Glad I noticed this thread, I can share a story.

Last year, my dad and I were catching a late dinner and happened to stumble in while they were running this deal. Dad was thinking about ordering the all-you-can eat, but I have been through the hell that others here have experienced trying to get their money's worth. So while the waitress was getting our drinks, I attempted to explain to my dad how it will take forever to get pancake refills and it's basically a scam. As I'm telling him this, she shows up with our beverages and asks if we are ready to order. Without batting an eye, my dad says, "Sugar, we'll have the all-you-can-eat pancakes, and I think I should let you know in advance how this works. We'll take care of you on the tip if you take care of us on the pancakes. Is that fair?" She laughs and says, "That works for me." We were still eating our first plate when she brought another stack of three around. She also didn't charge us for our drinks, and I think we left her $20. Needless to say, we ate more pancakes than we deserved that night, and we were in and out in an hour. Good times.

Unfortunately, I didn't inherit the ability to charm from my dad. I have more of the "brute force" kind of approach. I'll show up with a newspaper, two books, and my iPod...a clear signal that your $2 tip isn't going to change, and I'm prepared to sit here until the end of the next shift if necessary.