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noticed when i visit N.J. people seem to stay home and eat. in Georgia everyone goes out to eat. in some parts of south Jersey there seemed to be hardly any places to eat, except for one chinese buffet i think near Red Bank that had an hour or more wait. is this the norm? people just traditionaly do home cooked meals? is eating out becoming more of a trend? anyones thoughts..........
Affordability may be a bigger reason why people eat at home more often in NJ. For curiosity's sake, do you notice lower prices at Georgia restaurants compared to New Jersey eateries?
Affordability may be a bigger reason why people eat at home more often in NJ. For curiosity's sake, do you notice lower prices at Georgia restaurants compared to New Jersey eateries?
Really, what a bizarre statement. I live near Red Bank, and there are tons of restaurants all over this area. As a matter of fact, I ate at my favorite place, Sallie Tee's in Monmouth County, the Thursday just before Irene got here and destroyed it. They are going to gut it and reopen, though it will take months.
I don't know about Georgia, but when I used to go to Florida a lot to visit family, people went out to eat all the time simply because it was so cheap. Perhaps that's the difference. I eat cheaply at home most of the time so that I can go out to dinner at a restaurant from time to time without going broke.
You can count this as one more vote for...When did the OP last visit NJ?
NJ is no different from any other state in the US at this point, and locals eat out as often as they can afford to. With the current economic climate, it is likely that restaurant-going has dropped-off in NJ, but undoubtedly the same could be said for most areas of the country.
I eat out once a week--on average--and I don't think that I am very different from most folks in this region. And, as someone else already pointed out, if you go to virtually any restaurant in NJ on a Friday or Saturday night, there will be a line waiting to be seated.
I don't know what the OP is basing his/her observations on, but it certainly isn't reality.
More places to eat around here (Red Bank area) than I can shake a stick at.
We prefer to eat at home most nights. Of course we're both former chefs so anything we make at home is as good or better than what we can get eating out.
Well, when you say "some parts of South Jersey" that are near RED BANK, which towns are you talking about, exactly? (Actually, not that it really matters, but I'm pretty sure that Red Bank and the surrounding areas are Central Jersey not South Jersey.)
But I can't think of any towns in Central Jersey that hardly have any places to eat. There ARE some very rural, desolate towns in NJ in some of the more rural counties in South Jersey (real South Jersey...not the Red Bank area)...I'm thinking the likes of some parts of Burlington County...and even in North Jersey...e.g., Warren County.
But everywhere else at least has one diner, a chain restaurant and a pizza joint, lol. If you're talking specifically about Red Bank--that place is kind of a hotspot for cool restaurants and such.
As far as the dining habits of NJ people go, in general, I think it's safe to say that in your average, family-oriented suburb, most people will dine out only on a Friday or Saturday night...and probably not EVERY week. In hip, urban centers there will be a young crowd and/or a yuppie population that dines out a lot more often for socialization purposes.
Me, personally--I USED TO eat out more frequently (but even then, mostly just on Friday and Saturday nights). Now, it's only on special occasions like a birthday or something like that. It's definitely a money thing, but also a can't-be-bothered thing. And partly, it's a "I watch a lot of Food Network and I like to play chef" thing. (I think I should be commended for manfully eating the plates of hot mess I cook up.) But sometimes, if I want restaurant food I'll get it to go to eat in the peace and quiet of my own house. Maybe I'm just lazy, though. I feel like if I go out to eat, I have to fix my hair, find an outfit that isn't pajamas, and find a pair of shoes that aren't flip flops.
i visited last about two years ago...should have specified i was speaking of during the week. course fridays and saturdays will be busy. dont know where that buffet was i just thought we were near Red Bank..there was a theater and (odd) a funeral home in the same parking lot. down here people eat out 3 or more times a week easy. it seems to be cheaper to eat out at the fast food places. the next level up- t.g.i's, cracker barrels, applebee's get plenty of business also specially with coupons. hoping this explanation will calm down some of you!! the main thing was i just noticed this difference and was wondering why.maybe you guys pay all your money to property taxes, maybe its tradition to stay home, i dont know. i did notice that the people of N.j. are healthier looking. here the majority are obese.
Well, when you say "some parts of South Jersey" that are near RED BANK, which towns are you talking about, exactly? (Actually, not that it really matters, but I'm pretty sure that Red Bank and the surrounding areas are Central Jersey not South Jersey.)
But I can't think of any towns in Central Jersey that hardly have any places to eat. There ARE some very rural, desolate towns in NJ in some of the more rural counties in South Jersey (real South Jersey...not the Red Bank area)...I'm thinking the likes of some parts of Burlington County...and even in North Jersey...e.g., Warren County.
But everywhere else at least has one diner, a chain restaurant and a pizza joint, lol. If you're talking specifically about Red Bank--that place is kind of a hotspot for cool restaurants and such.
As far as the dining habits of NJ people go, in general, I think it's safe to say that in your average, family-oriented suburb, most people will dine out only on a Friday or Saturday night...and probably not EVERY week. In hip, urban centers there will be a young crowd and/or a yuppie population that dines out a lot more often for socialization purposes.
Me, personally--I USED TO eat out more frequently (but even then, mostly just on Friday and Saturday nights). Now, it's only on special occasions like a birthday or something like that. It's definitely a money thing, but also a can't-be-bothered thing. And partly, it's a "I watch a lot of Food Network and I like to play chef" thing. (I think I should be commended for manfully eating the plates of hot mess I cook up.) But sometimes, if I want restaurant food I'll get it to go to eat in the peace and quiet of my own house. Maybe I'm just lazy, though. I feel like if I go out to eat, I have to fix my hair, find an outfit that isn't pajamas, and find a pair of shoes that aren't flip flops.
Too. Much. Work.
LOL, I meant to say that, too, and forgot to include it in my post. I don't consider where we live (I'm fewer than ten minutes from Red Bank) SOUTH Jersey. We are central. Then again, I used to have a coworker who lived in Oakland and complained about having to "go all the way to South Jersey" to visit her brother. Who lived in Edison. And I once met a guy in Atlantic City who told me he had been to North Jersey--Forked River. Too many people are geographically challenged.
I'm thinking about splurging on a nice steak dinner tonight myself, in the comfort of my own home, in my plaid jammie pants, hehehe. I've got corn and tomatoes and other salad stuff from the local farm. Just need the steak. Alas, I shall have to comb my hair and put on clothing to go to the supermarket, but at least I won't have to leave anyone a tip after dinner.
When the only restaurant in town is a Chinese buffet, the wait will be long.
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