Since opening six years ago, Madre Boutique Taqueria has won over fans with its creative Mexican food.
But one quirk about the restaurant has been controversial. When customers bought food and drink, they were automatically charged a 20% service fee. This is at a restaurant where you order at the counter. (Food is then brought to tables.)
But the built-in charge is now history.
Reversing its policy, the Boise restaurant at 1034 S. La Pointe St. has eliminated its service fee.
“We’ve hit the reset button,” Madre announced Monday on social media, “and kicked out the service charge, bringing back good ol’ guest tipping! We get that this switch-up will bring a grin to many faces. To those awesome guests who showed love for the service charge, we hear you loud and clear. Maybe one day, the restaurant world will embrace a new way of doing things. But for now, we’re all about serving up unforgettable experiences without the fuss. Let’s keep the focus on bringing joy to every table!”
If you read online reviews, you know that feelings were mixed about the service charge. More than a few customers were not wild about it. An example from Google: “I did not appreciate the automatic 20% fee added to my bill for a tip.”