Two-top tables in restaurants have got to go!

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Was going to comment the same thing. I usually eat at a restaurant by myself or with 1 other person. If the restaurant has a bar, I'll opt to sit there for quicker service and more space vs being crammed into a 2 top.

I used to eat solo at restaurants a lot more. And I always just sat at a regular table. As I said, I was afraid someone from church was going to walk in and see me sitting at the bar.

 

[soccerdad72]

I used to eat solo at restaurants a lot more. And I always just sat at a regular table. As I said, I was afraid someone from church was going to walk in and see me sitting at the bar.

People at your church wouldn't understand that you can eat at a bar without drinking alcohol?

 

[tvguy]

I'm sure you have, unless you don't frequent restaurants much at all other than a few.

3 meals a day for a week during our Princess Cruise Land tour in September.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'll opt to sit there for quicker service and more space vs being crammed into a 2 top.

I often eat at the bar when I'm solo. Most bars I've found though, when all the seats are filled, have very little space.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I often eat at the bar when I'm solo. Most bars I've found though, when all the seats are filled, have very little space.

I don't order a ton of items so it's enough space for me. I'll still choose the bar over a 2 top.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

I said sometimes we'll ask for a 4 top. Geez. What does it matter. There's always open tables, including plenty of 4 person. There's just no much room for 2 large people, especially when one carries a purse and won't put it anywhere near the floor. Has to go on the bench, and I have to have a place to put my hat cause I have to take it off when I eat. Just easier for us.

What you said (typed) is whenever you go out you do this. I just think it's odd that a grown person does this. I totally understand needing the space, but just ask for it.

My ex was obese (I'm not in any way saying you are, I'm using this as an example) and when we would talk to the hostess we would just ask for a 4 top table and not a booth for space concerns. It was never an issue. I would feel so weird consistently pretending we were waiting for two people who never existed.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

What you said (typed) is whenever you go out you do this. I just think it's odd that a grown person does this. I totally understand needing the space, but just ask for it.

My ex was obese (I'm not in any way saying you are, I'm using this as an example) and when we would talk to the hostess we would just ask for a 4 top table and not a booth for space concerns. It was never an issue. I would feel so weird consistently pretending we were waiting for two people who never existed.

Oh I'm obese (6-3, 265). But that's neither here nor there. DW doesn't like sitting at regular tables with chairs. Has to have a booth and has to sit facing the door so she can see out. Of course, places like Texas Roadhouse only have booths, so it's not a problem. But places like Saltgrass have both, so we have to ask for a booth once we arrive.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

DH and I usually eat at the bar (unless we are going out for a nice dinner). But if we don't want to eat at the bar we just say we are a party of 2 and if they ask we usually prefer a booth to a table. If we order an appetizer and we just want to sit for awhile we usually won't put our order in until we are finished with the appetizer so the courses don't pile up on top of each other and we let the server know. But it's rare we order an appetizer. If we want another drink and to continue chatting we make our way to the bar so the server can turn the table.

On cruises when we've eaten at those tables for 2 that are squished together we often ended up chatting with the people on either side of us. You know they can't help but hear you and vice versa. Sometimes we end up making plans to meet up later for drinks or a meal.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

3 meals a day for a week during our Princess Cruise Land tour in September.

Okay...and your point. Do you frequent dining out normally, do you frequent different places? I was just in Phoenix and ate at 3 different places in 3 different cities that had 2 spot tables, in my own area a variety of places are like that. Our favorite breakfast place is like that. 4 seaters are quite common for sure but 2 seaters are plentiful as well. So back to my comment if you can't remember the last time you encountered my guess is you don't frequent eating out or only go to the same few places. Branch out more and you'll find more.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

People at your church wouldn't understand that you can eat at a bar without drinking alcohol?

One of our dear DISer friends was like the PP and their church (well how they assume they would be), I mean one time (when they lived here) they invited us all over to their apartment for pizza and because we knew their stance on alcohol we asked if they minded if we brought over beer for us, they said "well I trust you and I know you won't get drunk but just 1 beer and you'll have to take it with you because I don't want my friends to come see beer containers in my trash and think I'm drinking".......both my husband and I were like uhhhh it's okay really it's not that important to drink (it really isn't) .

Fast forward a few years once they moved down to Orlando and a bit into the pandemic had their first "adult beverage" and has never made any sort of comment since then. I'm not even sure they remember that interaction but it stuck with us and now they imbibe every now and then on adult drinks without judgement regarding others. They were/are very religious and brought up that way so I could see where the PP is coming from but if I felt that way about my church, that they would judge me like that with no cause pretty sure I would find a different church.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't order a ton of items so it's enough space for me. I'll still choose the bar over a 2 top.

We recently left a place near us because they only had two spots at the bar but we were there to get dinner and a drink, if we were there to get just drinks (they brew their own beer and used to only have a food truck out back for food and only due to state laws at that time) I would have taken the bar or if we were just going to nibble on stuff and get a drink I would have been perfectly fine with the bar.

 

[tvguy]

Okay...and your point. Do you frequent dining out normally, do you frequent different places? I was just in Phoenix and ate at 3 different places in 3 different cities that had 2 spot tables, in my own area a variety of places are like that. Our favorite breakfast place is like that. 4 seaters are quite common for sure but 2 seaters are plentiful as well. So back to my comment if you can't remember the last time you encountered my guess is you don't frequent eating out or only go to the same few places. Branch out more and you'll find more.

Well that was 21 meals in restaurants I had never been in before in the last 4 months so probably a good sampling.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well that was 21 meals in restaurants I had never been in before in the last 4 months so probably a good sampling.

We're not talking about your cruise, again "other than the cruise in September" is your words. If you aren't seeing these 2 seaters again outside of your cruise my comment is the same either you frequent the same few places and/or don't go out to eat much. I know this is a silly point to belabor but like you're the one who said other than your cruise

Other than our cruise in September, I can't remember being in a restaurant that even had two place tables. Nothing smaller than 4 as I recall.

 

[tvguy]

We're not talking about your cruise, again "other than the cruise in September" is your words. If you aren't seeing these 2 seaters again outside of your cruise my comment is the same either you frequent the same few places and/or don't go out to eat much. I know this is a silly point to belabor but like you're the one who said other than your cruise

No I am a very loyal customer to about 12 restaurants within 3 miles of my home which is why my pre-cruise experience is a much better sampling.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No I am a very loyal customer to about 12 restaurants within 3 miles of my home which is why my pre-cruise experience is a much better sampling.

lol okay so you answered my question after 3 comments...you only patronize certain same locations. got it don't know why that was difficult to say because it answered it. You already covered that on your cruise you saw ones, that's why you put in there that other than that you didn't recall...and the reason you didn't recall is because you only go to the same few restaurants in your area

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I worked at a small restaurant while working on a secondary degree. We had ONE table that was officially a 2-top. From the business side of the fence, it makes sense to seat a party of two there as the restaurant is in the business of making a profit and having two people occupying a space designed for four doesn't exactly work with the fiscal logic here. The same thought process can be applied to the servers assigned to tables. The person who was assigned the 2-top during dinner service was also given the tips for the bar since logic would say you're not going to make as much money on that 2-top.

Look, I get it...we all want room and a comfortable environment when we're spending a bit extra and dining out but it's just not realistic or financially responsible for the business when you consider the numbers (which is what keeps them in business). Not that anyone likes to think this way, but if the restaurant is good enough, missing out on patrons who shun true 2-top tables isn't likely to hurt them.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I don't see an issue with asking for a larger table if one is available.

 

[tvguy]

lol okay so you answered my question after 3 comments...you only patronize certain same locations. got it don't know why that was difficult to say because it answered it. You already covered that on your cruise you saw ones, that's why you put in there that other than that you didn't recall...and the reason you didn't recall is because you only go to the same few restaurants in your area

Well, been a few decades since I took statistics but the OTHER experience has more statistical validity.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well, been a few decades since I took statistics but the OTHER experience has more statistical validity.

I think I explained myself pretty clear on my first comment so I'm going to leave that here

I'm sure you have, unless you don't frequent restaurants much at all other than a few.

 

[AppleDumpling]

DH and I eat out often. I prefer a booth over a table, and a 4-top table over a 2-top, but it’s not a big deal that I’d get upset if I don’t get my preference. We’re pretty flexible.

When a place is busy, you may not have a choice. Sometimes they’ll offer your preferred table type in exchange for a longer wait, which we typically turn down to be seated quicker, unless it’s something like a place with a waterfront view, or in warmer weather, the option of indoor or outdoor seating. The one thing I really don’t like is high-top tables. I’m short and don’t like to sit with my legs dangling, and they’re usually just not as comfortable for me as regular height tables.