Feeding Frenzy

By Jim

February 22, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

My wife had gastric bypass surgery, so asking for a to-go box is nothing new to us. I’ve never had a restaurant refuse to do this, and, honestly, I don’t think I’d return if one did not.

It’s my food, I bought it, I paid for it, and if I don’t eat it they’ll just toss it, or at least I HOPE they will:-)

About the only thing that doesn’t travel well is any dish with the name “Alfredo” in it. reheating cream sauces does not go well. I have found though, that if you add a little milk and a bit of butter, you can often get the sauces that haven’t broken completely to recombine as they heat.

By nono

February 22, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this

Even ASKING this question is indicative of the problem with so much of our society today. It’s all about trying to appear wealthy/well-to-do/upper class/whatever term you prefer, even if you’re not.

What other reason would you have a restaurant throw away $10/$20/$30 worth of food that YOU purchased? It’s wasteful, idiotic, and snobbery of the worst kind to be concerned about what others think when you ask to take home food that you purchased. Would you be embarrassed if you threw away a $20 bill in front of a date? Of course you wouldn’t, but your date would certainly think you were bonkers for doing it!

People who worry about what people will think if they ask for their remaining meal to be packed up to-go are the same people who live in a crappy apartment, but drive an $80K car.

By practicalmom

February 22, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this

We normally frequent family restaurants and always ask for doggie bags. Small children frequently do not their meal and the leftovers can be reheated or even sent to school in the lunch box. Even in nicer restaurants I have often asked for a doggie bag - the food is usually too good to waste, and I can prolong the special experience of eating out. I have never had anyone react badly to this request.

By Lester

February 23, 2009 7:14 AM | Link to this

I’ve been brownbagging for 34 years, since I started working. I’ll go out with the group on fridays, for Mexican, or Chinese. A co-worker(younger associate) asked me why I always brought my lunch? I showed him on paper how much over the span of a month extra I had to spend elsewhere. The next day, he started bringing his lunch and snacks. In the country, my mother made biscuits,eggs, and bacon/sausage every morning, and dad would take the leftovers with him, I guess old habits are hard to break..

By kar

February 23, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this

Does anybody even call this a doggy bag anymore? Why wouldn’t you take half of an insane amount of food home? There’s no shame in this. I know some people would only pick at the protein and leave two thirds of the veggies & starch on the plate but in general that’s not a healthy diet.

It’s easier though for singles to take something home and eat it for dinner. If you’re cooking for your family, how do you incorporate a box of half-eaten spaghetti? It can make great late night snacks though.

By Becky

February 23, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this

I have always taken any leftover food home..As others have said, I’ve never had anyone make a comment on this..

Funny thing though, I have a niece that was always embarassed(sp) at the thought of us asking for a to go bag or God forbid, sharing a meal at a restaurant..She said only poor people do that..Of course now that she’s married & out on her own, she doesn’t feel that way..

By mnini93

February 23, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this

When eating out, the first thing I do is mentally split my meal in half. My logic is this…I can’t eat ALL of the food at once - nor should I try - and I can eat two meals for the price of one! I’ve never been embarrassed taking home leftovers. On the other hand, I would be embarrassed for overeating! Our society today is averaging between obese and morbidly obese…we need to reevaluate our behavior. I’ve never concerned myself with whether or not the servers were bothered by my request for ‘to-go’ containers. I could care less! My money, my body, my decision.

By of course I get to-go boxes

February 23, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this

I have taken it a step further and gone out and purchased a restaurant meal to go and split it up into two or even three lunches for work. It works out great because I have a really interesting meal which gets lots of attention from co-workers and each portion doesn’t cost much at all.

By JJ

February 24, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

I bring food home all the time, as restaurants give you SO much. My daughter usually eats the leftovers when she gets home from school the next day.

However, we very rarely go out for dinner. Maybe twice a month. I much prefer to stay home and cook.

By Lara

February 24, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

I used to always ask for a togo box for my food. But now that I am trying to watch what I eat (more so than what I spend), I literally cut my meal in half when it gets to my table. I eat one half, unless I get full before - and put the other half in a togo box. I have not had a problem with anyone in asking for this. It is a great way to portion control and a ready made lunch for later in the week that I don’t have to prepare or pay for again - best of both worlds!

Any place that would give me hassle about a togo box, well, I would not frequent their establishment again!

By JK

February 24, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this

I’ve never had anyone act strange when I requested a to-go box. They usually offer it. Besides, you wouldn’t go buy groceries and leave half of them at the store would you? No, because you paid for them!

By Too much food

February 24, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

Too many restaurants have serving sizes that no normal human could/should eat. If I order a main course, I have no qualms about taking my leftovers home. However, I am more likey to order an appetizer and ask that it be served as my main course. This way I can have a salad or cup of soup before hand.

By MARK

February 25, 2009 8:06 AM | Link to this

I am very sick with cancer so rarely can I eat all my entree..bringing some home is common…however I remember that there was a time in my life that plate was always clean after eating unless it wasnt right…I sure do miss those GREAT meals…I share this with you because most people dont know that chrinic disease does somany mean things to you.You slowly die and in the process suffer….Some people say never live in past…God I miss the past so much!!!I say take it home!!!

By Funny Story

February 25, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this

My nephew and a friend were eating Chinese in a small town in Alabama. The friend wanted a to go box so he went to the receptionist and asked for a doggie bag. The woman, who spoke English as a second language, became very offended and upset and began insisting that they did NOT serve dog!! The young man was taken aback tried to explain what he wanted, but he kept asking for a doggie bag rather than a to go box. Soon the owner came out and also insisted that they did not serve dog. The young man simply gave up.

The moral of the story: Be careful what you ask for :)