My only guess is that larger portions allow restaurants to charge more and make bigger profits (economy of scale: since the preparation cost is the same, you can probably make a bigger profit for a larger piece of meat, pasta, or whatever).From a marketing standpoint, restaurants don't want a reputation of providing stingy portions (even if it's a minority opinion). Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm never going back to that restaurant, they give you too much food for your money"?
Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm never going back to that restaurant, they give you too much food for your money"?Not many, but it has been a reoccurring discussion among the “lunch bunch” here at work- Admittedly I’m generally the start of these, though.
Besides, I love to cook, and I love to eat. If you've ever had the opportunity to try meat grown with more traditional methods, the difference in flavor is amazing. Try a pork chop from the Niman Ranch sometime, and see if you're happy buying the stuff from the local supermarket anymore.Perhaps Jabz, Burdell1 and friends can chime in more on this, but I was in New Zealand recently for a friend's wedding, and I was amazed at the quality of ordinary meat bought inexpensively from ordinary supermarkets. I guess it's hard to tell how much of that is due to valuing good-quality preparation as opposed to valuing good-quality farming, but I suspect both play their part. New Zealanders, as far as I can see, have an obsession with healthy eating that borders on the unhealthy
-- and if a whole nation demands meat of that quality, all the supermarkets are going to be supplying it. So it doesn't have to be the way PETA describe, although I guess NZ has a much better pasture-to-population ratio than the US, which must make things easier.
I only bring this up because it absolutely amazes me how much food is wasted (or at least unnecessary) when I go out to eat. We almost never waste food when we eat at home, and I hate paying for food that I don’t eat, especially when I know people are starving in other countries (I can hear my mother saying it right now). Many times I overeat when I go out because I loathe paying for stuff I don’t use.How about the marvelous invention called the doggie bag? If you can truly deal with portions 1/3 or 1/2 the size, that says to me that if you brought the excess home with you, you could have leftovers the next night, or at least for lunch the next day. The way I see it, when I go out to Outback Steakhouse or TGI Fridays, I expect to take something home. If people actually throw out 2/3 or 1/2 of their meal, then I don't blame the restaurant, I blame the customer for not being sensible enough to bring the food home.
Does everyone eat more than I do, or are they simply trying to overfeed us?We've met before, so I know what you look like. Our proportions are MUCH different. There is a reason. I eat like a slob and always clean my plate. You probably eat like a human was designed to.
How about the marvelous invention called the doggie bag?Yeah, but a lot of restaurant stuff doesn’t reheat well at all. Ever try reheating an alfredo sauce? Yuck, you get oil everywhere. I’d rather the restaurant simply give me a reasonable portion to begin with.
If people actually throw out 2/3 or 1/2 of their meal, then I don't blame the restaurant, I blame the customer for not being sensible enough to bring the food home.Well I blame the restaurant. Why not offer me something in a portion I want to eat? Why force me to buy more than I wanted in the first place? If I want to get a better bargain and take stuff home, then give me the option, but don’t assume that’s what I want.
Why not offer me something in a portion I want to eat?It's called the Happy Meal.
It's called the Happy Meal.True enough! McDonalds and other fast food "restaurants" don't bother me with their portion sizes. They do a better job than anyone of allowing you do order rational portions of food. They have a completely different issue!
They do a better job than anyone of allowing you do order rational portions of food.While simultaneously asking if you want to super-size it for fifty cents more. Argh.
No, I do not want the large coke for ten cents moreI have the opposite problem with one fast food joint I go to (Bojangles'). I have to specifically request light ice. If I don't, they basically fill up the cup with ice, then put soda in it, which means you get about three drams worth of beverage. And they used to charge, albeit less than full price, for refills.
There is a reason. I eat like a slob and always clean my plate.
restaurants that offer regular human meals
ive heard the inner thigh is very tender... and tastes like chicken...
you usually get refills with all beverages?The vast majority of restaurants around here, from fast food to fine dining, offer free refills on sodas, coffee, and tea. Not on juices or ades (when they have them) or alcoholic beverages.
... above my base level of hatred for humanity....LOL
