I find it disgusting that some restaurants count tips as part of the minimum wage.

That in itself Rollie, is what sickens me, you work your backside off and try and get above the line of (what could be poverty), but your boss is clipping your ticket, every way you go, that in itself is unfair.
You could be working a split shift (6AM -10AM) come back at 2PM and work constantly until the dinner service ends at 1 am, or what-ever time when folks won't leave.
If everyone in that restaurant tips poorly, your night is going to be not even worth you being there.
This also means that the restaurant needs to be full of customers.