You ever have this interaction at a nice steak restaurant?
You: I would like to order the 28 oz. ribeye steak.
Waiter: How would you like that done?
You: Medium rare
Waiter: Would you like to add garlic mushrooms and onions?
You: Sure
Waiter: Which potato would you like?
You: Can I get a baked sweet potato?
Waiter: Absolutely! Great choice, you want that loaded, that would be with brown sugar, butter, marshmallow, and cinnamon?
You: Ohhh yeah, I will be bad today
Waiter: Live big, and what kind of dressing for your salad?
You: Ranch, oh does that salad have shredded cheese?
Waiter: It does not, would you like to add some?
You: Definitely, can’t have a salad without cheese.
You get the bill and that $30 steak has a few extra charges to it.
+3.00 Glc/Msh/On
+2.00 Loaded
+1.00 ShrdChz
Instead of costing $30, the steak cost you $36. Those are called upcharges. Those are items the server is asking you to add to help increase the cost of the meal (and to help enhance the taste). I always assumed people were aware of the upselling process since you really see it when you go to a bar. Ask for a mixed drink and be prepared to answer some questions, the bartender will try to get you to add top shelf liquor. Most people understand this, but so often in the restaurant world, we deal with people who think the waitress is trying to rip them off. Or they believe the server was deceitful and never mentioned there was an upcharge. If you do not ask, most servers are not going to say that something costs extra.
One reason is that most servers have had an experience where they tell someone that there is an upcharge and the customer becomes offended, like the server was assuming they are poor. Another reason is that many servers do not always know which items are an upcharge. For example, extra croutons may not be an upcharge, but extra cheese adds money. Sometimes it is just how the computer system of the restaurant does it (generally set up by someone much higher up than the serving staff).
The best way to avoid being surprised by those charges is to actually read the menu. I do not know how many times I have to deal with an angry customer who did not look at the menu and ordered something vague and left it up to the server to figure it out. They do their best to get the person what they want, but then the customer is angry that it cost more than they expected. Also, if you are looking at the menu and you see regular sides and premium sides, you should know that the premium sides are more expensive and adding one to a meal will trigger an upcharge.
Hopefully this Restaurant PSA helps with your next dining experience!
