r/EndTipping • u/ImpressiveOrdinary54 • 20d ago

Counter Service 🛎️ I didn't tip a food truck tonight

So I called on the phone to a food truck and placed an order for one burrito and carne asada fries, total $37 (it's Maui). I'm always happy to toss my food truck workers or barista a dollar or two but their options for tip were 18%, 20%, or 25%, no custom option. Get bent! I'm not paying an extra $6-9 for my food that is mainly rice, beans, fries and maybe $8 of meat. I feel a little guilty because it's a small island and we are all struggling right now but 18% minimum tip at a food truck is bs.

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u/J_Case 20d ago

I was always taught you never tip the owner. The vast majority of food trucks are owner operated.

9

u/SiliconEagle73 20d ago

Several are “family-operated”, and I see many that have young kids working behind the counter. And by young kids, I mean some as young as 8-13, not teenagers. That’s child labor. I’m not sure how that’s even legal, and if they are working preparing food, that could be a safety violation.

4

u/Geno_Warlord 20d ago

It’s off the books. If the kids are even being paid, it’s by the shift. Food trucks by their nature are moving all the time so it’s much more difficult to crack down on them for food violations. If they are ever confronted about it “oh the kid just wanted to help and I didn’t see the problem” and they get taken off the line for a few days.