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Really? I thought it was the opposite.
It seemed like portions were getting smaller in restaurants as a way to up-sell you dessert.
In a post-recession economy, a lot of restaurants have cheapened their menu quality wise.
What I don't get is by serving too large of portions diners are not likely to order dessert which, ultimately is money lost.
More money is lost when diners don't come back because they don't feel they are getting enough food for their money. I am 190# and not a huge eater but there have been a few times I ordered a dinner plate and received a plate that couldn't feed a squirrel. If I have to leave a restaurant hungry (and I'm not about to buy two entrees) then I won't be coming back no matter how "good" the food was.
People come in all sizes and appetites. It would be a logistical nightmare for a server/cook to try to match portion size to appetite of individual diners so it's much easier to throw a standard portion size out there that will satisfy most everyone. Better to give the light eater more than they want than to give the heavy eater less than they want.
Hint: you don't have to eat it all. If you are a light eater, eat what you want and leave the rest.
I am far more likely to return to a restaurant where I am served enough to have leftovers than to one where I left still hungry, for the same cost, if not more.
More money is lost when diners don't come back because they don't feel they are getting enough food for their money. I am 190# and not a huge eater but there have been a few times I ordered a dinner plate and received a plate that couldn't feed a squirrel. If I have to leave a restaurant hungry (and I'm not about to buy two entrees) then I won't be coming back no matter how "good" the food was.
People come in all sizes and appetites. It would be a logistical nightmare for a server/cook to try to match portion size to appetite of individual diners so it's much easier to throw a standard portion size out there that will satisfy most everyone. Better to give the light eater more than they want than to give the heavy eater less than they want.
Hint: you don't have to eat it all. If you are a light eater, eat what you want and leave the rest.
Does that mean I only get charged for what I actually eat? See the problem with that is that I don't see any valid reason to overspend! Let alone on food which didn't have to be wasted.
I don't like going to a restaurant where I never get to desert...some of the food is also very filling thanks to the ingredients and their consistency...as in NOT light and airy to leave room. Everything is cooked with heavy oils, tons of flour and corn starch etc...
What's sad, is that people live to eat, rather than eat to live. You can enjoy food without overeating it.
Does that mean I only get charged for what I actually eat? See the problem with that is that I don't see any valid reason to overspend! Let alone on food which didn't have to be wasted.
I don't like going to a restaurant where I never get to desert...some of the food is also very filling thanks to the ingredients and their consistency...as in NOT light and airy to leave room. Everything is cooked with heavy oils, tons of flour and corn starch etc...
What's sad, is that people live to eat, rather than eat to live. You can enjoy food without overeating it.
The actual food cost difference between your large and small portion is a relatively small part of the overall cost. You could get a "lite" version (some restaurants offer it) but it won't cost you much less. More restaurants don't offer it because there is not enough demand for it. Most people will just spend the extra dollar to ensure they have plenty. Again, you don't have to eat it all. Why should a larger person have to get not enough because you can't stop when you've had enough?
What would you do if you owned a restaurant? How would you propose matching portion sizes to individual diner appetites?
Where I live, it is less expensive to eat out than it is to grocery shop. We eat out 7 nights a week, roughly 5 of those nights at buffets. I have actually lost weight and am eating better. The buffets here are not like the grimy "Golden Corral" or "Ponderosa" variety, but clean, fresh, and delicious. They have live stations where the chefs are preparing the food, and the turnover is very fast. I like the fact that I can eat as much or as little as I desire and don't have to worry about leftovers. If I'm not very hungry, I'll just have a salad. If I'm really hungry, then the prime rib is in trouble!
Normally free (comp'd by the casinos), but at most $15 for 2 people. I mean, yes, I could eat Ramen or mac & cheese at home for less than that, but there is no possible way for us to have fresh salad, steak, shrimp, scallops, etc. at home for less than what we pay at our local buffets.
Does that mean I only get charged for what I actually eat? See the problem with that is that I don't see any valid reason to overspend! Let alone on food which didn't have to be wasted.
And the issue with that is that ordering the "lighter" entree doesn't necessarily cost you any less than the larger one. To me, I'm overspending if I am getting less product for my money. I can split an entree up into three different meals, and then I'm getting three meals for the price of one, which seems the better deal, and no wastage.
I don't tend to eat at restaurants where I don't like the quality, so the "bigger portions, but subpar quality" argument is a nonissue.
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