A lottt of restaurants in socal do this, unfortunately. I've never seen it this high, though.

maybe it’s to allow take-away at a lower price, like a dine in vs eat out charge.

Very rare, I’m from Ireland & have only seen it once in a Chinese restaurant. They were very clear about it in the menu though so it wasn’t a sticker shock price

It soon will be. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/prepare-for-renewed-ftc-regulatory-focus-on-hidden-and-junk-fees

You can,

1. want the owner to take a smaller cut

2. be willing to pay more to raise the wages of the employees

3. want to control via tips how much people make

What is BS is hidden costs.