Comments on: Would You Take a Homemade Sandwich to a Restaurant?

By: Red

Red — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 23:45:15 +0000

I love that she had the balls to do that! If only I had done that the many times my coworkers at my last job asked me to go out to lunch... Well, I might not have gained 20 pounds in six months! ;)

Seriously though, when we were younger, my parents would take one of my brothers to McDonald's because he didn't like the food at the restaurant we were visiting. We'd bring his McDonald's in with us to a different restaurant. I see nothing wrong with it. Like she said, she wasn't freeloading or taking up a seat. Good for her!

And to the restaurant owner who had a problem with it, I would ask you - does your restaurant have a minimum purchase requirement? If not, it's not this woman's fault. She could have just as easily ordered a water and a side salad. (Which probably only costs $2.99.) What's wrong with that?

p.s. I've started bringing my own water bottle to restaurants. I hate paying $2.39 for a glass of tea, and I don't like to risk ordering water that tastes disgusting. So I bring my own, and no one has ever said anything. If they did, I'd go elsewhere to eat.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:36:13 +0000

You are utilizing the restaurant staffs time by sitting in a seat and ordering just a drink or chips. It is against most state health codes to bring in your own food or drink to a restaurant. If you can't afford to eat out. Stay home. If you are cheap.. eat at McDonalds. They may not care. As a restaurant owner, many seats filled with two or four dollar sales will put me out of business. People I pay will clean up after you, wash your silverware or dish, refill the condiments you may have used all for the pennies I make on your soda, its not right. Be respectful, a restaurant is a business and as such keep in mind there is an army of people cooking, cleaning and serving you. That woman should have politely declined.

It doesn't depend on any circumstance, factor or amount of overpriced or cheaply priced items you buy.. Its wrong. Go eat in a public park with your friend and her take out. If you don't agree, you are probably just cheap!

By: Abigail

Abigail — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:06:31 +0000

Generally speaking, I don't think it's a good idea. But since they were outside the actual restaurant, I guess it's okay.

I probably would have eaten the sandwich on the way over (or after the actual meal disbanded). Still, as long as she wasn't in the actual establishment, I guess it's kosher.

By: Slinky

Slinky — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:02:18 +0000

I don’t see the problem with this situation at all. It’s one thing if the person doesn’t purchase something and is preventing other customers from using that space during a busy time. But she bought food, and wasn’t inconveniencing anyone. Generally, if she’s not hurting the place’s business by doing so and the management doesn’t object, I don’t see the problem.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:16:05 +0000

Absolutely, especially if others in the group are buying meals. I have an extremely picky grandson and he always carries a brown bag of food to most restaurants and orders only a drink. Everyone else in the family orders meals, so I see no problem with this.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:25:30 +0000

Recently, we went to Red Lobster with a group. 2 of the children have allergy issues and ended up just eating french fries. The manager came over to ask us how everything was. The mother mentioned that she had tried and failed to locate the allergy information online and asked the waitress when she came in (and was given a weird answer). The manager told us that the mother could have brought along McDonald's for the kids. People do it often, and they have no problem with it. I would have never considered that, but I suspect their policy is that happy kids make happy parents.

I also worked at a sandwich shop where a group came in with one guy bringing along his sandwich and drink from home. Since we were never full at lunch, the owner was happy to get the 6 paying customers. He didn't feel he was "losing" a seat, but gaining some goodwill. Since I only worked lunch one day a week, I'm not sure how often they came in.

I think the question becomes what kind of restaurant. Fast food or a step up? Would you think to take food into Red Lobster? I wouldn't. A quick sandwich place with outside tables? Probably, but I would try to buy something from them as this person did. Have you seen a group of travelers stop at a cluster of fast food places and each get something from a different place? Where do they eat then? Is taking other restaurant food into someplace better or worse than homemade food? All interesting questions and some that have been addressed by some state laws. More to think about!

By: Mrs. Money

Mrs. Money — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:13:57 +0000

I think it’s fine. She bought chips and a drink. What if that was all she was going to eat?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:47:48 +0000

This was totally fine! I would bring my sandwich and maybe get a drink only. She was good to go with her friends. Anyone who would put someone down for following a dietary choice that was important to them…well they are not a true friend

By: hustler

hustler — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:49:57 +0000

I used to be a waitress and people do this fairly often. Well, often enough. None of the staff or management seemed to have a problem or really even notice this. Especially when they are paying customers who buy drinks and are dining with several other people who are paying customers. If someone came in with a group and purchased nothing, just was there for the company, no one would say that was wrong.

By: Meridee

Meridee — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:05:22 +0000

It is against health department laws in our state. You cannot bring outside food into a restaurant. Common sense needs to be in place though – as in baby food.