I miss eating out in restaurants. We did on the trip, kind of had to we were on the road for 5 days. It was nice to see fewer tables, and tables left intentionally empty. In the past few years restaurants have packed the tables in so tightly you couldn't get in and out without asking the table next to you to move. Having a little extra space is nice.
Menus are photocopies, single use and disposable. One place had them printed as a placemat. The burger place had theirs online using a QR code, except I don't have a QR code reader on my phone.
The greasy ketchup bottles are gone, as are the grimy salt and pepper shakers. Single serve, on request has become the norm for this. I have at times gone to wash my hands after handling the dirty condiment containers left out on restaurant tables. This is a change that I hope will last long term. As a good french chef will tell you, if the cook seasons properly, the table should NEVER ask for salt and pepper.
Fast food, we had lunch from Micky D's and Burger King while driving, have closed their inside dining rooms. One had tables outside, a couple of times we ended up eating in the car. It worked, we have gotten out of the habit of eating in the car. The car stays cleaner.
I have not lost hope, in time we will return to restaurants, we will return to hotels and travel. In time.
To my knowledge I don't think any of our fast foods places are dine in yet...just drive thru, but I'm not a fast food person. Here is Bucks County, restaurants are still 25% capacity...and if your having cocktails food has to be ordered. If bars don't serve food, they have to be closed. Hotel and B&B'S are hit or miss, some still are not open.
ReplyDelete25 to 59% capacity seems to be the norm.
DeleteThis was one of those times again that had advertisements in the middle of your post in two places. I was going to ask what the video had to do with the post then realized it was a ad! LOL!!!!!
ReplyDeleteClick on the ads and I make a nickle or so.
DeleteI keep learning about spelling differences, draft beer for draught beer.
ReplyDeleteWhile I had a QR reader on my old phone, when we were briefly unlocked and we lunched out, it was a case of point your phone camera at a QR code and be taken to a website to fill in your contact details. My partner's phone is the model before and it wouldn't work on his phone.
We don't use salt in cooking and I never add salt to food, so I expect I would find food seasoned as you describe too salty if generally no one would need to add salt or pepper.
Yes, eating in the car can be messy, as we have discovered.
I downloaded a QR reader, and it wanted me to set up an account, I deleted it, there are enough people tracking my every move.
DeleteI don't have a QR app, but turns out all I had to do was take a picture of it and the phone automatically opened the QR. iPhone, nice!
DeleteMany of our favourite restaurants initially used QR codes, but so many people couldn't use them that they simply printed paper placemat/menus. We used to go out 4 or 5 nights a week (maybe more). We're down to once a week now. This is a big week however, two nights in a row. And like you we do at least enjoy the extra space.
ReplyDeleteOne thing about photo copied single use menus is they are easier to change
Deletewe have been getting takeout/delivery from our local mom-n-pop restaurants, usually 1-2 times per week. we have enough variety in this area to keep us happy. some restaurants are open, but we are not comfortable with in-house dining yet.
ReplyDeleteWe have not eaten out locally since February, take out or we cook. Mostly we cook.
DeleteOur fast food joints are take-out only.
ReplyDeleteWe had dinner with round-The-Way-Gays, Neal and David, the other night. It was nice and eerie, with a half-full restaurant ona Saturday night, but the company and food were good.
It's just different.
The first time in a restaurant was like of weird.
DeleteI don't know what a QR code is and I miss IHOP, ok?
ReplyDeleteour local IHOP is open for takeout/delivery AND indoor seating (25%).
DeleteSure, Carebear, twist the knife!
DeleteI miss eating out so much. I ate out about twice a week before this started. Take out is okay but not the same. I'm thinking about taking a road trip in two weeks so I enjoyed hearing how you handled it.
ReplyDeleteLast year, we ate out at least once a week, in an effort to get to know what was in our back yard, that we had not seen.
DeleteI so miss restaurants for their good food and cheer with company. I will be patient though and not jump the gun to return
ReplyDelete