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Resist the Temptation

Times are tough and everyone knows it. We are in a full blown depression. No matter what the talking heads on TV say. I made this site in 2006 to give the independent restaurant owners a forum to show case their restaurants. Word of mouth on the internet is so much faster and can reach a wider audience than local advertising. Look at the popularity of any and all of the social networking sites on the net.

Because of the economy, people are not dining out as much as they used to. I have noticed a trend in both chains and independent restaurants. This trend is to lower the portions but keep the prices the same, or even raise the prices on the lowered portions. This is the temptation you have to resist! If you have been in business for more than five years, no doubt you have your regulars and you must keep them happy. Jacking up the prices and lowering the portions are not going to win you any prizes.

We don't eat out as much as we used to. My son and I went to a local independently owned restaurant for breakfast the other day. The portions were meager and the price was a bit too high for what we got. He had an omelet and coke, I had corn beef hash and two eggs and coffee for $22.00. We both thought it was a bit stiff for what we got. We won't be going there again. The chains are no better. My wife and I went to a chain we ordered an appetizer and we both ordered a half rack of baby back ribs. We got this this enormous plate with a three inch long potato and four bones on a half rack for $15.95 each. I was a pit master in a restaurant in San Francisco, and I know that a whole rack of baby back ribs is 11-13 ribs most are on the 13 side. So our meager 4 bones and tiny potato was not worth the money. It would have been more economical to buy a whole rack, for $19.95.

On our anniversary we went to an "upscale" restaurant I did not want any of the meat entrees so I ordered fish instead. The fish and chips as they called it. I received a plate with four pre-breaded fish sticks (the kind you got in grade school) on a bed of cold french fries, and a nasty tasting salad. It was as if they found some leftover salad in the deep dark recesses of the cooler that had been hiding for weeks and decided to serve it. All for the low low price of $16.95. I would have loved to see Gordon Ramsey's reply if they tried to pass that crap off on him. So much for "upscale"!

Why don't I complain? Because there are a certain amount of people that go out to eat and complain just to get a free meal. And the managers are taught to make excuses so they don't have to comp the dinner. That is why I just pay and leave. Never to return. And your regulars will do the same if you mess with them!

--Maverick Chef

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