What’s not worth it anymore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oh eff off. I make a true MC income (nurse) and what you call next level nickel/diming is just sensible when you earn what I do. (spoiler alert: it's not $200k, $500k or $750k like everyone on DCUM).

I absolutely skimp on drinks during the rare meals out and will continue to do so. Beverages are the highest profit margin item on any menu and I happen to actually like water with a meal. Screw you for saying I should never eat a meal out ("just don't go"). The reason people like me CAN go out is that we don't piss away $37 a person on alcoholic drinks or $16/person on Coke.

Agreed. I was raised MC and am still MC. Going out has always been a luxury, and the main course is the main event. We don't have to get drinks, appetizers, or dessert every time. That's never been my expectation.

[Anonymous]

The irony of your post is that I cut back on dining out big time in the last four years despite record illegal immigration. It sure didn't make dining out less expensive!

I'm an excellent home cook so whenever eating out I couldn't avoid the reality that I was paying the equivalent of half the week's grocery bill for one perfectly pleasant but not amazing meal. So I stopped the habit of takeaways and eating out and never looked back. Do eat out when traveling (and get tired of it soon enough) but otherwise at home I cook every day. And it's no big deal because I do enjoy it. And I cook everything from traditional American to French and Chinese and Middle Eastern so we have plenty of variety. By the way, once I sharpened my skills on Chinese at home, takeaway Chinese the few rare times I have it at a friend's house is always overly salty/greasy/oily/sweet.

What's also not "worth" it to me is a big expensive prime rib roast. We had the annual Christmas rib roast and it was nice but it's still a big boring expensive piece of meat. I'd much rather have had something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The irony of your post is that I cut back on dining out big time in the last four years despite record illegal immigration. It sure didn't make dining out less expensive!

I'm an excellent home cook so whenever eating out I couldn't avoid the reality that I was paying the equivalent of half the week's grocery bill for one perfectly pleasant but not amazing meal. So I stopped the habit of takeaways and eating out and never looked back. Do eat out when traveling (and get tired of it soon enough) but otherwise at home I cook every day. And it's no big deal because I do enjoy it. And I cook everything from traditional American to French and Chinese and Middle Eastern so we have plenty of variety. By the way, once I sharpened my skills on Chinese at home, takeaway Chinese the few rare times I have it at a friend's house is always overly salty/greasy/oily/sweet.

What's also not "worth" it to me is a big expensive prime rib roast. We had the annual Christmas rib roast and it was nice but it's still a big boring expensive piece of meat. I'd much rather have had something else.

Have you tried Beef Wellington? I love making that for Christmas. I let the excess pastry puff out around the meat, instead of rolling it tightly into a cylinder, and it's even tastier that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oh eff off. I make a true MC income (nurse) and what you call next level nickel/diming is just sensible when you earn what I do. (spoiler alert: it's not $200k, $500k or $750k like everyone on DCUM).

I absolutely skimp on drinks during the rare meals out and will continue to do so. Beverages are the highest profit margin item on any menu and I happen to actually like water with a meal. Screw you for saying I should never eat a meal out ("just don't go"). The reason people like me CAN go out is that we don't piss away $37 a person on alcoholic drinks or $16/person on Coke.

Agreed. I was raised MC and am still MC. Going out has always been a luxury, and the main course is the main event. We don't have to get drinks, appetizers, or dessert every time. That's never been my expectation.

+2 When you grow up poor you figure out how to enjoy things without feeling compelled to order EVERYTHING. It’s a weird thing to say that someone shouldn’t go to a restaurant if they aren’t going to order a paid drink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oh eff off. I make a true MC income (nurse) and what you call next level nickel/diming is just sensible when you earn what I do. (spoiler alert: it's not $200k, $500k or $750k like everyone on DCUM).

I absolutely skimp on drinks during the rare meals out and will continue to do so. Beverages are the highest profit margin item on any menu and I happen to actually like water with a meal. Screw you for saying I should never eat a meal out ("just don't go"). The reason people like me CAN go out is that we don't piss away $37 a person on alcoholic drinks or $16/person on Coke.

Agreed. I was raised MC and am still MC. Going out has always been a luxury, and the main course is the main event. We don't have to get drinks, appetizers, or dessert every time. That's never been my expectation.

+2 When you grow up poor you figure out how to enjoy things without feeling compelled to order EVERYTHING. It’s a weird thing to say that someone shouldn’t go to a restaurant if they aren’t going to order a paid drink.

I agree. We order what we have a hankering for, but it's practically never a meal plus a drink plus a dessert. Usually it's just the main dish. Rarely a drink. Practically never a dessert - I make them better at home!

[Anonymous]

^ and I was never poor. I grew up middle class and I am now wealthy. I just don't need to eat and drink all that in one sitting.

[Anonymous]

It has really challenges me to learn how to cook more things at home. We feel like pizza on a Friday night? Spaghetti sauce on bagels plus shredded cheese will satisfy that itch nine times out of ten. My daughter wants orange chicken for her birthday? I learned how to make it in a crockpot recipe. I know nothing here will pass any gourmet tests, but you do what you have to do, and pick up new skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oh eff off. I make a true MC income (nurse) and what you call next level nickel/diming is just sensible when you earn what I do. (spoiler alert: it's not $200k, $500k or $750k like everyone on DCUM).

I absolutely skimp on drinks during the rare meals out and will continue to do so. Beverages are the highest profit margin item on any menu and I happen to actually like water with a meal. Screw you for saying I should never eat a meal out ("just don't go"). The reason people like me CAN go out is that we don't piss away $37 a person on alcoholic drinks or $16/person on Coke.

Agreed. I was raised MC and am still MC. Going out has always been a luxury, and the main course is the main event. We don't have to get drinks, appetizers, or dessert every time. That's never been my expectation.

+2 When you grow up poor you figure out how to enjoy things without feeling compelled to order EVERYTHING. It’s a weird thing to say that someone shouldn’t go to a restaurant if they aren’t going to order a paid drink.

I agree. We order what we have a hankering for, but it's practically never a meal plus a drink plus a dessert. Usually it's just the main dish. Rarely a drink. Practically never a dessert - I make them better at home!

I love having a signature drink, sharing an appetizer, etc. before the meal, enjoying the ambiance and company... To me, that's part of dining out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Brunch! I don't need to pay $20 for eggs or pancake variations I could make at home.

This is why I almost always order eggs Benedict or sausage gravy at brunch because neither of us make it.

I love to make eggs benedict. I wish I could have a "supper club" that is just brunch, with just eggs benedict for you guys. It would be family style because that's how it all comes together with fresh Hollandaise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

OP here. In all seriousness, tell me the name of great Chinese restaurants. I would be happy to visit and pay more. Happy to.

That being said, even Tom Sietsema and Don Rockwell said for more than a decade that you can’t get *good* Chinese in the DC area. So I’m very interested to hear your recommendations.

Each restaurant specializes in a few good dishes. You can't order everything and expect them all good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chinese food here just isn't good. Some of it is OK. That's all.

I think it is the material: most food in US is grown for size instead of flavor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

OP here. In all seriousness, tell me the name of great Chinese restaurants. I would be happy to visit and pay more. Happy to.

That being said, even Tom Sietsema and Don Rockwell said for more than a decade that you can’t get *good* Chinese in the DC area. So I’m very interested to hear your recommendations.

Don Rockwell? Seriously? What decade are you posting from? I don’t recall Tom Sietsema making that claim, and would be very surprised if he did so recently. For starters, try any Peter Chang restaurant. The McLean and Rockville ones are great. We also like A&J in Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Eat out about once a month. It used to be closer to once a week. I think it will dwindle to only when traveling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Clearly you don’t get out much. Sodas now cost $4 + each at many restaurants. For a family of four that’s almost a $20 savings. Per meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oh eff off. I make a true MC income (nurse) and what you call next level nickel/diming is just sensible when you earn what I do. (spoiler alert: it's not $200k, $500k or $750k like everyone on DCUM).

I absolutely skimp on drinks during the rare meals out and will continue to do so. Beverages are the highest profit margin item on any menu and I happen to actually like water with a meal. Screw you for saying I should never eat a meal out ("just don't go"). The reason people like me CAN go out is that we don't piss away $37 a person on alcoholic drinks or $16/person on Coke.

Agreed. I was raised MC and am still MC. Going out has always been a luxury, and the main course is the main event. We don't have to get drinks, appetizers, or dessert every time. That's never been my expectation.

+2 When you grow up poor you figure out how to enjoy things without feeling compelled to order EVERYTHING. It’s a weird thing to say that someone shouldn’t go to a restaurant if they aren’t going to order a paid drink.

I agree. We order what we have a hankering for, but it's practically never a meal plus a drink plus a dessert. Usually it's just the main dish. Rarely a drink. Practically never a dessert - I make them better at home!

I love having a signature drink, sharing an appetizer, etc. before the meal, enjoying the ambiance and company... To me, that's part of dining out

Great! Just accept that not everyone enjoys the restaurant experience in that way.