Via iStockphoto / @sara.nobles TikTok
A woman visited Señor Frog's in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Then she said her server tried to do something deceptive. Here's what happened.
At times, going to a restaurant can be confusing. While it’s normal and expected to tip, additional gratuities for extra big parties or even just regular outings can lead some to not understand exactly what they’re supposed to leave at the table.
Cue Sara Nobles (@sara.nobles), who went to Señor Frog’s in Pensacola Beach, Florida. She says that while she was there, a server tried to dupe her party into double tipping. Nobles describes the situation in a video that received more than 89,000 views.
The content creator says she took a trip to Pensacola’s famous boardwalk. While there, she says that she and one other person decided to drop by Señor Frog’s for drinks; they didn’t intend to order any food while visiting.
Nobles says that a server at the restaurant brought her and another guest a check for two drinks. The server then clarified that there was a “service fee” already included on the bill, she continues.
Nobles says she was confused by her phrasing. When she looked down at her receipt, she says she saw that there was indeed a 20% service fee on her bill. She says she didn’t know whether this was technically gratuity, so she decided to get up and ask the server.
Where Does The 20% Service Charge Go?
Nobles says she approached the server and asked her a quick question about the check.
“I get up, and I said, ‘Um, hey, I just wanna check, does that 20% service fee go to you?’ And she was like, ‘Um, yes.’ And she did not want to answer me,” Nobles says. Nobles says she then inquired why the server didn’t describe the service fee as an additional gratuity. That’s when the server let her know that they can still leave an “additional gratuity.”
“I’m like, “OK, you are misleading because you just said it is a service fee… She’s about to leave you a $20 … So, you are literally trying to double tip,” Nobles recounts. Nobles said the server tried to deny that it was misleading by saying it was not optional.
“I was like, ‘OK, well then you’re not telling people that you are getting that service fee as your tip. So now she’s about to tip you 20%, so you’re getting double tipped,’” Nobles recalls saying.
At that point, Nobles says that the server walked off and did not continue the conversation.
Was It A Double Tipping Ploy?
In the comments section, viewers mulled over the tipping story and whether the server meant to confuse Nobles and the other guest. Most viewers agreed that the server was being “sneaky,” or deceptive, but others asked questions about how Señor Frog’s advertised the gratuity.
“Is there a sign or anything on the menu stating gratuity or service fee is added for 2 or more ppl? They have to advertise it somewhere,” one viewer asked.
Another viewer said, “So instead of it being called a tip, they’re calling [it] a service fee interesting.”
Nobles replied, “Glad you get it… this is the point I’m [making] and some people just don’t get that…”
Others said that people as a whole have to stop tipping when they see a 20% gratuity added to their check.
“Any added fees on ANY check IS my tip everyone should just stop tipping all together,” a commenter added.
@sara.nobles Pay attention to your check!! These bitches be ripping folks off. #senorfrogspensacolabeach
Does Florida Have New Legislation For Fees?
Viewers also examined another topic of interest in the comment section. That is, supposed legislation in Florida that allows restaurants to add service fees.
A commenter said, “Yeah, they just passed a law down in Florida. That they can add a 20% fee on everything down in Florida. At all restaurants? Yeah, so when I see that on there, I don’t tip.”
It’s true that the state has recently broadened the definition of operation charges, which include “service charges,” “gratuity charges,” and “delivery fees.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean those operation charges have increased. Rather, recent legislation has made it so that restaurants have to be more transparent about automatic gratuities.
In 2026, new legislation “[created] more stringent requirements for how restaurants communicate operations charges to customers,” according to law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. A notice of any additional charge has to be present on the bill and either has to be clearly present on the menu or physically presented on clear signage.
BroBible reached out to Nobles via TikTok direct message, Señor Frog’s via phone message, and Grupo Anderson’s, the parent company of Señor Frog’s, via contact form for comment.