Back in March when Michigan Governor closed down the state to “flatten the curve” for 2 weeks we all supported our local restaurants. As 2 weeks turned into a month which turned into a year, we can’t afford it.
I told my wife, cut it. The food quality is getting worse. The waits, too long. We’re paying premium prices, tipping 50% and going broke trying to support. We just can’t sustain.
And ALL THE WASTE. All that plastic going into the dump. We are big environmental supporters so we watch our plastic, but this country can’t sustain the amount of plastic others are throwing away.
If anyone wants to discuss eating out in these times, please let me know what you think.
10 replies on “I CANT KEEP SUPPORTING LOCAL EATERIES”
When I order delivery, I only order things that can survive the interval between order and delivery. I find there are enough vendors who offer such things to satisfy me because I don’t order out very often. (The only exception is the pizza place down the street which, luckily for me, happens to make the best pizza I’ve ever had anywhere. And I’ve had a lot of pizza in a lot of places.)
My dining out and shopping are controlled by my budget, which is better described as a budgette. I mostly have groceries delivered and I’ve been stocking up on food and supplies (and ammo) for the more-likely-every-day coming civil war.
Until things are safe again – which looks like it’ll be a looooong time – I don’t give a damn about how much plastic I use.
(Really, I never did because climate alarmism is yet another invented crisis designed to keep us down. Compare today vs the Roman period in the attached picture. Global warming isn’t a thing we should be concerned about. Don’t bother arguing with me about this, it won’t work. Unless you can remember how all of humanity died out in that Roman era.)
We have our (free) lives and our country to save. Those are my priorities, in that order. All other considerations are off the table while those are at stake.
In the very beginning I too went the extra mile to support my local mom and pop eateries, however like others here have mentioned, the food quality has not been up to par (it usually isn’t with take out) and the wait times have increased. Also, what about all of the other businesses who have been hurt just as badly from the unconstitutional diktats of our out of control governors (in my case Newsom)? I don’t think restaurants deserve our largess any more than other small businesses that are trying to survive. My local barber has defied all of the county health commissioner’s rules about closing and no one has bothered him. If all of the restaurants would just do the same this would all stop.
I shall reply in the classical Laconian tradition, “IF!”
Here in SE Michigan restaurants have really adjusted. Closed down dining, following guidelines. The one consistent…. the product SUCKS.
We are not at the table to complain. It’s tough to get a nice steak and put it in styrofoam. Not for full price.
Anyway, as an American consumer, I’ve got to make a choice, which hurts my neighbor.
Tough…
I also did my best to support my local eateries at first. After the 1st lockdown was eased, I found their food lower in quality.
I understand some ingredients were harder to find, more expensive, etc., but my pizza joint barely put any toppings on. It was mostly crust & sauce. My fav Chinese place was a container of soggy mess with barely any flavor. My fav Mexican place pretty much the same.
So, I decided to eat mostly at home and only go “out” for a special treat 1-2X a month.
The Philly Steak place is still good! yay!
De,
I know too many people in that line of work. Yes, support of the owner was one thing, my main concern were the waiters that rely on full bars. It’s so sad. Times have been great over the past 4 years so there was extra money to go around. This just can’t sustain.
The government has overstepped… them and their big business overlords.
I hear you Kevin: It’s difficult to help others out during this tough time. Cut back on the tip? Eat out less often? Perhaps coordinate with friends and family to pick a few select places to support.
As for the waste, I decline everything from the restaurant I know I do not need (we have plasticware, napkins, and straws at home). I doubt you could bring tupperware from home, but it’s worth a try.
Thanks Andrew. Yes, over the months we have cut way back. It’s a sense of an attempt to support our local diners. The cooks and waitresses, but we’re going broke trying. Plus we’re paying premium price for crap. We splurged and spent $150 on a meal on NYE… steak was a break pad. It had been 2 hours since we placed the order so what do you do, complain?
It’s not the food or the service or the price, it’s common sense. I’m not going to destroy my savings to pay premium price for crap.
I’m so sorry dining industry.
Since last March, my household has actually reduced our “eating out” activities. I don’t understand the need to tip 50% for no service beyond a faceless kitchen staff, and poor food quality does not encourage return business.
The various statewide lock-downs are the fault of The People because of a blatant refusal to comply will governmental power grabs and overreach. I commend and respect the extreme minority of vendors who have risked it all to push back against the behemoth of tyrannical bureaucracies. I have no sympathy for the rest of society who acquiesce to tyrants.
David, what you do, is EXACTLY how I feel. All this money for crap. It’s called common sense.
I feel a sense that I myself want to help that industry… at least for the first 2 weeks. Then I saw friends and family in that industry suffering and going under.
Ultimately this can’t go on. I can’t go on like that and must only eat at home. I’m so sorry food service industry.