Choosing a restaurant isn’t always fun!
I don’t go out to eat very often, but it seams to me, that I spend to much time trying to
Figure out where to go. There is so much to think about.
Before I can even think about things like the atmosphere, pricing or location, I first need to think about the other people going out with me. What kinds of food do they like, their ages, their travel time, by car or by mass transit, are they drinkers, or not, early or late eaters etc… Some times, I feel like the planning is the beginning of the end, all of the texting, e-mailing, and calling back and forth, to hopefully get it write, and please everyone who is going out.
It doesn’t matter if it is for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with family or friends; the problems are still the same. Let’s begin by thinking about the food choices we need to make. Who likes sea food, beef, Italian, Chinese? Is anyone a vegetarian, or allergic to certain types of food, can every one handle spicy foods? The fun is just beginning, does this sound like you, trying to plan a meal out with family or friends? Once we have all figured out the type of food we want, then we need to think about the restaurant. Do we go with one that is familiar, recommended to us, chosen by name because it sounds good, or look on the internet for restaurants in a certain location. Location that is something we all have to agree on as well. Does every one going out have a car, or do they need to be picked up? How far is the drive is the restaurant easy to find? We also need to think about affordability, and this can easily be one of the biggest problems in choosing the write location. Not all of us always have money, or un-limited resources.
I can keep rambling on, but I think you get the picture. I love going out, spending time with friends, talking, socializing over a good leisurely breakfast, or relaxed dinner, but some times it seems it would be so much easier to just stay home, surrounded by pizza, chips, candy bar wrappers, and empty cans of soda or beer.
Tell us about your favorite restaurant story at and if you ever have a complaint about a restaurant, visit www.directcomplaint.com and use the restaurant complaint form in the Consumer Complaint Center or post a review on our poster board.
Eating out
When you are going to eat out, always remember that regardless of the type of restaurant, you have the right to expect quality service, quality food, and excellent service.
When you first go into the restaurant, look around to see if it looks clean, and if not, walk out.
When you sat down, did it take a long time for your order to be taken, or for your food to be brought to your table?
Did you get what you ordered, was your food hot, and was it tasty enough for you?
Was the restaurant staff attentive and polite, or were you forgotten about at any time before, during, or after your meal?
Remember, if the service is poor, and the quality of the food is not what you expected, then speak up. Tell the wait staff how you feel, but always be polite. Tell the person why you are complaining, and what you expect in return. If you want a replacement meal, ask for it. If you want the meal for free, or the charge removed from your bill, ask for it. If the server can’t or won’t help you, then ask to speak to a manager. If the complaint is not yours, but is that of another person in your party, politely speak up for them if they will not do it themselves. If none of this works, then visit our consumer complaint center, and use the restaurant complaint form.
Remember, the restaurant needs your business more then you need their food.
