Bread charge at restaurants

[tokie]

I hate when I enter what looks like a good restaurant, the waiter puts bread down on the table, and I find out when the bill comes that the bread cost money.

How does ATOT feel about this deceptive practice? I usually don't tip and complain until they remove it from the bill. Sometimes I even negotiate them down further on the rest of the meal.

I am not pig American by the way. So don't assume that.

 

[BlackTigers]

Greedy Americans....always wanting free handouts.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Greedy Americans....always wanting free handouts.

This is common in some European countries. Has been for years.

Never seen it here in the U.S. though personally.

 

[NuclearNed]

The restaurant is charging to feed you? The horror!

Edit: you know you could tell them you don't want the bread, right?

 

[DnetMHZ]

I've eaten in a lot of restaurants and have never come across this practice.

 

[tokie]

This is common in some European countries. Has been for years.

Never seen it here in the U.S. though personally.

Yes I encounter this mostly in Europe. Apparently there are NYTimes/Post article about it in New York as well though.

 

[tokie]

On second thought, why bread?

If you go to a Chinese restaurant they don't give you free rice.

Why do white people expect free bread?

 

[Schfifty Five]

I've eaten in a lot of restaurants and have never come across this practice.

this.

 

[Schfifty Five]

On second thought, why bread?

If you go to a Chinese restaurant they don't give you free rice.

Why do white people expect free bread?

In a sit down style chinese restaurant, yes they do give you free rice in most places.

Any restaurant that charges you for giving you bread w/o you asking for it sound like they are doing something illegal.

 

[tokie]

In a sit down style chinese restaurant, yes they do give you free rice in most places.

Any restaurant that charges you for giving you bread w/o you asking for it sound like they are doing something illegal.

I have never been given free rice at a Chinese restaurant in my life.

However I have been given free nachos at Mexican restaurants. But that is pretty rare.

 

[sdifox]

In a sit down style chinese restaurant, yes they do give you free rice in most places.

Any restaurant that charges you for giving you bread w/o you asking for it sound like they are doing something illegal.

Never been to a Chinese restaurant with free rice.

Actually, I take that back, never been to a Chinese restaurant outside of Taiwan with free rice. Mind you I guess they could have just build the price of the rice into your meal. They have these huge rice cookers (1 meter diameter?) and you just get your own rice.

Don't actually have a problem with paying for it. Bread prices have sky rocketed. As long as the customer is informed before hand, I doubt people have a problem with it.

 

[bigrash]

Never been charged for bread. Weird.

 

[xanis]

Yes, I think this is deceptive. I've never actually encountered this myself. I assume all restaurants that put bread on the table roll it in to their other food costs, so you're paying for it anyway.

The simple solution to this would be for the waiter or waitress to ask you if you'd like bread at an additional charge.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Yes I encounter this mostly in Europe. Apparently there are NYTimes/Post article about it in New York as well though.

Figures. Probably a warning to stupid american tourists who go to Yerp, can't unnerstan the bill, and are all confuzed 'n stuff.

 

[Saint Nick]

I usually just ask if we need to pay for it, not a big deal.

 

[Capt Caveman]

On second thought, why bread?

If you go to a Chinese restaurant they don't give you free rice.

Why do white people expect free bread?

You usually get free tea instead then a fortune cookie at the end.

 

[alkemyst]

I've eaten in a lot of restaurants and have never come across this practice.

QFT, where the hell are you eating OP where the server brings out charge items that were not disclosed.

Sounds like you aren't paying attention and saying "OK" to a item or someone at your table is.

Are they asking if you'd like an appetizer? and you are responding "Just some bread."

Pretty much to that question, anything you request after it will be a charged item. Just like when they ask what entrees you have....it'd be silly if they replied back "thank you sir, the steak will be $34.95"

 

[swanysto]

I have never had to pay for bread. And every Chinese restaurant I have been to has never outright charged for white rice. I am sure it has been built in to the price of the entree though.

 

[gorb]

first chinese bbq in arlington gives you free rice with your food (and will refill it whenever you want). the food is dirt cheap, you get a ton of it, and it's super tasty

 

[God Mode]

Screw bread. I'm not at a sit down restaurant to make myself a sandwich. No more useless fillers. Bring on the meat!

 

[alkemyst]

Screw bread. I'm not at a sit down restaurant to make myself a sandwich. No more useless fillers. Bring on the meat!

/no homo?

 

[SandEagle]

you should have complained. then, when the bill comes, add the 12% tip and subtract the bread price from it.

 

[Jeeebus]

err - I have never been to a restaurant that brings bread to the table and then charges you for it. Whether we're talking cheap or more upscale, if they are bringing you something that is not a menu item you specifically asked for, you should not be getting charged for it. No way would I pay for something I didn't ask for that they took it upon themselves to put on the table.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Never been to a Chinese restaurant with free rice.

Actually, I take that back, never been to a Chinese restaurant outside of Taiwan with free rice. Mind you I guess they could have just build the price of the rice into your meal. They have these huge rice cookers (1 meter diameter?) and you just get your own rice.

Don't actually have a problem with paying for it. Bread prices have sky rocketed. As long as the customer is informed before hand, I doubt people have a problem with it.

I've gone to multiple Chinese restaurants in all major cities of TX, and many in Cali, and I would say 99% did not charge anything for plain steamed white rice. It comes in those red containers and you just ask for more if you are out.

However, for fast-food style, Chinese take-out type places, yeah they will charge you $1.00 or $1.50 for an extra side of rice.

 

[Schfifty Five]

first chinese bbq in arlington gives you free rice with your food (and will refill it whenever you want). the food is dirt cheap, you get a ton of it, and it's super tasty

First Chinese BBQ restaurants are awesome.