"In my mind, if your kitchen help should earn more, then raise their wages!"

Exactly right, Mrs. Ratman! It's deceptive to the patron for the establishment to add on this mandatory fee that has an opaque distribution formula. Build into the menu prices the cost of getting my meal items prepared and brought to my table, but thereafter leave any extra amount that I choose to pay for good service as something that is just between my server and me.

A "service charge" that could be confused with being a tip should not be a way for the owner to defray overhead expenses, especially when done at the expense of working people (the servers) by way of deception.