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The Daily Dot

Anna is a freelance writer with far too much time on her hands. When she&#8217;s not writing about memes and internet slang, she can be found running TTRPGs online.

Anna Good

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“A hidden fee that takes people by surprise”: Restaurant’s “Living Wage Fee” sparks heated opinions online

Mustafa Gatollari has been an internet culture writer for over a decade. He has a passion for connecting what’s trending on social media to solid research—helping to separate clout-chasing claims from facts.

Mustafa Gatollari

3 panel image of a person, a Red Lobster restaurant sign, and to Red Lobster biscuits.

red_lobster_799_kids_meal.jpg

“They gave me 2 rolls”: Adult woman orders $7.99 kids meal at Red Lobster. She’s shocked at what she recieves

Susan is a freelance writer following humanity one UGC at a time.

Susan Lamarca Author Photo

Susan LaMarca

2 panel image. Woman yelling with mouth open on left. Same woman pointing at camera on right.

tariffs_on_tips_its_a_trap.png

Server explains why “no tax on tips” is a “trap” meant to hurt workers

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Culture

This burger joint renamed its menu after office supplies to help remote workers expense lunch

iata for being upset that i wont get tips

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“Am I a bad person?”: Service worker expresses guilt after being forced to give up their tips

Brooke Sjoberg is a freelance writer who graduated with her Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020.

Brooke Sjoberg

Three panel image with restaurant supplies on left, Pizza Hut sign in center and a toilet on right.

Pizza_Hut_Supplies_Bathroom.png

TikToker shares nasty footage of Pizza Hut storing supplies in a bathroom—the restaurant responds

Claire Goforth is a lawyer and investigative editor. Her work has appeared in the Guardian, Al Jazeera, the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, and more. She regularly appears on radio and in podcasts. Email for booking info.

Claire Goforth

3 panel image: all of a person speaking at a bar.

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‘Why did you order a Jack and Coke?’: Wisconsin bartender reveals the most irritating things they deal with daily—and how it impacts your service

Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Ljeonida Mulabazi

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Golden Corral, Cici’s Pizza, and Mr. Gatti’s are thriving. Here’s the real reason they’re roaring back

Phil West is a veteran professional writer and editor, and his works include two nonfiction books and articles in myriad print and online publications.

Phil West

Left: Photo of restaurant patrons eating italian food; Right: Screenshot of Tiktok user @uncleaairo.

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‘It sounds like they were also embarrassed’: Server pronounces menu item the correct way. It backfires

Ilana Gordon is a culture and entertainment writer based in Los Angeles. Ilana&#8217;s writing has been featured in places like: the A.V. Club, the Takeout, Atlas Obscura, Huffington Post, McSweeney&#8217;s Internet Tendency, the Belladonna Comedy, Reductress, Mashable, the Second City Network, RedEye Chicago, ART + marketing, the Muse, Dose and OMGFacts.

Ilana Gordon

Three panel design with a man taking a bit of food in one, next to an image of a woman looking sad with her hands over her mouth, next to an image of the celebrite Joe Jonas as he walks down the street

Nice_Internet

How TikTok is keeping small businesses alive—one viral video at a time

Woman with shocked face and text overlayed that reads: " Never use these at restaurants!" on left. Table of food at restaurant with blurred object and red circle and question mark over object on right.

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‘I literally witnessed this’: Former restaurant server reveals the real reason you should never use the salt and pepper shakers on the table

Katka is a journalist who is chronically online. She uses her background in social media to surface trending content and commentary shaping contemporary internet culture. Previous bylines include HelloGiggles, Best Life, Lonely Planet, HuffPost, SheKnows and more.

Katka Lapelosa

Restaurant cup(l) woman sharing her restaurant collection(c) Restaurant utensils(r)

restaurant collection

‘I know I’m not the only one’: Woman’s ‘restaurant collection’ goes viral—but critics have another word for it

Charlotte is a regular Daily Dot contributor with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Masters&#8217;s degree in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London.

Charlotte Colombo Author Photo

Charlotte Colombo

Woman reveals the real reason restaurants give you free chips and salsa

‘They’re not doing it to be nice’: Woman reveals the real reason restaurants give you free chips and salsa

Stacy Fernández is a freelance writer, project manager and communications specialist. She’s worked at The Texas Tribune, The Dallas Morning News and run social for The Education Trust New York. Her favorite hobby is finding hidden gems at the thrift store, she loves a good audio book and is a chocolate enthusiast.

Stacy Fernandez

woman shares a trick she uses when a payment is declined(l) Credit card being placed on card reader showing "payment declined" on display(r)

payment declined

‘He was definitely just embarrassed’: Server uses trick to discreetly let customer know his card declined. It backfires

man shares why deserts taste the same at restaurants(l) Delicious Lava Cake(r)

Restaurant Industry