On Wed, 08 Oct 2003 13:28:24 GMT, Frogleg > wrote:

>On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 21:39:09 -0500, MareCat
> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 14:02:23 -0400, Nancy Young
> wrote:
>
>>>I seriously don't want to go stand someplace and place my order and
>>>be given a number. That doesn't fly with me. It's not a place
>>>I would frequent.
>
>>That type of restaurant is becoming more and more popular in my area.
>>One version is to stand in line, place your order, pay, then someone
>>brings your food out to you (or in some places, you go retrieve your
>>food).
>>
>>Another version is to stand in line, place your order, get a slip with
>>your printed order on it for you to take to your table, then hand that
>>slip to a server, who then brings your food out to you (and handles
>>anything else you might order, like additional drinks, desserts,
>>etc.). When you're finished with your meal, the server brings you a
>>check, and you pay the server.
>
>And leave a tip, I hope. :-)

Of course. The waitstaff does everything they do in a more traditional
restaurant except take your initial order.

I haven't investigated, but it's quite
>possible that all-you-can-eat buffets and take-a-number establishments
>pay the same sub-minimum wage to those who bring the drinks and clear
>the table as waitstaff in 'regular' restaurants enjoy.

I'd be very surprised if the waitstaff at AYCE buffet and
take-a-number places were paid higher wages than at other places.
Regardless of the type of restaurant, I always tip when I receive good
(even adequate) service.