Tom Douglas Drops Tipping | Dick's Drive-In Founder Dies

TIPPING—Prominent Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas announced last week that he's dropping tipping at three of his restaurants, replacing it with a 20 percent service charge. The change will take place February 1 at The Carlile Room, Palace Kitchen, and Dahlia Lounge. Douglas says the change is in response to the new $15 minimum wage and that his other full service restaurants will also implement the service charge in lieu of tips by the end of March.

RIP—Last week, Seattle legend Dick Spady passed away at 92. The founder of what became an institution in Seattle, Spady opened his first Dick's Drive-In at the age of 30, on January 28, 1954. Seattle residents and visitors who may have learned about the burger haven from Sir Mix-a-Lot or Macklemore tend to line up outside the six locations from 10:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. Eater Seattle remembers Spady as an outstanding human, one whose legacy will not soon be forgotten.

FREMONT—Eater's roving restaurant critic Bill Addison was a busy man in 2015, traversing the country in search of the country's most essential restaurants. Now, the results of his efforts are live and ready for eaters everywhere to consume. Last year's list included Seattle favorite The Whale Wins, a Renee Erickson gem on Stone Way. Even as the list received a massive 13-restaurant update for 2016, Erickson's restaurant remains on the list. And an under-the-radar Redmond restaurant got Addison's nod for "Most Profound Noodle Revelation."