Q: A group of us went to Kengo's restaurant in Restaurant Row recently. There's a sign that says if you don't finish all the food on your plate, management reserves the right to charge you $5. The second part says that if you request take-out, it will cost an additional $10. I can understand the second part, but even if they are trying to discourage waste, can that first part be enforced? I have never seen that before and it doesn't seem right. Avoiding waste is object
of restaurant’s policyHey, parents, maybe charging five bucks will work with picky young eaters at home!
But, back to your question. Yes, Kengo's has charged certain customers for leaving food on their plates, according to owner Kengo Nozaki. But he said people should understand his side of the story.
First of all, Kengo's is a buffet, where people are allowed to go back as many times as they want to get their fill.
"Most of the time, I never charge; I don't want to charge (the $5)," Nozaki said.
Many people, especially the elderly, just go once to the buffet and still are unable to clean their plates. Nozaki said he would never think of charging them.
"But some people are sneaky," he said. They go back three, four times, then fill their plates again and want to take the leftovers home.
He said the waitresses keep tabs on their customers, but only he can make the decision to charge for leftovers. "If I charge, I have a reason," he said.
If he allowed food to be wasted or everyone to take home leftovers, "I cannot continue the business." The alternative, he said, is to raise prices, which he does not want to do.
After years on Kapiolani Boulevard, Kengo's moved eight months ago to Restaurant Row.
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