Question about that diner in Poughkeepsie that charges a breakfast fee

I stopped at that place on Route 9 last weekend for eggs and toast, and they tacked on a $2.50 fee just for being there on a Saturday. The waitress said it's because of demand or whatever, but my plate was cold and the coffee tasted burnt. Am I the only one who thinks this fee stuff is getting out of hand? Has anyone else run into this at other spots upstate?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_mary1mo ago

You said the waitress blamed it on "demand" - did she give any heads up about the fee before you ordered, or did it just show up on the bill? That would piss me off more than the cold food honestly, since I could've walked out before wasting time and money. I'm curious if they're pulling this on every weekend customer or just people who look like they won't make a fuss.

sarah_hart1mo ago

Wait, they just dropped an extra 18% on your check without saying a word beforehand? That's wild. I'd be livid too, cold food is one thing but that's basically a trap. I always ask about extra fees upfront now after getting burned at a place that added a "kitchen appreciation fee" after we'd already ordered.

the_elliot1mo ago

Right there with you. Same exact thing happened at a burger spot downtown last month. Waitress dropped off the check with an automatic 18% "living wage surcharge" added on top of the regular prices. Didn't say a word about it when she took our order. I asked about it and she just shrugged, said "management policy." Cold fries and a surprise fee. Felt like they picked our table because we were in hoodies and looked too tired to argue. Left a bad taste, not just from the food.