What’s not worth it anymore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As food prices soar and will most likely do so given the impact that policies will soon deeply harm the immigrant community, what is no longer worth it when it comes to dining out or picking up food?

1) Chinese food (at least in my area); quality has been on the decline for years, but last night was the final straw at what used to be our semi-decent local place. The Crab Rangoon was cloyingly sweet on the inside, to the point of being inedible. The noodle dishes and meat dishes alike were greasier than usual, and the quality of meat was sub-par. The dumplings are super thin and don’t hold their shape; I love thick dumplings. Just not worth it anymore, unfortunately, though maybe I can find better Chinese food when visiting friends or traveling. I do love it every now and then!

2) Fast food or quick serve drinks of any sort. We’re going to stick with waters or drinks we bring on road trips, or drink iced tea, soda or alcoholic beverages at home when we bring food home. No alcoholic beverages or lemonades or anything at sit-down meals, unless it’s a very nice restaurant for a special night out; no drinks with casual dining.

What habits have you changed? What’s not worth it to you anymore?

Now that you mentioned it, I have noticed the quality of Chinese food declining Burke/ Fairfax Station area) with prices way up and lunch specials eliminated or changed to the point of no real discount or value.

[Anonymous]

I tend to support more local which in Bethesda/Rockville is ethnic and nicely let them know my feedback if it's subpar. They get one more chance. Usually, it's enough to keep me coming back. Cooking at home for two is often comparable in price because I'm paying retail for the raw ingredients. That wouldn't be true for a family with kids, esp. teenagers. Also, no more tasting menus...too much food.

[Anonymous]

I avoid any ‘new American’ or regular American restaurants. Way overpriced for crappy food that I can make easily at home!

[Anonymous]

BTW, this thread is derogatory about Chinese cuisine, which people for years think should be at rock bottom prices with top tier ingredients. No business can sustain that. So may be stop thinking of it as cheap eats and treat yourself to a special meal at a great place. Most people without expensive ranges would not be able to recreate the high heat that's needed for exceptional Chinese. I do understand that you think you can cook it at home. I use top ingredients and it's healthy; however, it's just not the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spanish Diner. I'm not paying $17 for a "Spanish" grilled cheese, Josr Andres

I love him but I agree that the value is just not there for a lot of the stuff on that menu. I know it’s supposed to like what his grandma made but I feel llle I could make a lot of it at home.

Last night we made our own sushi and I think it was maybe 1/4 of the price and super easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most Mexican or tex-mex restaurants , they all have the same menu and it’s all overpriced glop with a big side of cheap rice and beans.

Same with the cheap Chinese carry out, all just glop now with a little bit of low quality meat mixed in.

The last time we got uncle Julio’s takeout I realized the beans and tortillas were really cheap and the best thing on the menu. I might just start picking those up with some salsa and make my own protein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I tend to support more local which in Bethesda/Rockville is ethnic and nicely let them know my feedback if it's subpar. They get one more chance. Usually, it's enough to keep me coming back. Cooking at home for two is often comparable in price because I'm paying retail for the raw ingredients. That wouldn't be true for a family with kids, esp. teenagers. Also, no more tasting menus...too much food.

Curious which restaurants you’d recommend. We are also in that area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fixing a steak at home. Fixing a pizza at home. Fixing anything like Chinese food at home.

Fixing? Do you mean making? Fixing implies something is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BTW, this thread is derogatory about Chinese cuisine, which people for years think should be at rock bottom prices with top tier ingredients. No business can sustain that. So may be stop thinking of it as cheap eats and treat yourself to a special meal at a great place. Most people without expensive ranges would not be able to recreate the high heat that's needed for exceptional Chinese. I do understand that you think you can cook it at home. I use top ingredients and it's healthy; however, it's just not the same.

Pointing out something that in many peoples eyes was good but doesn't seem to be anymore is not derogatory.
Its an observation that many share based on their perception of food quality and value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As food prices soar and will most likely do so given the impact that policies will soon deeply harm the immigrant community, what is no longer worth it when it comes to dining out or picking up food?

1) Chinese food (at least in my area); quality has been on the decline for years, but last night was the final straw at what used to be our semi-decent local place. The Crab Rangoon was cloyingly sweet on the inside, to the point of being inedible. The noodle dishes and meat dishes alike were greasier than usual, and the quality of meat was sub-par. The dumplings are super thin and don’t hold their shape; I love thick dumplings. Just not worth it anymore, unfortunately, though maybe I can find better Chinese food when visiting friends or traveling. I do love it every now and then!

2) Fast food or quick serve drinks of any sort. We’re going to stick with waters or drinks we bring on road trips, or drink iced tea, soda or alcoholic beverages at home when we bring food home. No alcoholic beverages or lemonades or anything at sit-down meals, unless it’s a very nice restaurant for a special night out; no drinks with casual dining.

What habits have you changed? What’s not worth it to you anymore?

If you are going to be so concerned with cost that you are not even going to have a "lemonade" at a sit down restaurant, just don't go. Or go less often and worry less about what you are ordering and it's cost. That is next level nickel-and-diming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fixing a steak at home. Fixing a pizza at home. Fixing anything like Chinese food at home.

We've started making our own. We'll still go somewhere good occasionally, where the pizza will be significantly better than what we can make (Crust in Vienna), but we won't order Papa John's or anything like that. Pizza crust, canned tomato sauce and some mozzarella and parm from the store are better anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BTW, this thread is derogatory about Chinese cuisine, which people for years think should be at rock bottom prices with top tier ingredients. No business can sustain that. So may be stop thinking of it as cheap eats and treat yourself to a special meal at a great place. Most people without expensive ranges would not be able to recreate the high heat that's needed for exceptional Chinese. I do understand that you think you can cook it at home. I use top ingredients and it's healthy; however, it's just not the same.

+1 so many Americans have this association that Chinese food = cheap, and they are missing out on sooooo much

[Anonymous]

Did you mean to post that you still wanted to support immigrant businesses while avoiding overly costly and gross foods?

Try to find restaurants that are worth it, OP. It will take time.

We are immigrants from different Asian (non-Chinese) countries and mostly cook at home, recipes from our home countries and various others. The Chinese place we occasionally order from is still fine; we only get the Peking duck. My husband does a killer fried rice that is way better than in any restaurant! I cook European and certain Asian dishes. Our favorite Indian restaurant has unfortunately changed ownership and gone downhill, so we're looking for a new Indian place - in Bethesda, if someone on here can recommend something!

We're not in the habit of ordering fast food. It was always overpriced for the quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BTW, this thread is derogatory about Chinese cuisine, which people for years think should be at rock bottom prices with top tier ingredients. No business can sustain that. So may be stop thinking of it as cheap eats and treat yourself to a special meal at a great place. Most people without expensive ranges would not be able to recreate the high heat that's needed for exceptional Chinese. I do understand that you think you can cook it at home. I use top ingredients and it's healthy; however, it's just not the same.

OP here. I would GLADLY PAY MORE for decent-quality food. Not even spectacular, just decent Chinese. RIP to Grace’s Fortune in Bowie, which did have great-quality Chinese food at high-end prices but was worth every penny. This isn’t derogatory about Chinese cuisine; I have supported my local place for 12 years and would ***gladly pay more*** to maintain some semblance of quality. But if you can’t make decent Crab Rangoon for a few weeks because you can’t get the supplies? Don’t sell it. Or sell it on special. Either make decent-quality at a slightly higher price, or don’t offer the item…and if you do make crap food at high prices, guess what? Your customers will be staying home or choosing another restaurant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most Mexican or tex-mex restaurants , they all have the same menu and it’s all overpriced glop with a big side of cheap rice and beans.

Same with the cheap Chinese carry out, all just glop now with a little bit of low quality meat mixed in.

I agree with this. However, here in the burbs Mexican places often have really affordable lunch menu prices. If you WFH they are a great option! Our nearest Mexican restaurant grills their fajita meat and it’s spectacular for only like $12 at lunch.