Off Menu is our tribute to the service industry. It’s where we cover restaurant openings and bar closings, industry rumors and inside dirt. It’s where we cheer on our favorite chefs, servers, and nightlife superheroes. And the best part is, it comes from those of us that live that life,

Last week, I read a thoughtful article on this site by Jamal Frederick entitled “Tipping While Black- The Struggles of a Black Barman.” I encourage you to read it. It offers keen insight into the racial attitudes and discrepancies characteristic of tipped service work. It also reinforced the strong opinions