I’ve gone out of my way to buy local and support small businesses during the Pandemic.
I haven’t had any significant disappointments, but I tend to avoid any restaurants after 2 strikes.
Some indie restaurants started selling groceries here in Ontario, Canada, since our indoor dining was locked down for much of 2020 and 2021. When I’ve gotten a takeout dinner, I’ve bought enough for leftovers the next day, as well as some smoked salmon, meats, and salad dressing from one small business i support.
I gave up my Costco membership about 5 years ago for other reasons, and only go to a national chain grocery store once or twice a month. I buy most of my groceries at smaller, locally owned grocery stores, or farmers markets when they’re open. I buy bread at a local bakery once a week.
I have noticed the food at a few small, inexpensive indie takeout restaurants in Toronto has gone downhill.
One changed hands- a fish & chips takeout, and I think the new owners are cheap and don’t know what good quality is. Another 3 bad experiences were an inexpensive Japanese restaurant, a inexpensive Vietnamese restaurant, and 2 inexpensive Indian takeout near where college students live- they all make a lot of money and sell a lot of meals. Again, owners being cheap and not caring about quality. 4 of the 5 of these disappointments are along the same stretch of Bloor Street in Toronto, which has a lot of restaurants serving takeout meals in the $10-$25 per person range, and a somewhat captive restaurant customer living within walking distance.
I just find the holes-in-the-walls, a few blocks further west, that are proud of what they make and sell.
I have been splurging a little more lately, so I end up with less meh food. That said , I have been focusing on midrange food. Better quality takeout. I have only had around 5 meals that cost more than $30 pp this past 18 months.
What is funny to me, is that the cheap and disappointing Vietnamese bun ( few herbs, spring roll fried in rancid oil, from a hole-in-the-wall, nice owners, though) in my neighborhood costs $20 ( an amazing Vietnamese bun might cost $14 in Chinatown), while a really delicious slice of pizza or panini at posh Eataly costs $8. I suppose the Eataly slice is a loss leader of sorts- or the most bang for the buck you could get at a fancy store.
It’s been a pattern lately that when I’m on my own, I often get a slice/sandwich/meal and a drink, to go, plus tax and tip, keeping my spending around $20, and it’s amazing how much that bang for the buck can vary.
I’m curious, how much are you tipping for takeout at indie restaurants or coffee shops? I’ve been tipping 10 percent at coffee shops or $1 per espresso drink , and around 15-20 % at indie restos where I’m a regular, 10-15% at indie restos where I’m not a regular.
