[iswhaticrave]

I'm with ya AJoe. I would much rather have a smaller portion, pay less, and not feel like I am going to explode when I am done. I think what we are really trained for is to eat all that is put in front of us...and usually a lot is put there!

[ajoe]

Originally Posted by iswhaticrave

I'm with ya AJoe. I would much rather have a smaller portion, pay less, and not feel like I am going to explode when I am done. I think what we are really trained for is to eat all that is put in front of us...and usually a lot is put there!

That reminds of a recent stop at a Bob Evans restuarant.

I guess I was in a carb mood because I ordered the chicken and noodles on mashed potatoes. The taste was great, but the portion was mammoth; a huge bowl that must have contained 3 cups of mashed potatoes and more than enough chicken and noodles to cover, served with 2 dinner roles.

As soon as she sat the bowl down, I was embarrassed knowing how much food was going to go uneaten.

[lentil]

Originally Posted by ajoe

I disagree on this point. I am turned off by places that insist on providing monster portions.

I don't want to take food home after a meal, and I don't want to waste food. I may be in the minority, but if a place insists on serving me more food than I want (most chains do), I probably won't return.

I'm not insinuating that we all expect that, but why else would there be lines out the door at all these establishments?

[ajoe]

Originally Posted by lentil

I'm not insinuating that we all expect that, but why else would there be lines out the door at all these establishments?

IMHO marketing plays a big role. Also they are familiar. If friends or colleagues are selecting a place to eat, you know what to expect before you even walk in the door. That is a very powerful draw for casual dining.

I think it is a take-off on the fast food model. People know they aren't going to get gourmet cuisine at McD's, but they do know exactly what they will get and exactly what it will cost.

Of course, I also know there are a lot of Americans with VERY big appetites.

[iswhaticrave]

Yep, exactly...most people don't want to risk a smaller establishment (even though it is probably far above the chains in terms of quality) and instead go with what they know: huge portions, reasonable price, decent food.

[AndyG]

I'm wondering how Pizza Hut can survive in New Jersey, with all the MUCH better pizza places there, IMO. Maybe only people from other parts of the country eat there.

[bubbamom]

I must be missing something here. Some are complaining that the food is served in HUGE quantities. Is anyone being forced to eat everything served? Left overs? Order a Senior's or half portion? Ask if you can skip the soup and/or salad and/or potato. Sorry for the rant, but sometimes we are victims of ourselves.

[AndyG]

I'd rather have too big portions than too small, myself . .

[OahuAmateurChef]

The Cheesecake Factory in Waikiki is absolutely gorgeous. The menu is bigger than any I have ever seen. The food is really good and prices are decent. The "factory" where the cheesecakes are made is several thousand miles away. I go there occasionally for the huge menu selection and atmosphere, and almost never for the $6 a slice, made in California cheesecake. Even if they really did make their own cheesecakes locally, nothing beats NY cheesecake.

[lentil]

Originally Posted by bubbamom

I must be missing something here. Some are complaining that the food is served in HUGE quantities. Is anyone being forced to eat everything served? Left overs? Order a Senior's or half portion? Ask if you can skip the soup and/or salad and/or potato. Sorry for the rant, but sometimes we are victims of ourselves.

It's not so much that the portions are huge (although I've never been to CF, I'm speaking of chain restaurants in general), it's more that by supporting chain after chain, we've given up any regional identity. I find it disturbing that I can eat the EXACT same food in Hawaii that I can eat in Maine or Alaska.

In my shop, I try hard to give customers a good deal, but there's no way I could give the large portions that Applebee's gives without pricing myself out of the market. It's really hard for a small, privately owned place to compete with the advertising, portion size, and financial backing of chains. If Applebee's moved in next door, I'd be closed for lunch in a month. My catering and personal cheffing may survive a bit longer.

Do Americans really want to give up local/regional identity for a menu/decor/taste developed by marketers in NYC? That's a rhetorical question because I see the answer every time I leave my small town.

[shel]

Certainly many, if not most, Americans are too concerned with getting huge portions of inexpensive food rather than more reasonably sized portions of higher quality food. Many chain restaurants actively contribute to this gluttony. Some time ago I read a nutritional analysis of some Olive Garden entrs, all of which were more than 1,000 calories, and quitea few being 1,200 calories or more. Of course, those figures didn’t take into account the free bread and butter many people enjoy, nor did the figures reflect the soup, free seconds, desserts, and sugary drinks taken with the meals. By the time some people finish shoveling the food down their gullets they could be approaching, if not exceeding, enough calories for two days of eating, maybe more. And there seems to be, in many cases, a decided lack of vegetable, and whatever salads are available are often covered with creamy, high fat dressings.

Frankly, it’s disgusting the way some people eat and the huge fat and salt laden portions that some restaurants serve.What’s wrong with moderation?

Shel

[MuskyHopeful]

Originally Posted by shel

Frankly, it’s disgusting the way some people eat and the huge fat and salt laden portions that some restaurants serve.What’s wrong with moderation?

Shel

I always think it's weird when people care about about what others eat, drink, etc. Why would you care? How about a little moderation when it comes to judging what other people do? To be "disgusted" by it uses energy that could be utilized better elsewhere, imo.

If you don't like the portions, the nutritional value, or the preparation of a certain restaurant's cuisine, don't eat there. Simple as that.

Kevin

ETFC

[Nicko]

I seem to remember that one of Cheesecake factories big selling points is that they don't buy anything everything is made fresh. There are several CF in Chicago and I have been to two of them. I do find that their food is very consistent, the restaurant is clean. Their lunch menu is pretty reasonable but I can't stand how big the menu is or all the stupid ads.

Last thought I agree with Shroom I never understood how anyone would just wait around for 2 hours for a meal? Reservations?

[phatch]

This thread has been more fun than it might be to go to CF.

Plus I can't believe the thread's gone on for as long as it has.

Phil

[ajoe]

Originally Posted by phatch

Plus I can't believe the thread's gone on for as long as it has.

It appears this thread has been super-sized. Yummy.