What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating in a restaurant?
By neelianoscet
@neelianoscet (9615)
Philippines
January 15, 2010 12:42pm CST
Whenever, I am very busy with no time to cook at home, I eat in different restaurant so I could see the latest menu of the day and also the try the variety of best dishes they serve. It is very convenient for me to eat in a restaurant because it saves me a lot of time in cooking my own food. The choice of menus are endless and depending on a budget, you could choose whatever you want. Aside from its good ambience and good service delivery.
However, their are disadvantages, first it is expensive to eat in a restaurant, second, if one is in a diet you could not monitor the amount of seasoning being mix on the food, and third, one need to wait for at least 30 minutes before your order is serve. Unlike in a fast food which the service is fast when you are really in a hurry and hungry. You need to be patience before you could eat.
How about you, Do you enjoy eating in a restaurant? What are your reasons in eating in a restaurant? thanks
1-15-10
10 people like this
37 responses
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
19 Jan 10
Eating out in restaurants is out of the question for me as I am on a strict budget and it is far too expensive. Once in a while if I am out I might buy fast food or a sandwich but even a sandwich costs $5 or $6 dollars these days. I was on a long trip today and so I ate KFC as I drove...it cost $5.45 and it was delicious but is not good for me to eat such things and it was still more than a proper meal costs if I cook at home. I was hungry and it was convenient.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
21 Jan 10
As much as anything, we fall in to the trap of being hungry and thinking that it would be quick to run pick something up, or being on a trip. The taste might be good, for the moment, but never as good as what I have at home. I try to pack food when I travel, because most sandwiches do not taste near as good as they cost.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
21 Jan 10
You're right about the sandwiches not tasting as good as they cost. I take sangers for the trip out but for the return journey the next day that's not possible. I always have a thermos of coffee and an iced drink for the hot weather. I often wonder where people get the money to eat out as often as they do but I saw recently where the average family, weekly income is over a thousand dollars...my weekly income is less than 250 dollars...
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
18 Jan 10
I dun really eat in resturants, for they are expensive, and yet dun taste good.. haha =D They use seasoning for most kind of food, especially chinese food, and in the end, one does not really taste the real flavor of food, but only seasoning.. lol =D
If i were to in resturant, i will opt for western cruisines instead, because it's something different from my usual food, and as such, i will be willing to pay a little more for convenience?? and if the food is good, i dun mind waiting though.. haha =D
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Jan 10
yeah, and i dine only when i have a budget since i get bored sometimes in eating home cook food so every week end i opt to eat in a restaurant with my family. I have a favorite restaurant which serves the best dishes in my town and i would not regret spending money there as i have quality satisfaction feel at its best. Well, most chinese food are fried but I like those chopsuey and dumpling with nice spicy sauce. In terms of western cuisines which mostly are meat based I prefer to eat limited portion except if it is the marinated type, then I go for it...Yeah waiting does not matter as long as the food is of excellent quality and sometimes even the price does not matter as long as you get the quality you like..
1 person likes this
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
16 Jan 10
The only time I get to go out to eat at a restaurant is the second Tuesday of the month when our ladies bible class goes out to eat as a group. We go at noon when we can get the lunch specials, so it doesn't cost that much.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
28 Feb 10
hi bellis,
It nice to schedule time to dine out especially when all the activities have already been finish then it is time to make self happy by treating self to eat in a restaurant.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
16 Jan 10
I love to eat at a restaurant, because I don't like cooking and I am very bad at it Not having to cook is a big advantage (to me), but that is not the only thing I like about it. When I eat at a restaurant I get the chance to eat new dishes or food that I have never had before. I especially like international restaurants, because that gives me the chance to eat the local food from other countries. I find it very interesting to learn more about the food from around the world, and I have discovered a lot of nice dishes that way.
Unfortunately it is often expensive to eat a restaurant, sometimes the waiters are rude, sometimes there is something wrong with the food and sometimes you have to wait a long time. Yes, there are some disadvantages, but I still love to eat a restaurant 
Not having to cook is a big advantage (to me), but that is not the only thing I like about it. When I eat at a restaurant I get the chance to eat new dishes or food that I have never had before. I especially like international restaurants, because that gives me the chance to eat the local food from other countries. I find it very interesting to learn more about the food from around the world, and I have discovered a lot of nice dishes that way.
Unfortunately it is often expensive to eat a restaurant, sometimes the waiters are rude, sometimes there is something wrong with the food and sometimes you have to wait a long time. Yes, there are some disadvantages, but I still love to eat a restaurant @neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
28 Feb 10
hi porscopino,
Those are the things which i really like too and taking time to taste new dishes like doing food tripping especially those offering cheap buffet i really like to taste it all saving my tummy for more over load. Well, definitely in order for me to taste all the variety of food i only take small portion until all I have taste and savor each dishes. Their may be up and down but it is also way fro us to determine which is the best restaurant and just stay away from those offering low quality dishes and those with bad services reputation.
@gunagohan (3414)
• India
16 Jan 10
well, i often don't go out to restaurants .. I like my home food much made by my mother.
My mom will tell me to avoid much outside food, but atleast once in a week i have to take the food in restaurants or in hotels.
There are many advantages in eating in hotels, first of all the different taste in different hotels, secondly a new atmosphere,
Thirdly i could see many beautiful girls around me(I'm a youth) and can see them and eat very slowly.
I could relax myself in the surroundings of a restaurant.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
28 Feb 10
hi gunagohan,
Yeah, home cook is the best since it is cook by family cook especially your other she makes it very special for everyone to enjoy and shares. While in a restaurant the food is many and have to choose which dishes you like but they are serve in limited portion which is also expensive as you already mention but the experience in dining in is even greater.
@allknowing (136369)
• India
16 Jan 10
Eating in a restaurant for me is an opportunity to be among people, enjoy the ambience and taste different types of cuisine. It also gives me a break from cooking at home specially when I do not have a maid for the day - cooking can be quite a drudgery specially if you do not have someone to help you around. Disadvantages for me would be from the health point of view. At home we are particular about everything cleanliness the type of oil we use and the freshness of the ingredients. Also to get to a restaurant it involves travelling which can be quite a task with traffic jams.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
24 Jan 10
hi allknowing,
yeah, once in a while eating in a restaurant is enjoyable and when you are in the company of your family and friends surely the gathering and the bonding moments is worth treasure for. Since, the home cook meal which is a repetition most of the day becomes so boring and the tedious task when one is busy when accumulated could bring a lot of stress if one does not have time to rest and the usual homemaker job becomes so tiring in the long time. So it is a sort of reward eating in a restaurant could never be expensive if only done rarely. thanks
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Hey neelian! I think that eating in a restaurant sometimes does
have its advantages and disadvantages as you have said! It is
great if you don't feel like cooking and just want to be waited
on! It gives you more than one choice to chose from~ But, it
also is much more expensive! If you cook at home it is definitely
cheaper, you can have more food and leftovers, and choose whatever
you want exactly to your taste what you want for the whole dinner!
I must admit that I do love to go out to a restaurant to eat! It
is so relaxing and fun to be waited on! I go once in awhile
with my girlfriends because my boyfriend is too cheap! But, for
most of the time it is less costly to buy the meat and veggies
and cook at home where we usually get more than one meal from
my cooking!
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
24 Jan 10
hi opal,
yeah, eating in a restaurant is a lot of fun especially if accompany by your friend and your boyfriend. It is a time for bonding and sharing good time. Then, with different atmosphere form home it gonna be great experience to savor and try different exquisite dishes which could be palatable and bring smiles to your companion. Unlike in the home the meal is always a repetition so it gonna be boring so for a change dining in restaurant is best like a reward given to self after a weekday work.
@happy6162 (3001)
• United States
15 Jan 10
You do not have to clean up the dishes and pot and pans. You can have someone take your order and serve you. The food in a restaurant may not be cook the way you like it. It is expense to eat out in restaurants now a days.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
23 Jan 10
hi happy,
yup those are the advantages and it saves a lot of energy just sit down and relax while waiting fro the sumptous meal to arrive is even worth the waiting.thanks
@flower21 (765)
• Philippines
15 Jan 10
i see little advantages and most of the time a lot of benefits as service in restaurant is always keep in high standard .one could be assure to get good services though it is not fast unlike the fast food chain. the only hindrance if one is on the budget, definitely, eating in a restaurant is not recommended.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
23 Jan 10
hi flower21,
yup, eating in a restaurant is quite expensive and yet the happiness bring in a person eating is exceptional as dining out is like rewarding one self after a hard work. Their is really up and down and yet most of the times the feeling of eating exquisite dishes makes anyone craves for it. thanks
@amyson (3498)
• Philippines
15 Jan 10
i rarely go to restaurant o eat and most of the times i prefer to cook on my own and in case i am in a hurry i would rather eat in fast food which is more faster in services, i would only avail of the restaurant when i have lots of saving as a treat to myself for doing good work,
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
17 Jan 10
hi amyson,
wow, that a good thing you know to cook and budget your food expenditures that gonna be a lot of savings on your part. thanks
@moneymakingtoday (4061)
• Philippines
15 Jan 10
Hi Neelianoscet,
I have one day in the weekend with my children. We usually eat outside, be it fast food restaurant or the chinese restaurant. They are very convenient for us because we are always in a hurry to go home. We usually eat lunch after doing our grocery shopping for the week.
It is easy in restaurants. You get to choose the dish you want to eat. You don't have to do the cooking; you just sit there and be served. Most of all, you don't have to wash dishes!
But, it is always cost-saving to eat at home than in restaurants.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
24 Jan 10
hi moneymaking,
Yeah, a once weekend treat is fine and not really a waste of money it is like a sort of reward and a binding moments for the family especially during weekdays all are so busy so the time the family go to dine in a restaurant creates happy moments and at the same time make the appetite full of glee after being satisfy it is like a reward. While cooking at home could only be done everyday with the basic menu so it comes to the senses that their is repetition and the food becomes so boring, so definitely eating in a restaurant help lighten the mood. thanks,
@olisaur (1922)
• United States
15 Jan 10
There are tons of advantages about eating out; no clean up, drink re-fills, the food is brought to you, you can pick what you want, and the food is cooked for you.
But there are also a coule disadvantages; the waiter you get could be weird or rude and not come to you when you want, you could have a misunderstanding about the dish you order, and the wait coul be long. :o
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
17 Jan 10
hi olisaur,
yeah, you just summed up all the benefits and the contradiction which are all true. one feel relax and enjoy the food without having to worry in cooking your own food. thanks
@fantasticbabe (981)
• Philippines
15 Jan 10
i think restaurant is only good as an optional choice when one is not in a hurry to eat but if you are in a hurry to eat it is best to eat in fast food chains. In my own experience it takes a long time for food to be serve unlike in fast food that is why it is call fast food as the services is fast which heighten the differences between the two.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
17 Jan 10
hi fantasticbabe,
Actually I rarely dine in restaurant but I do it every time I have a budget it sort of reward to myself after a hard days work. I feel that is is only alright as long as I feel good and happy eating all variety of food that I could forget my stress and worries. surely food is like a potion it have an effects on my moods.
@fedoralinux (556)
• India
15 Jan 10
Home cook is better than the restaurant why I'm saying this they cook tasteful but not cleanly ,where ever you go they ,do like these only .so, you prefer restaurant temporarily but not as,daily habit, use mostly home food that's good for you' in my point of view
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
15 Jan 10
hifedoralinux,
yeah, that right nothing beat the home cooking though i only went to the restaurant when i have no time to cook and especially during times when we have visitor that we tour them around the city after ward treat them in restaurant.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
21 Jan 10
Sometimes we will eat out, if one of us is not feeling up to cooking or we cannot decide. The only real advantage that I can think of for us to eat in a restaurant or fast food place is that we can focus on each other, and not on the preparation or clean up. The disadvantages are cost, calories, and what is in it.The food is healthier and tastier when you make it at home.
@flikkenni (537)
• Indonesia
28 Feb 10
Sometimes I enjoy eating in restaurant but sometimes I didn't. Some restaurant have good service and some doesn't. This made me didn't enjoy eating in restaurant. It took a long time to have your food served. But I do enjoy it whenever I eat with my friends. You can talk and have some discussions with them while you were waiting for your food. I'm eating in a restaurant whenever I went walk with my friends or whenever I went downtown to a mall or some other places. But for me my mom cook is still the best and eating at home makes me more comfortable
@derek_a (10874)
•
20 Jan 10
Well, one thing is that we don't have to do any cooking or washing up afterwards. But at home, we know the ingredients that go into our meals. There are lots of choices in a restaurant and at home after cooking it, we may not feel like eating it and wish we had cooked something different. The pros and cons with both situations. - Derek
- Derek
@jezzmay (1845)
• United States
18 Jan 10
I enjoy eating in a restaurant, but this is something
I do once in a while. I can not afford it often. I do
do fast food to, it also is only now and then. I try
to keep something cooked so if I do not have time, I
can just heat and serve. I like to go out with friends
and the time to serve does not matter, you have your
friends to talk too.
Have a great day.
@jahernandezrivas (11288)
• United States
22 Jan 10
I lopve eating in restaraunts it is one of my favorite things to do! Ilke to go to them with either family or friends. I enjoy a large cooked meall that I didn't have to cook myself that is so delicious and you have enough to take home with you for later.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Eating in restaurants has certain advantages like i dont have to prepare the food upon arriving home when i am so tired already. I don't have to wash the dishes and i don't have to be the one to set the table and serve the food. The disdavantage is i have to have the money to pay for the food and the service i got and oftentimes it is more expensive than preparingt he food at home.
