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Reader questions: How late is too late?
Esteemed Meal Ticket commenter molls to the wall checks in with this restaurant etiquette query we'd like your feedback on.
Reader questions: How late is too late?
Esteemed Meal Ticket commenter molls to the wall checks in with this restaurant etiquette query we'd like your feedback on:
So I really want to take an out-of-town buddy to Percy Street Barbecue next week but they close at 10 and we won't be able to get there until, like, 9:30. Is it douche-ish if we show up then? Should I just tip 'em a lot as a thank you?
What do you think, Meal Ticketers? Please share your takes in the comments. Meanwhile, here's our two cents: There's a huge difference between showing up at 9:30 and showing up at 9:55 or 10:01. Plus, Percy Street has the distinction of having most everything on its menu ready (or close to ready) to serve the second you sit down, so it's a far different situation than showing up to a restaurant, reservation-less, with 30 minutes to go and ordering a multi-course chef's tasting. We'd advise calling ahead and explaining the situation just to be considerate. All that being said, Percy 'cue is very takeout-friendly, too, so that's always an option.
Really want burnt ends now.
Photo: Neal Santos
Nothing wrong with it, though it is always nice to tip well!— JetJill- I def think it's cool if you get there by 9:30, 9:35 ish, but I think the problem with eating in comes after 9:45. If it's an issue of picking the friend up at the airport or train station and then racing there to beat the clock, I would suggest take out.— MLF
- A half hour before they close is not douchy at all. Although I might be mindful of how late you stay and how many other patrons are still dining. Most likely the person waiting on you would be there till after they close anyway, so tipping extra because you feel guilty is not necessary. I have always had excellent service at Percy so I tip extra because of that. Just the fact that you are even asking these questions is great.— Jesse Cornell
- Check the menu ahead of time and see what you want, and just go ahead and order as you're getting seated. I'd definitely call ahead to see what's up as well as tip a lil extra if you're there for a while past 10, but in general I would say go for it.— LouPerseghin
- I was the douche, back when I owned the Upstairs Cafe. A party of five showed up a couple of minutes after closing. Part greed, part hospitality - I sat them. Staff, of course, was pissed, but gave them a good experience. At the end of the meal, the older member of the party - the rest were students - paid with a credit card. Turned out to be Buckminster Fuller. Staff still was pissed, but I felt pretty good about it. More on-topic, a restaurant is open until it is closed. No obligation to seat someone a minute after closing but every obligation to do so, gracefully, a minute before.— Holly Moore
- I'm fairly sure this is the first time noted futurist Buckminster Fuller has been mentioned in a Meal Ticket comment. — Drew Lazor
- My kitchen is open until 1am. I tell the cooks that means 1:05. I betcha the owners of Percy Street want your business and if they set their hours until 10 they probably meant it.
Scott Charles Schroeder III— foodsyoucaneat - And you should always tip well. — foodsyoucaneat
- I can personally attest to molls to the wall's tipping prowess and general rapport with/empathy for restaurant folk. I think that is why she is putting this question out there. — Drew Lazor
- If they're open until 10, they're open until 10. I just wouldn't be a dick and hang out for hours nursing your beers. Also, they have a decent bar, people will be there past 10, this is not a little byo with a single waiter waiting on just you to leave so he can go home. As an earlier commenter said, the food is all already made so you're not stressing the kitchen - just be aware they're probably cleaning up as they make your food.— bje55
- Not douche-ish at all. Late tables pay the same prices as early ones, right?— Sam J
- I worked at restaurants for years.. 30 minutes before closing is hardly something to blink at, especially at a casual, bar/restaurant place like Percy St. Anyone who eats on the later side should be conscious of when they are the last person in the place, with people cleaning up and waiting to go home, but time of entrance doesn't necessarily predict that.— thebizz
- Mollstothewall is a saint for worrying about being douchey.
Make a reservation so they know that you're coming. Show up on time and don't putz around while getting your order in. If you want dessert, let your server know before the kitchen closes. Try not to be the last guest there. Oh.. and get the pork belly.— AKJackie
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