The decline of restaurants and eating out

[Chris]

This is a good watch! It echoes what I've been complaining about to my wife for the past several years.

9 out of 10 times when we go out to eat (which is rare since we make almost everything from scratch at home) I'm almost always left in disappointment. I'll end up paying a lot of money for a meal that is awful compared to what we could have made at home. It's gotten to the point now where we seldom go out at all anymore (not that we did that much before) because I'm always left feeling ripped off and disappointed. I'm glad to see others are noticing this as well.

It isn't just cars @TJMexico and @Zorba, it's every single aspect of life that has been on a steady decline since the 2000s. Another tell tale sign of a collapsing civilization I suppose

 

[BlueC]

I'll end up paying a lot of money for a meal.... I'm always left feeling ripped off and disappointed.

I haven't watched the video, but that ^ is typically my sentiment. We eat out maybe once a week, never fast food, so it cost an ARM and the food is usually good, but not worth the cost. Just two of us eating at one of my preferred local restaurants will cost $50-60. Throw in a kids meal and a beer each and we're tickling $100.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I watched a similarly titled video on a different account the other day....did this one basically blame it on Sysco? Sounds like most of the restaurants in the US are just reheating processed premade Sysco crap so there's been a massive loss in regional variety as well as quality.

 

[Chris]

I watched a similarly titled video on a different account the other day....did this one basically blame it on Sysco? Sounds like most of the restaurants in the US are just reheating processed premade Sysco crap so there's been a massive loss in regional variety as well as quality.

Sysco is part of it, yep.

I guess the upside to all of this is that since we rarely eat out anymore both my wife and I have become absolutely amazing cooks. One day our kids will appreciate it

 

[John Cooper]

We very seldom eat out. Maybe once every 2-3 months.

We just don't like throwing money away.

We have about 3 restaurants we eat at and that's it.

If a new restaurant opens near us, we will let the locals tear it up first then ask folks we know if it was any good.

 

[MikekiM]

Unfortunately we eat out often. I despise it. My 22 year old daughter can't operate a can opener (my fault I suppose), my wife is tired of cooking and I work long hours.

I get my balls broken because I vocalize my disappointment for how my restaurant and take out meals are so poorly prepared and are never what I ask for.. I can usually make it better myself. How a restaurant can't understand something as simple as... make the French fries REALLY well done please. When you think they are well done... drop them again. And they are delivered to the table limp.

The state of the dining experience is right up there with subscription services.. I hate it.

 

[TJ4Jim]

With my #2 son being the GM at our local popilar hot spot in town we do frequent it a lot but if we didn't get the family discount with better portions and always one of the better tables (waterfront) I doub't we'd go there as much. I do look forward to favorites places out of daily reach like Jersey Mikes and Wingstop when passing by. Local McD's BK and Taco Bell rarely get a visit except for KFC.

 

[Zorba]

It isn't just cars @TJMexico and @Zorba,

The term I've recently learned is "enshittification". But I can't say that I've had problems dining out - but I guess its what kind of food you like to go out for. For the most part, if it isn't Greek or Middle Eastern, I'm not that interested in it. There was a Mexican place in California called "The Whole Enchilada" that was fabulous (Closed recently, owner died), Abalonette's on the Wharf in Monterey, and Chong's Chinese in downtown Monterey that were favorites. I've have yet to find a Chinese joint here in Florida that is as good as Chong's.

We have several Greek/Middle Eastern places around here to choose from. "Cedars Cafe" is my fave - they make a schwarma to DIE for. We do need to find a new (dot) Indian place as our fave closed due to owner retirement.

Fast food is still fast food, about the same as it always was other than the industry wide enshittification of milk shakes, led by McD's and their damn "McCafe", which is the worst thing to ever happen to fast food. Arby's actually manages to make a pretty decent Greek Gyro. Not exceptional, but completely acceptable.

 

[TJ Jim]

Dang I was just thinking it’s me. The last several times have been really bad. Anywhere from poor food to poor service. The last time was our server must’ve left the building. Tried to pay and nobody would take our money. As an old married couple we try to make a date night every Friday night but it’s been a miserable experience except for the company

 

[TJMexico]

This is a good watch! It echoes what I've been complaining about to my wife for the past several years.

9 out of 10 times when we go out to eat (which is rare since we make almost everything from scratch at home) I'm almost always left in disappointment. I'll end up paying a lot of money for a meal that is awful compared to what we could have made at home. It's gotten to the point now where we seldom go out at all anymore (not that we did that much before) because I'm always left feeling ripped off and disappointed. I'm glad to see others are noticing this as well.

It isn't just cars @TJMexico and @Zorba, it's every single aspect of life that has been on a steady decline since the 2000s. Another tell tale sign of a collapsing civilization I suppose

I fully agree. And I hold to the idea that it is culturally and economically systemic and intentional. I have mentioned my "conspiracy theory" in another thread, with the caveat that my conspiracy theories are all coming true.

We were all told, back when the "covid" scam was started up, that we would all eventually "own nothing and be happy." It was not presented as a recommendation or a possible desirable attitude. We were told, "You WILL own nothing and be happy." It was a declarative statement. So, just shut up and deal with it, right?

I firmly believe that there is a push on both social and economic levels to get us all disgusted with what we are getting (automobiles, food, appliances, electronics, etc.) to the point that we stop expecting anything of quality and are just conformable to whatever they allow us to have. (You will eat zee bugs!)

And the "enshittification" that @Zorba mentioned is not just in products we purchase. It's happening to people's brains, to their sense of culture, to their sense of morality, to their reasoning ability. Just look at what passes for entertainment now.

See, I told you ...

Note that these are for the most part declarative, not suggestive, statements.

Ultimately, it's all about control. Once we have no expecations, anything will do.

 

[KennethS]

I don’t eat out very often, and can’t recall the last time I had fast food. Well, other than McDs that is:
1984, on a road trip, I took one bite and I threw the burger out the window onto the side of I-10. Haven’t been there since.

These days when I eat out it’s usually one of 4 Thai restaurants (all 4 are excellent) or the locally owned pizza bistro. If I get into the area, TexAz Grill has a excellent chicken fried steak / mashed potatoes / gravy. Portions are large enough to split an order with the wife and we’re both stuffed.

 

[Chris]

I fully agree. And I hold to the idea that it is culturally and economically systemic and intentional. I have mentioned my "conspiracy theory" in another thread, with the caveat that my conspiracy theories are all coming true.

We were all told, back when the "covid" scam was started up, that we would all eventually "own nothing and be happy." It was not presented as a recommendation or a possible desirable attitude. We were told, "You WILL own nothing and be happy." So, just shut up and deal with it, right?

I firmly believe that there is a push on both social and economic levels to get us all disgusted with what we are getting (automobiles, food, appliances, electronics, etc.) to the point that we stop expecting anything of quality and are just conformable to whatever they allow us to have. (You will eat zee bugs!)

And the "enshittification" that @Zorba mentioned is not just in products we purchase. It's happening to people's brains, to their sense of culture, to their sense of morality, to their reasoning ability. Just look at what passes for entertainment now.

See, I told you ...

Note that these are for the most part declarative, not suggestive, statements.

Ultimately, it's all about control. Once we have no expecations, anything will do.

If every fast food worker and waiter was replaced by an AI robot it would be a massive improvement at this point. The people who work at these places are dumb as a doorknob in most cases and interacting with them is a real test of one’s patience.

 

[BlueC]

1984, on a road trip, I took one bite and I threw the burger out the window onto the side of I-10. Haven’t been there since.

lol I did similar, but like 15 years ago. With the exception of Chick-fil-a, I quit eating all fast food.

 

[TJ4Jim]

If every fast food worker and waiter was replaced by an AI robot it would be a massive improvement at this point. The people who work at these places are dumb as a doorknob in most cases and interacting with them is a real test of one’s patience.

Exactly, was the only customer standing at the counter at KFC recently and after taking the previous customers order they walked away like I was invisible for a few minutes. How hard is it to say I'll be right with you.....

 

[Apparition]

I’m eating out right now. The food is always good at Matt’s Bar. Decent prices too. We go to a lot of places that are cash only.

 

[Zorba]

If every fast food worker and waiter was replaced by an AI robot it would be a massive improvement at this point. The people who work at these places are dumb as a doorknob in most cases and interacting with them is a real test of one’s patience.

For the most part, I don't have problems with the fast food people - we generally have good interactions. There are exceptions - there is a certain McDonald's across the street from one of my dance classes that I won't set foot in. I informed them via the McD's voice website that that restaurant needs to be shut down for two weeks and EVERYONE re-trained, from upper management on down.

 

[thedustyboot]

Not sure if its the same down in the US but at least for me locally the vast majority of our "fast food" joints like McDicks, subway, tim hortons, dominos, are all staffed by foreigners from a certain middle eastern region. many are what we call "TFW's" or Temporary Foreign Workers...look it up if you want, our liberal run immigration policy is killing this country... Anyhoo, the service is dogshit, the staff dont smile, the product quality is complete crap, they cheap out on everything, and their english comprehension is nonexistent.

ever since covid the price for literally everything up here has also spiked dramatically. eating out with my wife costs us $80-100 for one meal each and one appy to share. The minimum tip option now is 18% and most of the time the service isn't even worthy of it.

 

[Chris]

Not sure if its the same down in the US but at least for me locally the vast majority of our "fast food" joints like McDicks, subway, tim hortons, dominos, are all staffed by foreigners from a certain middle eastern region. many are what we call "TFW's" or Temporary Foreign Workers...look it up if you want, our liberal run immigration policy is killing this country... Anyhoo, the service is dogshit, the staff dont smile, the product quality is complete crap, they cheap out on everything, and their english comprehension is nonexistent.

ever since covid the price for literally everything up here has also spiked dramatically. eating out with my wife costs us $80-100 for one meal each and one appy to share. The minimum tip option now is 18% and most of the time the service isn't even worthy of it.

Ours isn’t foreign workers as much as it is 16-20 year old kids who spend more time on their phones than they do serving customers.

The prices are equally absurd though.

 

[KennethS]

We go to a lot of places that are cash only.

I’m not sure how to interpret that.

 

[John Cooper]

Not sure if its the same down in the US but at least for me locally the vast majority of our "fast food" joints like McDicks, subway, tim hortons, dominos, are all staffed by foreigners from a certain middle eastern region. many are what we call "TFW's" or Temporary Foreign Workers...look it up if you want, our liberal run immigration policy is killing this country... Anyhoo, the service is dogshit, the staff dont smile, the product quality is complete crap, they cheap out on everything, and their english comprehension is nonexistent.

ever since covid the price for literally everything up here has also spiked dramatically. eating out with my wife costs us $80-100 for one meal each and one appy to share. The minimum tip option now is 18% and most of the time the service isn't even worthy of it.

Most of our service stations are foreign owned.

The difference is the people from India seem to be more friendly, have great customer service skills and want to hire people that are the same way.