On top of that, the menus seem to be shrinking, specializing in fried and grilled everything. Too much fat, too much grease, too much cheeze and cream sauces. I think they all use the same frozen and pre-packaged processed stuff. I can eat only so many sub sandwiches, pizzas, and eggs  in a week. If greasy mexican or chineses fast/semifast food isn't appetizing, the choices are slim.

The restaurants of the late 80's and early 90's seemed to compete on menu and service. Today I find too many similar menus and too little service at most of these places. I dread going to any of them.

The only thing worse than seeing obese people is hearing people tell you what "America" should do.  What "America" should do best is mind your own business.  

As a registered nurse, I have been backing off eating at restaurants because of the large number of foodborne illnesses being contracted at outside cooking facilities.  I know I wash my hands and I am sure of the cleanliness of my kitchen.  Also, I learned that I was being lazy about not cooking at home.  Occasionally, I will eat out, but the rising gas prices really impacted my and my family's behaviors concerning extraneous expenses.  So, coupled with the uncertainty about the hygiene of restaurants and the costs of travel, if I can't walk or bike to a restaurant, I don't go.  Also, I am very concerned about a healthy diet so I have learned about making nutritious meals at home.  My family hasn't complained and my budget is more manageable.  I guess it is a choice people need to make on their own.  I still see people speeding in their cars (wasting gas) and driving large vehicles very fast so perhaps other consumers aren't as concerned about maintaining a budget as myself.  My advice is to think globally and act locally.

By the time you get your beverage at $2 ea. for three people and add tip you have already spent $16 right off the back not including meals or appetizers, it has gotten to be too expensive. We use to eat out several times a week because it would be so late by the time we got home from work to cook. I now make several meals on Sunday and freeze them. With the money we save from eating out so often we are able to do more family things on weekends.

I disagree with "Wake Up People" where he said "We have become a society that mistakes needs vs. wants.  Eating out is a "want"  I'm a single dad, and I work 12 hour days a lot, so its hard for me to even get to the store to buy food to make at home.  And I travel for work so sometimes the food I buy rots before I can eat it.  When it hits 6 pm, my kids are hungry and its hard for them to wait for me to go shopping. Yeah, I know, get a better job with less hours is the answer.  The last few companies I worked for went under, so its hard to get anything better.  We're kind of stuck going out to eat a lot.  

I can see more business for the small, cheap, no-frills type of restaurant, especially take out chinese/mexican food, chicken, BBQ foods. The restaurants that are one step above the fast-food burgers.

We are a small family of three but have limited how often we go out to eat (on weekend only) by the time you add in tea at $2 ea and tip you are looking at $16 right off the back not including appetizer or meal it is just outragous! I now cook sevearl meals on Sunday and freeze them for during week. The money we save we use to do family things like movie or bowling (but no munchies too expensive, we buy them at convience store instead $5 for popcorn that cost cents to make is absurd!)

We're supposed to be getting Cheesecake Factory in my area in a year ago.  Hopefully, the economy will be better by then.  I have to go 135 miles just to go to that restaurant.  Last time, I had to use my credit card.  The Golden Girls would go there!

I eat out too much.  It's not always practical to eat at home.  "Wake Up People" does make a good point, though.

I've noted that overall service appears to have suffered dramatically in the last several yerars!  Remember table clothes (even paper ones), we now get silverwear wrapped in a paper napkin on a bare table.  Remember the limitless refills of coffee or tea?  Remember when the "wait staff-server" was called "waiter or waitress"? And do you remember when the "server" provided a menu before he/she addressed us as "what dos uz guyz (or goys) want?" ,  this all before a mediocre  meal is served.  Further, when has the "gratuity" been added automatically to the bill? The combination of poor service and food, has caused our family to remove a number of restruants of our list!

I agree. I think people are cutting back simply because of the cost of it all. A family of 4 pays about $50 on a minimum ($10 per plate, add tip and tax) and you add the cost of gas as well. Staying home or simply inviting friends/neighbors over for food is about 1/3 the cost. If times are tight  - why pay more?