By COLlive staff
A rogue waiter at The Prime Grill glatt kosher steakhouse in New York City who added a mandatory 20% tip to the bill of a Chasidic couple was fired less than 12 hours after the discriminatory incident occurred.
“We won’t tolerate this kind of behavior,” said Joey Allaham, owner of The Prime Grill. “We learned about this incident a day after it happened and as soon as it was brought to our attention we took action. Having determined what happened, we called in the waiter, who had only been with us for two months, and immediately fired him.”
The incident took place Sunday night when a Chasidic couple who dined at The Prime Grill noticed that their balance included a 20% gratuity. Questioning the waiter about the amount, they were informed that it was a standard tip that was automatically added for all Chasidic diners. The couple paid their bill without incident.
Once informed of the waiter’s actions, management at The Prime Grill took immediate action. In addition to terminating the waiter, the charge for the couple’s meal which was paid by credit card, was immediately reversed.
Allaham also plans to donate the amount of couple’s check to their favorite charity as a way of apologizing for the mishap, but so far has been unable to contact the pair, who came to the restaurant without a reservation.
According to Steven Traube, director of operations at The Prime Grill, the waiter admitted that he added the extra charge out of concern that the couple might not leave behind a gratuity.
“He added in the tip by using a button on the register that automatically adds in a 20 percent tip for parties of six or more people,” explained Traube. “We have changed the system so that automatic tips can only be added by a manager.”
Traube stressed that, other than for large parties, The Prime Grill has never had a policy of adding in automatic gratuities for diners of any sort. Traube also noted that there are several managers on the floor at all times in order to provide customers with assistance.
“Customer service has always been and will always be our highest priority,” emphasized Allaham. “We always take responsibility for anything that takes place in our restaurant, and if anyone ever has any questions we urge them to contact one of our managers immediately.”
“We are proud to be the premier restaurant for the Jewish community of all denominations,” added Ines Kincaid, General Manager at The Prime Grill.
“On behalf of The Prime Grill, we deeply apologize for this incident and we will work harder in oversight of our staff to make sure it never occurs again.”
Our friend from Australia (#24) got it correctly.. A tip should be for good service. (You probably have at some time been mistreated by a server.) A tip should not be expected unless quality service has been rendered. That’s the point of a tip!
Now that’s true Jewish and mentchlich behavior. Prime Grill, you just set a great example for all!
I dont understand the concept of a mandatory tip? Just pay the staff more and charge the buyer more.
Isnt a tip also supposed to improve your service? How can it do that if you are charged it in the bill regardless??
perhaps (for sure) there is here an הוראה in עבודת ה’ for us, chassidim, that we should be more careful about the kashrus standards of what we eat, and the atmosphere of the place we choose to go to, including music, tznius etc.? does anybody ask if the meats are Chassidishe shchita? it’s the bread pas yisroel? Are all wine hechsherim fine for a chossids standards? Are the vegetables checked properly? Are all ingredients kosher lechatchila or what about the practises of the hechsher? who are the mashgichim?, How many mashgichim? Can this Mashgiach really have control over such a… Read more »
I was raised to know that not tipping is the same as not paying, but sadly, many of our Jewish brethren are completely ignorant of that social more in our country. So here’s my advice: If you want to live the high life and go to places like the Prime Grill, then for G-d’s sake, TIP THE FULL AMOUNT and don’t make a Chilul Hashem! Otherwise, you have no business eating in such an establishment (or in any sit-down restaurant for that matter).
Hmm why are we so sure it’s the waiters fault. Maybe he was just following orders and now they are trying to cover up?
Give me a break.
There are all types in all groups.
The restaurant is trying to sound SO apologetic. Weather the waiter gets paid a lot or not is their problem.
I experienced it myself several times.
It’s not the waiters fult, it’s the owners fult
As owner he checks the register n should have realized what’s going on!
I went once to this restaurant and paid a lot of money that wasn’t worth what we ate…. I felt that people go there to see and being seen. a very snob place….
I have money but it’s no reason to be snob…
They get paid by the hour, not per table by the hour. Meaning working for a 40 hour week makes him $390
The article stated that he told the couple that the automatic extra 20 percent is added to Hassidic people’s meals. This is clear discrimination. The restaurant did right by firing this dude.
If a waiter is covering 4 tables with each table taking an average of 1 hour to dine, with NO tips he’ll be making $28.00/hr. x 40 hours = $1120 / week, can someone tell me why we need to even tip altogether ?
#2 So right you are.
a nasty waiter rather a nasty action and attitude…let him learn a lesson
#9 and #10, there is a big price to pay for motzei shem ra. Be very careful.
they only made the waitor the scape goat he was doing what he was told.
for the waiter to add the tip in the bill he would only have to choose the option on the computer which the restaurant has pre programed for the waiter to choose that option. i have seen it many times being done. there are as many chasidic people that don’t tip as any other kind of people, however when a chasid doesn’t tip it just stands out more, so it is remembered. Prime Grill is a know abuser of hitting the 20% option, it is only the viral way this thing spread that caught them off guard. and for all… Read more »
That’s more an indictment on your brother’s eating habits than it is anything else, or your post is a straight fabrication of reality.
My brother went to Prime Grill for a business meeting with 3 guys and tipped over $100 and when he left the waiter came running after him down the street calling out to him that he didn’t leave a big enough tip. My brother was mortified, this was in front of everyone. He went back in and left a more generous tip, but has never been back since.
waiters are paid 7.25 an hour plus whatever tips. if you don’t tip they simply will not make a fair salary.
to make sure the tip actually goes to the waiter it is best to give it to them personally in cash. so the boss does not keep any of it.
BS”D he shouldn’t have added it on his own. However,my experience is that all restaurants add a mandatory tip with some giving you a choice of the percentage 10, 15 or 20
No, the perception is Hassidim are too cheap to tip. Some probably are, just like any group.
Prime Grill, you handled it very well. If your prices were more reasonable we would show support by dining there. And we are good tippers!!
BTW I hope the waiter doesn’t sue for unfair dismissal.
I am not sure, Ari, that its because its a perception that Hasidic Jews have money. I think that some people don’t like Hasidic Jews, and this guy felt good taking it out on them.
You misunderstood it. The perception is that if you don’t add the tip to the bill, chassidim will stiff you.
As a steady customer this is been going on for a very long time it’s not only one waiter .The perception is the Hasidic Jews have a lot of money