That's not the same at all, though. All that means is that the employer gets to legally steal tips and convert them into wages.

It is literally exactly what it means. Tipped employees can not legally be paid less than the standard minimum wage.

I believe they meant "minimum wage always, then with any tips they get added to it", not "minimum wage if tips aren't enough to get them there"

But they can be paid that minimum wage in part through the employer stealing the employee's tips. So, not really paying them the minimum wage.

It's not though - the restaurant pays the employee as low as $2.83 per hour. Restaurants should have to pay their employees the same minimum wage as everyone else, and anything the customers decide to give the wait staff should be extra (if tipping really should be legal at all)