Who regularly shares meals

[eliza61]

A sharing charge is reasonable, particularly if you split the entree in the kitchen. Even Shula's only charges $10 for sharing. For a $15 sharing charge I'd expect the dinner split in the kitchen, an extra salad and probably extra potato and vegetable.

Disney2d2--Most of a restaurants expenses aren't the cost of the food. The sharing charge is to cover your share of the cost of running the restaurant. If every party of two ordered one meal the restaurant would have to almost double their prices. It makes sense, and it's fair, for the restaurant to operate that way. It certainly makes sense for you to skip restaurants that have policies you aren't happy with.

Exactly. We are very polite and always explain our policies. Believe it or not we rarely get anyone who disagree with it and our portions generally are huge (we call our take out bags- elephant bags instead of doggie bags). I find that most people want the same thing. Good food for a good value and that's what we consistenly give them (Over 40 years, same NYC location. Which in a city of restaurants is saying some thing). I remember when we instituted the no-cell phone rule during dinner, every one thought it would be a huge blow out but you know what nothing happened. We gently ask people to turn their cell phones off or put them on vibrate so as not to disturb other diners, now every one is doing it. Same thing with sharing entrees, over time it raises the cost of all the meals if it were wide spread. We truly don't have many complaints. As to the other poster, we like to think all our guest have functioning brains.

 

[disney2d2]

My husband and I eat out a lot and we very rarely ever see other people sharing one meal between two people. I have started to look for people sharing because of all the threads here on the Dis and I have to say that maybe its a regional thing to do because it just isn't happening around here.

To tell you the truth, I don't think many people do it up here either. But that doesn't stop me from doing what I want. Also, sharing would be silly if you are only ordering one entree and no appetizer or dessert. On the other hand, if you have to order an appetizer, entree and dessert (1 TS credit) the three can be easily shared between two adults with average appetites.

eliza61: It's not to say anything bad about your restaurant. I live in Rockland and we head down to the city at least two or three times a month (besides the local Chili's & Fridays) to try different restaurants ranging in cusines such as a Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Veitnamese, Korean, Middle Eastern, Turkish, Italian, Greek, Indian, Persian etc. etc. (from $6 an entree to $30+) and I am not exaggerating if I say that I have yet to experience a policy as yours. Good for you if it's working for your business. It's just not something I'd be confortable with. Sharing a meal I paid for the way I want to is like a 'right' to me.

All I ask for is an extra plate... but only if the server isn't smart enough to bring one by himself.

 

[Lewisc]

My husband and I eat out a lot and we very rarely ever see other people sharing one meal between two people. I have started to look for people sharing because of all the threads here on the Dis and I have to say that maybe its a regional thing to do because it just isn't happening around here.

While we share appetizers and sometimes a dessert we always order separate entrees.

The better restaurants, particularly those with a sharing charge, will split the meal in the kitchen. They'll usually include extra potato and vegetable. Most guests wouldn't even notice the steak looked small.

 

[goodeats]

DH and I will only share if we know the portions ahead of time. For instance there's a BBQ restaurant near us that has ridiculous portions. We share one entree and are way too full for anything us. But at most places we just take leftovers home. He's kind of territorial with his food. When we do order dessert tend to share it unless it's a special occasion. Even then we tend to split a soufle or something. We don't usually order appetizers, but if it's a chain type of place we tend to share. If it's a nicer place we each get our own because the portions are meant to be individual (i.e. one crab cake is the norm at a swankier type of restaurant).

If I go out with my sister it tends to be at Disney. We will usually share appetizers and desserts, but not entrees. Unless we know the portions are just ridiculous (Hello ESPN!). Even then we still don't eat everything. If we were on the dining plan we would probably split meals a lot. But not at the signature restaurants.

 

[HaleyB]

I have learned not to try and share with my DH.

However my parents and my in-laws split meals all the time. They are older and just can not eat much. They are also from that generation that feels strongly that waste is a sin. Telling them the food will be wasted either way as the kitchen has already stocked it is pointless.

We eat out with them often and have never been told no. I would be offended if we were. We always tip extra for the extra service and we never mind a split plate charge.

 

[Mariposa]

DFiance and I always share appetizer and dessert (if we get dessert) and have been known to share entrees fairly frequently as well.

Having been a waitress at a variety of restaurants of different types- from Waffle House to upscale seafood or Italian- I've had MANY, MANY people share entrees in a variety of configurations at all of them and I've never worked anywhere that charged a split plate fee (although I know of a place or two that do, but it tends to be around $5 at most AND goes to the waitstaff). I'll also say that most people I've served split entrees to have been nice enough to adjust their tips upward.

 

[CherylA]

I think its so funny that some people don't feel comfortable splitting meals. It never would have occured to me. My husband doesn't like to share entrees (hes a big eater) but will share appetizers and desserts. My kids almost always eat off my plate or share a kids meal (they are 4 and 1) When I go out with my mom or my sister or a girlfriend we often will each order a house salad and share an entree. I have never felt funny about it.

I am always amused by the different ways people do things. What one family thinks is totally normal another thinks is totally weird. I'll never forget the time I asked everyone I knew in college if they peed in the shower. I was shocked at how many people not only said they didn't, but were totally discusted by the fact that I did. I thought it was normal; we always peed in the shower at my house!

 

[mefordis]

Well, the weight first off is before cooking. Secondly, the porterhouse does have a bone (it is a T-bone steak with a bit of filet mignon on one side of the T). A 16 oz prime rib at outback is boneless. And I eat it all. And I am not obese (though I could lose a few pounds). And maybe a weight watchers serving is 4 oz, but I bet you would laugh if you saw a 4 oz steak and thought it was supposed to be dinner. But everyone is different, so that's why I started this thread. I actually was gonna make it a Poll, but I messed up and it posted before I added the poll.

This perfectly illustrates the distorted view americans have of portion sizes. 4 oz of steak IS a normal size for a woman. (In fact, i just had 3.5 oz of steak for lunch, along with 1/2 oz of cheese and I am full.) The serving size for men should be no greater than 7 oz, and I'm talking for a bodybuilder.

The standard gauge for a portion of meat is really the size of the palm of your hand. I would say 12 oz would probably be two very big palms. I think we, as americans, need to readjust our idea of portion sizes or we are very unlikely to reverse this obesity trend we are facing as a society.

 

[frayedend]

This perfectly illustrates the distorted view americans have of portion sizes. 4 oz of steak IS a normal size for a woman. (In fact, i just had 3.5 oz of steak for lunch, along with 1/2 oz of cheese and I am full.) The serving size for men should be no greater than 7 oz, and I'm talking for a bodybuilder.

The standard gauge for a portion of meat is really the size of the palm of your hand. I would say 12 oz would probably be two very big palms. I think we, as americans, need to readjust our idea of portion sizes or we are very unlikely to reverse this obesity trend we are facing as a society.

Well first let me respond by saying that I am a MAN!!! So 4 oz is not enough. Secondly, I don't go to the Outback every day. And I am not obese. So the fact that I eat a 16 oz prime rib when I am afforded the time to go out to eat does not make me a part of the obesity trend. Quite honestly, while I see your point, I have to disagree. There is no 1 gauge of how much someone should eat. It depends on way too many things, height, build, genetics, metabolism. For example, I have 2 golden retrievers. They both get the EXACT same amount of food and treats every single day. There is never ever a difference. One dog is very overweight. The other is extremely thin. I'm not saying dogs and people are the same, just that it depends on a lot of things other than the size of my steak.

Okay, okay, I know. I'm just trying to justify eating a huge steak because I love it sooo darn much

Okay, back on topic now...(Actually I'm surprised how many replies there are).

 

[frayedend]

I think its so funny that some people don't feel comfortable splitting meals. It never would have occured to me. My husband doesn't like to share entrees (hes a big eater) but will share appetizers and desserts. My kids almost always eat off my plate or share a kids meal (they are 4 and 1) When I go out with my mom or my sister or a girlfriend we often will each order a house salad and share an entree. I have never felt funny about it.

I am always amused by the different ways people do things. What one family thinks is totally normal another thinks is totally weird. I'll never forget the time I asked everyone I knew in college if they peed in the shower. I was shocked at how many people not only said they didn't, but were totally discusted by the fact that I did. I thought it was normal; we always peed in the shower at my house!

What resort and rooms do you stay in??? I don't wanna step in pee

PS. You don't pee in the pool do you???

 

[disney2d2]

I'll never forget the time I asked everyone I knew in college if they peed in the shower. I was shocked at how many people not only said they didn't, but were totally discusted by the fact that I did. I thought it was normal; we always peed in the shower at my house!

I don't do that... but I did pee in a couple of pools as a kid, probably just out of despite.

 

[toocooltobeMom]

My DH, DS and I never need to share our entree's at all. They can clean their plates withour any problem . We normally take a bit off eachothers' plate for tastings. One might not have thought that we are heavy eaters from the outside (we are all slim, especially my DS who's 14.5 yrs old, 5'7" That poor thing weighs only 105 - 110 lbs) I am 130lbs 5'5" while DH is 160lbs @5'10"

So look out DDP!

 

[Lewisc]

A restaurant that serves a 4-7 oz portion of steak would not get many customers unless the meal was priced far below a profitable price for the restaurant. Customers would expect the price to be cut in half but the cost reduction to the restuarant, the reduced cost of the beef, is only a few dollars.

I don't see a solution. I wonder if a restaurant serving smaller portion sizes but offering seconds, either unlimited or just one extra portion, might be a partial solution. Customers would feel they can get their monies worth without having the "pressure" to finish all the food on their plate.

This perfectly illustrates the distorted view americans have of portion sizes. 4 oz of steak IS a normal size for a woman. (In fact, i just had 3.5 oz of steak for lunch, along with 1/2 oz of cheese and I am full.) The serving size for men should be no greater than 7 oz, and I'm talking for a bodybuilder.

The standard gauge for a portion of meat is really the size of the palm of your hand. I would say 12 oz would probably be two very big palms. I think we, as americans, need to readjust our idea of portion sizes or we are very unlikely to reverse this obesity trend we are facing as a society.

 

[familydisney]

Our family rarely orders off the kids menu. The portions are usually too small (and expensive) for DSes 7 &5. At Disney, we often share at CS restaurants. For example , at Marakhesh ( I think that's the CS in morrocco) we get two rotisserie chicken meals with couscous or rice and a salad and the whole family shares it. That's one whole chicken for a family of four plus salad-- plenty!

At Table service, we are on our own, but we do share with each other so we can all enjoy the different dishes!

 

[solgent]

My kids have small appetites, and they will stop as soon as they've had enough regardless of what amount is left. They often share. When the older ones were 8 or 9 and the little one was 4 or 5, the three of them used to eat a single bagel with cream cheese for lunch! The older two would each have a quarter of the bagel and the youngest would have half! They have gotten a bit bigger and hungrier since then.

I also sometimes "share" with them in that I don't order as much as I really want to eat, because I anticipate that they won't finish their portions and I'll eat the leftovers.

In these instances, I tip 20-25% of the total with tax because I know that we didn't rack up as much of a bill would be typical for that number of people.

 

[disney2d2]

Our family rarely orders off the kids menu. The portions are usually too small (and expensive) for DSes 7 &5. At Disney, we often share at CS restaurants. For example , at Marakhesh ( I think that's the CS in morrocco) we get two rotisserie chicken meals with couscous or rice and a salad and the whole family shares it. That's one whole chicken for a family of four plus salad-- plenty!

Isn't Marrakesh a table service place???

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Isn't Marrakesh a table service place???

Yes it is. I believe they meant to say the Tangierine Cafe.

 

[50 years Too!]

We are going to DW in March and are Paying for the DDP.
We are taking four nieces and our two children. The ages of DN are 10, 10, 11 and 15. My DD is 20, but a very light eater. I don't like to eat a lot. My DS 17 and husband are average eaters. You can bet we will be sharing at some restaurants. No way will the nieces and my daughter want that much food. Since the three girls who are 10, 10, and 11 can't pay children's price they will order off the adult menu. But instead of ordering 8 entrees we will probably order 5 or 6. We plan to go to Hoop de Doo Review which takes 2, so will use the extra there.
At home we usually all order our own and take home leftovers. Since that won't happen at DW I hate to see all that food go to waste!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I'm glad I've never been to your family's restaurant... I'd probably just get up and leave politely if I were told that I've gotta pay $15 for having a small appetite and functional brain.

Yeah. My family owned a restaurant for 10 years and we would have lost some customers over that one. Not that we had a lot of people sharing.....it didn't happen too often. But if they shared an entree, that usually meant they were ordering Appt. and dessert/s so it came out about even anyway.

eliza61.........your family must have a fancier place than ours to get away with that! (no offense at all, I know that "better" restaurants charge a sharing fee)

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

we always peed in the shower at my house!

Oh, where is the Tag Fairy when you need her!!