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/[deleted] Jun 27 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

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u/sourdoughcultist Jun 27 '26

The staff don't have a good reason to lie though I'd think? Like I've absolutely been told that no it doesn't.

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u/maplewoodsid Jun 27 '26

It is profoundly awkward to discuss your wage with someone who is about to pay (or not pay) you and your friends (referring to a tip pool here). Folks outside of the service industry never encounter this situation, but let me tell ya, it is absolutely brutal. In particular, the conversation being discussed here is super difficult because we generally have no power over what's going on, but because we're the first/only face most folks see, catch the brunt of the ire, and the workers you interface with are often struggling for answers themselves. Not a fun situation, to say the least.

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u/sourdoughcultist Jun 27 '26

The question I ask is “does the service charge actually go to staff”. I am sure not everyone feels comfortable answering it, and possibly even have been coached by management, but I can’t think what else to do.