Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
'TipsForJesus' Visits NYC And Leaves $3,500 Tip For Waiter At The Smith
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 6, 2013
Modified Dec 6, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 6, 2013
Modified Dec 6, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Since September, an unknown person—with an Instagram account—has been leaving huge tips for restaurant servers. Restaurants confirmed the tips were real but the identity of the tipper has been unknown. Now, the mystery diner with a big American Express spending limit is in New York.
Server Andrew at the Lincoln Center location of The Smith got a $3,500 tip on a $391.95 meal last night. Management at The Smith told Eater that Andrew "really did get his $3,500."
It's believed that the tipper is former PayPal executive Jack Selby. But he's rich enough to pay someone to do good deeds on his behalf and make a squiggly mark for a signature, right? Anyway, even if you aren't a dot-com millionaire, you can still tip 20% because it's right.
Tagged
service industry
the smith
tipping
tipsforjesus
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Published Oct 26, 2026
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .