Eating out

Relax said:
One of the things we do more often now instead of dining at restaurants is ordering takeout from the same restaurants and saving on drinks and tips. Brings the prices back to "normal" in many cases, and we get to eat in the comfort of our underwear own home.
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We've done that a few times. From most of the restaurants I want food from, it is about 15-20 minutes from restaurant to our table. That time doesn't improve the food.
 
Oh yeah, if you've ever ordered Swiss Chalet for delivery, take a close look at the prices. On top of the "system fee" and "driver tip", the prices of each menu item is jacked up when you select delivery. That's sneaky. They're basically pulling an Uber Eats but using their own drivers.
 
Relax said:
Oh yeah, if you've ever ordered Swiss Chalet for delivery, take a close look at the prices. On top of the "system fee" and "driver tip", the prices of each menu item is jacked up when you select delivery. That's sneaky.
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Partly sneaky and possibly partly for necessity. Skipthedishes/uber eats grab something like 30% off the top. That's more than the profit margin the restaurant runs on. I would prefer it to be more transparent so people realized how much the tech companies were profiting from their laziness.

I used skip once in my life in a time crunch to see how it worked out. I have no interest in using it ever again. Price ends up close to double what you'd pay if you picked it up yourself.
 
GreyGhost said:
Partly sneaky and possibly partly for necessity. Skipthedishes/uber eats grab something like 30% off the top. That's more than the profit margin the restaurant runs on. I would prefer it to be more transparent so people realized how much the tech companies were profiting from their laziness.
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You replied as I was editing my post, but they have their own drivers and don't use those companies.
 
GreyGhost said:
Partly sneaky and possibly partly for necessity. Skipthedishes/uber eats grab something like 30% off the top. That's more than the profit margin the restaurant runs on. I would prefer it to be more transparent so people realized how much the tech companies were profiting from their laziness.

I used skip once in my life in a time crunch to see how it worked out. I have no interest in using it ever again. Price ends up close to double what you'd pay if you picked it up yourself.
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Thanks for the answer. While munching in a local good smash burger joint, I asked about Uber pricing and the girl couldn't answer the question because ordering through a delivery service, you order from their menus at their prices. Plus tips taxes fees etc.

I have to research the grocery thing as well, treading lightly. The Mrs. considers that her anointed calling and she likes bananas a specific shade of green.
 
nobbie48 said:
I have to research the grocery thing as well, treading lightly. The Mrs. considers that her anointed calling and she likes bananas a specific shade of green.
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My parents sometimes get groceries. It has occasionally led to hilarity. For instance, order six bananas and get six bunches of bananas. At one point they ordered 5 lbs of flour but store was out apparently so they got a 25lb bag. Order steak and they sub ground beef etc. It mostly works for them but you need to be willing to roll with the chaos.
 
nobbie48 said:
Will it be harder on the middle of the road eateries?
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Maybe.
nobbie48 said:
Celebration mode is the squeeze's birthday, anniversary, a graduation etc. Expect $100 a head and up. This happens a few times a year in our house so might be a grand or so a year in the overall budget and it's far cheaper than a divorce attorney.
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This got a genuine laugh out of me... haha
nobbie48 said:
Professional chefs can make a lesser grade of meat taste good. If you don't have those skills, buy the better grade. You'll still be further ahead.
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This is why I'm buying top sirloin, Picanha whenever I get a chance. Relatively inexpensive and done right, tastes great. I like rib steaks much more, but not at twice the price. I like reverse sear, 20 mins @ 275 and then sear on cast iron. Lots of garlic, salt, pepper, sometimes a little garam masala for a change and the final sear gets the butter & thyme mix at the flip (compound butter prepped in advance).

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nobbie48 said:
Running a restaurant with a diverse menu takes guts. Nothing is cheap, rent, coolers, wages, cleaning, power, staff.
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100% I have a friend that was in the game over 30 years and finally was able to step away. Covid convinced him that it was time.
 
nobbie48 said:
Will it be harder on the middle of the road eateries?
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Maybe.

Shaman or anyone,

Continuing the point,

Is there a price point that makes you draw a line in the sand and what triggers it? It's the reason so many prices end in .99

Most car fill-ups are under 100 liters. Put two gas stations next to each other and have one priced a half cent lower, and it will be swamped with line ups of 15 minutes. The other is a ghost town. All for 50 cents or less. Then the driver goes to Starbucks for a $5 latte.

At what tab do you ask yourself, "Was it worth it?" Do you stop the $100 a week dinners for six months and buy yourself a big screen?

I can afford $10 but I won't pay that for a coffee. I'd have to be starving to pay $20 for just a burger.

My mother quite smoking because she wasn't going to pay 35 cents for a pack (1960's) Times change.
 
I mean, for me if I'm at anything but fine dining, I'm expecting to pay $16-21 for a modest meal - something like a specialty burger and fries. And I'm expecting to pay under $10 for a true pint of beer to go with it. And basically if the bill comes to under $40 with tip I'm probably not going to get mad about it - hey, i could have skipped the beer.

At fine dining I expect my limit to be more like $60 with tip per plate unless as pointed out, it's a celebration and all restraint is being thrown to the wind. But I draw the line at a prepared sirloin steak with roasted veggies and a little mash being $58. Nope. Not going to do it. Give me that burger and fries.
 
Relax said:
Oh yeah, if you've ever ordered Swiss Chalet for delivery, take a close look at the prices. On top of the "system fee" and "driver tip", the prices of each menu item is jacked up when you select delivery. That's sneaky. They're basically pulling an Uber Eats but using their own drivers.
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I've never ordered through one of those online restaurant delivery services and don't have any of the apps. I've also never used any of the grocery delivery apps, as I prefer to shop for myself and pick what I like in the store. I've heard of Lyft and Uber, but have never used them either. I just have an issue with some tech company making billions of dollars off the people who actually put up the cash to provide the goods and services.

I will order online through the restaurant's own site or, old school, call the place to put in my order. I then get in my car and drive there to pick-up the order. There is usually a lower cost on pick-up orders plus the food is ready much quicker. In addition, there are no service charges for the delivery service and no tip or waiting and worrying that it gets delivered to the wrong address.
 
Malks said:
I've never ordered through one of those online restaurant delivery services and don't have any of the apps. I've also never used any of the grocery delivery apps, as I prefer to shop for myself and pick what I like in the store. I've heard of Lyft and Uber, but have never used them either. I just have an issue with some tech company making billions of dollars off the people who actually put up the cash to provide the goods and services.

I will order online through the restaurant's own site or, old school, call the place to put in my order. I then get in my car and drive there to pick-up the order. There is usually a lower cost on pick-up orders plus the food is ready much quicker. In addition, there are no service charges for the delivery service and no tip or waiting and worrying that it gets delivered to the wrong address.
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This was through their own site. Before third party delivery services, I remember Chinese, Pizza, and Swiss Chalet were known for having their own delivery drivers (anyone remember those red and white cars from Mr. Pong). I don't recall them changing individual prices for delivery since they charged a delivery fee either in addition to, or if below, a minimum order amount.
 
In the 70’s in Edmonton we had “Chicken on the way” trucks from KFC that would cook your order at the curb and then deliver it HOT!
 
I took my truck to the dealer for it's first service yesterday (free) among other errands. I brought a protein shake and a banana to eat. Spend $25+ on a meal while out or I can save that money for investments. Easy decision.
I also know people who rent crappy places or live at home with their parents while ordering uber-eats to bring them a Starbucks coffee.
 
I was outside my usual area at work today and the only place I could get parked at with my trailers was nearby an Arby's. That worked as I don't eat there often, but like it. But I ordered the large Swiss melt and made it a combo with regular fries and a pop and it was $18. 🤨
 
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