Dining out in Los Angeles these days can be a sneaky game of “guess the bill.” You’re enjoying a greasy burger or a fancy cocktail, and then the bill hits you with some arbitrary extra charge. These extras aren’t just a blow to your wallet they’re disorienting, usually unexplained, and are making diners all over the city severely annoyed.
Fortunately, the people of Reddit’s r/LosAngeles subreddit aren’t complaining so much as they are doing something about it. What began as some rants has become a full-blown movement to expose these charges and get some straight answers. Let’s dive into the five primary perpetrators of this surcharge debacle, along with the other wacky fees and tipping mayhem causing a ruckus.
The Big Five: LA’s Surcharge Showdown
The Reddi-tude: How LA Diners Fought Back Against Hidden Fees
It all began at Reddit’s r/LosAngeles subreddit, where diners began complaining about stealthy surcharges anywhere from 3% to an astonishing 20% turning up on their bills without warning. Frustrated with getting blindsided, they joined forces to develop a Google spreadsheet titled the “r/LosAngeles Restaurant Surcharge Offenders List.” With almost 250 listings, it spills the tea on names of restaurants, neighborhoods, percentage of fee, and even staff remarks. It’s like a wallet superhero, letting you see what’s coming before you order. This is not whining it’s diners standing up for transparency.
“Healthy LA” & Healthcare Fees: Are They Really for Benefits?
Several restaurants charge extra fees to pay for employee health benefits, but people aren’t so convinced about that. Pasadena’s Agnes Restaurant & Eatery charges a 4% “Healthy LA” fee, stating it is not a tip and you can request to skip it. Il Fornaio’s 3% charge goes toward wages and insurance, while Silver Lake’s Alimento employs a 4% fee for optional staff coverage. Redditors are not buying it, however one stated, “Health costs are fixed, not based on your bill, so additional fees are shady.” Until evidence the funds benefit the workers, diners are concerned it’s simply lining the restaurant’s pockets.
“Kitchen Love” & Appreciation Surcharges: Behind the Scenes Support
To help fund back-of-house individuals such as cooks and dishwashers, some places tack on fees. All Day Baby on Sunset Boulevard has a 3% “kitchen love” fee, but one Yelp review referred to it as a “total money grab.” Kali in Hollywood charges a 5% “kitchen appreciation charge,” while Chulita in Venice charges 4% for its kitchen staff, specifying that it doesn’t go to servers. These charges seem to be filling wage disparities, yet without proof that the money actually goes to the workers, customers feel cheated. It’s difficult to root for “kitchen love” when it may only be another nebulous fee.
Murky Percentages: The Unexplained Charges
Worst is a fee with no explanation. The Albright on the Santa Monica Pier charged a Redditor a 10% fee for no stated reason. Speranza’s 18–20% fees received evasive responses when asked. Otium and Katsuya tack on 5% to account for “increasing industry expenses,” but you can request to have it waived. These unclear charges give the impression you’re paying a hidden tax, triggering suspicion that the money’s only lining owners’ pockets rather than benefiting employees.
The Google Sheet: A Crowdsourced Crusade for Transparency
Ever been hit with a surprise fee on your LA restaurant bill? The r/LosAngeles subreddit was done with that nonsense. Diners venting about surcharges 3% to a crazy 20% sparked a movement. They created a Google spreadsheet, the “/r/LosAngeles Restaurant Surcharge Offenders List,” and it’s a total lifesaver. Packed with nearly 250 entries, it spills the beans on restaurant names, neighborhoods, fee percentages, and even staff gossip. It’s like a cheat code for dodging bill shock. No more wondering why your taco costs extra this list lays it all bare. Some might balk at calling restaurants “offenders,” but it’s clear: folks want to know what they’re paying for upfront. This crowdsourced gem empowers Angelenos to dine smarter, whether it’s burgers in Hollywood or sushi in Santa Monica. Check it before your next meal your wallet will thank you.
More Fees, More Headaches
Surcharge madness doesn’t end there. Here’s the lowdown on other crazy fees emerging:
The “Non-Negotiable” Burden: Required Service Charges
Certain charges you can’t avoid. Xuntos, a new Santa Monica tapas restaurant, adds on a “non-negotiable” 20% service charge to pay employees a living wage, stating tips are not necessary. Ototo in Echo Park adds an 18% “fair wage and operational fee,” not a gratuity, but still accepts additional tips. These compulsory fees bump up your bill, making menu prices seem like a gimmick. Diners prefer restaurants to simply bake these expenses into the menu in the interest of transparency, rather than surprise them at the end.
Cash is King: Fees for Card Transactions
Swiping a card? Vino Wine & Tapas Room in Encino charges a 3.8% charge, plus a 20% automatic tip for orders over $200. Oceanview Cafe in Manhattan Beach provides a “4% cash discount,” so users of cards end up paying more. These charges nudge you into cash in a cashless world, which feels like a trap.
Beyond the Usual Suspects: Here Come the Security Fees
Some establishments have a “security” fee. Ruby Fruit in Silver Lake charges an additional 4%, and Perch in Downtown LA collects 4.5% for ensuring guests and employees are safe. It’s a pleasant thought, but to pay extra for security seems to be paying a bouncer with your meal.
Don’t Forget the Doggy Bag! The Takeout Tax
Want takeout? Hodori Korean Cuisine in Eagle Rock is $1 for each to-go item. Pick a few dishes for the family, and those dollars stack up, making your relaxing night in more expensive than intended.
Pop Goes the Cork (and Your Wallet!): Corkage Fees
BYOW? République charges a mind-boggling $75 corkage fee, and Rustic Canyon has one for $40. You have to ask yourself if paying these exorbitant fees is worth it when you could just use the restaurant’s wine list.
Saving the Planet, One Bill at a Time: The Eco-Fees
Yang’s Kitchen in Alhambra tacks on a 1% “Zero Footprint” charge for environmental efforts such as carbon farming. It’s voluntary, something that’s not common, but still seems like one more little nudge at your check.
Tipping Tangles
Tipping’s getting ugly, and surcharges are not helping.
The Great Tipping Divide, Part 1: No-Tipping Models
Restaurants such as Sugarfish and Hinoki & The Bird forgo tips in favor of fixed 16–20% service charges to guarantee fair wages for all employees. Xuntos’ 20% charge and Ototo’s 18% charge do the same, indicating no tips are necessary. It’s a good concept, but habitual tippers are left wondering what’s expected versus what’s desired.
The Great Tipping Divide, Part 2: Service Charge Plus Expected Tip?!
Some restaurants, such as Jon & Vinny’s, add an 18% service fee and then charge tips on top, making bills 33–40% more than you expected. Son of a Gun (18%), Duck House (15%), and Orsa and Winston (20%) do the same thing. Double charged, diners are outraged, and a lawsuit against Jon & Vinny’s alleges servers aren’t receiving these fees as tips, igniting huge anger.
The Legal Battleground
The surcharge scramble has reached the courts. A class-action lawsuit against Jon & Vinny’s contends their 18% service charge violates California’s gratuity law by not entirely benefiting servers. The City of Los Angeles is investigating Ten Five Hospitality for the same reasons. Diners and staff members are tired of being in the dark, with Reddit forums criticizing restaurants for not disclosing where fees are going. It’s a resounding call for transparency in an industry that’s been evading it.
The Future of Transparency
The Reddit list is more than a spreadsheet it’s a wake-up call. Diners are tired of feeling tricked by fees that don’t seem to benefit workers. Why not just fold these fees into menu prices? Legal battles and public pressure are charging toward a future where restaurants disclose their fees upfront, so you can simply enjoy your meal without bill shock.
This surcharge rollercoaster is wild, but LA’s Reddit crew is leading the charge. Their list is a lifeline, helping diners dodge surprises and pushing restaurants to come clean. From health fees to eco-charges, the fine print’s getting tougher to ignore. Next time you’re dining in LA, check that bill or peek at the Reddit list first. Your wallet will thank you.
