Maybe you already know
all that I write in this article. But maybe it is worth your while to
read it anyway?
The cost of food at a restaurant can be 2x, 3x, 4x,
5x, and higher over the grocery store price of the same food. So eating
out can become expensive. And to keep within budgets, sometimes buying
wisely at grocery stores and preparing the food yourself can provide
many benefits including the saving of cash.
There are many different kinds of restaurants.
Some specialize in quick filling of your
order, with consistent quality, and reasonable prices.
Some specialize in selling you alcohol in all its
forms... and their attention on the food is not high priority. I
sometimes think the only reason they are successful is because of the
alcohol and not the food. The alcohol alters judgment.
One particular Japanese restaurant offers a wide
selection of foods, all you can eat, with quick efficient
service, reasonable prices, with food prepared well in delightful
arrangements. They really know their business.
On the other hand there are restaurants that I
will never again visit. One particular restaurant recently had french
fries, steak sandwich, and coke. The fries were 1/4" to 1/2" and the
longest was 1" long. I can get a better fry and cheaper at McDonalds.
And the coke was $2.99 and I can get a $1.00 coke at McDonalds. And the
steak sandwich was small, with the meat cut into 6 or more pieces. I
can get a better higher quality sliced steak as part of all you can eat
at the Japanese Restaurant! The service was slow, not because of the
waitresses, but obviously because of the cooks. And looking at other
foods being served, I think the chefs are not competent at all! And the
price was too high for the value. Even if it was the cheapest, I
think I would be better off going to another restaurant. Such is my
prejudice which I now share with you.
A couple from Ontario went to a high class
restaurant in Quebec. The attitude of the male server was not
good. They paid the high price and left a ten cent tip with the
instructions to share it with the cook!
A few years ago a lady friend took me to a
restaurant for lunch. She gave a $20. bill to the waitress to pay for
the meal. The waitress asked if she wanted change? The food only cost
about $10.00. Of course my friend asked for change and also a receipt!
Some restaurants have good cooks that specialize in
certain popular foods. One such local restaurant gives you ample
portions of quality food at a reasonable price. Nothing fancy, But all
very good.
There are over 40 restaurants in downtown
Peterborough. And every so often after visiting a restaurant because of
various reasons I will not return. One such reason is that after one
bite of the good, I got sick and could not eat any more! Another reason
was the treatment by the waitresses... no consideration. And so on.
And of course there are the excellent restaurants operated by
very competent owners/managers. The food is high quality, good service,
good value. It is a place to take out of town guests.
From time to time I have gone to the Salvation Army
Christmas Dinners (free). The food is excellent, well prepared, good
service. friendly people. And I leave a $20.00 tip.
There are the pan handlers downtown Peterborough
that tell me of how they get free meals. There are various groups,
including churches, that provide such services for the needy. One many
told me how he got six free turkey dinners over the holidays at various
churches, etc. Ouch.
So what are your experiences with restaurants?
- Pastor William T. Metzger