The American Agenda???

GiddyupTim

Restaurants tend to offer larger portions because the cost of the actual food is a small percentage of their costs, relative to rent, wages, etc. Those fixed costs account for the majority of what it costs them to produce a meal. So, it costs them little to increase the portion sizes, and more food makes you feel like you are getting a deal!
And, the more you eat, the more you drink, which is where they really make their profits.
McDonald's, in its early days, used to offer its hamburgers at cost. That let them acquire market share. Everyone wanted to go there. They made their profits on fries, cokes, etc.
Consumers will go to the place that gives them more food. At least, until recently, since we have become aware.

vtmoon

Be glad you didn't visit Texas...

Wonderob

Please keep in mind you were in the US, where we have A LOT of land and farmers so food in general is cheaper here. Did you notice clothing and petrol was also cheaper? Or were you just harping on the fact that we have cheap food. I remember being in the UK and getting huge quantities of food when I'd go to a chippy, even at the pubs in London we got a huge plate of food, it's just cheaper here because we don't have to import everything.

You're missing the point

Petrol was a bit cheaper, clothes a bit cheaper, steak a bit cheaper, chicken a bit cheaper

Unhealthy extras A LOT cheaper - to the point where they were free! Free cookies, free fries, free cream, free soda.

Not harping on, Not bashing USA (I love it there and would stay forever if given the choice!) just making some observations upon my return

AbbsyBabbsy

Its because the cost of living and food is cheap in the US, they could not afford to do this in the UK. Part of business is giving your customer the best value possible for their money to get repeat business. Its not some freaking conspiracy

Not true

Let me use TGIs as an example

The steaks, salads, burgers, alcoholic drinks, vegetable sides are all a 'similar' price in USA and UK

The best possible value for customer's money only extended to the worst 'extras' health wise. There was no free salads, free fruit or free chicken 'thrown in'. There was frree soda, free fries, free cream, free cheese

Free cheese and cream? Where have you been eating? I've never seen that, ever. Cheese is always extra at the places I go, and I eat at pretty common chains. Cheese on your steak, extra. Cheese and sour cream on your potato, extra. I do understand the point you were making but think your perspective might have been skewed because you were staying in a touristy area desperate for your business. I've never been handed a free cookie in my life.

roachhaley

Uhhh... nobody forced you to eat that food.

Lol
No! Of course not! Everything I ate was totally down to me - nobody to blame but myself - but if you read the original post I asked you to please try and ignore my disgraceful eating habits during the vacation and focus on the point I was making - have you missed that point?

No I have not missed the point. Obesity is the individuals fault, not the fast food chain or restaurant. From their perspective, they don't care about peoples weight, they just know that their business is booming because of the food they serve and the prices.

It's ridiculous when people blame the food chain for their obesity.

riccoismydog

I think there are companies in the states who want the people to get fat. Then they call sell them some diabetes care supplies and some bariatric surgery. A lot of the companies who have major stakes in health care also have major stakes in fast food. True story.

For all the Americans who don't want "socialized" healthcare. When your government has a finacial stake in your health, you will be healthier. The only country in the world where soda has to be legally monitored, and pot is almost legal in some states.

Canada is only trying to do a better job, because it is darn expensive when everyone has diabetes. Feeding people corn and corn derivitives like we are farm animals being fattened is just cheap and easy, and addictive.

It's funny, because I won't go back to a restaurant that overfed me crap. But I will save up and go out to the restaurant that fed me well on high quality food, even if it is once a month.

If people demand change, the food industry will follow. We just prefer giant sodas and extra fatty toppings. They are just giving us what we want. I for one, don't want it.

Wonderob

Its because the cost of living and food is cheap in the US, they could not afford to do this in the UK. Part of business is giving your customer the best value possible for their money to get repeat business. Its not some freaking conspiracy

Not true

Let me use TGIs as an example

The steaks, salads, burgers, alcoholic drinks, vegetable sides are all a 'similar' price in USA and UK

The best possible value for customer's money only extended to the worst 'extras' health wise. There was no free salads, free fruit or free chicken 'thrown in'. There was frree soda, free fries, free cream, free cheese

Free cheese and cream? Where have you been eating? I've never seen that, ever. Cheese is always extra at the places I go, and I eat at pretty common chains. Cheese on your steak, extra. Cheese and sour cream on your potato, extra. I do understand the point you were making but think your perspective might have been skewed because you were staying in a touristy area desperate for your business. I've never been handed a free cookie in my life.

Hotel we stayed at gave away free cookies at reception

Baked potato, came with a pot of butter and pot of sour cream whether I asked or not

There were no plain hamburgers - only those with cheese - I had to request 'no cheese' every time - same at Subway

I didn't go to only tourist areas - however i did tend to go to the same 'type' of restaurants - Applebees, TGI, Ruby Tuesday. I'm not suggesting that there aren't healthier places to eat - just highlighting the difference between similar restaurants in UK and USA

i.e The TGI menu is EXACTLY the same in UK as in USA - even the same sauces. The difference was the unlimited coke, cream added to every dessert, additional free fries etc

xoyasminxo

Yea it is sad. People who stay away from fast food keep the weight off. I believe that you gained 7lbs. Surprised it wasn't more from the junk food offered here.

TheRealParisLove

In Capitalist America you pay extra to get less food.

Part of the problem is that you were in the South. Here on the west coast we have a culture of fresh and natural food. That doesn't mean that there aren't the big chain type restaurants, there are plenty of those. We just have more options and healthier options. Portland, Oregon has a booming food cart industry, and you can find just about anything you want at those carts. Some of it is really healthy and some of it is really not healthy at all, but the choice is there and the healthy stuff tastes wonderful.

Unfortunately, the South and Midwest still adhere to gigantic portions of cheap ingredients in most of the restaurants. I remember asking servers if I could have the "senior" portions and was told no. Then I asked if I could have the "senior" portion for the normal price, and they would look at me like I had 2 heads or something. In those regions paying more for less was beyond their comprehension as to why anyone would do that. I seemed crazy to them. Usually they'd just let me order off the senior menu at the regular senior price. :laugh:

Wonderob

Uhhh... nobody forced you to eat that food.

Lol
No! Of course not! Everything I ate was totally down to me - nobody to blame but myself - but if you read the original post I asked you to please try and ignore my disgraceful eating habits during the vacation and focus on the point I was making - have you missed that point?

No I have not missed the point. Obesity is the individuals fault, not the fast food chain or restaurant. From their perspective, they don't care about peoples weight, they just know that their business is booming because of the food they serve and the prices.

It's ridiculous when people blame the food chain for their obesity.

But that isn't the point.
We have TGI Fridays here in UK as well as in USA

Menu is the same - order what you want and then pay the consequences - your fault not the chain's

Why though, in the USA TGI Fridays did they give me free unlimited coke, free fries, addional pots of sour cream, whipped cream on all the desserts - but in the UK they don't? Same company, same menu, different policies

CupcakeHarpy

Portion sizes are crazy. I really would love to get a dessert when I go out but they all are made for 4+ people. :frown: Plus I'm usually ashamed of myself already by the time dessert rolls around. The meals themselves are more than enough.

It might have to do with the fact that our food is made more on assembly lines than in kitchens. Even the restaurant kitchens are becoming more streamlined and cooks assemble and heat food more than cook it. I'm really talking more about fast food and chains. I love eating out, though, and it shows :sick:

Agator82

In Capitalist America you pay extra to get less food.

Part of the problem is that you were in the South. Here on the west coast we have a culture of fresh and natural food. That doesn't mean that there aren't the big chain type restaurants, there are plenty of those. We just have more options and healthier options. Portland, Oregon has a booming food cart industry, and you can find just about anything you want at those carts. Some of it is really healthy and some of it is really not healthy at all, but the choice is there and the healthy stuff tastes wonderful.

Unfortunately, the South and Midwest still adhere to gigantic portions of cheap ingredients in most of the restaurants. I remember asking servers if I could have the "senior" portions and was told no. Then I asked if I could have the "senior" portion for the normal price, and they would look at me like I had 2 heads or something. In those regions paying more for less was beyond their comprehension as to why anyone would do that. I seemed crazy to them. Usually they'd just let me order off the senior menu at the regular senior price. :laugh:

I feel a bit insulted by this comment. You just insulted both the south and the midwest because of portion size? I can tell you how I handle portions, I ask for a ToGo box(available at most restaurants fine and otherwise) and then I get lunch for tomorrow for the price of one meal.

Healthy options are available everywhere, with some rare exceptions. Sometimes it is as simple as being on the right street and other times it is about taking to food togo. Either way it is about the choices we all make.

katmix

In Capitalist America you pay extra to get less food.

Part of the problem is that you were in the South. Here on the west coast we have a culture of fresh and natural food. That doesn't mean that there aren't the big chain type restaurants, there are plenty of those. We just have more options and healthier options. Portland, Oregon has a booming food cart industry, and you can find just about anything you want at those carts. Some of it is really healthy and some of it is really not healthy at all, but the choice is there and the healthy stuff tastes wonderful.

Unfortunately, the South and Midwest still adhere to gigantic portions of cheap ingredients in most of the restaurants. I remember asking servers if I could have the "senior" portions and was told no. Then I asked if I could have the "senior" portion for the normal price, and they would look at me like I had 2 heads or something. In those regions paying more for less was beyond their comprehension as to why anyone would do that. I seemed crazy to them. Usually they'd just let me order off the senior menu at the regular senior price. :laugh:

Not sure what you mean by your *capitalist America* remark... Are you referring to our restaurants that serve fresh, local food in (usually) small portions? I think Portlanders would agree that we have a couple of great fast-food places that serve fresh and local, and give very generous portions... (Mike's Drive in and Burgerville) I personally am always glad to get a larger portion...you box up half the meal before you start eating, and have lunch for tomorrow!

As for the food carts...they are a great example of capitalist America...you work your tush off, serve decent food at reasonable prices, you're not guaranteed to make a killing - but no one is stopping you from chasing your dreams. BTW, Fox 12 daily deals are currently offering big cuts on the 9th and Alder carts...