“I’ll have the chicken caesar salad and an unsweetened iced tea. And if you ask for my autograph or to take a photo with me, you won’t be getting a tip at all.”
Being a server is stressful enough as it is, but noticing a celebrity seated in your section adds a whole new element of anxiety. Will they be rude? Will I get a great tip if I provide excellent service? Will they ever come back here?
Servers of Reddit have recently been sharing their best, worst and most memorable celebrity customers, so we’ve gathered their juiciest tales down below. Enjoy reading these stories and living vicariously through some of these waiters, and be sure to upvote the experiences you find most amusing!
#1
Did a catering job for Dolly Parton. She is such a lovely woman. She is upbeat so nice and just all-around good person. She’s so tiny. I just loved her. She is nice to everyone. She was promoting reading for children in Washington state.
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396points
#2
Jeff Goldblum came into the restaurant when I was server. Came in about 8 times over a span of 2 months (was in town for filming).
He was so kind and friendly, and tipped everyone fat as f**k. It was glorious.
336points
To learn more about how this conversation started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user Basic-Importance-680 to hear what inspired her to pose the question, "Have you ever had a celebrity come to your work?"
"What inspired me to start the conversation was to share my story about working at McDonald’s, even though I’ve never worked in a restaurant," she told Bored Panda. "I wanted to work in a restaurant, but I never got hired. I wanted to make conversation with people."
In her post, the OP shared that 6ix9ine would frequent the McDonald's she worked at. "He always ordered a bunch of food and asked for free stuff, which we refused," she noted. "Once, I was giving him his change back, it was $10, and he handed it back to me asking for a different $10 bill because it looked all ripped up. We all acted like he was a regular person when he saw us."
#3
I’ve waited on Prince and LeBron and Tiger Woods.
LeBron doesn’t tip and was needy. He was a lot younger then though so maybe he’s better now.
Tiger was a good tipper, polite, etc. Just a normal customer type interaction. No entitlement or special treatment needed.
Prince. Prince had bodyguards and I was shocked at how small he was and how he could walk in his platform shoes. His handlers ordered everything for him and he didn’t speak. They ordered way too much food, treating entrees as samplers. He didn’t even make eye contact, until the end that is, when he cocked his head slightly, looked at me with a looking-into-your-soul look and gave a slight head nod. ‘Wassup, I’m Prince and you’re alright.’ Left a massive tip.
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280points
#4
I've met lots of celebrities, one of the most memorable was comedian Hannibal Buress. He came to the host stand at my restaurant and the hostess said "you look familiar, are you on TV?" And without missing a beat he says " I was on 'to catch a predator' but I'm better now" 🤣🤣🤣
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250points
Basic-Importance-680 says she was surprised her post received so many comments. "I was not expecting that much attention," she admitted. "Some of the responses surprised me, especially the celebrities that I know by name, and it was so nice to hear people share their stories."
But she did note that none of the stories changed her existing opinions on these celebs. "Most of the celebrities I knew from the comments had positive reactions from the person telling the story," the OP added.
#5
Years ago I worked in a bakery in Aspen Colorado.... typical breads/pastries/doughnuts in the morning, and deli/sandwiches in the afternoon place. Very "local friendly". One of our counter girls was named Andi. She was a tall mountain-type kid with a sweet disposition.
One morning when Andi was on the register Robert Redford stopped in and asked for 'A dozen loaves of bread'. Andi was understandably a bit flustered, and answered, "Is that for here, or to go?" Redford was very kind, and clarified for her.
As he walked out the door, Andi fell back against the bread rack and sank to the floor with her face in her hands muttering, "...for here or to go? for here or to go?...". It took her days to get over it.
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212points
#6
When I was in high school I met Yoko Ono standing in line at a deli in Brooklyn, and had no idea who she was. I’d’ve expected Yoko Ono would have had “people” who did stuff like that for her. We really hit it off in line while we waited for our numbers to be called. She was fun!
She asked where I was going and if I needed a lift. I declined, explaining how I loved walking up Smith St. and people watching. My number was called and as I was picking out my stuff, I heard a worker say, “Miss Ono, welcome— this is an honor!” I realized my new friend was Yoko and I had turned down a ride.
She was awesome—friendly, engaging, humble and kind to me, in spite of our big age difference, and her immense fame.
We said goodbyes and when I walked out of the shop there was a limo with a driver waiting at the curb. “My” ride…. ugh.
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184points
We were also curious if there were any specific celebrities that the OP would be interested in encountering. "I would love to meet Gordon Ramsey," she shared. "I love watching his shows, and I follow him all over social media. I want to learn to cook like he does, and he has inspired me to take some recipes from social media and blogs and learn."
#7
YES!!! Gordon Ramsey came to my work and he was so nice. Literally just the best. I’m not joking, it was for his show uncharted when he came to alaska.
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174points
#8
Chris Cornell used to come to my espresso stand up the street from his practice space in the late 90s. Couldn't have been more of a gentleman. Used to bring his mom and her dogs sometimes. He was a sweet dude.
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156points
Basic-Importance-680 also finds celebrities who don’t tip or who are rude to servers to be very entitled. "They think because they are well known that their presence is enough of a tip," she told Bored Panda. "The servers live off of tips, and even though the employers should be the one to raise their wages, it’s always considerate to tip when receiving any service you enjoy."
"They are regular customers just like anyone else and have to treat those who are serving them with respect," the OP continued. "If they want respect, they have to give it. Respect is not just handed away. I’m sure they would get a lot of backlash if the stories were all over the news."
#9
Gave Kurt Russel a club sandwich. He said, "thank you" and I said, "no, thank you". He smiled back and was like, "Alright". In like a happy surfer way. It took everything I had to not chat him up. Escape from New York and the thing are like my favorite movies.
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140points
#10
Ed O’Neil came back in town to see his mom. He was so f*****g cool. This was before cell phones but he tipped VERY well and signed autographs. It was also before Modern Family.
139points
"I hope that everyone who read the post or commented enjoyed sharing their stories and having a conversation with new people," the OP added. "It was a lot of fun to interact with new people and hear things you don’t usually hear on a daily basis."
#11
From when I worked in a 3 Michelin Star restaurant.
Lady Gaga - came in wearing slacks and an understated button-down shirt. Reservation simply said “Stephanie G.” She dined with either her agent or publicist. Both were very low-key and polite. Seemed like a business meeting.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds- warm and polite. Friendly to everyone and went out of their way to greet people but without making a big deal or disturbing anyone else’s experience.
Cheech Marin - super low-key, very straight-faced and proper. Polite.
The band Anthrax- bought out our private events room. Super loud and boisterous but completely friendly. Stayed for hours after close. Smoked a huge joint with me, another server, and a couple of the kitchen guys in the alley afterwards.
The band Kings of Leon- absolute douchebags. Treated the staff like we were peasants.
John Cusack- a total barbarian. Put his muddy boots up on the table and spent 3 hours drinking tea. Did not tip.
Joan Cusack- came in with her family. The opposite of her brother in every way. Absolutely lovely woman. Treated each of us like we were the VIP’s.
Zac Effron- a kinda douchey but tipped well. Came in with a big entourage, some of whom were nice, some of whom were total goons.
Anthony Bourdain- I just about s**t my pants when they seated him in my section. He was there with a producer for a business lunch. Very low-key, polite. RIP My King.
137points
#12
I’ve had multiple celebrities come into my old job, where I was a host, so my encounters with them were generally brief, as I did not serve them.
Drew Barrymore was by far the nicest, most genuine person. I did not even recognize her at first and we were a few moments away from closing the kitchen between lunch and dinner service, so I gave her the whole “you’ll have to place your order quickly but you can stay as long as you’d like” run-down and she was super understanding and kind about it. The server came over after and informed me who I just had sat.
Daniel Radcliffe and his parents were also super nice.
Nicole Kidman was very intimidating, but did not act in any negative way, her presence was just very powerful.
David Byrne frequented our bar and read on his iPad. he was very kind.
Kristen Stewart was very outgoing and talkative. David Schwimmer was quiet. I did not recognize Katie Couric and almost turned her away because of aforementioned closing between service - oops.
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119points
#13
I worked as a bartender at an airport for 8 years, and have met more than a handful of celebrities.
My first was John Travolta and I honestly didn’t recognize him until he laughed.
I f****d up Stephan Colbert’s order, and confidently convinced him I made the better choice for him before I ran away to hide in the bathroom until he left.
Dan Marino borrowed my glasses to fire off a very angry text to Steve Madden on a Saturday before Sunday NFL coverage. What a coincidence we have the same s****y sight.
The lead singer of Puddle of Mud sat at the corner of my bar just announcing who he was and bitched about his warm beer (that he kept on a hot window ledge the entire time he was there), and was a total nightmare to deal with. At one point a normal folk like us just yelled “we don’t f*****g care!” at him. It was truly a beautiful sight to watch his reaction.
The guys from Band of Horses are from my hometown and I took care of them bi-weekly. Super nice guys.
Sean Brock and I talked food twice a week.
Eric Clapton is a pompous d**k. His flight rerouted and he just sat and stared at me without more than a “Cabernet” and no tip.
Brooke Shields is a national treasure. She’s so sweet and polite, and always remembered where our conversation left off. Serving her was like serving an old friend.
Danny McBride is the tits! I was going through a bad breakup when I served him, and told him my ex was a huge fan. He suggested taking a selfie with him to send to my ex to “win the break up”. The a*****e cheated, and I got to meet his idol. I definitely won.
Last and definitely not least is Bill F*****g Murray. He came into my bar and was about to get swarmed, so I screamed out “ITS HIS F*****G DAY OFF! BACK THE F**K UP!”. That was the start of him trusting me to take care of him every time he flew out (once to twice a month), annual Christmas Eve staring contest post beer, many gag tips in whatever foreign currency he had ( plus a generous usd tip), and a plethora of nicknames he pulled out of his a*s. Many years later I worked at a spot down the street from the airport and one night he came in. My dipshit manager that didn’t know who his was asked for his number to be put on the wait. He declined, saw me, and said “I miss you down the road, and I think you’d be better at running this joint”. I never let her live it down.
Almost every celebrity I met was down to earth except for Clapton and the POM douche.
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118points
#14
I worked in Vegas for 5 years and met tons, but honestly the majority of them just wanted to be another guest. With few exceptions, they were all relaxed, polite, kind, and respectful. I treated them like I’d treat any stranger who sat in my section.
Nicolas Cage is the biggest exception. Dude is real weird, but a good tipper at least.
Nicolas Cage is the biggest exception. Dude is real weird, but a good tipper at least.
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110points
#15
R. Kelly came to the club that I was a bouncer at. This was after everyone knew that he was a creep but before being charged. I denied him entry because he didn’t have an ID. His entourage was pissed. Lol
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109points
#16
Jerry Springer came into my restaurant by himself after his show. He sat in the back of the restaurant with his face buried in a book (that he was genuinely reading) with his legs crossed. Not a soul noticed him. He was very nice and quiet. Just wanted to be left alone but was not rude about it.
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105points
#17
Tommy Chong was in a few months back.
He was the sweetest old man!!! Very nice, polite, and respectful. He offered to take pics with staff as well.
He was the sweetest old man!!! Very nice, polite, and respectful. He offered to take pics with staff as well.
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99points
#18
Sarah Jessica Parker‘s “please and thank you” game is strong and it feels like she really means it.
Tony Hawk is very chill. His (now ex) wife was an uppity b***h.
I also met a few Norwegian celebrities who were all pretty down to earth, but I didn’t really know who they were.
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92points
#19
Beyonce, JayZ and Michelle Williams. Paid to have the restaurant shut down, but allowed regulars to remain at the bar…just didn’t want to be bothered. Tipped well PLUS pit tickets for the Lemonade tour.
Bobcat Goldthwait. I said “hey, you know you look like Bobcat Goldthwait.” He was like “Who?” So I kinda ran down his career bio like a nerd. Then he broke into the voice and said “sounds like a ppppppretty good guy”. We ended up chatting for a while about normal s**t. Really nice guy.
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92points
#20
I work at a board game cafe that also happens to be connected to a very large Magic The Gathering singles selling business. We've had Post Malone come in a few times to dine in, and he was super nice to all the staff. Him and his posse booked a private room once, we allowed them to stay way past close to play Commander, and they allowed some of the staff to join them. They pretty much drank us dry of our mead and ate all of our meatballs.
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89points