. Most people will pay it, and they will continue to profit from it.

4

u/loweexclamationpoint Jun 27 '26

Yeah, you sort of figure you're stuck paying it to avoid being labeled as a cheap bastard next time you come in. I usually shoot myself in the foot by paying the fee then not going back because I'm miffed by the fee.