Would you like a smaller portion with that?

[bicker]

All this talk about sharing meals and such has gotten me thinking. Lots of folks say that they want to share meals because the portions are too large and they don't want to "waste" food. That being the case, would you react positively to the following notation, on the menu, and verbally provided by your server?

"For our guests concerned about large portions, we will gladly prepare any entree with a smaller portion, at the posted menu price. Just let us know when you order."

If you're one of those people who want to share meals, would this fully satisfy you?

 

[hsmamato2]

I personallly dislike the big portions,and the cost associated with it...I'd like a menu with smaller portions along with prices that match....otherwise- we'll continue to share......I do think it "justifies" the cost of overpriced restaurant food to super size the portions,and inflate the cost- b/c lots of people just buy by the person,not considering the money wasted with uneaten food-
so my family of 4 will still buy 2 meals at Pecos Bills for lunch,plus one large soda,if the 'meals' were smaller,we'd buy 4......but if they were smaller,and the price was the same as the big ones,we'd come up with alternative plans or is this more of a dining plan ??? b/c that's where we can't justify the $$$ for our family,knowing the amount of food we'd feel obligated to order,and not eat-

 

[bicker]

By the same token, perhaps then the restaurant should just serve smaller portions by default, at the current menu prices, and the menu should state, "Larger portions available on request, at no charge." Would folks just each order their own meals then?

 

[mrsltg]

I would like the portion size to stay the same because I have two grubby kids stealing from my plate! My girls are 6 & 2 and they generally eat off my plate regardless of what we order for them so if the portions were smaller I might starve to death at WDW....

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I want to pay for what I eat. For example our local steak house has a 4oz/6oz/8oz filet. The price reflects the size cut you choose. I also saw at applebee's they offer half portion salads and full portion salads and the price reflects what you choose. That way everyone is happy.

 

[wendy46001]

I will sacrifice quantity for quality....but if your serving me a smaller portion of the same thing then it better be cheaper

 

[tkd lisa]

I'm probably one of the people that fits your question.

And I voted no. While I don't like to waste food, I'll also admit to being cheap. If I'm willing to share a meal (and leave a larger than normal tip), then why should I have to pay for the privilege of a seat.

Restaurants have the option to institute a sharing charge, or an entertainment charge. I've been to places that do.

 

[bicker]

Yeah, okay, that's what I expected, and it really just won't work, because I don't think customers at WDW will ever come to accept the differential between changes in portion sizes and the appropriate changes in price (i.e., a 16 oz steak = $25.00; an 8 oz steak = $20.25; a 4 oz steak = $17.88; a 2 oz steak = $16.69).

 

[DVC Sadie]

I would be very happy if WDW would downsize their meals but would improve the quality of food being served. That way WDW would save money and we (the consumer) would get the quality of food that we had come to expect in years gone by. The price isn't the issue but quality is a priority.

 

[Lewisc]

A good compromise would be to offer complimentary "seconds". This probably wouldn't work with entrées like lobster or a steak but would work with many (most?) entrées. Outback offers a half sized steak, the menu price is about 25% lower.

The initial serving could be small enough to discourage sharing and the free "seconds" would make it easy to justify a no sharing policy.

The reality is most of us wouldn't want a smaller portion for the same, or even slightly lower, price. Maybe someone at my table wants to try my entrée. Maybe they'll like my entrée more then what they ordered. I might be hungrier then I first thought or the smaller portion might be smaller then expected.

 

[bicker]

I would be very happy if WDW would downsize their meals but would improve the quality of food being served.

That doesn't necessarily keep the cost profile the same. A smaller portion of a higher-quality product could readily cost more than a larger portion of a lower-quality product.

 

[bicker]

A good compromise would be to offer complimentary "seconds". This probably wouldn't work with entrées like lobster or a steak but would work with many (most?) entrées.

I agree.

Outback offers a half sized steak, the menu price is about 25% lower.

Which isn't far from the 20% which is appropriate. I'd like to know how Outback justifies the extra 5% discount -- probably because "they have to" (while Disney doesn't).

The initial serving could be small enough to discourage sharing and the free "seconds" would make it easy to justify a no sharing policy.

Absolutely. I think each restaurant would have to make this decision for themselves, though -- I don't think one size fits all.

 

[wendy46001]

That doesn't necessarily keep the cost profile the same. A smaller portion of a higher-quality product could readily cost more than a larger portion of a lower-quality product.

In my book that is ok...I'll pay more for the quality product...it can be smaller and more expensive as long as it’s better

 

[bicker]

Yeah, me too. I wish that we were more representative of the general public!

 

[dawnball]

In my book that is ok...I'll pay more for the quality product...it can be smaller and more expensive as long as it’s better

Me too. That's why I eat at signature dining. The portions are no larger (and frequently smaller) - but the quality, both of the dining experience and the food, are much higher. They also do a much better job in my experience of handling special requests and menu modifications. I just wish that they also had lunch seatings - either with the same menu and prices or a simpler menu with appropriate pricing.

Another advantage is that I've never had a problem getting same day or next day ADRs. The only downside is that it makes the dining plan a financial wash or loss. We usually come out around $50pp (after DDE, so $60pp rack rate) including alcohol. It's a bad deal for 2 TS credits but a really good deal OOP.

 

[bicker]

And that's a great point dawnball: Disney offers both: The high-quality dining experience, and the more casual, more affordable dining experience.

 

[gina2000]

Yeah, okay, that's what I expected, and it really just won't work, because I don't think customers at WDW will ever come to accept the differential between changes in portion sizes and the appropriate changes in price (i.e., a 16 oz steak = $25.00; an 8 oz steak = $20.25; a 4 oz steak = $17.88; a 2 oz steak = $16.69).

I'd order the 8 oz and my husband would probably order the 16 oz. The problem for me begins when you pay $29 for a steak and get a 4 oz. or less steak with nothing special about it. That's been my gripe (over and over....even I'm tired of it! )

 

[bicker]

Do keep in mind that when we talk about a 16 oz steak, that's always pre-cooking weight. (Remember, a well-done steak is a lot "lighter" than a rare steak. )

 

[gina2000]

Yes, I'm very much aware of that. Also, we all order our steaks rare. And I'm also aware that 2oz. is a tablespoon sized piece.

 

[Katiebell]

Yes, if I'm paying OOP, then a smaller portion should cost less -- and does, at any restaurant that serves smaller portions as an option. But a "half-sized" portion doesn't mean a "half-sized" price.

A chain steakhouse we like to go to prices their steaks like this:
Sirloin
9 oz 14.49
11 oz 15.99
13 oz 17.49
The sides they serve -- salad, veggies, potato, bread -- are the same size, no matter what sized steak you order.

Prime Rib
8 oz 15.99
12 oz 18.49
16 oz 20.99

So, I don't think that pricing is all that unusual. A full sized Cobb salad I like at another restaurant is about 10.00, and the half size is 8.00. If I'm really not that hungry, I will sometimes order the half size -- even though I sometimes have a vague feeling that I'm not spending my money wisely

Even Disney does this to some degree. The Grand Floridian Cafe lists chocolate fondue on their menu for 6.99 -- but I saw an older menu that had the same dessert listed as "great to share" and it was 9.99. So, they reduced the size to make it for one diner, and lowered the price a bit. And their "mini" desserts are priced appropriately at 2.39.