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December 18, 2007
Eating Out
We eat out about once a week and normally it’s in a nice restaurant. I love eating Charlie’s seafood, but we have to eat that in the car. I don’t care though; it’s worth it. So far, I think Charlie’s fish is much better than Regatta (greasy), Friday’s (they have really good fish), Rumor’s (you don’t get much for your money), or Texas Roadhouse (their catfish is very good). Charlie’s tops them all!
If we go to Charlie’s, we pay under $15 for the three of us. In a restaurant, we will pay very close to $50 if not go over that a little; most of the time it’s worth the price. We always leave a 15% tip even if the server wasn’t up to par. Kevin always pays for the meal. I hand him the money and then he puts it in the black money thingy. We’re married so naturally we share all of our money.
When we eat out, we sometimes meet my parents somewhere, but more often than not, it is just the three of us. I haven’t eaten what I consider to be fast food in a while; such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Arby’s or someplace similar. If I only eat out once per week, I certainly don’t want to waste that one time on fast food. I like to sit and enjoy myself. I like an experience. I don’t consider anywhere that has a play yard an experience. That’s fun for young kids, but it’s not for me.
My favorite appetizer would have to be the Bloomin’ Onion at Outback. It’s very unhealthy and greasy and then you dip it in the sauce which makes it worse for you, but when I’m there, I have to order one. Joe Bologna’s (a local pizza place) also has a great appetizer which is the Fried Combo. With that you get a little bit of everything including cheese sticks, mushrooms, banana peppers, zucchini, and onion rings. Once again, this is very unhealthy, but it’s delicious. We haven’t been there since before May and that’s a good thing. It’s hard to resist, but I know my limits.
Outback has the best house salad hands down. Their croutons cannot be beat and everything such as the tomato and cucumber is cold and crisp. I have tried house salads everywhere and this one is worth the money.
My favorite main dish depends on where we eat. Lately it has been ribs, but I have been very disappointed in everyone except Texas Roadhouse. Places that are supposed to be famous for their ribs have been a big letdown. I can think of three places right now, but I won’t name them.
As you can tell, I don’t worry about fat or calories when I eat out. To me, it is a treat, so I eat all of those foods that are bad for me which I don’t eat at all during the week.
I don’t know anyone who owns a restaurant, but I know of a person who works in a restaurant. I think it would be very hard work. When I was 15, I worked at Wendy’s for about three days. I didn’t go back in a Wendy’s until I was around 33. Does that tell you anything about those three days?
I dated someone who worked at a fast food place when I was a teenager. No matter how many times he washed his uniform, it still smelled like fast food. If you’re not craving it or eating it, it really stinks.
If I ever received the wrong food, I would let the person know. Now days the food isn’t brought out by your waiter or waitress anyway, it’s brought out by an expediter. If the food I received was bad, I probably wouldn’t say anything. I have seen too many stories on television where they spit in the food or do other things to the food when it is taken back. I don’t think all places are this way, but you don’t know which ones are trustworthy and would not get mad.
The worst experience I ever had at a restaurant had nothing to do with the restaurant itself. We had been seated at a large table at Cracker Barrel and had just started looking over the menu when a little girl ran towards us and then vomited right next to our table. (My sister still laughs at this story.) I about died. I felt bad for the little girl and yet, I really, really wanted to leave. However, I kept my feelings to myself and we stayed because my entire family was there. I just made sure that I kept my head turned while they cleaned it up. That experience still gives me the shivers.
The worst food I ever had at a restaurant was an appetizer called “Baked Stuffed Mushrooms”. They have them at an Italian restaurant. My parents ordered them because they think they are delicious and wanted Kevin and I to try them. I scooped one up and it looked like an eyeball. It had the texture of what you think an eyeball would have. As a matter of fact, if you have ever touched your eye, this is what one of these mushrooms felt like in my mouth. It was so gross I wanted to gag. Kevin, who loves mushrooms, also hated them and said they were the nastiest things he had ever eaten. Sorry mom and dad!
I do not like eating at buffets. There are several restaurants in Winchester that have buffets and I don’t go near them. They’re always packed with people though. I guess because you pay one price and it’s all you can eat. My problem is that everybody and their brother has breathed, sneezed, and coughed on that food. Little children have touched the food with their fecal fingers. It’s nasty and I cannot bring myself to do it.
There is a restaurant which has a day of the week in its name and it is supposed to have a superb salad bar. I don’t think so. It has never been up to my standards or had things I would expect a good salad bar to have. They have good food, but the salad bar is nothing to brag about. Buffets also allow you to overeat and that’s another reason I avoid them; that and the fact that I like to be served when I go out. I don’t like having to get up and get my own food. Like I said, eating out for me is an experience.
Posted by tami at December 18, 2007 9:26 AM
Comments
We steer clear of buffets, too, but mainly because of the temptation to overeat. Plus, food that's been sitting on a steam table usually doesn't compare to freshly-prepared meals. We do enjoy a salad bar, however.
The last three Fridays, we've gone out to eat with another couple we got to know through the coffee shop a few years ago. It's been so nice breaking bread with them and just talking about all kinds of stuff. The guys love hot wings, so all Steve has to do is text Howie the word "wings" and we know the code. LOL
Posted by: Kimberley Broyles at December 18, 2007 10:19 AM
I ate at Texas Roadhouse twice when I was there visiting in October; both times were great!
Posted by: Dana at December 18, 2007 10:52 AM
There are so many funny things in this post. LOL! I can't believe she threw up right by your table. I cannot imagine the horror. I wouldn't be able to eat after that. Little fecal fingers - LOL! That's hilarious! Outback does have AWESOME salads! I think their entrees are overpriced though, but those salads rock. I think it's the cheese. YUM!
We probably eat out way too much, but it's what we enjoy, so oh well. We eat out every day on the weekend for every meal except breakfast. Aren't we horrible? It's not so bad for two people though. There are a lot of little local places in Asheville where you can get not so bad for you food, so not everything is covered in grease like at chain restaurants. We have also been going to Atlanta Bread Company for lunch on Sundays a lot. I guess we just end up in that area. We also LOVE sushi, and seafood. We frequent a sweet little enoteca restaurant where we get "fine" finger foods like cheese and olives and this awesome walnut pomegranate dip. Oh gosh that dip is so good. It's called Reza if you ever make it to Asheville. Can you tell I LOVE food? This is why I have to work out like a maniac at the gym!
Posted by: Tammy at December 18, 2007 12:28 PM
Oh, and Ruby Tuesday has a great salad bar. They have pumpernickel croutons - they're usually warm - oh yum!
Posted by: Tammy at December 18, 2007 12:30 PM
That last restaurant you mention with the day of the week in its name - I get the feeling it tries hard to be good, but it just can't pull it off. It always seems a little dirty to me.
Posted by: Lori-Lyn at December 19, 2007 7:30 AM