Parking lots... where the clowns live

[DG]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Even Denny's and IHOP take reservations. You must spend most of your time at the local Burger King or Taco Bell.

I think I have been in a Burger King in the last 5 years, but not Dennys, IHOP or Taco Bell. Why in the world would anyone waste their time waiting for a table in fast food joints?

[Dave Hensley]

It's "chagrin."

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by DG

I think I have been in a Burger King in the last 5 years, but not Dennys, IHOP or Taco Bell. Why in the world would anyone waste their time waiting for a table in fast food joints?

You said that you seldom eat a places where you have to check to see if you can get a table. Almost all restaurants other than fast food restaurants take reservations because people never know if a table will be available when they arrive. If don't eat at those restaurants that means you either: 1) Almost never go out to eat, or 2) Only eat at fast food restaurants.

[DG]

Originally Posted by LDUB

You said that you seldom eat a places where you have to check to see if you can get a table. Almost all restaurants other than fast food restaurants take reservations because people never know if a table will be available when they arrive. If don't eat at those restaurants that means you either: 1) Almost never go out to eat, or 2) Only eat at fast food restaurants.

You clearly live in a different place than I do, big city maybe? So the partner who ran across the street, he is getting a reservation for a table for two? How long do you wait for this table?

[Dave Hensley]

As someone who has an opportunity to travel amongst many of the major metropolitan areas in the country, I can say the concept of making reservations at restaurants as a standard practice is standard in some cities (San Francisco, e.g.), and a completely foreign concept in others. Here in the Dallas area, about the best we have is some restaurants allow "call-ahead" seating, which gets you on their list when you call. But it is not unusual, especially on a busy night like Friday or Saturday, to have to wait 30 minutes to an hour for a table at the typical mid-level or above restaurant. But what's the problem, we all need that time to get liquored up at the bar, right?

[DG]

Originally Posted by Dave Hensley

As someone who has an opportunity to travel amongst many of the major metropolitan areas in the country, I can say the concept of making reservations at restaurants as a standard practice is standard in some cities (San Francisco, e.g.), and a completely foreign concept in others. Here in the Dallas area, about the best we have is some restaurants allow "call-ahead" seating, which gets you on their list when you call. But it is not unusual, especially on a busy night like Friday or Saturday, to have to wait 30 minutes to an hour for a table at the typical mid-level or above restaurant. But what's the problem, we all need that time to get liquored up at the bar, right?

I had a mid-week dinner at the Palm in Dallas while attending a convention. We had reservations, waited 10 minutes in the bar and had a very nice meal. It's not the kind of place you walk in off the street between games to see if you can get a table.