RibCrib is a popular barbecue restaurant chain known for its mouthwatering ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and sides like baked beans, coleslaw, and corn bread. Many RibCrib locations have a casual, down-home vibe with checkered tablecloths and plastic baskets for serving food. When you dine at RibCrib, your food and drinks often come in plastic or paper cups and containers.
So do you get to keep the cups, mugs, and other serving pieces at RibCrib? Here is a closer look at RibCrib’s policies on disposable serving ware and sustainability efforts.
RibCrib’s Disposable Cups and Containers
At most RibCrib locations, the cups, mugs, baskets, and food containers provided for dine-in meals are intended to be disposable. These single-use items are not meant to be reused or taken home.
Typically, the cups provided for fountain drinks and beer at RibCrib are made of clear plastic. RibCrib also uses plastic containers and trays for serving sides and meals. Paper cups may be used for water, coffee, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
Some specific disposable serving pieces at RibCrib include:
- Clear plastic cups for fountain sodas and beers
- Sturdy paper cups for hot and cold beverages
- Black plastic food baskets and trays
- Clear plastic souffle cups for sauces and condiments
- Paper buckets for fried chicken tenders and fries
RibCrib intends for these disposable items to be used for the dine-in experience, then discarded after the meal. The servers collect and dispose of the used cups, trays, and other dining ware.
Why RibCrib Uses Disposables
There are a few reasons why RibCrib relies on disposable serving cups and containers for dine-in meals:
- Cost – Disposable items are cheaper than reusable wares that need to be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
- Convenience – Disposables allow for quick bussing of tables after guests leave.
- Casual ambiance – The disposable serveware fits with RibCrib’s laidback, family-friendly atmosphere.
- Hygiene – Some customers may prefer single-use items over reusable dinnerware used by multiple guests.
Disposable cups, baskets, and trays allow RibCrib to keep overhead costs lower while still offering dine-in service. The restaurants can serve more guests efficiently when tables can be cleared, reset, and flipped quickly after parties leave. So the disposable servingware is part of RibCrib’s business model.
Policies Around Taking Disposable Ware
Technically, RibCrib’s disposable cups, mugs, baskets, and trays are intended for use only within the restaurant during your meal. RibCrib would prefer that guests do not remove the disposable serving items from the premises.
However, RibCrib does not have an explicitly stated policy against taking these disposable wares. The restaurants are casual establishments and the cost of the disposable servingware is minimal. Staff will not stop guests from accidentally or intentionally taking cups or baskets when they leave after dining in.
That said, intentionally pocketing stacks of plastic cups or other dining ware would be frowned upon. RibCrib is a family establishment and expects guests to act appropriately, not taking advantage by stealing large quantities of serving pieces.
In summary, RibCrib’s policy around take-out dining ware is:
- Disposable cups, baskets, and trays are for dine-in use only.
- Guests are asked not to remove these items from the premises.
- But staff will not strictly enforce this if items accidentally leave the restaurant.
- Intentionally taking many cups/baskets from the restaurant would be inappropriate.
Sustainability Considerations
While disposable serveware is convenient for the restaurant, some guests may be concerned about the sustainability of using so many single-use plastics and paper at RibCrib. Excessive waste from restaurants is a valid environmental issue.
However, RibCrib does aim to use disposable materials responsibly. Some of the chain’s initiatives include:
- Offering plastic drink cups made with recycled content
- Using paper drink cups made from sustainable paperboard
- Training staff to only provide straws upon request
- Participating in recycling programs where available from waste haulers
RibCrib is also starting to experiment with some reusable and sustainable alternatives at select locations. For example, certain RibCrib restaurants may use:
- Reusable plastic cups and baskets that are sanitized after each use
- Durable plastic cups instead of single-use paper
- Real mugs for coffee drinks
- Eco-friendly bioplastic made from plants instead of conventional plastic
So sustainability is on RibCrib’s radar. And the chain may shift toward more reusable wares in the future. But for now, most RibCrib dining rooms stick with traditional disposable cups and containers for efficiency and cost-savings.
Takeaway Beverage Cups
While the cups for dine-in meals are intended to stay at the restaurant, the policy is different for takeout beverage cups.
When ordering takeout directly from RibCrib, guests are encouraged to use and keep the provided drink cups. The plastic cold cups and paper hot cups are part of the takeout experience.
For takeout, RibCrib’s beverage cups have seals and lids to prevent spills and leaks while customers transport their drinks. The chains want guests to enjoy fountain sodas, sweet tea, or milkshakes on the go using these cups.
Some common takeout drink cups at RibCrib are:
- Clear plastic cold cups with snap-on lids
- White paper hot cups with dome lids
- Colorful plastic kids’ cups with straws and lids
So feel free to take those plastic and paper takeout beverage cups with you when you order RibCrib meals to go. They are part of the carryout and delivery experience.
Can You Request Extra Disposable Ware?
Since the disposable serving cups and trays are meant for use in the restaurant, RibCrib will not usually allow guests to request extra items to take home.
Trying to get stacks of extra plastic cups, paper buckets, or other dining ware would cut into RibCrib’s overhead costs. Serving pieces are an expense for the restaurants.
However, guests may be able to request an extra kids’ meal cup or souffle cup for sauces. If you need one or two extra disposable items to supplement your takeout order, asking your server or the manager politely may work. They may allow you to take a couple of items at their discretion.
But directly asking for whole sleeves of cups or piles of baskets to take home would likely be declined. Those quantities of serving ware add up in cost over time for the restaurant.
Here are some tips if you want additional disposable wares for your takeout order:
- Only request one or two extra items, not large quantities.
- Ask politely if you can take an extra cup or two for leftovers.
- Accept it graciously if the staff say they cannot provide extras.
- Do not take items without permission or you may be asked to leave.
Overall, the disposable serveware at RibCrib is for in-restaurant use only. But if you ask nicely, staff may allow you to take a couple extra items for your takeout order.
Bringing Your Own Reusable Cups
To cut down on waste from disposable cups, some guests prefer bringing their own reusable mugs and cups to restaurants. Can you use personal reusable drinkware at RibCrib?
Unfortunately, most RibCrib locations do not allow personal reusables for fountain drinks. The restaurant chains cite health regulations that only allow using provided single-use cups at beverage stations. Refilling personal mugs could pose cross-contamination risks.
However, some RibCrib restaurants may make exceptions and allow personal cups for hot beverages like coffee. Since these are not self-serve, staff can control refilling a mug you provide.
Tips for using reusable cups at RibCrib:
- Ask first if you can use your mug for hot coffee refills.
- Do not try to use personal cups at self-serve soda fountains.
- Make sure your cup or mug is clean before bringing it in.
- Thank staff if they allow you to reuse instead of waste a paper cup.
Reusing mugs is often restricted, but some locations may allow it for certain beverage types if you ask politely.
Can You Steal RibCrib Cups or Baskets?
It should go without saying, but you should not intentionally steal cups, baskets, or other dining ware from RibCrib.
Taking disposable serveware without permission is inappropriate and unethical. It also qualifies as petty theft, especially if you try leaving the restaurant with piles of plastic cups or armfuls of other dining ware.
Stealing dishes, glasses, or utensils is a crime at any restaurant, including RibCrib. Theft of dining ware may be prosecuted based on the quantity taken and value.
RibCrib wants to maintain a welcoming, honest environment for all guests. Outright stealing dishes or other items violates that welcoming trust. It can also incur fines or prosecution if caught and reported.
Reasons not to steal RibCrib cups, trays, or utensils include:
- It is unethical and illegal.
- It hurts the restaurant’s bottom line.
- You could face fines or criminal charges if caught.
- It goes against RibCrib’s honest, family-friendly brand.
Instead, politely ask your server if you can take a couple extra disposable items, or bring your own reusable mug. Never resort to theft of dishes, cutlery, or dining ware at any restaurant.
Conclusion
At RibCrib, the disposable cups, trays, baskets, and food containers are intended for one-time use when dining in. You are not supposed to take the plasticware and other disposable serving items from RibCrib’s restaurants.
However, staff will not strictly enforce this if some items accidentally leave. And they may allow you to take one or two extras for leftovers if you ask politely.
For takeout, the beverage cups and packaged condiments are part of the to-go order experience. Feel free to take those with you.
While RibCrib aims for sustainability, disposables still dominate for efficiency. Some locations are starting to integrate reusables, though. Overall, strive not to abuse RibCrib’s disposable dining ware policies – and never resort to stealing items, which is unethical and illegal.
