[Richard1366]

Bonefish grill...order fish and chips and a salad for my wife and I to share. They bring out the salad already split on two plates, then the fish and chips on two plates, already split. Leftover fried fish is not a tasty treat the next day. You might call ahead before going to a restaurant to see if they charge a split fee.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Schaumburger

Wow. Why don't these people just go to McDonald's and order a filet of fish sandwich and fries?

Well, I'm guessing they save that for special times - they order a Filet-O-Fish
and a Big Mac, then tell everyone they went out for Surf-and-Turf.

[edwardt6]

And people wonder why no nice restaurants in the Villages.

[surfergirlov]

Originally Posted by Richard1366

Bonefish grill...order fish and chips and a salad for my wife and I to share. They bring out the salad already split on two plates, then the fish and chips on two plates, already split. Leftover fried fish is not a tasty treat the next day. You might call ahead before going to a restaurant to see if they charge a split fee.

And that is why the Bonefish Grill is one of the best restaurants in The Villages. I agree with another poster that said the Athens restaurant was nickel and diming the customer charging the fee to split the sandwich. A single person could have taken up the table by themself, is a restaurant going to charge more for less people in the party because they are taking up too much space in the restaurant and they aren't making as much money for their business?

[skyguy79]

If I were running a restaurant (which I'm not) and I were reading the negative nickle & dime comments about my having a $1 charge for splitting/sharing, I would simply drop the $1 charge, calculate the extra service cost required for the splitting/sharing then add that result to the cost of doing business when next adjusting prices. It wouldn't surprise me if any restaurants that don't charge extra for splitting/sharing were already covering the extra expenses that way.

By making this change I would be happy because I will probably increase future profits slightly. The nickle & dimer complainers would also be happy because they won't know that they're actually paying something extra for the splitting/sharing. They'll also be happy (although they won't actually know it) because all diners who don't split/share will help pay the the extra expense incurred by those that do!

Now everybody's happy... or at least they'll think that they are!

[Skip2MySue]

Based on the number of posts this thread has received look at all the free advertising Athens got by charging the $1. I'd say that's money well spent in their favor.
Skip 2

[Ooper]

Originally Posted by surfergirlov

And that is why the Bonefish Grill is one of the best restaurants in The Villages. I agree with another poster that said the Athens restaurant was nickel and diming the customer charging the fee to split the sandwich. A single person could have taken up the table by themself, is a restaurant going to charge more for less people in the party because they are taking up too much space in the restaurant and they aren't making as much money for their business?

Lest we forget that the Bonefish is also one of the most expensive restaurants in TV. They can certainly afford to split the servings!

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

If I were running a restaurant (which I'm not) and I were reading the negative nickle & dime comments about my having a $1 charge for splitting/sharing, I would simply drop the $1 charge, calculate the extra service cost required for the splitting/sharing then add that result to the cost of doing business when next adjusting prices. It wouldn't surprise me if any restaurants that don't charge extra for splitting/sharing were already covering the extra expenses that way.

By making this change I would be happy because I will probably increase future profits slightly. The nickle & dimer complainers would also be happy because they won't know that they're actually paying something extra for the splitting/sharing. They'll also be happy (although they won't actually know it) because all diners who don't split/share will help pay the the extra expense incurred by those that do!

Now everybody's happy... or at least they'll think that they are!

Excellent post. I'm happy and don't actually know it.

[redwitch]

I'm really stunned at some of the comments. You shouldn't pay a fee because you "split" the gyros yourself? Really? OK, deduct from the tip -- you saved your waitress some work. You didn't save the restaurant one penny. In fact, you cost the restaurant money with the use of extra utensils and plates.

A single at a table is a lot less work than two people and certainly generates less washing and cleaning. I frequently eat breakfast and lunch alone. I like to relax with a book and just have some quiet time. I don't expect to get extra utensils, extra plates, a 4-top, etc. I usually ask the host to simply seat me in a quiet, out-of-the-way corner. I double the amount of my food order and tip the server on that amount, not the amount of my tab.

As to a server saying they don't mind people splitting a meal, that's a new one on me as well. I've known many servers personally and talked to many when they've been slow. My daughter is presently a server and I talk to her and her friends. Yes, they'll graciously split a meal between two people but that doesn't mean they like it. It is more work and usually less tip.

The next time, both of you order an gyros and ask that the sauce be on the side (usually arrives in a to go container). That way, it is easy to cut it in half and reheat it without it getting soggy. So, you can split one gyros and take the other one home for a nice snack later (I usually cut them into quarters at home).

Sorry, I just don't get the pettiness of the OP or those who defended them.

[Serenoa]

Originally Posted by Ripcord13

I love this forum, people complain about the most petty things.

LOL, agree. This sounds like it could have been a Seinfeld episode when his parents moved to Florida to somewhere called Del Boca Vista (phase III).
Morty was always going for the 4:30 pm early bird special & only using his $200 "Wizard" organizer as a tip calculator.

[Trish Crocker]

It seems like everyone was being a little hard on the OP. I too disagree with what he said but that's no reason to jump on him! Steve and I always say we are going to split a meal because when we get our food it's always more that we should eat...then, after cleaning our plates we say 'we should have just split something'...unfortunately we think of it after we eat..explains why I can't wear half the stuff in my closet! The first time I went to a restaurant and was charged a split fee to share a salad with a friend I too thought it was silly...then after rethinking it I realized the reasoning. I think the OP was going through the same thought process I was...it had absolutely nothing to do with the money or being cheap..it was just a surprise. With all of the seniors living in TV I'm sure the restaurants find that a lot of people can't eat a whole meal but when you have a full restaurant with only half of the people ordering a meal it can get costly, not to mention the people that can't get in because the tables are full. It makes sense for the restaurants to try to recoup some lost funds. I just think you should cut the OP some slack..he was just asking for opinions.

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

It seems like everyone was being a little hard on the OP. I too disagree with what he said but that's no reason to jump on him! Steve and I always say we are going to split a meal because when we get our food it's always more that we should eat...then, after cleaning our plates we say 'we should have just split something'...unfortunately we think of it after we eat..explains why I can't wear half the stuff in my closet! The first time I went to a restaurant and was charged a split fee to share a salad with a friend I too thought it was silly...then after rethinking it I realized the reasoning. I think the OP was going through the same thought process I was...it had absolutely nothing to do with the money or being cheap..it was just a surprise. With all of the seniors living in TV I'm sure the restaurants find that a lot of people can't eat a whole meal but when you have a full restaurant with only half of the people ordering a meal it can get costly, not to mention the people that can't get in because the tables are full. It makes sense for the restaurants to try to recoup some lost funds. I just think you should cut the OP some slack..he was just asking for opinions.

Sorry, but the OP wasn't asking for opinions. The OP specifically asked for a plate and knife so the gyro could be cut by OP rather than pay $1.00 to have it split for them and then complained that $1.00 was charged and THEN complained about the attitude of everyone there. I think the OP got off light.

[Roaddog53]

Originally Posted by Bill & Carolyn

I know that some restaurants charge $3, others won't let you do it, and still others seem not to care one way or the other. My wife and I like to 'share' a single meal because most restaurants give you more than enough food for two people and we don't like having to go home right after dinner to get the leftovers in the frig. If you're following a 'calorie restricted' diet there's MORE than enough food in one serving fro two people. When we do this I tend to over tip the server because they have to do pretty much the same amount of work for serving two people.

We too share meals for the same reasons. Way to much food, we don' t go straight home, and we are not big left over people. Plus we are more conscious on what we eat in portions. We see some that seemingly "force" food in them by their reactions. That ends up showing in other ways.
When they do take it home, i sometimes wonder how much IS eaten the next day or soon, since they just had it, or how much goes to waste. I doubt many would say honestly. Would be a good survey question. I can only imagine what some of these people's refrigerators look like. Lol.
We too though tip very well knowing they are serving two people.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

My wife and I had dinner at Athens this afternoon! We couldn't have had a more pleasant experience.

We chose to sit at a table outside just about as far from the front door as we could get and our waitress couldn't have been anymore friendly and attentive than she was. She checked on us several time to see if we needed anything. Even the young lady who identified herself as the General Manager came by to make sure everything was OK!

My wife had the swordfish special and I had the Greek combo platter. They even substituted the rice pilaf with extra salad on the plate at my request. The food was excellent and both my wife and I enjoyed what we were served.

As usual we had no complaints and were again satisfied customers having been to both breakfasts and dinners a number of times in the past and expect to go there several more times in the future.

My only disappointment is that I've been trying to meet Christopher the owner to say hello, but have missed him every time we've gone. Either we're there before he arrives or it's his day off. Today we just missed him, but I can understand why that happened. Chris is a new daddy and was anxious to get home to spend some time with his baby!

BTW, I agree with other posters that the $1.00 fee is no big deal! Kind of reminds me of the Shakespeare Comedy title... "Much Ado About Nothing!"

Skyguy I share your view about Athens. Chris had business in our part of the country and so he stops by our table everytime we drop by. he is a solid individual and cares very much about the quality of his business.

Frankly the OP missed out as there are a number of excellent selection. Athens prices are reasonable priced

[gerryann]

Sorry, a little off topic.....I've had the fish frys at Athens....good. Are their Gyros pretty good as well?