What is a decent tip for "carhops" that bring a burger and Coke to your car?

I tip them the same as I tip any other server: 15% – 20%. Why should they be any different? (Unless you’re in Canada).

You still have car hops? Cool! I would give about $2.00 if it were an 8 to 10 dollar charge.

@Espiritus_Corvus why is tipping different if you’re in Canada?

Agree completely with @Espiritus_Corvus. They work as hard as any other service person. Maybe harder because they have to be out in the weather.

The only carhops around here are at Sonic link

And even there, only about half of them do their food delivery on roller skates. A lost art.

Tipping – same as if I were in a restaurant – around 18–20%

Yes ; we have them at Sonic minus the skates. Now I feel like a cheapskate which is kind of what I thought would happen if I asked the question. lol

I can’t recall the last time I saw a place with “carhops.” The closest we come to that service is drive-thru windows.

They simply walk up to the car, introduce themselves as, “your carhop today” and hand you the food. So now I hear that’s worth two bucks. Oh, great. lol Now I know how I can make a hefty income.

What if you go through the drive thru at a drive in restaurant, and a car hop brings your food out to you anyway, out of turn from the window?
This happens a lot at Sonic.

What do you tip if your total bill is only $1.50?

Because their labor laws provide that servers get a livable wage, Canadians rarely tip. I’ve tipped in Canada, but I don’t feel I have to. It’s mostly out of habit. Sadly, it’s been my experience as a server in Florida, that many Canadians carry their no tipping policy with them when they are on vacation. And they know better.

@Espiritus_Corvus – is that right? I have been to Canada many times, I always have tipped after a restaurant meal. And no one has ever told me it wasn’t necessary/appropriate to do so. Hmmmmm.

I don’t think any server would argue with you if you gave them a tip, so that might not be a good argument concerning whether or not tipping is the common custom in Canada, but maybe things have changed in the last 30 years, Idk. They are still notorious in Florida for not tipping. Ask any server.

“Find a better job”

@Espiritus_Corvus ” Sadly, it’s been my experience as a server in Florida, that many Canadians carry their no tipping policy with them when they are on vacation.”

Your customers are just jerks. In Canada, we tip around 15% for acceptable service. No, it’s not seen as obligatory, just good manners. And that’s one of our defining characteristics.

To answer the question, I would think a dollar or two on ten would do it.

A buck or two. I don’t feel like I need to tip as much for car hop as a regular restaurant if I order through a speaker. If I just get a drink I might only let them keep the change, which will just be some coins. My car club used to do a Sonic meet up about twice a year, and usually I don’t eat anything. Once in a blue moon I have a hot dog and soda. I don’t remember what that costs? Is it even $5?

I’m going to agree with a dollar or two, as well.
I mean, they didn’t take the order and I never make them come back, even if I’ve forgotten a condiment or the like.

I feel guilty not tipping, so if I’m going to eat, like as not I’ll get it from the drive-thru and pull in to eat it.

Why would you tip a carhop differently than any other server?

@Love_my_doggie Because the food is fast food (if it’s Sonic) and they don’t take your order they just deliver it.

Side question: Would you tip a car hop more on Christmas Day?

@JLeslie ”...they just deliver it.”

That’s all I need to know. If someone’s delivering food to my table, car, or home, I’m going to tip generously for that service. It makes no difference to me whether someone takes my order or not.

Sonic is not the only place with carhops. Here is one in Nevada.
I have seen others, mostly driving through small towns.

@Love_my_doggie My little bit of experience at Sonic is they don’t check on you once they deliver your food. You can call again if you need something and they’ll be happy to help, but it’s really not like full service.

If you order food at a restaurant by walking to the counter, and then after ordering they give you a number for your table and you go sit down and wait for someone to bring your order, and then that’s it they don’t do anything else, but run the order to your table, do you tip them the same as full service?

The Sonic servers probably do ok percentage wise, because the meals are so cheap and a lot if people probably do tip at least a dollar.

@Jleslie: To answer your question, no, I don’t. If they’re only bringing food that I’ve ordered at the counter, I feel no obligation to tip them as if they came over, took my drink order, took my food order, answered questions about the menu, delivered food, drink and maybe bread too, took dessert order and then brought check.

@jca What about restaurants that now have iPads for you to order from? I wonder if a lot of people are using them or still order with the waiter? I also wonder if each waiter will have more tables to take care for if the iPads catch on?

@JLeslie: I’ve not been to one, yet. The thinking is that those types of ordering systems are to minimize staff.

@jca I’ve been to restaurants that have them but I don’t use it 95% of the time. I’m a little skeeved that they are touched by so many people, and too often I need to “86” something. No cheese, no sauce, no tomato, etc. Mostly, it’s the latter reason, because menus are touched by a ton of people too. At Laguardia I’ve used the iPad to order more than once. I think Chilis has the capability? I’ve just used it to pay there. Also, Carmel Kitchen. That’s all I can think of now.