Free drink refills

[Jorge]

Do restaurants do free drink refills where you live?

They are most definitely NOT a thing down here and I remember being shocked the first time I was at a restaurant somewhere in Texas and the server just brought me a brand new glass of cherry lemonade without me even asking.

I'm not sure why the practice was never really a thing down here. Maybe because drinks are more expensive proportionally to food, and margins are tighter? Or it could be a cultural thing. The US has this whole culture around quantity and perceived value, especially in the service industry. Also since it's not ingrained into the culture here I think people would take advantage and it would fail quickly.

[doug rr]

maybe they just found someone to give all of their unused cherry lemonade to

[Jorge]

Mmm, stagnant

[doug rr]

but seriously..many places here have free refills..especially with coffee and iced tea and soda..except for sweet tea because its gross and should not be served...thats why NYC is so great and so many pubs with the unwritten rule of buying 2 and getting a freebie...

[dad]

Free refills weren’t a thing until maybe the late 90s, early aughts…at least I don’t remember them being a thing in the 80s.

anyway, I’m sure the practice was a contributing factor in the obesity crisis.

[96583UP]

free refills on fountain drinks is extremely common

coca cola wills it

to keep the addicts addicted

but also

potable water is abundant here

to a fault

might contribute to the maths

you're just mixing the co2 with the water and the flavor thingy in the machine

the actual cost of the drink is prob pennies

so why not give the fools more of the sugary thing so they get more addicted

[BurtReynolds]

I don't remember the last time I went to a place that didn't have free refills. It costs them about a nickel.

[BurtReynolds]

On the other hand, drink prices have gotten ridiculous. 4 or 5 bucks for a sprite? Fuck that.

[spike]

I think this only exists in the US.

[Jorge]

But not everywhere in the states, right? I don't think it's that common a thing in NYC for example?

[Bammer]

Free refills on regular coffee, tea, pop, etc. are the expectation in American restaurants.

[Bammer]

That said I did notice the other day a local McDonalds shut off their self serve soda fountain and has a sign that staff will do refills behind the counter for 50 cents “in order to provide the lowest cost to you possible”

[spike]

But not everywhere in the states, right? I don't think it's that common a thing in NYC for example?

Possibly, but https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugary_dr ... n_cap_rule

[bodysnatcher]

I only drink water so it's usually free fills and refills

[96583UP]

yeah bloomberg killed soda in NYC but elsewhere in the heartlands you get refills

[bodysnatcher]

has anyone ever done the Bring Your Own Cup day at 7eleven for a free slurpee?

[B]

I moved to North Carolina from Ohio, and I remember the first time I saw some ask for a refill in a to-go cup, and the fucking restaurant gave it to them! I mean, WTF?

[epilogue]

But not everywhere in the states, right? I don't think it's that common a thing in NYC for example?

When I first moved to NYC in 2007, I was shocked to discover they didn't do free refills on soda. Really, regular drip coffee is the only thing I've seen regular free refills on in NYC during my time here. Some places will do it for soda or whatever, but it's really rare.

Back in KC, free refills are standard pretty much everywhere you go.

[TXCharlie]

Free refills are definitely not common around here either, so seeing it in Texas was wild. On a trip to Singapore, there was this place at Novotel on Stevens with craft beer deals—they had a relaxed, oasis-like vibe and the staff kept the drinks coming without fuss. Made hanging out way more fun, and trying different beers felt effortless.