GoodBar GoodBurger — Restaurant in Budapest

So we have been going to GBGB for the last 3 years. We were first introduced by friends who live nearby and we enjoyed it very much. We frequented this place 2-3 times per month. The service is friendly and professional but over the last 3 years the food quality has decreased. The drinks are always good, but we found that the burgers aren’t hot anymore. Sometimes the bun is toasty but the meat is just warm at best. We have had to ask to have the burgers reheated, but shouldn’t have to do that if we both order a burger. As well, we have seen the prices rise like everywhere else, but the rule of hot food ‘hot’, cold food ‘cold’ isn’t the case anymore. Maybe now it will be with a review, but in person verbalizing concerns doesn’t accomplish anything it seems. We also know that they used to have a 10% service fee added to the bill, but recently, have noticed it has increased to 12% and when handed the card machine to pay, there’s a prompt to leave yet another tip. I know it’s the customer’s decision if they want to give more or not, but these tactics don’t sit well with us. For foreigners who aren’t aware that serviz Díj means service fee, they may end up giving 30% tip. One more thing, we sat by the bar and one of the workers sat on his laptop and phone not caring or noticing how loud he was...

Worst service ever!!! Last evening we went there for a family dinner with our kids and had unimaginable experience. I have to say we have been there many times before and always were very satisfied with food and service (different people serving). Last night the owner Daniel was there also and this horrible experience took place right in front of his eyes. We took one table outside of 2 free at the moment but then the waiter Csaba came and told us we need to move inside because all the tables are reserved for the whole evening and that they are out of reservation tags but it was obviously not true... We moved inside and saw people coming and taking places oitside without reservations. We tried to discuss the issue with waiters Csaba and Orsi but they were very rude and disrespectful. Then we asked for the Book of complaint and then all of a sudden there was free table for us outside but it was too late our family dinner was already ruined. They did not let us pay the bill although we insisted. We haven't heared any excuse from them. We used to be regular guests here but this type of "service"...

We’ve given this place three chances, and each time the experience has been tainted by the same frustrating issue: the service charge and the guilt-tripping around tipping.

Every time we asked whether the service fee included the tip, the servers gave some variation of “we don’t get all of it”, clearly trying to nudge us into adding more on the payment terminal. Last time, when I directly said “the service charge is the tip”, the response was “depends where”. Excuse me? It’s on your receipt, and it’s called a service fee. That is the tip.

This tactic feels manipulative. Whether it’s poor internal policy or intentional upselling, the end result is that customers are made to feel uncomfortable and misled at the end of what should be an enjoyable meal.

Food and atmosphere aside, this recurring pressure to tip on top of a mandatory service charge is enough for us to stay away. There are plenty of places in town where the service is transparent, and the staff doesn’t make you feel like you’re being scammed or guilt-tripped at the end...