Eating out- Is it really worth it.

[MPF9]

Went out last night to give my wife a change of scene, as she does not get out much . We went to a local mid price Chain Restaurant.
As is the trend too many dishes have addition of Chillies.

My favourite dish was off again, so chose a Steak pie. This I sent back as no chunks of meat.My alternative choice was not too clever,as though cooked nicely the Steak was very poor quality. Luckily I was able to use Vouchers to pay, as certainly what I got was not value for money.
I think in future we will only go to small independent venues, who have to serve quality food at reasonable price or they go out of business.

 

[TobyC]

I like to go to a local buffet, all you can eat get it yourself place. They'll give steak hot off the grill, even cook it to your preferences while you watch, and there's boneless fried fish, shrimp, southern fried okra, roast beef, ham, sausage, tacos, pizza, bacon, etc., etc., anything you can imagine, with beverage, all for a little over eighteen bucks. Breakfast bar, dessert bar, salad bar, big place, great food, well worth a trip out on a Saturday.

 

[Northam Saint]

I like to go to a local buffet, all you can eat get it yourself place. They'll give steak hot off the grill, even cook it to your preferences while you watch, and there's boneless fried fish, shrimp, southern fried okra, roast beef, ham, sausage, tacos, pizza, bacon, etc., etc., anything you can imagine, with beverage, all for a little over eighteen bucks. Breakfast bar, dessert bar, salad bar, big place, great food, well worth a trip out on a Saturday.

Sounds great !

 

[MPF9]

I like to go to a local buffet, all you can eat get it yourself place. They'll give steak hot off the grill, even cook it to your preferences while you watch, and there's boneless fried fish, shrimp, southern fried okra, roast beef, ham, sausage, tacos, pizza, bacon, etc., etc., anything you can imagine, with beverage, all for a little over eighteen bucks. Breakfast bar, dessert bar, salad bar, big place, great food, well worth a trip out on a Saturday.

They do have some all you can eat type buffets in UK, but they do not match the quality of some of those I have experienced in USA.Though the worst ever was in Las Vegas.

 

[R181]

There are some all you can eat buffet places in Canada but I don't think they are all that common and the quality of food varies greatly.

Bob

 

[R181]

Eating out is absolutely worth it just to give my wife a well-deserved break from all the good meals she prepares the rest of the week for us two. Unfortunately, as a result of what has happened during the pandemic it has become quite expensive to do so on a weekly basis. A lot of people here are struggling to buy food considering the large price increases that have happened at the grocery stores. You can add to that the sky-high cost for housing, gasoline and utilities which makes it difficult to find spare money for dining out.

Bob

 

[Smiffy]

This is true, the price increases are staggering across every sector and not matched by incomes. If people are looking to save then, unfortunately, eating out has got to be an early cut.

Must admit, it would seem to me to make good sense for a fixed price menu with a limited choice changing daily. A restaurant local to me does an Early Bird menu 6-7 pm, choice of two starters, two mains, for £15 a head, really popular, people know in advance what their maximum liability is going to be.

 

[R181]

This is true, the price increases are staggering across every sector and not matched by incomes. If people are looking to save then, unfortunately, eating out has got to be an early cut.

Another early cut could be not getting that 2 or more Tims coffee a day which seems to be a Canadian habit. That can really add up over a month's period.

Bob

 

[chazt]

Somehow missed this thread first time around.. to point, yes, eating out is worth it when done well. Above all else, the food must be of high quality and perfectly prepared. Here in Queens, NY, we are lucky to be home to a vast selection of cuisines from around the world. All at every price point you can imagine. It’s easy to enjoy meals “out” here. Yes, since the pandemic prices have increased, but we figure if we want these great local businesses to thrive and continue, the (in most cases) slightly increased costs are easy to swallow. We enjoy rewarding fine food, well prepared and presented with our continued business and healthy cash tips.

 

[R181]

We enjoy rewarding fine food, well prepared and presented with our continued business and healthy cash tips.

The only part I might have a quibble with is tipping. It, imo, should not be a given. I never worked a job in my life where tipping was involved so have a hard time grasping how it has now come to be the expected thing to do in more and more places.

Bob

 

[Chappy]

We used to eat out fairly often but with the current inflation just 2 burgers, fries, and drinks will run around $25 bucks. So now we eat out about every other week and always go to a mom & pop owned restaurant. Will eat out extra for special occasions but have stopped going to chain restaurants....

 

[chazt]

The only part I might have a quibble with is tipping. It, imo, should not be a given. I never worked a job in my life where tipping was involved so have a hard time grasping how it has now come to be the expected thing to do in more and more places.

Bob

Yes, I too haven’t worked in a job in which tips were involved. And yes I agree, a generous tip is never a given. Excellent wait service which necessarily must include a good attitude is a prerequisite. Similarly, poor service with a sullen/smarmy demeanor is acknowledged accordingly.

My youngest daughter is a bartender at a midtown Manhattan tavern. My son-in-law is a maitre d’ also in Manhattan. He works two jobs. They and all the other front and back of house workers in their respective establishments work their kishkes off providing quality service with a smile. They’re all paid minimum wage with no health benefits. Tips are their main source of income. I honor my children and their colleagues when I generously tip others who’ve provided exemplary service.

 

[chazt]

Another early cut could be not getting that 2 or more Tims coffee a day which seems to be a Canadian habit. That can really add up over a month's period.

Bob

Yeah, I cut that out a long time ago. For the cost of three cups at Dunkin’ Donuts I can buy three pounds of Colombian coffee at Costco. Have travel mug, will travel

 

[chazt]

We used to eat out fairly often but with the current inflation just 2 burgers, fries, and drinks will run around $25 bucks. So now we eat out about every other week and always go to a mom & pop owned restaurant. Will eat out extra for special occasions but have stopped going to chain restaurants....

My impression of the chain restaurants has generally been that despite their relatively inexpensive price tags, they’re not usually a good value.

 

[R181]

Yes, I too haven’t worked in a job in which tips were involved. And yes I agree, a generous tip is never a given. Excellent wait service which necessarily must include a good attitude is a prerequisite. Similarly, poor service with a sullen/smarmy demeanor is acknowledged accordingly.

My youngest daughter is a bartender at a midtown Manhattan tavern. My son-in-law is a maitre d’ also in Manhattan. He works two jobs. They and all the other front and back of house workers in their respective establishments work their kishkes off providing quality service with a smile. They’re all paid minimum wage with no health benefits. Tips are their main source of income. I honor my children and their colleagues when I generously tip others who’ve provided exemplary service.

Now there is the rub. Minimum wage should be high enough to live off without having to work two jobs and depend on tips to make ends meet. Here the health benefit coverage is semi universal. By that I mean doctors visits and hospital stays/surgeries are covered but you have to pay for your own prescription drugs, dental and eye care. So that is less of an issue here but again a good job generally includes those coverages as part of the work contract.

Bob