Know the add-on.
Before you order.
Some Chicago restaurants automatically add a 3–5% surcharge to the check. Sometimes it's removable, but only if you ask. Here's what their published policies say, with links to the evidence.
The restaurant ledger.
Search by restaurant or area, narrow by fee, and inspect the original published policy.
| Can you remove it? | Last checked | Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Find your neighborhood.
Browse the reported locations by area. These are grouped labels from the research sheet, not precise map pins.
Every entry needs a source.
Our standard is documentation, not a restaurant getting named in a comment.
Someone spots a fee.
Diners find surcharge language on a menu, website, or check and send a report with evidence.
We check the claim.
A reviewer confirms the restaurant, location, percentage, source, and whether removal is explicitly permitted.
The record stays dated.
Published records link to the source and preserve a last-checked date. Corrections and fee removals are encouraged.