Mera Kitchen Collective — Restaurant in Baltimore

For context, I ordered something for take-out and only took up space for the time it took to get my food. Now, I am all for restaurant workers getting paid a livable wage, as I was a server for 5+ years.

But when I stopped in based on the "bold print" menu pricing, I was surprised when my order was a decent amount more than when it was priced as with an additional fee and I asked, the bartender said "Oh, that's the living-wage fee, do you want me to take it off?" If I was ordering in even if I ate the bar I'd understand what would be essentially auto-gratuity, but not on a takeout order. Co-opting auto-gratuity and calling it a living wage fee is the antithesis to "normalizing" restaurants paying living wages.

I feel very strongly about normalizing paying food workers a living wage & tipping being essential, and I get that if I were ordering in auto-gratuity would ensure that employees get paid better regardless of service. But if this 20% increase is across the board why wouldn't you just make it part of the menu price?

Instead, a customer is guilt tripped when they find out at the register and made to feel like they "don't want to pay an employee a living wage" and that burden falls on them to ensure that instead of the restaurant, and that restaurant patting themselves on the back for putting a 20% fee in fine print.

Perpetuating the whole argument non-tippers make and hurting the cause, you're just calling auto gratuity a "living wage fee".

And this distinction makes the customers purchase a moralistic dilemma and kind of half-assed in your ethos. Instead of actually normalizing it by pricing accordingly, and saying "we proudly pay a livable wage" PLUS service workers would get their tips. It should make a difference if you were even served at ALL?

That way just simply dining in any capacity with you helps that cause and customers can order what they can afford at its FINAL price pre-tax, and if they aren't budgeting for whatever that price is they don't have to worry about feeling like they don't support that cause. Semantics really really matter in this scenario I don't even write reviews but that really bothered me.

Service based tipping and is the antithesis to "guaranteed" livable wages for food workers and auto-gratuity is no longer "gratuity", then it correlating or being necessary for a livable wage shouldn't be presented as a "fee" if we're trying to normalize fair wages for food service workers. It's false advertising...

Summary: All in all (food, drinks, service, ethics, etc), Mera is a great place to eat and I wish more places were like Mera.

For food, we ordered the Burkinabé Plantain and Avocado Bowl, the Chicken Tinga Quesadilla, the Falafel Sandwich, and the Crispy Cauliflower plus Tahini.

For drinks, we ordered the Tamria plus Cookie, the Old Fashioned Date, and the Not for Mia.

All the food was wonderful, cooked perfectly and delicious. The plantain bowl was just spicy enough and had tasty caramelization. The falafel and cauliflower were just crispy enough. The quesadilla was a mouth watering combination of cheese. Every dish was a work of art and all the sauces were amazing.

Every drink was great, especially the Tamria and the Old Fashioned Date. Their date syrup is a beautiful flavor and I plan to make my own.

The atmosphere and service were awesome. The mural is painted by a local artist. The business is run ethically with an automatic service fee and it's a worker owned collective. This is how more restaurants should be run.

We only had one issue with a drink taking too long but before we even said anything, they offered us another to compensate for the wait.

All in all, Mera is a great place to eat and I wish more places...

Mera Kitchen Collective is an absolute gem in the culinary world! From the moment you step inside, you're welcomed by a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. What truly sets Mera Kitchen Collective apart is its commitment to both exceptional food and a meaningful mission.

The menu is a delightful fusion of flavors. Every bite is a symphony of tastes and textures that leaves your taste buds dancing with joy. The attention to detail in each dish is nothing short of impressive.

Beyond the incredible food, it’s heartwarming to know that your meal contributes to a larger mission of supporting these talented individuals as they share their culinary expertise and culture.

The staff's passion and knowledge about the food and its origins enhance the overall experience. The service is attentive without being intrusive, making you feel like an honored guest.

Mera Kitchen Collective is not just a restaurant; it's a culinary journey that celebrates diversity, flavors, and the human spirit. Dining here is not just a meal; it's a heartfelt celebration of culture and community. Don't miss the chance to savor both exceptional food and the warmth of this remarkable...