BEWARE of Chicago Pizza!!!

[Jordan T]

Hmm. I kind of like it. 15% is what I usually tip, and this makes me feel like less of a cheapskate. Makes me wonder how many people are tipping less than fifteen percent...

Good call.... I like it too.

[cayohueso]

An automatic gratuity charge will deter people from giving anything more and most people will remember that if they walk into your establishment again. They will expect poor service because there is no need for good service when you're going to get your tip anyway. That is a real "Orlando/International Drive" move. Screw the tourist...they won't be back anyway.

...exactly.

[coredumped]

One thing you need to be aware of... Landing customers over the last few years have been extremely cheap and they have a suprisingly HIGH amount of walkouts.  You'd be suprised at what people try to pull off.

If they're going to walk out on their bill, $X.XX, they'll also walk out on $X.XX + 15%. While what you say is true, they're pushing it on the wrong people. Does anyone know if their other locations are doing this? (this may have nothing to do with the landing)

I for one, think Chicago Pizza has been a great addition to downtown.

I did too, until this visit.

[tufsu1]

Hmm. I kind of like it. 15% is what I usually tip, and this makes me feel like less of a cheapskate. Makes me wonder how many people are tipping less than fifteen percent...

In jax...a whole bunch!

[TheProfessor]

Well there must be a reason they are doing this.  Either they have bad service and people are not tipping well, they have good service and people are not tipping well, or in the unlikely case they have many international visitors which are unaware to American tipping practices similar to Orlando.

[JeffreyS]

I have enjoyed myself each time I have gone to Chicago pizza. They are losing about five percent because I usually tip twenty.

[coredumped]

I should've made this a poll:)

JeffreyS, since they give you the opportunity to tip more, would you?

[ProjectMaximus]

I should've made this a poll:)

I'm usually in the 18-20% range. If gratuity is included, regardless of %, I almost never tip extra.

[Timkin]

Good idea core.  I would not. The quality of the food is not in question. their practice of laying a 15% gratuity on without being upfront is what I think is wrong. I get all of the reasons they do it. Just be up front.  

[JeffreyS]

I should've made this a poll:)

JeffreyS, since they give you the opportunity to tip more, would you?

I doubt it if it is included in the check I would just sign. I do think it is not the best practice to include the gratuity in the bill if it is not a large group but I am not that bothered.

[Ocklawaha]

Our Monday evening server explained the new policy PRIOR to taking the orders...

Either way, it's okay by me...  If people can't afford the SERVICE then they really should go to Mickey D's, after all you get what you pay for and servers shouldn't be forced to work for free.

My son-in-law works at an area Olive Garden, he's a long timer with "Darden Restaurants".  You would be amazed at the number of days this guy comes in EMPTY handed. The amazing thing is, he also worked various Orlando and Miami-Lauderdale-Coral Springs locations and say's it NEVER happened at any of them!!

OCKLAWAHA

[coredumped]

If people can't afford the SERVICE then they really should go to Mickey D's,
OCKLAWAHA

Comon Ock, did you read what most of the posts above said? They have no problem tipping, as long as their told (I was not). As I (and others) said, I wouldve tipped more, it's the ASSUMPTION that's wrong here.

[blizz01]

Side note:  what's the proper protocol when there's a tip line on the bottom of a walk-up (i.e., Moes, Flats, etc)?  It makes for an awkward moment when you use your card as services have yet to be rendered + it's not too unlike other walk-ups that don't have the policy.  Makes me want to come prepared with exact change/cash.  Maybe I'm getting cheap, but, I don't believe that the frontline/cashiers are on a server's rate(?).

Guess we could start a whole new thread:  What about take-out?  What's the proper etiquette?  

[chipwich]

I have had consistently bad service at Chicago Pizza and no longer go there because of it. 

I have been blatantly ignored and made to wait before while the servers chatted with each other and counted tips.  The pizza is good, but the service has always been very sub-par at the Landing location.  I imagine that may have something to do with instituting a 15% minimum.

I usually tip over 20%, but found it to be begrudging experience at Chicago Pizza.  I don't want to throw them under the bus, but they need to change for the better if they expect to stay in business.  I like the pizza enough that if the service gets better, I would definitely go back.

[spuwho]

I stopped going ages ago as it was always filled with loafers with empty drinks hogging tables to watch sports on the TV's. Wasn't worth the mega-minute wait for a table. (Also why they charge for refills)

Also, while it is called "Chicago Pizza" it has nothing to do with Chicago at all. The owners are actually from Pittsburgh. Many times we couldn't get a table as it was overrun with Steeler fans.

"Real" Chicago pizza can be found at many places, just not here. Giordano's, Lou Malnati's, Pizzeria Due, Bacino's are just a few. Gino's East has gone downhill. Those are real Chicago pizzas.

Chicago Pizza in Jax is just a sports bar that happens to serve pizza. It should be called "Steeler Pizza" but perhaps that gets too close to reality.