| I walked into a restaurant recently, ordered a combo, | | | | This eliminates all the chain type restaurants, diners and |
| sat down and began thinking "What makes a | | | | sub shops with which you are probably very familiar. |
| restaurant good? Why do people flock to one | | | | You can do it by trial and error, just drop in and let the |
| restaurant and not another? | | | | chips fall where they may. In this instance, you'll base |
| Obviously, it's gotta be the food, right? | | | | your opinion, like most people, on what you'll get when |
| As I sat there waiting for my food, many things | | | | you order. You will either come back or not. |
| occurred to me. I've eaten in many restaurants, I'm the | | | | I want to propose a mini checklist of how to grade the |
| type of person who likes to explore and will eat | | | | restaurant without buying and trying. |
| anything to see what it's like. | | | | First, as you pull into the place check out their parking |
| Perhaps I'm not the right person to do this discussion, | | | | lot and building exterior. Is the parking lot clean and |
| but let's see. Having the experience of @ least twenty | | | | inviting. Is the building exterior well maintained, are the |
| years of eating/dining out, I can say I may be able to | | | | windows clean. All of this indicates that management |
| come up with a thought or two on this subject. | | | | cares about what their facility looks like, first |
| When doing lunch, depending on the hour if it's 11am - | | | | impressions are important. |
| 12:30pm, I will avoid places which are packed. Like | | | | Second, as you enter the restaurant check for |
| most people I have a time limited lunch hour, 30-60 | | | | cleanliness, are the floors clean, are the walls clean, |
| minutes tops. If it's packed I may go in if I know that | | | | does the place smell nice. |
| the service will be fast, if not I'll search for another less | | | | Third, is the staff inviting and attentive, did they greet |
| crowded place. | | | | and acknowledge you upon entry? Did they ask your |
| If I'm having lunch after 12:30pm then the population of | | | | seating preference, were you seated properly. Did |
| any restaurant is not that important, by the time I get in, | | | | they take your order swiftly and correctly. |
| settle down and order most of the other patrons will | | | | Fourth, if you get a chance, check out their restrooms |
| be heading back to work. | | | | - if clean you're OK. |
| Ideally, once I find a place I like and which provides | | | | If any of the above points do not meet your standards |
| quality fast service I will frequent it regularly, two to | | | | - leave. It's really that simple, if they don't meet your |
| three times a week. But this is too simple of an | | | | standards then vote with your feet. Go somewhere |
| answer. Let's talk about how to judge without having | | | | else. |
| previous knowledge of the place. | | | | |