I would not call $15-25 for an entree "high end". That's a normal restaurant, nothing special. Unrealistic expectations are probably part of your problem.

Avoid chains. I can't tell which of these posts are OP giving examples, but when you go someplace like Ruth's Chris or McCormick, you're paying for the name. They keep things "basic" in order to ensure consistency across locations and seasons. They won't get adventurous.

Try ordering different things. Don't get a steak unless you're at a restaurant that is known for specializing in steaks. Try the special, or ask your server for recommendations. Try a dish with ingredients or flavors that you don't normally use.

Talk to your server. But don't be an ass when you do - the attitude in your OP won't make you any friends.

I find a lot of restaurants to be boring and "meh," and would much rather just cook and eat at home as long as DH agrees to do the dishes. I only ever find a restaurant experience to be "worth it" if it's actually something creative/different.

Anonymous wrote:My friends and I have been going to a lot of high rated restaurants lately. Most of them fall in the $12-$25 for and entree category. Often I just leave kind of disappointed. It's like I have really high hopes and the food actually turns out to be more like what I could cook at home. I know I'm not paying up to $50 for just the experience right? At least at Olive Garden I know what to expect. The food is good and there are no frills. I know it tastes like something basic and it doesn't try to be pretentious. Maybe the next place my friends and I go to should be an ihop lol

OP, are you a really good cook? I've found that as my cooking skills have gotten better, the more meh restaurant foods tastes. So now I try to order things at restaurants that I don't usually make at home. Like a homemade pasta or porchetta.

However, I won't be joining you at Olive Garden or IHOP...

Anonymous wrote:Get a $15 Chopt Salad. It's filling, great taste and healthy.

$15 for a fast food salad? That's ridiculous.

Get a $15 Chopt Salad. It's filling, great taste and healthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I've spent $30 on an entree, split a $12 appetizer, $50 bottle of wine and a $13 dessert and it was all just meh. Over $100 for a meal and the best part of the meal was the fairly cheap wine.

You sound meh.

You sound like you don't go out to nice dinners often. If you did, you would (like op) expect the meal to be better than something you could make in your kitchen at home.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I've spent $30 on an entree, split a $12 appetizer, $50 bottle of wine and a $13 dessert and it was all just meh. Over $100 for a meal and the best part of the meal was the fairly cheap wine.

You sound meh.

Op here. I've spent $30 on an entree, split a $12 appetizer, $50 bottle of wine and a $13 dessert and it was all just meh. Over $100 for a meal and the best part of the meal was the fairly cheap wine.

Anonymous wrote:Why is "just" in your title twice?

Do you always write the way you talk?

But the "just" is modifying a different word each time

Why is "just" in your title twice?

Do you always write the way you talk?

Anonymous wrote:You've got to be kidding me. $15 is more like a starter. A $15 entree will get you nothing and will be below basic.

This

You have to spend $20-40 per entree for great food or find some great inexpensive dives. Where you are going is just ordinary.

You've got to be kidding me. $15 is more like a starter. A $15 entree will get you nothing and will be below basic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where have you been going? Sounds like they're cooking healthily with less salt, butter, and MSG than a lot of chain places. If you want Olive Garden, just go there. What are you cooking at home? Order something different at the new places you're going to... not something you'd prepare or even know how to prepare.

You sound annoying.

And OP sounds like an entitled spaz.

Why? If you pay $15 for an entree, it should be damned good.

Snort

Cheesecake Factory, Friday's, McCormick schmick, ...
Your're right. If it's not an amazing restaurant I'm done spending money for it.