18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Restaurateurs battle inflationary costs by playing percentages, but dining may be at a tipping point. By Dave Faries Cost Plus Server Francisco Eugenin takes an order from guests at Passionfish in Pacific Grove. California’s minimum wage rate has been stepped up over the past several years, reaching $16 an hour, before tips. In 2017 it was $10 to $10.50 an hour. The federal rate is $7.25 an hour, or $2.13 an hour for tipped employees. Photos by Daniel Dreifuss
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