Do you consider a restaurant only accepting cash to be a dining deal breaker?

[Mintx]

No- I don't eat anywhere that is fancy enough where I need to worry about not having enough cash, and anyways, I prefer tipping with cash so the wait staff has the choice of claiming it to the IRS or not.

 

[yummybrownfox]

Why is it that some people get upset when they find out the restaurant they are in only takes cash? http://chicagoist.com/2016/07/05/cash_only_restaurants_should_go_ext.php

Your questions are neverending.

People get upset about it because...they don’t have the necessary amount of cash on them. And maybe because the restaurant folks could’ve at least had a “We accept cash only” sign on their front door to let customers know ahead of time...instead of just assuming that everyone already knows. Sure hope there’s an ATM nearby, at least.

There have been times when I just had cash for the bus on me, but more money on a debit card. Absolutely needed to catch a particular bus, and had just enough time to run into the cafe along the way to grab something I could eat on the go. Good thing that cafe allowed debit cards for purchases.

 

[SoTxBob]

Having owned a restaurant in another life, I appreciate where the 'cash only' is coming from. Cards charge the merchant for the transaction. Personally, I deal in cash instead of plastic for daily stuff, especially when it comes to tipping.

 

[CharlieCharma]

Nope! But I love dive bars with an atm in the corner. I recently went to a place older than me and had wings that was cash only. It was delicious.

 

[CharlieCharma]

I went to a cafe in Vegas that had a Square reader to accept cards, it was pretty neat. Probably a hell of a lot cheaper than an actual credit card reader. Also, every vendor at the local Renaissance faire has a Square so they can take cards on their phone. Same with vendors at street fairs. The device is free and the fees are minimal.

Sorry for the DP, but is this not normal? Almost all the local coffee shops and such here do the square reader.

 

[SaffronBurke]

Sorry for the DP, but is this not normal? Almost all the local coffee shops and such here do the square reader.

I've never been to an eaterie of any kind in Iowa that didn't have a regular card reader. Even little mom & pop places. I don't think most people here have heard of Square.

 

[Guy]

I've never been to an eaterie of any kind in Iowa that didn't have a regular card reader. Even little mom & pop places. I don't think most people here have heard of Square.

Is that because Iowa is a more rural state?

 

[SaffronBurke]

Is that because Iowa is a more rural state?

I think it's more that the restaurants that are here, have been here for a few decades, so they already had credit card machines by the time Square came around, and they don't want to/can't justify switching at this point. The ones that haven't, pull in a pretty decent amount of money, and can easily eat the credit card fees, so they don't need to go with Square.

 

[Big Shot Scott]

I usually pay with cash, so no, it doesn’t bother me. I know that with small mom and pop businesses, they get more if I pay cash. And sometimes, not having to pay the credit card fees can make a day profitable for a struggling business.

 

[Guy]

Most of the cash only restaurants in my area are breakfest/brunch restaurants.

 

[PavlovsDog]

this depends on where you are. In my city, loads of places are cash only so its just normal to keep cash on you. In my last city that would have been abnormal and while not a deal breaker would have been a pain in the ass.

My father in law lives in a small coastal town and has a small sandwhich and coffee shop thats cash only. Tourists sometimes dont realize when they come through and so he literally just says "send me a check in the mail".

He's never had anyone not send a check which i find hilarious and awesome.

Great story. Probably complete bullshit, but neat story nonetheless.

 

[LaceyRoyce]

Great story. Probably complete bullshit, but neat story nonetheless.

It actually came up yesterday on the phone w him and I did get it wrong. One person did not send the check... He has done that about 20 times he said.

I wish I could like link u to the news article about it that he shared because I really hate being called a liar or ppl calling my loved ones liars but it would out me so I guess I'll just deal.

 

[Guy]

It actually came up yesterday on the phone w him and I did get it wrong. One person did not send the check... He has done that about 20 times he said.

I wish I could like link u to the news article about it that he shared because I really hate being called a liar or ppl calling my loved ones liars but it would out me so I guess I'll just deal.

He should have a ATM inside inorder to avoid not being given a check.

 

[LaceyRoyce]

He should have a ATM inside inorder to avoid not being given a check.

It's not that kind of place at all. It's old world... The whole town is. He only sells vintage coke bottles, the music is from a vintage juke box.

Why do u assume he wants to avoid being given checks? The guy who said it makes a great story is right. These things make his place memorable and a place people go back to.

His business is booming, he's the top Yelp place for milesss (despite not knowing what Yelp is. People put pics of him on there hah) and he's happy. Some things should be left the way they are ... The Yelp reviews talk about stepping back in time and how they love the quirky, old school feel.


Random fun unrelated fact: I'm having my wedding reception there in June!

 

[bud9752]

It's not that kind of place at all. It's old world... The whole town is. He only sells vintage coke bottles, the music is from a vintage juke box.

Why do u assume he wants to avoid being given checks? The guy who said it makes a great story is right. These things make his place memorable and a place people go back to.

His business is booming, he's the top Yelp place for milesss (despite not knowing what Yelp is. People put pics of him on there hah) and he's happy. Some things should be left the way they are ... The Yelp reviews talk about stepping back in time and how they love the quirky, old school feel.


Random fun unrelated fact: I'm having my wedding reception there in June!

WAIT WAIT WAIT , I didn't even know we were getting married .

 

[Deleted member 37064]

Most of the cash only restaurants in my area are breakfest/brunch restaurants.

The reason they operate in those hours only is because they are more profitable during those hours than if they were to stay open during dinner. Dinner time is always questionable in terms of number of patrons throughout the dinner hour. Daytime is typically consistent.


Also:
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-some-restaurants-only-take-cash