Florida restaurant charges extra $27 per person if diners share a main course, sparking controversy

A Florida restaurant is under fire online for its extensive list of charges and restrictions, including a hefty "upcharge of $27 per person" if diners share a main course. While America's tipping culture has already spilled out of bounds, these new caveats are causing a further dip in customer trust. The controversy began after a Reddit user, u/RHEmarketing, shared a photo of the restaurant’s "terms and conditions" printed directly on the menu. The post, which has since been reshared by LadBible, gained over 40,000 upvotes.

According to the menu, every seated guest is required to order an entrée-priced item. If an entrée is split, "$27 per person" is added to the bill. The restaurant also warns that ordering an appetizer as your main dish will cost $16 extra, though it includes a complimentary house salad, bread service, and what the menu states "unlimited accommodations." The menu also reads, "If you have concerns about the price of an item, please inquire before ordering. By placing an order, each guest agrees to the terms and conditions of services as stated above." Other parts of the menu note that if a table plans to split the bill, they must notify staff before ordering.

And in case that wasn't enough fine print, there’s also this detail: "Expect a service charge for sepatate checks." The unusual and aggressive rules drew a ton of backlash, and for all the right reasons. Unfortunately, this kind of restaurant behavior is not a one-time thing. Studies and reporting show surcharges like these are becoming a fast-growing frustration. A Wall Street Journal analysis found consumers across industries are hit by sneaky "junk fees" and automatic gratuity, costing Americans billions more each year, and restaurants are part of that trend. The National Restaurant Association reported that 16% of restaurants added surcharges of some kind in 2023, up from 15% the prior year. Many Reddit users questioned not just the pricing but the experience of dining at a place that comes with so many caveats.

"So, appetizers are an additional 16-dollar fee if you don't order an entrée? That is madness," wrote u/Gandlerian. u/earthdogmonster joked, "Sorry, sir, but reading any portion of the dining terms and then walking out the door without making a required purchase will lead to a $43 upcharge. A bill will be sent to the address to which your vehicle is registered. All people who set foot on this premises agree to having their license plate recorded and public records searched for an address where the proprietor of this restaurant can send a bill. A $57 research fee will be added to any bill that needs to be generated in this manner."

u/MadDocsDuck asked, "Also: How expensive are entrees that they charge $27 per person if you share them? Given that it takes two to share, that’s $54, and I doubt any entrée is worth that much. So you might as well order two and just yeet the second one across the restaurant into the trash." u/blipnthematrix added, "If I have to read an essay before ordering food from your restaurant, I’m over it." u/bhlombardy sarcastically pointed out the obvious spelling errors, "'Expect a service charge for sepatate checks,' — but not 'separate' checks? Just don’t ask for a 'sepatate' check, then. 'If you have concerns about the price of an item...,' so there are no prices on this menu? And here’s the pièce de résistance: 'To absolutely ensure your personal safety, do not consume any food offered at this facility.' Yup, I’m out."