Texas Waitress Receives $2k Tip But Restaurant Says The Guest’s Credit Card Was Invalid

Christmas came early for a Texas waitress in the form of a $2,000 tip — or so she thought. The restaurant she works for won’t process it for the full amount.

According to KVUE, Emily Bauer had only worked at Red Hook Seafood and Bar for about two weeks when she worked a busy Sunday shift. She apologized to one of the patrons in her section, and he reassured her he owns three restaurants and understands.

He canceled the rest of his order and asked her for the check, which she provided. When she came back to get the bill, she noticed the man had left her a $2,000 tip with a note that said, “Merry Christmas! Keep working hard!”

Bauer was elated, feeling like she could give her kids a wonderful Christmas this year. She is a mom to two boys, aged two and 5 months. 

“I was like, ‘wait.’ I just opened it and started crying. I was like, ‘oh my God! My kids! I’m going to spend it all on my kids,'” said Bauer. “I was like, ‘oh my God.’ I’ve never had a Christmas where I’ve been able to like splurge on them.”

Bauer said she hasn’t been able to collect a penny from the tip. First, the restaurant said they couldn’t process a tip over $500. Then, her manager told her the man who left a tip called the restaurant and was disappointed that she couldn’t receive the generous gift.

Red Hook Seafood disputes Bauer’s claims, saying the card came up invalid, and the man who left a tip was advised that it declined when he called. They advised him to bring her a check or cash if he wanted her to receive the tip.

After the initial story broke, Bauer posted to Facebook that her employer generously gave her the $2,000. It looks like she will be spoiling her sons for Christmas as planned.