We have a HHI and Yes. It is ridiculously expensive and the quality is meh. Will still go out occasionally for things we don’t make at home, sushi, great TexMex, Thai etc. but rarely now maybe once a week. It’s just not worth it and it’s shocking how much it adds up to. 2x a week at $100+ a meal is 800. I’d rather spend it on something else.

I grew up poor so I never ate out anyway. I don't eat out much now.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but not because of financial issues, more due to service and food quality issues. My 3 teens still uber eats and get fast food like it's going out of style.

+1. Except for a few small local places, the food is so bad.

We used to eat out once a week, but not it’s more like every two months. It became so disappointing to spend tons of money on bad service, messed up orders, or favorite dishes that fell short. Our favorite standbys really struggled to maintain the same level of service and quality after Covid, and when we do try new places we’re usually mad at ourselves after for wasting the money. We don’t live in the dmv anymore so maybe it’s specific to our area?

Now we save eating out for travel. I’ve been wondering if we should try to eat at local fancy hotels, because on trips it seems like really nice properties have been able to maintain the same quality of staff, training and ingredients.

Not really, because I was never big on eating out.
There are a few dishes I miss, but I take them to go only if I happen to be nearby and hungry.
Eating out was for entertainment or treat when I was younger. I don't need have the need for either anymore.
Italian, Mexican, and any diner food has been so bad lately, we only did it because family was in town.

I’ve completely stopped eating out/ordering out. Used to eat out 2-3x a week. Now, never ever. If I want an easy meal I get premade sushi at Sam’s or grocery or a wrap at TJ’s.

No. Starbucks $9/day
Bagels on the weekends $50
A few lunches a week $50
2-3 dinners a week $500

Absolutely - we never ordered takeout much, but average 1-2x per month. I ALWAYS order directly from the restaurant and pick it up - the Uber Eats / DoorDash fees (in addition to higher menu prices!) are outrageous and completely avoidable. There are also cheaper options out there if you look - we like Harris Teeter’s $8 takeout pizza for a fast dinner.

I’ve also decided that I will not tip on counter service anymore as a rule of thumb. The mental gymnastics of deciding if / when / how much was exhausting - if the person is just making my bowl and I have to get my own drink, utensils, and bus my own table, I feel no qualms about this. I tip 20% base (often more) for table service.

Either "yes!" Or "I wish!"

The costs of eating out really seem to have jumped. Prepandemic I think a Roti bowl was around $10, and now it is closer to $20.

I realize workers are underpaid and experiencing inflation too, but tipping seems out of control -- the same 20% for counter service that you pay at a sit down place?

Some food can be really disappointing too, either just mediocre, or something I could make at home. It can be unhealthy too salt or fried or just too many calories.

But, we struggle in our household as DH doesn't really like what I cook. Our DC and I like the same things. So, there is more eating out than I'd choose on my own. Vacation is all eating out.

Something DH and I both like, we are part of organizations that routinely host meals. These are not restaurants, but really good food out, most of which is for a good cause.

Yes. We could afford it but it bothers me to spend so much. The downturn in service has also been frustrating.

We get Taco Bell all the time and I have no idea how you paid $45 for it.

Before Covid I got coffee and lunch every day. Now I WFH and usually eat at home, or I stretch a take out lunch over two meals. We cook dinner every night and go out for dinner once every couple weeks. We only get delivery once a month, the fees are so high now. We don't go to fancy restaurants either. Thai food or a happy hour is all we do. There have been several new expensive places that have opened up nearby and I don't know how people afford to support them regularly.

If you got $45 of food from Taco Bell for two people, that’s on you. Here is the group menu, so don’t try to BS us; you literally could have gotten a MEAL FOR FOUR for $20.83. You literally could have added a DRINKS PARTY PACK for $4. There’s also a veggie meal for 2, so don’t try to backtrack and pull that card.

https://www.tacobell.com/food/party-packs

If you ate more than that, you are total pigs and nothing more to be said.

We get take out but rarely go out to eat. It’s a ridiculous amount of money for 5 people.

DH and I get the Panera subscription for coffee and that is definitely still worth it. I hate Starbucks though.

No, but we never get delivery anymore because it's such a ripoff.