The Veranda - I don't even want to go out to eat anymore....

I don't even want to go out to eat anymore....

Printed From: Foods of the World Forum
Category: General Topics
Forum Name: The Veranda
Forum Discription: An open area where members can discuss general, non-food-related topics.
URL: http://foodsoftheworld.ActiveBoards.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=3371
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 20:21

Topic: I don't even want to go out to eat anymore....

Posted By: TasunkaWitko
Subject: I don't even want to go out to eat anymore....
Date Posted: 20 March 2013 at 08:37

My dad's birthday was yesterday, and we all went out to dinner at a restaurant that is arguably one of the three "best" in Havre - granted, Havre, Montana is in an area that was practically the last part of the Continental US to be settled and as such isn't exactly a culinary Mecca, but due to its location and demographics, there are quite a few dining establishments, and this one was certainly an actual restaurant, rather than just a cafe or diner.

Everyone ordered something, of course - my youngest son ordered some baby back ribs and shared a bite with me; I ordered shrimp alfredo. Both were "okay," but I couldn't help thinking that I could make much, much better at home, and I would have been able to feed all 10 people who were there at less than half the cost.

I realise that the experience and the event are part of what you pay for, but lately, even when I go to Billings, Great Falls or Helena, I'm running into food that is "okay," but not as good as I could make at home; reputable chain restaurants, mom-and-pops, time-honoured "supper clubs," nearly all of them seem a bare step above mediocre, with an occasional "really good" or "really bad" place.

I don't really think I'm anything close to a great cook, so the question is, are restaurants getting shabbier?

-------------
If you are a visitor and like what you see, please http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/registration_rules.asp?FID=0" rel="nofollow - click here and join the discussions in our community!

Replies:

Posted By: pitrow
Date Posted: 20 March 2013 at 08:53

My mother in law never (well maybe once a year) goes out to a restaurant, she says exactly the same thing, she can make a better meal at home for half the price.

I think it comes down to the same thing as is being said in the "lazy" thread, people are getting more and more lazy and look for the convenient way out. It's far easier and quicker (well, sometimes the quicker can be debatable) to go to a restaurant and pay exorbitant prices for sub-par food, than it is to go to the grocery store, stock up on what you need, and spend an hour in the kitchen cooking, eat and spend another hour cleaning up. And with the economy where it's at, restaurants are looking to cut every corner they can to try to keep up their profit margin, and the quality of the food sinks lower and lower. This is especially true for the national or regional "chain" restaurants.

There are still some good ones out there, for instance my local italian restaurant, serves good quality food, though not the best I've ever had, but still better than I can do, and huge portions. A half portion is easily enough for two meals for me. I haven't even tried a full plate yet. And the staff is always friendly and helpful. Anyway, I digress, there are still good places out there, but they're getting fewer and harder to find.

I think what it all boils down to is that for a lot of people they just don't know what good quality cooking is, and they settle for whatever is put on a plate in front of them. And as more and more people settle, the bar for "quality food" keeps sinking lower and lower.

-------------
Mike
http://lifeinpitrow.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Life in PitRow - My often neglected, somewhat eccentric, occasionally outstanding blog

Posted By: HistoricFoodie
Date Posted: 20 March 2013 at 09:38

Precisely because I can do a better job at home than most restaurants in the area, we rarely go out to eat.

When we do it's for special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, etc. So we tend to expect higher standards, because we pick only upscale places in which to celebrate.

Even so, you can get fooled. There's a restaurant in Lexington who's reputation is the highest. And yet, when we tried it, it was disappointing to say the least; mediocre food at best and some of the worst service we've ever experienced.

All in all, when it came time to present the bill, the server should have backed up to the table.