I have been to several cafes/restaurants where the proportions of the meals are huge. Why do they bring out such large meals?
I am not worried because I don’t eat it all, I was just curious. Is it to make it look appealing?
I agree. I never even try to attempt to finish it all and then feel bad there are people starving.
to give the illusion that the customer is getting their money’s worth…
February 28th, 2010 at 3:40 am
That is one resone why there are so many heavy set people
We should not waste food like we do…when there are children going hungry
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February 28th, 2010 at 4:19 am
I think they do it so that they can compete with their competitors. After all, it would save them money to not do it, but not as many people would come. Customers have the choice to eat the entire proportion or save it for another time, throw it away, etc.
I don’t normally finish the food either. It’s not really the restaurants fault for the customers being over weight.
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February 28th, 2010 at 5:00 am
Because too many customers complain that there isnt ENOUGH food. Seems our proportions have been raised to feed those who cant restrain themselves.
I have a customer that orders 2 appetizers, 2 dinners and a dessert for himself, while his wife eats a salad. Obviously one large portion isnt enough for some still.
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February 28th, 2010 at 5:36 am
The better question would be: why do restaurants have endless soup and salad. People eat four salads and ten soups each. That’s worse than finishing a whole entree, don’t you think?
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Waitress
February 28th, 2010 at 6:05 am
Because some people want a big meal, it’s that simple. Who wants to pay good money for a dinky meal?
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February 28th, 2010 at 6:50 am
to give the illusion that the customer is getting their money’s worth…
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February 28th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Its simple. When you go to a restaurant and get a large meal, people think to themselves… wow, what a deal. Its just natural for people to want to go somewhere that they think they are getting a bargain, and many of them don’t eat it all, some even take some home for lunch the next day.
For example, when I go to somewhere like Olive Garden, they have decent sized portions and unlimites soup and breadsticks (i dont eat salad). Very rarely do I get refills on the soup, even though I can, but every once in awhile I will. Regardless if I have a second soup, I’ll usually end up taking home some food, so to me its a good deal, and I’m happy to go there.
On the other hand, lets take somewhere like Applebees. I like their food, but their portions aren’t all that large usually. They also don’t give you soup, salad, or even bread with your meal. Unless you order an appetizer (which I usually don’t) you just sit there and wait for your main course, and thats it, and depending on how hungry you are, you may leave still hungry, or it may be just right, but you don’t have anything to take home. Generally I’ll choose Olive Garden or Outback, or somewhere like that first, unless we have a gift card or something.
Its just business. Unless you’re talking fine dining, a lot of places are rather similar when it comes to food quality, and people will generally go to the place they feel they’re getting the best deal. Especially with the economy as it is today, if you can go out and make 2 meals out of it, you’re more likely to do it.
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February 28th, 2010 at 8:17 am
I do not understand why, either, and I work as a server. I work at an Olive Garden, and I HATE the fact that they get soup or salad, and bread (plus unlimited refills!) before their HUGE meals! How am I supposed to sell desert and appetizers when they basically get appetizers for free, and then get stuffed on their huge dinner? I wish we could do what Chili’s did and stop giving that stuff away for free (their chips and salsa used to be free, and now they charge for it).
I think they bring out large portions because, generally, the items that come out with a lot of stuff are made of cheap products and they want the consumer to feel like they’re getting a good deal. This is why you get a lot of pasta and sauce when you get a pasta dish, but when you get expensive meat like a good cut of steak, the sides take up more room on your plate oftentimes. They want the customer to think they’re getting a good ‘deal’.
At upscale restaurants, the portions are much smaller because the clientel is worried less about getting ‘more for their money’ and more about actually tasting the food.
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February 28th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Right now, most places are slowly raising their prices (economy). They will not make their portions smaller. They want you to feel like you are getting some kind of value.
I always ask for a box right aeay & cut everything in half. A great night with friends, no mess to clean & lunch for the next day!
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February 28th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Because they’re trying to cheat us once again!! A lot of times we can’t take the leftovers home in a box because, if it’s too warm out and we’re not going straight home it would spoil. Or, you’re embarrassed to take it home because of who you’re with and you don’t want to seem cheap. They can charge you more because they gave you more (pasta or bread or rice, or the cheap stuff). It’s a big rip-off, and they should stop doing it!! Just don’t go back there or, if you’re with one other person, one orders just a side salad or fries, and the other one orders the big dinner and you both share.
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