Eh, my first job ever was as a restaurant server. If the service was even halfway decent, it took a fair amount of effort to make it happen along with the other 5 tables they were probably taking care of. The kind of down time many of us enjoy in a desk job doesn't exist so it's basically nonstop and calls for higher compensation on an hourly basis considering they're often expending as much energy in a 4 hour shift as most people do in an 8 hour workday, with a smile on their face. They are exempt from minimum wage laws so pay by the restaurant is usually about $3 an hour which in my view is basically just an agreement between them and the establishment just to show up, and I'm the one paying them to take care of the logistics that I can sit and enjoy my meal.
I have zero problem tipping real restaurant wait staff. I refuse to tip a fast food cashier that has zero skills and did nothing but take my money and most likely mess up my order.