Problems with the all-you-can-eat buffet: American restaurant introduces barf surcharge

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While Sunday brunch is the highlight of the week for many restaurant visitors, for the staff it means one thing above all: stress. In the US, large amounts of sparkling wine are often consumed at buffets. This is now a real problem for operators and staff.

As the news portal SFGate reports, brunch guests in the Californian coastal region are said to go overboard time and time again. Restaurant goers in their early to mid-twenties, in particular, find it difficult to control themselves when cocktails and sparkling wine are part of the buffet. Many young guests would also throw up in the restaurant.

Anyone who pukes pays $50

Oakland restaurant Kitchen Story has had enough. About two years ago, a set aside fee was introduced there. To ensure that guests do not miss this, the operator has hung a sign in the toilets. It reads: “Please drink responsibly and know your limits. If you vomit in our common areas, a $50 cleaning fee will automatically be added to your bill.”

Restaurateur Steven Choi works at the restaurant and defended the compensation to SFGate: “It became a very sensitive issue for customers and employees who had to clean up.” The barf fee is intended to “make customers stop and think about other people.”

Co-owner Chaiporn Kitsadaviseksak told the online portal that he could not recall ever charging a cleaning fee since it was introduced. Conditions have also improved: “This used to happen a lot and it was very difficult to clean. My employees didn’t want that. Now it’s better. Customers know they have to pay. You understand.” (Mrs.)

Source: Blick