An Ojos Locos server on TikTok says she had a surprisingly profitable shift after earning more in tips than she did in total sales.
In the clip, which has racked up more than 230,200 views, Michelle Ivy (@michelleeivy) broke down exactly how much she earned during a single shift.
“I know nobody asked, but I just wanted to share with you guys,” she begins in the video. “Today is Monday. Today, my sales were $250.”
She then reveals that, despite the relatively low sales total, she actually walked away with more money in tips than the restaurant brought in from her tables.
“And today I made more in tips than I did in sales,” she says before picking up a stack of cash and counting it out on camera.
The final total came out to $314.
“Today I made a total of $314, and my sales were only $250,” she says. “Well, not even $250, $249. But I was rounding up to be generous. I love days like this.”
In the caption of the video, she added a calculation of what that worked out to per hour.
“That’s $52 an hour, incredibly thankful for everything,” she wrote.
Commenters Have Mixed Reactions
In the comments section, some people were supportive and congratulated her on the good shift, while others compared it to their own earnings.
“I can see why ma’am,” one commenter wrote, seemingly referencing the role appearance can play at a restaurant like Ojos Locos.
“That’s nice, try making 50k a month,” another said.
A third viewer pointed out the ongoing debate about tipping culture within sports bars, writing, “Sucks how much the servers will make more than the bartender lol and do a lot more work.”
What Do Ojos Locos Servers Usually Make in Tips?
Because Ojos Locos is a sports-themed restaurant, how much servers earn can depend heavily on what’s happening that night. Big sports games usually mean packed dining rooms, and large groups ordering drinks can all drive tip totals higher.
According to Glassdoor, servers at Ojos Locos report earning an average of about $26 per hour, though much of that income comes from tips rather than base pay.
Servers frequently share their earnings on TikTok as well, giving viewers a glimpse into what a typical shift might look like. Some say they make around $130 in tips on a slower night, while others report totals closer to $300 or more, similar to what Ivy earned in her video.
In one case, a server documented her entire week of work and calculated that she brought in $1,472 in tips alone.
@michelleeivy That’s $52 an hour, incredibly thankful for everything 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷 @Ojos Locos #ojoslocos #waitess #moneycount #serverlife
BroBible has reached out to Ojos Locos via contact form and Ivy via email for comment.