LONDONDERRY, N.H. — A customer who ordered a couple of chili dogs, fried pickle chips and drinks at a New Hampshire restaurant left a big tip β $16,000.
The staff didnβt notice at first, Mike Zarella, owner of the Stumble Inn Bar and Grill in Londonderry, told news outlets. The tab was $37.93 before the tip.
βIt was on the credit card statement, they put it down next to the register and he said three times, βDonβt spend it all in one place.ββ Zarella said one staffer then flipped it over and looked, βand sheβs like, βOh my god, are you serious?β And he said, βI want you to have it, you guys work hard.ββ
Zarella thought it was a mistake, but the bar manager talked to the customer, who said it wasnβt. He also wished to remain anonymous.
The restaurant had closed for a few months during the pandemic and adjusted with take-out orders and outdoor dining.
The crew planned to pay it forward to their fellow employees.
βThe back of the house works really hard, the kitchen, theyβre giving them a big tip out of that, which is very generous of them to do,β Zarella said.
