PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — From masks and spaced seats to alcohol and food minimums, dining out has changed a lot over the past year.
One Center City steakhouse in Philadelphia is getting grilled for its latest policy: Patrons must spend a $100 minimum per person, not including tax and tip.
A sign outside Steak 48 on South Broad Street explains the new rules, and it has raised some eyebrows online. It reads: “There is a $100 per person food & beverage minimum for each person at your table in order to ensure that each guest enjoys the total experience of food, service and atmosphere. This does not include tax or tip. Welcome, you are going to have a great night!”
A statement from the firm representing the steakhouse said the policy was created to support the restaurant’s staff and operations.
“Like many restaurants in our industry, we’ve had to make some updates to our policies,” it says, “like the $100 per person minimum in an effort to support our staff and restaurant’s operations, and provide the ability to be successful as a steakhouse designed for the full sit-down experience. Our standard 18 percent minimum gratuity for tables of 5 or more also helps ensure our staff is supported, especially as our community continues to reemerge after a challenging year.”
The restaurant is also upholding a business casual dress code for dinner service.
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Monica Lewis of Abington has never been to Steak 48, but she saw people talking about the sign online.
“I’ve heard people think it’s racist,” she said. “I wouldn’t go that far, but I think it’s a little bit insulting.
“A lot of times my girlfriends and I will just go out for drinks and we go out to really nice restaurants because they have a really nice bar. Are we expected to then have $100 worth of drinks? Which, they’re not cheap!”
“I mean, you’re definitely telling people not to come here unless you have a whole bunch of money and you’re willing to drop it all here,” said Mack Kelly of Fairmount.
Philadelphian Cassandra Cruz argued people have the right to run their private businesses any way they wish.
“I feel like some people do have a really strong vision of what works, and who knows, there might be enough people in the city to do it,” she said. “That’s their model, maybe there are enough people to do it.”
“I think it’s within their purview to do whatever they like,” agreed Martin Poreski. “There’s definitely clientele that’s going to pay that. If they’re having trouble attracting clientele, then that’s another question.”
“I don’t need for a restaurant to tell me what I need to spend to be a patron there,” Lewis added.
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