Do you take food from buffets?

[vcgirl925]

Someone suggested doing this and i'm wondering how you all feel about it ethically? Personally i'm on the fence and leaning towards acceptable...

Someone said that they always keep some ziplock bags in their bags (i do this too but never thought of it for this reason) and when they hit a breakfast buffet they'll take something for the road. Maybe a muffin and a piece of fruit. Or some gummy bears and a cookie. Something for a snack later on. Not like an entire plate of food or anything. The person suggesting it said that she did it because her daughter had a plate with uneaten food and she felt bad that it was go to waste and new her dd would want it later so she put a muffin and a banana in her bag.

Do you do this? Do you think its wrong or a big deal?

 

[BriarRosie]

This is the kind of question I think most people try to avoid asking, but it will scream, "debate!" the moment it's asked.

The technical answer to the question would be, eat what you can when you're there, then leave. But if you put items on your plate, and you believe they will go to waste, the food would have to be tossed out anyway. At that point, I figure you can take that item with you if you had a Ziploc bag.

I think most people agree that it would be poor ettiquette to take a gallon bag's worth of food. But one muffin or piece of fruit? That's reasonable.

 

[Cinderella94]

We only take a banana for breakfast the next morning, if anything.

 

[shellybaxter]

Nope - I don't take food from buffets. I don't judge those who do - but its not right for me

 

[Moeluv4u7]

If it's something that was left on the plate, and I have a way to take it, I would-
not meatloaf or something, but fruit or a bun, something that is contained- Yes, I don't see why anyone would throw that away
Would I or my kids go get more from the buffet to bring to the table to pack away, No! Would I grab an apple or whatever on our way out the door, also No!- I don't judge those who would (I don't tend to pay attention to others at restaurants, unless it cant be helped)
I am not in the habit of letting my kids throw food away at home and we definitely wouldn't let it be thrown out at a restaurant- DH & I will eat most of anything left on their plates til we are full- but contained items would go with us if I had a place to put it-

 

[jc040404]

Do they offer "to go" boxes at buffets?

It just seems tacky and wrong to me. I'd never do it. I might ask our server about this the next time I'm at a disney buffet...

This question got me interested though so I did a bit of searching. I found cases where people have been kicked out of buffets for this, and other cases saying this isn't even legal. I would've thought I could quickly find more info on the subject, as I'm sure everyone has an opinion!

This topic reminds me of Cousin Eddie from the Vagas Vacation movie!

 

[Beca]

No, we absolutely do not do this. My mother did this all throughout my childhood, and still does it today when we go to buffets around town (she takes the food home to my dogs). She says it is because she doesn't want it to go to waste, but the truth is that she puts more on her plate because she wants extras for the dogs....so, it is not just what she says.

It used to embarrass me, and it still does. My mom is also the type of person who does not buy ketchup, mustard, sweet 'n low, or mayonaise becuase she just gets extra packets from restaurants. She also buys a ticket for one movie, and will then see two others for free (how she can see 3 movies in a row is beyond me!!). She also used to make me lie about my age in restaurants, movie theatres, and amusement parks so I could get in for the kids price rather than the adults. Even now when we go to buffets where they charge children $.50 per year as their price, she gives me a hard time because I refuse to lie about my dd's age (she is small for her age and doesn't eat a lot).

What my mom never realized is how bad it made my sister and I feel...like we were burdens and that she couldn't afford how much it cost to take us places. I remember feeling like I had lied and cheated my way into places, and didn't really deserve to be there. I also just felt badly for being a party to the deceit...which always felt like stealing to me. It didn't bother her (and, it still doesn't), but it really bothered me.

Now, I try to remember that my dd is watching. I would never want to make her uncomfortable, or ashamed for getting older. I know all of these scenarios are not what the OP asked, but you never know how your children feel.

I certainly don't mean to judge the OP or anyone for this behavior, and WDW would NEVER stop anyone from doing this, so there is no risk of being confronted. I just wanted to share my experience of growing up with a mom who did a LOT of this type of behavior.

 

[squirrel]

I took the special lactose free waffles that the chef prepared for my niece that she didn't eat in a ziplock. It was our first Character meal at WDW and she hardly ate anything.

Shortly after leaving the restaurant, she was hungry so I pulled out the waffles-she didn't like them without syrup. I tried a bite and they were gross. Had to get her something at a CS.

 

[MarkinNM]

......I think most people agree that it would be poor ettiquette to take a gallon bag's worth of food.

Thanks that’s too funny, I could see it as someone is walking out of Chef Mickey’s with a gallon baggie of gravy and one gallon bag of mashed potato's dripping out the door…….

 

[kathiewe]

One answer.. no.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I remember once at Chef Mickey's this woman went down the buffet line with one of those Glad Ware containers and just filled it right up. She asked for some prime rib, the guy carving looked shocked but they gave it to her. I think its a tad tacky. And so did a lot of people nearby who all got a good laugh as they shook their head at her.

And I feel the pain of the prices of a Disney buffet. I have a 12 year old dd who has been a paying adult for almost three years. At Boma recently, she had her usual: some strawberries, a couple of chicken nuggets and a cookie. All for the bargain price of around $35 plus tax and tip. My daughter sort eats mini meals and I knew that later she'd be hungry. But I wasn't about to take a doggy bag with me. I know its expensive and I know that in general she will never get my money's worth but in the end, I don't think most buffets want, encourage or allow people to fill up bags or containers for later.

I guess I can see why others do this, but for me personally I couldn't. I'd be mortified if they said something. Plus, I don't want to carry around baggies of buffet food.

 

[Hopefully]

Simply put, NO. Buffets are "All you care to eat" while you are there. Taking food "to go" is wrong. Even a muffin or a banana. People who do this are part of the reason we all pay so much, as it raises food costs.

 

[Alesia]

Simply put, NO. Buffets are "All you care to eat" while you are there. Taking food "to go" is wrong. Even a muffin or a banana. People who do this are part of the reason we all pay so much, as it raises food costs.

I agree. It's stealing.

My daughter and I both have small appetites. I never feel like we get our money's worth, so we very rarely go to buffets. We we do go, I just take the loss.

 

[Tricia1972]

The policy at buffets generally is "No". However, if you would like to take items from the buffet, just check with you server while at the restaurant. They'll let you know if it's OK or not.

Whether or not anyone else does it on the sly isn't up for debate on the Restaurant Board.