restaurant/takeaway discussion

[MattA7]

What is your favorite kind of restaurant and/or takeaway meal? Indian, Chinese, Italian etc

How often do you eat out at restaurants or order a takeaway?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Always been surprised that any fast food establishment that doesn't provide its patrons with any actual cutlery still has the temerity to call itself a 'restaurant'.

 

[najaB]

How often do you eat out at restaurants or order a takeaway?

Once or twice a month, on average.

 

[johntea]

Always been surprised that any fast food establishment that doesn't provide its patrons with any actual cutlery still has the temerity to call itself a 'restaurant'.

Apparently takeaways (as well as restaurants and cafes) have a further ban coming in for single use plastics from October, although many of the dodgy kebab shops I've frequented on my travels still just shove your order in a plastic bag anyway and many don't charge the supposed required 10p (or whatever it is these days) to do so either!

Single-use plastic: Takeaways face ban in October

More details emerge of a ban that businesses say could make takeaways more costly.

www.bbc.co.uk

A ban on some single-use plastics will come into force in England from October, the government has announced.
To tackle the growing plastic problem, takeaways, restaurants and cafes must stop using single-use plastic cutlery, plates and bowls.

Although I'm not really sure it will make a huge benefit, my pizza for example comes in a cardboard box already but can't go in the recycling bin as it has been contaminated by the grease (not sure if recycling plants are looking into a solution for that)

Paper straws are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, and even the beloved McFlurry has ditched the plastic spoon/mixer now for some paper spoon concoction!

At least the likes of the Daily Mail and The Sun may get put to some actual use by being used to wrap fish and chips again eh!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

How often do you eat out at restaurants or order a takeaway?

Disgustingly often when at Uni to be quite honest. I also eat complimentary staff food while on restaurant shifts (I'm a chef in an Italian place)

 

[D365]

Disgustingly often when at Uni to be quite honest. I also eat complimentary staff food while on restaurant shifts (I'm a chef in an Italian place)

As a former kitchen staff - I wouldn't call that eating out!

As for the original question. Can vary between once every 2-4 weeks. Rather than takeaway, I prefer to go out for lunch with colleagues, but we're struggling to find any suitable greasy spoons in Derby centre.

 

[Russel]

I don't mind the odd Chinese from time to time.

I used to eat out once or twice a month, trying different places, but after a string of bad meals and poor service, I can't be bothered any more and just head to Wetherspoons, at least I know what to expect.

 

[Bantamzen]

Always been surprised that any fast food establishment that doesn't provide its patrons with any actual cutlery still has the temerity to call itself a 'restaurant'.

I think the clue is in the term "fast food", it is after all designed to be eaten on the go so cutlery really isn't needed.

 

[ChrisC]

I think the clue is in the term "fast food", it is after all designed to be eaten on the go so cutlery really isn't needed.

I know that much of it is designed to be eaten on the go, but many of these establishments do also offer some seating areas to eat in, and may even charge you a little extra for doing so. When they are situated in food courts most people sit at tables to eat the food. I try to avoid these places and only use them if I’m in a hurry and really can’t find anywhere else. After eating with fingers what is often spicy food, it leaves your hands greasy and smelling of the food even after wiping them. Then you have to search for the nearest public toilets to wash your hands well with soap to get rid of the smell. In addition to not having any form of cutlery, sometimes there is a limit to what you can actually eat out of a box and even a paper plate would be useful. Perhaps I’m just getting old and behind the times.

 

[Bantamzen]

I know that much of it is designed to be eaten on the go, but many of these establishments do also offer some seating areas to eat in, and may even charge you a little extra for doing so. When they are situated in food courts most people sit at tables to eat the food. I try to avoid these places and only use them if I’m in a hurry and really can’t find anywhere else. After eating with fingers what is often spicy food, it leaves your hands greasy and smelling of the food even after wiping them. Then you have to search for the nearest public toilets to wash your hands well with soap to get rid of the smell. In addition to not having any form of cutlery, sometimes there is a limit to what you can actually eat out of a box and even a paper plate would be useful. Perhaps I’m just getting old and behind the times.

As I say, these types of food are meant to be eaten quickly, on the go with your hands. Having tables available is just a convivence for customers wishing to sit down rather than eat walking along. Maybe you could buy a travel cutlery set, you can pick one up for under a tenner and they are small enough to easily fit inside a rucksack or laptop bag?

 

[ChrisC]

As I say, these types of food are meant to be eaten quickly, on the go with your hands. Having tables available is just a convivence for customers wishing to sit down rather than eat walking along. Maybe you could buy a travel cutlery set, you can pick one up for under a tenner and they are small enough to easily fit inside a rucksack or laptop bag?

I could also keep a china cup and saucer and plate in my rucksack but I think I would rather just avoid these places and eat somewhere more comfortable with better food.

 

[najaB]

I could also keep a china cup and saucer and plate in my rucksack but I think I would rather just avoid these places and eat somewhere more comfortable with better food.

Which is, of course, your right as a consumer. However, I suspect that they will continue to do quite well in spite of this.

 

[Bantamzen]

I could also keep a china cup and saucer and plate in my rucksack but I think I would rather just avoid these places and eat somewhere more comfortable with better food.

I was actually trying to be helpful. But given that you are unhappy at places you don't frequent calling themselves restaurants without offering cutlery, table service and a nice wine list, maybe that was somewhat misplaced.

 

[ChrisC]

I was actually trying to be helpful. But given that you are unhappy at places you don't frequent calling themselves restaurants without offering cutlery, table service and a nice wine list, maybe that was somewhat misplaced.

I’m sorry. I know that you was trying to be helpful and it is a good idea. My comments were meant to be a joke, but I suppose they didn’t come over too well. I do often keep small sachets of salt and vinegar in my car just in case I have fish and chips when I am out. Perhaps I’ve inherited something from my mother who used to keep plastic picnic plates in the car for if we ever called at a fish and shop. She did eat them out of the paper but liked to place them in the paper on a plate just in case there was any grease!

 

[david1212]

Always been surprised that any fast food establishment that doesn't provide its patrons with any actual cutlery still has the temerity to call itself a 'restaurant'.

I think the clue is in the term "fast food", it is after all designed to be eaten on the go so cutlery really isn't needed.

As I say, these types of food are meant to be eaten quickly, on the go with your hands. Having tables available is just a convivence for customers wishing to sit down rather than eat walking along. Maybe you could buy a travel cutlery set, you can pick one up for under a tenner and they are small enough to easily fit inside a rucksack or laptop bag?

To me 'restaurant' does not go with 'fast food' / 'eaten quickly, on the go with your hands'. Rather the latter to me are 'Snack Bar' or 'Burger Bar'.

On very rare occasions, I can think of three in the last 8 years, a takeout from MacDonalds or Burger King has been my main meal with the other aside from a cereal breakfast being either sandwiches taken with me or a 'meal deal'.

 

[MattA7]

Had anyone ever noticed in Chinese restaurants that if a Chinese family arrives the food they appear to be served is often very different from what is on the menu. I’m not sure if it happens in other restaurants such as Indian, Italian etc

 

[Darandio]

Had anyone ever noticed in Chinese restaurants that if a Chinese family arrives the food they appear to be served is often very different from what is on the menu. I’m not sure if it happens in other restaurants such as Indian, Italian etc

Could it be because hardly any dishes on the rather large menus at a Chinese restaurant here actually exists in China?

 

[najaB]

Could it be because hardly any dishes on the rather large menus at a Chinese restaurant here actually exists in China?

That's the correct answer. I have a good friend who is originally from Ganzhou and said that almost nothing that we call 'Chinese' would be found at home. Some of it is Cantonese and the rest is a westernisation of mainland Chinese dishes.

 

[Altrincham]

What is your favorite kind of restaurant and/or takeaway meal? Indian, Chinese, Italian etc

How often do you eat out at restaurants or order a takeaway?

I quite like a meal in a good Indian or Italian restaurant. My favourite Chinese dish is King Prawn Cashew nut, and I find that this dish can vary quite a bit from restaurant to restaurant so I mostly tend to stick to having a takeaway from my favourite place when it comes to Chinese.

I usually eat out at a restaurant about twice a month, and possibly monthly for a Chinese takeaway. I also like Cod, Chips, and Peas from a chippy but that is usually a spur of the moment decision.

 

[Sorcerer]

My favourite kind is without a doubt Chinese takeaway, especially rare items such as crispy chicken in caramel sauce with sesame seeds (that I can only find in Chopstix Noodle Bar). I've also had the opportunity to try things like sweet and sour fish and squid which I am actually quite fond of too. But my best recent memory has to be when I was in Watford at an all-you-can-eat. JRC Global just off the High Street for anyone whose interested. Never before have I managed to have all I could eat at an all-you-can-eat until then! Of course I must acknowledge what's been mentioned above that most food we call Chinese food in the west isn't actually that way in China. In fact "Chinese food" is arguably a misnomer since China is a huge and diverse country.

 

[that1pepfan]

What is your favorite kind of restaurant and/or takeaway meal? Indian, Chinese, Italian etc

How often do you eat out at restaurants or order a takeaway?

Burger or pizza places (my local does both)

 

[Jamesrob637]

Curry to eat in and pizza to take away. Odd Kebab is acceptable too.

 

[_toommm_]

Normally about once a week for me. There’s a Chinese near me that does a 14 inch pizza box with salt and pepper chips, salt and pepper chicken, egg fried rice, spring rolls, stir fried veg. I’ll have half of it and save half for another night.

 

[Bantamzen]

To me 'restaurant' does not go with 'fast food' / 'eaten quickly, on the go with your hands'. Rather the latter to me are 'Snack Bar' or 'Burger Bar'.

On very rare occasions, I can think of three in the last 8 years, a takeout from MacDonalds or Burger King has been my main meal with the other aside from a cereal breakfast being either sandwiches taken with me or a 'meal deal'.

My point in all of this is does it really matter what they call themselves? Spoiler alert, the answer is no.

That's the correct answer. I have a good friend who is originally from Ganzhou and said that almost nothing that we call 'Chinese' would be found at home. Some of it is Cantonese and the rest is a westernisation of mainland Chinese dishes.

The same is true of most Indian restaurants. Notwithstanding the vast variety of dishes from region to region across Asia, it is generally the case that dishes served here are adapted to more Western pallets and ingredients. You do occasionally find an authentic restaurant, for example years ago in Bradford was a wonderful little Pakistani restaurant that served the most delightful, authentic Pakistani food. It was always a treat going there, they even had an open kitchen so you could see the food being prepared.

 

[Springs Branch]

. . . . I’m not sure if it happens in other restaurants such as Indian, Italian etc

When out with mates on Friday nights (before getting married) our normal routine at chucking-out time was to repair to a particular, well-regarded local curry house for a late-night feed, washed down with an extra lager or two. We were regulars and not too badly behaved, so got to be pally with a couple of Indian waiters there.

Part of the game was to goad each other as to who could eat the hottest curry (vindaloo, tindaloo, phaal etc). One night, whilst ordering a tindaloo, my mate said to the waiter "I suppose you have one of these for your tea every day, don't you?" To which he replied, waving the menu in his hand, "No way. We never eat any of this ****".


In similar vein, I once lived in La Jolla, California - adjacent to San Diego and handy for the Mexican border at Tijuana. A group of us went across a few times to eat at a couple Mexican restaurants well away from the Tijuana downtown tourist strip. The food was delicious, the atmosphere with the local families was excellent (despite us being the only gringos) - totally different to what everyone normally associates with Mexican restaurant food (not a burrito or dollop of refried beans to be seen)