Doggie bags in restuarants

DebDynamite

Hi all

In the past week in 2 different restaurants I left behind a very generous portion of a delicious homemade apple & cinnamon pie and a spaghetti with meatballs, as I was so full.

I thought a few days afterwards why didn't I ask for a doggie bag to take the left overs home? It annoyed me as it's not like to me leave behind so much food, they just happened to be huge portions.

Would you guys ask for your food to go if you couldn't finish it, or is it really a no no in Irish restaurants. Any time I eat out in America, I see plenty of people leaving with doggie bags.

Merch

DebDynamite wrote: »

Hi all

In the past week in 2 different restaurants I left behind a very generous portion of a delicious homemae apple & cinnamon pie and a spaghetti with meatballs, as I was so full.

I thought a few days afterwards why didn't I ask for a doggie bag to take the left overs home? It annoyed me as it's not like to me leave behind so much food, they just happened to be huge portions.

Would you guys ask for your food to go if you couldn't finish it, or is it really a no no in Irish restaurants. Any time I eat out in America, so see plenty of people leaving with doggie bags.

I'd like to but can imagine the look I'd get

boodlesdoodles

We always do it and have never had a problem with any of the restaurants we've asked at. You're paying for it anyway and why not! Though, I'm such a savage there's never much left over

Kevok

Never thought it might be an issue asking for a doggie bag. Nearly every time I go out to dinner I'll pack up the left overs. Better eaten for brekkie/lunch the next day than in the bin surely?

dubh101

Having worked in many Restaurants I can say that this is common practice and not at all frowned upon as the last reply said better taken home than in the bin,where leftovers are put,I often get a doggy bag myself.:)

weemcd

say its for ur cat/dog and when you come home he will be looking at you expecting something brought back, crack a joke about it, simples.

The Hill Billy

I do it regularly. Never been an issue - no matter what class of establishment I've been in.

S.R.F.C.

dubh101 wrote: »

Having worked in many Restaurants I can say that this is common practice and not at all frowned upon as the last reply said better taken home than in the bin,where leftovers are put,I often get a doggy bag myself.:)

Yeah if anything you're doing them a favour, I'd also always do it when the opportunity comes up and love when it is offered.

Faith

This is interesting. In America, it was offered straight out by servers when you're plate wasn't clean, but I've never done it here (except for one AMAZING restaurant in West Kerry where the portions are unmanageably big). I'd actually like to do it from time to time, and I'm glad to hear it's fairly common .

the beer revolu

I, too, do this all the time. Will sometimes take unfinished wine home too.
Whyever not?

olaola

Having a dog, we do ask for a doggie bag. Esp if there are bones or bits of meat left.

reallyrose

I've a small appetite so I do it all the time. I often get lunch and dinner the next day out of my meal!

SlinkyKittin

Yup, I'd always ask and the same with wine, especially if we were driving, have a glass with the meal and the rest when home to round off the evening.

CWone

I have taken wine home a few times but never food - will do it next time though since from what I've read here it wouldn't be frowned on:pac:

Twee.

Have only done it once in Dublin - took home the left over dessert from Chez Max. Biggest piece of cake ever!

In the US at the moment, and as Faith says, if your plate's not clear they'll just automatically ask if you want it to go. Have gotten many a lunch/dinner the next day from leftovers, great money saver.

Honey-ec

I always do it here, if it's an amount worth keeping.

You'd be mad not to do it in the US, the portions are almost offensive.

Retrovertigo

I tend to only buy food that fits in my stomach.

Honey-ec

Retrovertigo wrote: »

I tend to only buy food that fits in my stomach.

Ask to see a photo before ordering in restaurants, do you?

strandroad

I see no problem with it at all. Not so long ago I was in an Indian restaurant and their starters were so filling that by the time our mains arrived we had space for a couple forkfuls only. When the waiter saw this he asked if the food is okay and he offered to pack it for us in a takeaway box. Sorted out our lunch for the next day - win-win!

DebDynamite

Would most restaurants (bar places that also do takeaway) have containers to put the leftover food into?

Maybe I'll start bringing a Tupperware box out with me from now on!

The Hill Billy

No need to bring your own container - the kitchen/serving staff can bag it up for you.

Miss Olenska

mhge wrote: »

I see no problem with it at all. Not so long ago I was in an Indian restaurant and their starters were so filling that by the time our mains arrived we had space for a couple forkfuls only. When the waiter saw this he asked if the food is okay and he offered to pack it for us in a takeaway box. Sorted out our lunch for the next day - win-win!

I often take home leftover naan bread from Indian restaurants. I love naan but don't need a huge amount with my meal, as I also love rice. The naan is lovely for lunch the next day.

hdowney

i would ask if i wanted to take it home. been out on a couple of occasions when for some reason i just couldn't make a dent in my mains. those times the wait staff in the restaurant actually asked me would i like to take it home for laters. delighted. i also take home wine

EyeSight

i do it. only ever had one problem, i asked the waitress for one and she said ok but she seemed startled. she came back with the manager who told me it was against health and safety regulations.....

shinikins

^^^

Ha!! Having worked in several restaurants, I have never heard of that particular health and safety regulation! They would have been well within their rights to inform you that the restaurant would bear no responsibilty to food that was incorrectly reheated, but otherwise they can't really stop you from taking food that you have paid for.

I have no problems asking for a doggie bag, but there ie seldom anything left on the plate to bring home A lot of Irish restaurants wouoldn't have takeaway containers specifically for doggie bagging leftovers, but will go to great pains to wrap food well in tinfoil packages.

Sooopie

The only place I ask for a doggie bag is in the Elephant and Castle, for me left over chicken wings!!!

Rowley Birkin QC

weemcd wrote: »

say its for ur cat/dog and when you come home he will be looking at you expecting something brought back, crack a joke about it, simples.

Why would you feel the need to do that?

I've done it a few times and just asked for it to go. I'm paying for it and if it's nice enough to consider taking home with you I can't see how the restaurant would get shirty about it.

WilcoOut

you paid for it

so you may eat it later!

its a regular occurance in most countries.

it just an irish thing that we dont. your deemed to be 'scabby' or 'poor' if seen/heard asking for a doggy bag

i never ask tho

because i demolish everything on my plate

narfsnonsense

Just did it myself yesterday. Was hanging and could only manage 2 bites of my lunch. Asked for it in a box and their only worry was that I didn't eat it as the food wasn't good. Explained it was due to copius amounts of wine the night before!

WilcoOut

also, as a by product of the recession, alot of places are doing take outs to increase business.

so they should be in a perfect position to bag/pack stuff properly for you

omah

Irish restaurants need to cop onto better customer service all round - there should be no problem with getting a doggy bag - in a decent take away container. My friend from Canada asked a restaurant in Dublin for a doggy bag and they gave her a plastic bag - ridiculous!

Little Acorn

Yes I have often done this in many restaurants. It has never been a problem, they usually have white foam boxes, or else those silver foil containers, and are more than happy to oblige. I never knew that some people might think it weird until I read this thread. I think it would be more weird to leave a load of food you've just paid good money for, left behind to be thrown out.

I usually only do it if there's a substantial amount left, I wouldn't bother if there was only a tiny bit left.
I have been known to ask for a takeaway container for my main, just so I would have room in my tummy for some delicious dessert.:)

Malari

It was a problem in one restaurant I was in. My friend wanted to take the remains of her dinner home and they refused. She asked why - restaurant policy. Waitress fetched the manager, who explained that there was a risk of food poisoning if the food wasn't reheated properly at the customer's home. My friend said she understood that was her risk, but they were adamant! Must have been sued before or something.

Portion sizes are crazy in come places, so I'd have no issue with bringing food home sometimes, but usually there are no leftovers if my boyfriend is about :pac:

Faith

Was that in Cork, Malari?

Malari

Faith wrote: »

Was that in Cork, Malari?

Yep, but not in the city centre...I don't know if I'm allowed name & shame

hdowney

Malari wrote: »

Yep, but not in the city centre...I don't know if I'm allowed name & shame

sorry but i would have kicked up a fuss tbh. they are expecting me to pay for the food (obviously i ordered it and therefore would pay for it) but if i cannot finish it at the table the food is mine once i pay for it so i should be allowed to do with it as i please. i cannot understand why anyone would sue for getting food poisoning from not reheating food properly, and don't think they would ever have a case. there is no way i would let the restaurant tell me i couldn't take my leftovers home. id be saying well i am only paying for the amount i ate then!

Little Alex

We often ask for a doggy bag when we're out and there is some meat left over, which we actually give to the dogs! :pac: However, we once got that health and safety waffle thrown at us and they refused to give it to us, claiming that we would eat it ourselves and maybe get food poisoning.

I always take uneaten pizza home with me and everywhere that I've been so far hasn't had a problem with this.

rubadub

Malari wrote: »

I don't know if I'm allowed name & shame

I don't see why not, all you are doing is stating their policy, which they had no shame admitting.

I take it they do not do takeaways either, you never know what people would be getting up to at home . It'd be like a woman on checkout in dunnes refusing to sell a young lad some chicken, saying she reckons he mightn't cook it well enough!

connorcarroll

I think the celtic tiger ruined us and if you were seen asking for a doogy bag you'd be glared at by both staff and customers.....
Now we are back in "normal" recessionary times it is seen as the proper thing to do.....
I have started asking for them and there is no problem..... but i usually never eat it when i get home and end up throwing it out...lol