No reasons to make assumptions when testimony like this commenter shared has been given: “After expressing some concern over the stressed staff, we were conversing with our server and they told us how upset they were over the automatic 18% “service charge” because most of it was going to the owners. ”
Dan Q. Must not shop there often...I shop there probably twice a weekend & rarely do they not have what I need. I bought graden stakes on Sunday, same price as Home Improvement & I found a sprinkler head that Home Improvement DIDN'T have. It's owned by a local family, Chris & Papa run the store & shopping there is a feel good, old school Santa Barbara experience...just saying.
Dan Q. Must not shop there often...I shop there probably twice a weekend & rarely do they not have what I need. I bought graden stakes on Sunday, same price as Home Improvement & I found a sprinkler head that Home Improvement DIDN'T have. It's owned by a local family, Chris & Papa run the store & shopping there is a feel good, old school Santa Barbara experience...just saying.
It's available at Idyll Mercantile on Chapala Street (and more locations soon), and of course online.
Is the Dresden product available locally?
Seems like a lot assumptions being made in these comments about what the surcharge is going towards. What about higher hourly wage and health insurance? Service industry jobs are tough and usually for the young but many restaurants are trying out new models of doing things. Also doesn’t seem very service friendly to declare you’re never going to a restaurant again because of “fill in the blank”.
Let’s assume that the owners of Sama sell 2 million dollars a year. That would mean that by simply making this change with the 18% additional fee they gave themselves a $360k a year raise. I am all for small business but not when it’s taken from servers and transferred into owners hands.
I have friends in the restaurant business and they offer their employees insurance and pay them very well. ( without having to do this shenanigans )
Super shady that Sama Sama is choosing to do this.
I will never eat there again.
Tullys is the old west side bar. With a pizza place attached to it. 25. Years. Ago. I was there
This was the old west side bar. N there was a pizza place attached to it with a window between both places for food. And there was a beer bar down the street
With all the rain they’ll be plenty of acorns for all the “farrowed” little piggies- let’s hope the un-fallowing of RSM is more than a rumor - was one of the best golf courses anywhere (although the walk from 12 to 13 in the summer was a bit like the Bataan Death March) - thankfully out of the completely inept hands of TW - hopefully he sells Sandpiper next.
Sama Sama suffers from the same delusions that all associated with all points between landlord, through business owner to customers. We all feel entitled, but it’s ultimately the customer who pays. To hell with anyone attempting to impose a gratuity or service charge. Tips are our subjective choice, not an entitlement. In this instance it’s the business owner. It doesn’t pass the sniff test. I won’t patronize any business that does this.
Any licensed vendor is supposed to have a enclosed tent, hand washing station and a closable window to serve from…that was pre-covid
“ 214 W. Figueroa Street ($1.995 million): Two-bedroom townhome with two-car garage (below).”
It’s actually on East Figueroa St. The listing is also incorrect.
^ jobs
While this apparently all happened on Friday, Noozhawk officially posted today about it. What a sad, long disastrous run it's been. In some ways, I am happy to finally end this chapter of what was once a great newspaper (and the oldest in Southern California!).
https://www.noozhawk.com/santa-barbara-news-press-staff-told-all-jobs-eliminated-as-newspaper-stopped-publishing/
Officially, the News-Press is done. Declaring bankruptcy and all job eliminated.
“ The city’s crackdown on unlicensed street-food vendors doesn’t seem to be going all that well, judging from the one I saw on the State Street Promenade last Saturday night.”
The photo is from a distance; are you sure they were unlicensed?
Was kind of expecting a Land Snark review but enjoyed the armchair tour with you on the bus/ boat.
We rarely do touristy things like this, but on our first trip to SB (pre-pandemic), we took this tour. Similar experience as described. And despite some kitschy moments, the overall experience was quite fun, and a quick sketch of SB (orientation). We particularly loved the water tour - and our guide played the Jaws theme song as we entered the Harbor. ????
Oh boy we have to find something for you to cover. We’ve hit rock bottom!
It looks like the DA is going after these types of practices.. This Noozhawk article is dated July 21: https://www.noozhawk.com/santa-barbara-county-das-office-sends-warning-letters-to-restaurants-charging-illegal-surcharges-fees/?utm_medium=email
The Tent Merchant Prop & Decor Outlet at 930 State Street.
Sama Sama should raise prices to cover vs force a decision on service charge + gratuity. Focus on quality of food and great service.
Seems like a business cost should be in price.
Yeah same guy. He’s been trying to sell the paterna house on and off for the last few years. That front yard also looks like a half price sale in the plant department at Home Depot.
I went to a concert at the Bowl last week and was shocked to see a tip jar at the area that sells shirts, posters, hats, etc. That was a first for me!
Many restaurants are getting tricky with how they pay their staff with how they distribute tips amongst employees. Unless you work there or have family working there, we often have no idea. Recently a very popular restaurant in the Santa Ynez valley decided to change how they divide up tips. Instead of giving the hostess an hourly pay raise, they are giving the actual servers/bartenders less. They told the employees it was more fair, but actually the hostess is now getting a huge portion of the pooled tips. I have worked in the service industry for over 35 years, in many fields, and find that quite unfair. I expect with the automatic 18% service charge, the servers at Sama will now get tipped less. I understand that running a successful restaurant in this area is tough, but I do not agree with that service charge. I will not be returning to Sama Sama.
