Anyone Else Soured on Dining Out?

[Chuckanut]

My experiences are the same as harllee's; the restaurants we go to don't do the QR code thing.

So, we just pay cash. The "mom'n'pop" type restaurants that we go to, are not too expensive so a $20 bill will easily cover lunch.

On advantage of paying cash is they have yet to find a way to pop-up a [-]demand[/-] reminder to choose a 28% tip for all to see if you are a cheapskate or not.

 

[harllee]

Paying cash for an occasional meal in your own town is not a problem. But if you are traveling, eating out a lot of meals, paying cash is a pain.

 

[Badger]

Paying cash for an occasional meal in your own town is not a problem. But if you are traveling, eating out a lot of meals, paying cash is a pain.

I always pay cash on the infrequent times we eat out. I never let my credit card out of my hands and don't like using it to pay for a meal. I also don't like the idea of using the credit card for tips since I have no guarantee it all goes to the server. So cash is what they will have to accept. If they posted that cash is not accepted then we simply don't eat there. The way that I see it is that I have the money so I get to make the rules. To stay in business they need my money but I have the choice to eat anywhere I want. They need me more than I need them. This philosophy pretty much applies to most things that involve a purchase.

Cheers!

 

[scrabbler1]

I always pay cash on the infrequent times we eat out. I never let my credit card out of my hands and don't like using it to pay for a meal. I also don't like the idea of using the credit card for tips since I have no guarantee it all goes to the server. So cash is what they will have to accept. If they posted that cash is not accepted then we simply don't eat there. The way that I see it is that I have the money so I get to make the rules. To stay in business they need my money but I have the choice to eat anywhere I want. They need me more than I need them. This philosophy pretty much applies to most things that involve a purchase.

Cheers!

At some places restaurants where I pay at the cashier, I leave a cash tip at the table but use a CC for the meal itself.

 

[Midpack]

I have no problem with "chain" restaurants as long as they are universally consistent in quality of food and service. I attended a conference one time and one of the guest speakers was (forget the title - maybe president or CEO) from McDonalds. As an ice breaker, he asked "Why do you go to McDonalds when you travel? He then answered his own question very honestly. "It's not because the food is fantastic. It's because you know exactly what you'll get no mater where you go." That's all I expect from a chain. If I like it in Honolulu, I'd better like it in Kenosha.

I'm not a foodie and your left-handed complement (no offense) of (in this case Olive Garden) is exactly WHY I like Olive Garden. I'm not proud of it but neither am I ashamed that my tastes are simple and easily satisfied. YMMV

Not to belabor it, but maybe you missed my POV as it relates to your expectation. Chain restaurants are not going to be consistent in this environment with labor shortages because everyone in every location is an employee, not an owner or chef owner. Most independent restaurants have an owner or chef owner often on site, or at least very hands on, with $ skin in the enterprise - chain restaurant employees don't. Chain employees have their job on the line (not nothing), independent restaurant owners are literally $ invested in their restaurants, so they're far more attentive to provide a good product/service IME. Again, why we rarely go to chains. FWIW

 

[Sue J]

Every Friday our older son comes over and we get takeout dinner together. I have noticed that almost every restaurant has increased prices, some more than once in recent months. Each item is $.50 to $1 more. I’ve also noticed smaller portions.

We like to pick up from locally owned places instead of chains. We realize costs have gone up for their food and labor so we have adjusted and keep doing what we like to do. Ahh, inflation!

Our favorites are a family Thai place, a neighborhood Mexican place, a hole in the wall Indian takeout only place, a shawarma takeout and a neighborhood pizza/pressure fried chicken takeout. Then every once in a while DH wants Papa Johns.

Our favorite Chinese spot now adds a 3% fee if you use a charge card, eat in or takeout, so we use cash. I’ve noticed the quality has gone down and the portions are smaller. Also, they took the spareribs off the menu because their supplier cost increased too much.

The last time we ate in a restaurant was in Feb for my birthday. With tip it was $85 for just 2 of us, DH may have had a beer. I had some leftover for lunch the next day.

 

[kcowan]

...I think these boxes at the table are actually good for the restaurant's bottom line because they free up the wait staff from constantly "circling back" and especially for running back and forth to the cash register (once to give you the bill and then the 2nd time to grab and return your CC.) It has to save money though the capital outlay is significant. YMMV

One thing we always do is indicate to the server we are paying with a card so the bring them together to save a trip. In Canada, you can often pay with your ATM card making it cheaper for the restaurant.

In Mexico, it is either PINed CCs or cash.

Mexico has maintained their service standards during Covid but Canada is struggling big time with service. We always eat out with others and never at chains. Our ROMEO breakfasts are aways cash.

 

[MC Rider]

Since Covid hit I have eaten out about 4 times. Two were last April when I was visiting Grandkids and family in New Hampshire. We're not that big on eating out anymore. Especially after we gutted and remodeled the kitchen. Although that was 10 years ago.

 

[audreyh1]

Another thread that's hard to judge. What some people consider fine dining, would exceed the expectations of some, and fall well short of world class expectations of others. Same with ability to recreate at home - I seriously doubt there is no restaurant that can match what any of us can do at home. You can't all be Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz or Eric Ripart...flame away.

And to say all restaurants have gone downhill with subpar food and thoughtless service is also an unfair generalization. Sure there are some, more than in the past, but there are certainly great restaurants in every metro area.

A lot of this depends on location. Where we live fine dining options are quite limited compared to other areas where we have lived before. Fortunately access to top notch ingredients is very good here.

 

[cyber888]

Yes, we soured on eating out. I'm giving some examples:

1) 2 days ago, we were in Vegas, we went to a well known dining restaurant and the 2 things we wanted to order were "out of stock". When the waiter approach us, before we could even say a word, he blurted "we can't serve you this and that - they are out of stock" .. the 2 most popular dish specialty of their restaurant.

2) The buffet restaurant we used to go to "before Covid" had fried blue crabs on weekends where they charge more. Then, they were losing $$$ during Covid, so now they don't offer blue crabs anymore. And their Sushi is not fresh, like tasteless and out of the ref. We will never eat that kind of sushi again. It use to be fresh with a cook making it in front of everyone.

3) Also use to go to a Thai/Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant that had pretty good variety of Asian food. We went there to take home a dish, and they usually offered Soup as a side with the dish, but now they don't. The owner apologized that the Styrofoam cup they put the soup is always out of stock and very very expensive now.

And yes, we try to avoid the crowd due to Covid. But we still go to one authentic homecooked chinese restaurant, which is in a Food court shopping center. They are the only restaurant left in that food court, so there are rarely any people there. It's a huge space and you won't get Covid in that huge space 4000 sq. ft. space with no one but maybe 5-6 people eating, and most of the time just 2 people (me and DW). Their food is always top notch. We don't like crowded spaces. That may change when we get Novavax - just approved by the FDA.

We went to a restaurant the other day. One we used to really like. We've been going out with friends and relatives, or grabbing a quick bite somewhere out of convenience, but I think this was our first proper "dining out" since the pandemic shutdowns.

I hated it. With all the staffing shortages, service was terrible. But the server tried her best so we still gave a good tip. The long delays were made worse by the new, classy-looking but uncomfortable chairs they'd bought. My back was aching by the time we finally left. It was more a test of endurance than an enjoyable evening.

I could have gotten take out and eaten it in the comfort of my own home. I think that's going to be our preference from now on.

Anyone else?

 

[RobbieB]

I avoid chain restaurants because the food always tastes the same.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

We went to Chili's the other night because I had gift cards so the meals were free. That is about the right price point that gets us to go there. The food really wasn't very good. The service was awful, but the server was my age and seemed pretty frazzled, so I left a big tip anyway.

 

[Scuba]

If people on this Forum (including myself) are typical of the population I don't see how most restaurants are going to survive. In fact, they haven't. Several of our favorite restaurants have already permanently closed.

The younger folks are going out in droves. Restaurants around here are packed every night it seems. Even relatively expensive places where the tab is $100+ per person with a couple of cocktails are still packed. Not sure if the patrons work in the tech industry or are just charging everything and paying later, but us older folks are clearly not the “target market” for restaurants here.

 

[pacergal]

On advantage of paying cash is they have yet to find a way to pop-up a [-]demand[/-] reminder to choose a 28% tip for all to see if you are a cheapskate or not.

Yes, we are switching to paying cash again. I get tired of those square things.
I will still tip using cash, but more discreetly.

 

[Badger]

The younger folks are going out in droves. Restaurants around here are packed every night it seems. Even relatively expensive places where the tab is $100+ per person with a couple of cocktails are still packed. Not sure if the patrons work in the tech industry or are just charging everything and paying later, but us older folks are clearly not the “target market” for restaurants here.

Another good reason we avoid eating out. Most places are trying to attract a younger crowd with loud music. Some places are so loud you can't even carry on a conversation during the meal. Those younger folks are welcome to them. Those restaurants have made their decisions. If it works for them then maybe they will survive. Otherwise...

Cheers!

 

[aja8888]

One of my best friends, and a world traveler over the years, stopped by yesterday for a while and told me about a recent dining experience he had that totally infuriated him, and he is not easily set off.

A local seafood restaurant in our town that has been here 30+ years, and a local favorite, experienced new ownership as the original owner died recently. This is a medium priced place that specializes in crab and crawdads (when in season) and has a small fresh fish market inside of it. They also have a small live band on the weekends and is kind of a family place.

My friend, his DW, and visiting brother and wife went there last Friday night. The menu was "abbreviated" as the new owner has not got the place up to speed yet. Surprised me as the suppliers would be the same and the place is not changed from the previous owner's use.

Anyway, my friend orders fresh Snapper (labelled "market price" on the menu) and the others just order other menu items. When the bill came, the fresh Snapper was itemized as $35 for the fish and a $50 cooking fee. Hello?

Friend went ballistic and asked to see the manager and when he came he defended the cooking fee as the fish was "fresh" and taken from the fish market side of the establishment. It's one that is really hard to believe..

Needless to say, this spot is now on my friend's "do not visit" list.

 

[athena53]

One thing I learned the hard way is that when a price is not listed, you should ask. It's a popular tactic when the server goes through a lyrical, mouth-watering descriptions of the day's "specials" without being so crass as to mention the price.

They're hoping you won't.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Anyway, my friend orders fresh Snapper (labelled "market price" on the menu) and the others just order other menu items. When the bill came, the fresh Snapper was itemized as $35 for the fish and a $50 cooking fee. Hello?

A vet did that to me on on a pet's nail trimming after I called around on prices. $12 for the trimming, but then they added on $20 to use the room the nails were trimmed in. I posted about something similar with a concert venue we used to like. You have to pay to rent chairs now if you buy lawn seat tickets. They no longer allow concert goers to bring their own chairs or even full size blankets. They sell the lawn tickets cheap, then make their money on parking, beer, snack bar and chair fees.

It is good there is social media these days and people can post about these rip offs and boycott as needed. Your friend should post his seafood experience on places like Yelp and Nextdoor to warn off other potential customers.

 

[Sue J]

Anyway, my friend orders fresh Snapper (labelled "market price" on the menu) and the others just order other menu items. When the bill came, the fresh Snapper was itemized as $35 for the fish and a $50 cooking fee. Hello?

Friend went ballistic and asked to see the manager and when he came he defended the cooking fee as the fish was "fresh" and taken from the fish market side of the establishment. It's one that is really hard to believe..

Needless to say, this spot is now on my friend's "do not visit" list.

That is outrageous! Are they implying that the other items are not cooked? Maybe they just open a package and microwave so that’s included in the menu price.

Is the $50 itemized - $10 for the cook to wash his hands, $5 apron fee, $15 to get a pan dirty, $20 to gut the fish?

This sounds like one of those incidents that gets posted on social media showing the receipt. And the name of the restaurant.

 

[aja8888]

A vet did that to me on on a pet's nail trimming after I called around on prices. $12 for the trimming, but then they added on $20 to use the room the nails were trimmed in. I posted about something similar with a concert venue we used to like. You have to pay to rent chairs now if you buy lawn seat tickets. They no longer allow concert goers to bring their own chairs or even full size blankets. They sell the lawn tickets cheap, then make their money on parking, beer, snack bar and chair fees.

It is good there is social media these days and people can post about these rip offs and boycott as needed. Your friend should post his seafood experience on places like Yelp and Nextdoor to warn off other potential customers.

He was told the market price ($35.00) and could live with that.....but a cooking fee?

He did leave a very bad review on Yelp.

Wow! Chair fees at an outdoor concert.

 

[Sue J]

Chair fees…

I used to usher at an outdoor concert venue. You could bring your own chair or rent one. They were $10 to rent but if you returned it you got $5 cash back. That venue has now gone all digital, no cash so maybe they changed that.

The chairs were the required height (low, beach type) and comfortable and sturdy. It was a nice option if you didn’t have the right kind of chair or didn’t want to lug it in from the very far parking lots.

 

[cyber888]

Well, thank god it was only $85, because in Greece, American tourists were made to pay 1,300 euros for calamari and lobster. I never order a dish that says 'market price'.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/woman-charged-1300-after-being-27060447

One of my best friends, and a world traveler over the years, stopped by yesterday for a while and told me about a recent dining experience he had that totally infuriated him, and he is not easily set off.

A local seafood restaurant in our town that has been here 30+ years, and a local favorite, experienced new ownership as the original owner died recently. This is a medium priced place that specializes in crab and crawdads (when in season) and has a small fresh fish market inside of it. They also have a small live band on the weekends and is kind of a family place.

My friend, his DW, and visiting brother and wife went there last Friday night. The menu was "abbreviated" as the new owner has not got the place up to speed yet. Surprised me as the suppliers would be the same and the place is not changed from the previous owner's use.

Anyway, my friend orders fresh Snapper (labelled "market price" on the menu) and the others just order other menu items. When the bill came, the fresh Snapper was itemized as $35 for the fish and a $50 cooking fee. Hello?

Friend went ballistic and asked to see the manager and when he came he defended the cooking fee as the fish was "fresh" and taken from the fish market side of the establishment. It's one that is really hard to believe..

Needless to say, this spot is now on my friend's "do not visit" list.

 

[gayl]

Used to joke that I spent more at Starbucks than Safeway. Can't say that anymore. Their dark drip isn't dark anymore. I think they use the right beans but have cut back on the amount in the machine. I'd rather have French or Italian roast at home as it'll stand up to cream. Used to go to Boudins a few times a month. And Brioche de Paris. Now I just do Panera takeout (frozen strawberry lemonade) every other Tuesday when I get my bagels plus Lunch & Learn group once a month.

Guess I need to get out more.

 

[Koolau]

I avoid chain restaurants because the food always tastes the same.

I guess if the food tastes like everyone else's food, that's a problem. If it tastes the same as any other place in the nation or world in THAT chain, I'm okay with that. IOW if I like it in Kenosha, I'll like it in Orlando. Turns out that's not always the case.

We really like Panda Express in Honolulu (there are several, and they all suit us.) Last year when we finally got home to the old homestead, we went to a Panda express and it was terrible. We finally noticed that all the cooks were midwesterners, just like us. In Honolulu, they are all, well, Chinese in background. It makes a difference! YMMV

 

[audreyh1]

There are regional chains and national chains. I find that some of the regional chains can be quite good.