What is a BQ Fee?

[sdifox]

It's "because we can" fee

 

[slayer202]

they figure you don't mind overpaying for the food, why not throw in an additional charge for the amount of people you have at the table

 

[BurnItDwn]

Call your CC and contest $48 of the charge?

 

[Elganja]

appears to be a Banquet Fee (bullshit) per person... i think they are required to disclose it in some fashion (probably in small text on the menu)

unrelated, but Capital Grille >>>> then Morton's or Ruth's Chris IMHO.. however Morton's Happy Hour is usually a pretty good deal

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I've banned both Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris here in Atlanta. They are fuckups.

 

[ponyo]

No, that was this whole other line. I couldn't take a pic of the whole thing because it is so long. That receipt keeps going on to about a $1000.

If everything was eaten, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But my brother (6" 130lb. who eats like a model on a diet) decides to order seven side dishes (designed for 14-21 people) and then nibbled on about 5% of it.

I place the blame mostly on your brother but also on the waiter. Good waiter should've advised your party that the sides are large designed to be shared and 7 sides are kind of overkill.

But for 10 people, $1k bill at place like Morton's is not unusual. You have to figure $100 /head at places like this. But that BQ fee is absolutely ridiculous. I would boycott the place out of principle.

 

[PianoMan]

Only went to Morton’s once, a few years ago, with another couple. Nice downtown venue, service was nice, and everyone dressed up.

Ordered a bone-in filet ($69 for 8oz - on the high side, but okay), which I usually eat nice and neat, but decided to order some crumbly blue cheese for a little spin. I was informed that was an “upgrade” and would be a $10 charge.

After a momentary deer in the headlights look, I stayed the course and agreed to $10 for something that keeps forever in my fridge; and never went back.

Donovan’s, RC, and a local steak and chop place are my usual meat hang outs...

I would ask the restaurant to explain that fee... every large group I dine with, such fees are predisclosed, and it’s never been a surprise.

 

[Darwin333]

No, that was this whole other line. I couldn't take a pic of the whole thing because it is so long. That receipt keeps going on to about a $1000.

If everything was eaten, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But my brother (6" 130lb. who eats like a model on a diet) decides to order seven side dishes (designed for 14-21 people) and then nibbled on about 5% of it.

Wow, you and your brother must be really really close

 

[madoka]

Call them and find out then report back to ease our curiosity

Morton's replied with the answer:

"It is similar to a gratuity but it goes to other people assisting with your event besides the servers."

appears to be a Banquet Fee (bullshit) per person... i think they are required to disclose it in some fashion (probably in small text on the menu)

Apparently it was in tiny boilerplate text at the bottom of the contract they made me sign when I made my reservation.

 

[ponyo]

Oh, you didn't mention you booked private dining and not regular reservation. They should've told you the fee when you booked but I understand why they charged it. The error shifts back to you thinking private dining was free.

 

[madoka]

Oh, you didn't mention you booked private dining and not regular reservation. They should've told you the fee when you booked but I understand why they charged it. The error shifts back to you thinking private dining was free.

They told me repeatedly that the dining room was free though.

It went like this:

Mortons: Did you want your own room?

Me: Is there any charge?

Mortons: No.

Me: So it's free?

Mortons: Yes.

So while the room was free, they didn't mention that there was an additional labor charge outside of that boilerplate.

 

[ponyo]

They told me repeatedly that the dining room was free though.

It went like this:

Mortons: Did you want your own room?

Me: Is there any charge?

Mortons: No.

Me: So it's free?

Mortons: Yes.

Well then you need to find the person who told you that or talk with the GM at the Morton's location you went to. If all else fails and you're still upset about the BQ fee, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company provided you paid with the card.

 

[madoka]

Well then you need to find the person who told you that or talk with the GM at the Morton's location you went to. If all else fails and you're still upset about the BQ fee, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company provided you paid with the card.

I'm not that upset about the BQ Fee (though I am upset at my brother's waste of food). I think it would be better to just add it with the mandatory gratuity so that there is no misunderstanding as to what it is instead of burying it with the food. But I guess they figured it was easier to sneak in.

 

[ponyo]

I'm not that upset about the BQ Fee (though I am upset at my brother's waste of food). I think it would be better to just add it with the mandatory gratuity so that there is no misunderstanding as to what it is instead of burying it with the food. But I guess they figured it was easier to sneak in.

I agree it looks like they tried to hide it by putting it in the middle of the receipt. You're probably one of the few who probably noticed it. People who go to Morton's are usually corporate types who charge the bill to their corporate expense account so this wouldn't even be an issue since it's not their money.

I hope you at least had them bag up the leftover food. I also hate seeing good food go to waste.

 

[ElFenix]

I'm not that upset about the BQ Fee (though I am upset at my brother's waste of food). I think it would be better to just add it with the mandatory gratuity so that there is no misunderstanding as to what it is instead of burying it with the food. But I guess they figured it was easier to sneak in.

they charged that and mandatory 'gratuity'?

 

[momeNt]

You paid $100 a head with 6 adults and 4 kids, they'll take the fee off no problem.

 

[Ns1]

ITT: people that don’t go out to eat

 

[UglyCasanova]

I'm not that upset about the BQ Fee (though I am upset at my brother's waste of food). I think it would be better to just add it with the mandatory gratuity so that there is no misunderstanding as to what it is instead of burying it with the food. But I guess they figured it was easier to sneak in.

More than likely it wasn’t buried intentionally but they were ringing everything up and they had to charge open food to add it. Not saying they didn’t, when I waited tables if we had a big party that drank a lot we’d lose count and ring some extra up. Not ethical but hey that’s the tip life.

 

[Red Squirrel]

You'd think with the price of that food all these silly fees could just be built into the price of the food as normal operating costs. Would be much simpler too instead of adding all these weird BS fees.

 

[Darwin333]

I'm not that upset about the BQ Fee (though I am upset at my brother's waste of food). I think it would be better to just add it with the mandatory gratuity so that there is no misunderstanding as to what it is instead of burying it with the food. But I guess they figured it was easier to sneak in.

Way to piss off a customer, instead of telling you there'd be a, relatively, small fee tacked on they try to sneak obviously sneak it in and piss you off. I highly doubt you or anyone else would have opted for another venue for your $1,000 meal over $50.