Restaurants

[Ready]

Have you changed your habits related to eating out in restaurants since the virus outbreak?

I went out to eat with some friends this week. It did not appear they made any changes to their procedures as a result of the outbreak. The woman who was in charge of refilling drinks kept insisting on picking up each person’s glass with her hands and refilling it with water. I refused to let it out of my hand and just asked her to pour it while I hold the glass and she seemed to be irritated with me.

They leave salt and pepper shakers out. They handle plates, silverware and glasses with their bare hands. They don’t wipe down their menus. They don’t wear gloves. It’s as if nothing has changed.

Now I’m reluctant to eat out any more. Am I being unrealistic to expect them to change?

 

[Lewis Clark]

Some restaurants may change in the short term. I suspect few will change in the long term. Just human nature.

 

[HadEnuff]

I have become even more reluctant to eat out. I generally am reluctant because unless I'm spending beaucoup dollars, I don't find the food all that good. I don't like spending beaucoup dollars for a meal, particularly. I'm a pretty good cook myself, so unless I'm just in the mood to be waited on, I'd rather eat at home.

Since this current fiasco, I find myself even more reluctant to be eating food prepared and handled by unseen strangers.

 

[timbervest]

Clorox wipes. Everywhere.

 

[Chuckanut]

I rarely eat out. But, I may drop into the local coffee bar and order a mocha so as to help keep them in business.

 

[audreyh1]

If there is a local outbreak, I think eating out in restaurants would be a risk, as would be socializing with friends over a meal.

 

[HadEnuff]

Clorox wipes. Everywhere.

seldom makes food taste better, IMO.

 

[calmloki]

A suggestion i read to help restaurants stay in business (if you like them) but keep yourself isolated and safe is to buy gift cards so they have "keep the doors rented if not open" money. Then in a few months go out and have some nice meals there with your gift cards.

 

[ivinsfan]

A suggestion i read to help restaurants stay in business (if you like them) but keep yourself isolated and safe is to buy gift cards so they have "keep the doors rented if not open" money. Then in a few months go out and have some nice meals there with your gift cards.

If they go under your money is gone

 

[Fermion]

We have not eaten out at a fast food or restaurant place for three weeks because of the virus. I do feel bad for them but it isn't worth the risk, not knowing if a worker is going to sneeze on your food. At least at the grocery store I can cook what I buy (hopefully the prewashed bagged lettuce is OK).

 

[Walt34]

For now I think we will probably curtail what little dining out we do engage in. I seriously doubt the industry will even notice our absence.

 

[sengsational]

A suggestion i read to help restaurants stay in business (if you like them) but keep yourself isolated and safe is to buy gift cards so they have "keep the doors rented if not open" money. Then in a few months go out and have some nice meals there with your gift cards.

If they go under your money is gone

Gift cards are like a bond without either interest or any claim to leftover assets. But I guess if you want to support your local restaurant, you go into it knowing it might just be a 'donation'.

On the other hand, if the owners start selling ownership shares to stay afloat, that might be something that requires more commitment, but at least some up-side potential.

 

[Amethyst]

We really don't eat out unless traveling (where there's no choice...or the food may be part of the package).

I agree that it all seems rather unsanitary just now. I never worried about it before, but I know people who did. Maybe they were on to something.

 

[ckelly78z]

Wednesday, we went to the local Tokyo SteakHouse hibachi style, and honestly, the thought about hygiene, or altered protocol never crossed my mind. I did make it a point of not touching my face until I could wash with soap at home.

 

[Pellice]

I think restaurant patronage will decline, but prepared foods, delivered or picked up, will increase their share of the nation's meals.

 

[Ready]

The other problem I had at this restaurant was that each bathroom was single use only. So there was a line of people trying to wash their hands. The restaurant employees have to use the same bathroom, although I suppose they could wash their hands in the kitchen sink if need be. But it took so long to get access to the bathroom to wash my hands that I was pretty fed up by the time the food came. It’s just too much of a hassle to eat out right now.

 

[Teacher Terry]

We eat out once or twice a week. Haven’t quit but we go when they aren’t busy.

 

[Kwirk]

Until the past week we've eaten in restaurants almost daily. Now we are eating more at home and getting carry out. Judging from emails that I'm receiving, restaurants are beginning to change practices but I'm dubious about how effective that can be.

We'll be focusing on carry out meals with hot food. I especially prefer carry out with curb service and paying online so that I can just pop the trunk for a no-hands delivery. When I get home I can wear gloves to remove any packaging. We'll reheat as needed.

 

[RobbieB]

No change, still frequenting my favs which are mostly Asian.

 

[Jerry1]

Ate out this evening at a place we go about every other Friday. They changed their procedures some and there was definitely less people in the restaurant. It’s a BBQ place and you’d get you food on a tray and then get your sauces, condiments and plastic ware from a counter. They moved all that behind the serving counter. Who knows if it will be enough, but they were trying. We’ll probably give up on going out for awhile.

 

[bolt]

Have you changed your habits related to eating out in restaurants since the virus outbreak?

I went out to eat with some friends this week. It did not appear they made any changes to their procedures as a result of the outbreak. The woman who was in charge of refilling drinks kept insisting on picking up each person’s glass with her hands and refilling it with water. I refused to let it out of my hand and just asked her to pour it while I hold the glass and she seemed to be irritated with me.

They leave salt and pepper shakers out. They handle plates, silverware and glasses with their bare hands. They don’t wipe down their menus. They don’t wear gloves. It’s as if nothing has changed.

Now I’m reluctant to eat out any more. Am I being unrealistic to expect them to change?

You're still exchanging the same amount of capital for goods. Why should they?
I've not initiated eating out since the 80s.

I only eat once a day, plus fruit.
Good Luck & Best wishes!

 

[MBAustin]

In our talk with DD this afternoon, she remarked on the impact that social distancing is having on people in the service industry, many of whom have few financial resources other than their job/tips.

For reasons unrelated to the current crisis, we dine out infrequently. She suggested getting carry-out or delivery more than we would normally and emphasized tipping generously to help get the service staff back above minimum wage territory.

I probably would avoid salads and sushi, but I don't think pizza or cooked food is particularly risky at this point.

 

[Ready]

Would anyone consider eating at a buffet? How about the prepared foods at places like Whole Foods where it’s kept in warming trays and everything is self serve?

 

[calmloki]

Yep. A whole bunch of service workers who are going to be hard pressed to figure out how they are supposed to work from home.

 

[aja8888]

No change, still frequenting my favs which are mostly Asian.

Same with us except our favs are local non-chain western type places. I still visit the local Burger King each morning to have coffee/breakfast with my ROMEO group.