OT - Done dining out

TN_Sister_State

I took wife out for her birthday dinner to a local place we have been before, last time was amazing, this time it was just bad. Bland roasted oysters, bad deviled eggs, and horrible cocktails. How does a restaurant in the south screw up an old fashioned and deviled eggs? Anyone else feel the same? Sorry had to rant because the price of service didn't match up to quality. Back to the egg for quality food. We both avoided the steak because no restaurant has matched the egg output. The egg has spoiled me.

DuckDogDr

I agree with what you're saying 100%. Plus lately I'm more worried about what nasty s.o.b. Is handling and touching my food vs flavor

blasting

Couldn't agree more.

I'll pay a fraction, and keep weirdos from handling what I eat.

td66snrf

I don't think I've ordered a steak at a restaurant in years. 

PoppasGrill

The only things my wife and I go out to eat for are breakfast at a buffet, sushi, and Indian food. Everything else taste better, usually, when made in the comfort of my own kitchen.

YukonRon

Every time we go out, we feel ripped off, and stupid, for even doing so. Why do we do it when we have Multiple BGEs, much better wine selection (at half or third of the cost), and no need for DD, to get home?
Because we are stupid. That is why.

etherdome

I much prefer my old fashioneds and deviled eggs to be made on my egg. Ha ha .

Seriously, I do agree. Dining out always a risk. Bad service, bad food, too slow , too loud , good but not worth the heavy price tag , etc etc. That being said , I can't say I won't do it anymore. Just not very often.

etherdome

td66snrf said:

I don't think I've ordered a steak at a restaurant in years. 

So my family was on vacation last year and had a car issue while coming home. Ended up stuck overnight somewhere and we ate at a Longhorn just because we could walk from the hotel. While not better than mine, it was the best damn steak I've had at a restaraunt, including any $60 one I've ever been dumb enough to try. Just sayin. Totally unexpected .

Smokin_Trout

Our water well went out on Saturday, so we have been eating out a lot more than normal. Last night we went to a place that has been around forever, but has changed names and owners a few years back. SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE- took her 10 minutes to finish writing the specials before she came over to take our order. Took another 10 for her to figure out they didn't have whatever drink my wife ordered. So my wife orders a beer, I watched it get sat down on the bar, 10 minutes later she brings it over. Then my wife says, she will just stick with the water- her reply- 'Are you sure, he just poured it'. Water glasses are sitting empty and food was sub par. Here's another place I won't be going back to.
What the hell is wrong with servers these days- have a hard time finding one that will keep the water from drying out and actually giving a damn.

Thanks for starting the thread- I needed to vent. 

northGAcock

Your point is well taken. I seldom eat out on choice. My bitness travels usually requires it....if I am going to eat that is. That said, I have some favorite BBQ spots and a few locals I enjoy on special occasion. Chains suck in my opinion.....support you local gems if you got them.

TN_Sister_State

northGAcock said:

Your point is well taken. I seldom eat out on choice. My bitness travels usually requires it....if I am going to eat that is. That said, I have some favorite BBQ spots and a few locals I enjoy on special occasion. Chains suck in my opinion.....support you local gems if you got them.

This was a local gem that we use to love but due to this off night i doubt we will risk it again. Unfortunate for them. We always choose local over chain. 

tarheelmatt

YukonRon said:

Every time we go out, we feel ripped off, and stupid, for even doing so. Why do we do it when we have Multiple BGEs, much better wine selection (at half or third of the cost), and no need for DD, to get home?
Because we are stupid. That is why.

The grub you put out, no need for any type of dinning buddy.  




I agree with you @TN_Sister_State.  About the only thing we'll go out to eat for is Mexican and Chinese, from only a few places.  

TN_Sister_State

Maybe i can parlay this bad dinner into a minimax....

nolabrew

Living in New Orleans I'll probably never stop dining out, but being able to produce the quality of food that I can now, it has definitely changed the types of places I go to.  I never go to steakhouses anymore. I try all of the new BBQ places once and have never gone back.  There's only one pizza place I'll go and that's only because I think it's as good/maybe a smidge better than what I can do, but they have a good happy hour with $7 pizza and $2 local drafts.  There's just too much good food here to ignore though. 

evie1370

We are in the midst of remodeling our kitchen. All I have now is a hot plate, microwave, toaster oven and the BGEs. Still only eat out about once a week as the food I cook, even non-BGE, is better and healthier than what I can get out. And I can cook and serve it a heck of a lot faster. So yea, I hear ya.

gdenby

Having Egg(s) and finding good butchers definitely makes many restaurants very disappointing. My cooking has improved with time, but I've also managed to eat at a few really good restaurant$ in the past few years (in a way, nice to not be feeding 4 hungry kids, 'cept for holidays). I've come to the conclusion that its not that my cooking is so great, its that a lot of restaurants are pretty awful.

fishlessman

outside the egg its pretty much sandwiches im looking for. been sub shop shopping lately since focker posted his smoked turkey club. found some really good sandwiches. its really too much work gearing up for a chicken parm sandwich at home knowing the place down the street specializes in them. today its a 10 ounce hand packed burger with house cut fries

The Mexican PEPPER JACK CHEESE, JALAPENO, PICO DE GALLO, CORN SALSA, & CHORIZO

charliebatutis

We eat out too much. I definitely love food off my grill but we also like the convenience of not having to cook or clean. 

GATraveller

There are a few things we still go out for rather than cooking at home but I do hate paying for a bad meal in a restaurant.

Legume

charliebatutis said:

We eat out too much. I definitely love food off my grill but we also like the convenience of not having to cook or clean. 

This.  During the week, often too busy or didn't prep or just too damn tired.  Steak, ribs, wings, etc, I definitely avoid in restaurants, but I'm a fiend for a good happy hour dinner, great Mexican, Thai, sushi, etc.  I can make these at home, but it's alsi nice when everyone can order what they want.

Botch

I guess I'm lucky.  I go off-base for lunch every day and my "ladies" take care of me very well, and I'm usually out the door w/20% tip, under twelve dollars.  I always eat at local ethnic restaurants (Thai/chinese/japanese/mexican/ viet/argentinian/korean) and like many others said above, keep the steaks/ribs/ burgers/chops for home.  

fishlessman

last minute change, sriracha and avacado burger with fresh pico and pepper jack cheese med/rare. the fries were off the chart, been decades since i had fries so good

wbradking

@TN_Sister_State Was it the Boat House?

The_Stache

I've been waiting to see who would ask that question!

Zippylip

if it were only a matter of quality (& cleanliness) of food there'd be no reason to ever go out, but there's that other factor that makes it irreplaceable, sit, order, enjoy being waited on without lifting a finger cept to pay the bill.  There's something gratifying about that whole experience that you just can't get at home. 

Yea, it helps when the food doesn't suck too but that's gonna happen from time to time even at our favorite places...

TN_Sister_State

wbradking said:

@TN_Sister_State Was it the Boat House?

It was not but the last time we were there will probably be our last. It was Saffire in the factory.

bucky925

We have 2 "go to " places that have never dissapointed.  They are fairly expensive but this one http://ivansrestaurant.com Is the only place that can grill a steak better than myself.  

Acn

I had hit this point well before getting an egg.  Generally places we eat out at fall into one of these categories:

1) Places that make something I can beat, but not in the 10 minutes to take a different route home and run in for carry out.
2) Places that are fine for a quick meal when we're running errands or on the road spmewhere.
3) Places that make something I'm not going to do at home.
4) Consistent, very nice, and very well regarded restaurants.

JNDATHP

As many have pointed out, eating out is just not as good as we can do for ourselves. 

We spent 10 years on the road, full timing in our RV, and we both became quite good on our propane stove, convection microwave and Weber Q2000. Now that we have an Egg and full size grill, we continue to hone our skills. 

Focker

If the food sucks, send it back. 

westernbbq

I noticed most new restaurants in phoenix tend to focus on atmosphere and image..the phx restaurant scene is hyper competitive.  We do occaisionally hit some local spots that are well established and which serve quality without being price gougers,   but, for awesome steak, i have yet to find a steak anywhere that matches a prime ny, ribeye or filet that comes off the ci pan or ci grid of my big green egg....