Tipping and restaurant fees

Question

I realize I asked this question last year before our trip to San Diego but we are going back to San Diego tomorrow and I wonder if things have changed.

Is tipping 20 percent still standard and can they add on fees to a restaurant bill? We usually eat at just fast casual places where you stand in line and order then pick up food. In that case we don’t tip. Ww may want to eat at a sit down restaurant and if so we want to tip appropriately.

Answer

In San Diego, as in most of the United States, tipping practices have not changed significantly. For sit-down restaurants with table service, tipping 18–20% of the pre-tax bill is still considered standard. Many diners tip closer to 20% if the service is good, and slightly less if the service is average. Tipping is discretionary but expected in full-service establishments.

Some restaurants may add automatic gratuities or service charges, especially for larger parties (often 6 or more guests) or for special events. These fees are usually clearly noted on the menu or the bill. In that case, additional tipping is optional but often done if the service exceeds expectations.

For fast-casual restaurants where you order at the counter and pick up your food, tipping is not required. Many of these locations have tip jars at the counter, and leaving a small amount (like $1–2 or rounding up) is appreciated but not mandatory.

Here are some practical guidelines for tipping and restaurant fees:

For sit-down service: 18–20% of pre-tax total.
Check your bill for any automatic gratuity or service charge; adjust tip if you feel the service warrants it.
Fast-casual or counter-service restaurants: tipping is optional; a small amount for good service is appreciated but not required.
Bar service: tip $1–2 per drink, or 15–20% if running a tab.

Other considerations:

Some restaurants may add a “delivery fee” or “service charge” for takeout or large orders; this is different from a tip.
If you’re ordering food for a large group, double-check if the tip is already included in the bill to avoid double tipping.
When in doubt, asking the server politely about tipping expectations is acceptable and often appreciated.

Overall, the tipping culture in San Diego remains consistent with other U.S. cities, so the practices you followed last year should still apply.