gone out to eat?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Have you guys eaten out at a restaurant yet? DH and I and the kids haven't yet. We are still doing takeout. Quite a few people we know have eaten out. What about SA people?

[disneysteve]

We've eaten out twice. We met 2 other couples one night at a local bar/restaurant. We sat right at the edge of their tent so DW and I actually had our chairs outside of the tent. Neither of us felt totally comfortable there as we thought the tables were closer together than they should be and, of course, nobody is wearing a mask while they're eating.

The other time DW and I went out to a nice Italian place for our anniversary. We felt completely comfortable there. There was a single row of 2-person tables across the front sidewalk. We were on one end so nobody past us and the nearest table was about 8 feet away.

Overall, the experience of eating out in a parking lot when it's hot and humid just isn't terribly enjoyable to us. I don't expect to see the inside of a restaurant until some time in 2021.

[ua_guy]

Not yet. Still doing takeout here and there.

Problem is, when we go out, we like to sit at the bar to be away from families. Too close-quartered
to be safe in the current environment, and not really fun for us when it’s empty-feeling.

[QuarterMillionMan]

In California governor Gavin Newsom mandated no dine in service allowed but eating outside is allowed so tables & chairs are outside on the sidewalks. Denny's set up beach tents with tables & chairs on the sidewalks. I've only ordered take out Pizza Hut & Dominos.

[disneysteve]

In California governor Gavin Newsom mandated no dine in service allowed but eating outside is allowed so tables & chairs are outside on the sidewalks. Denny's set up beach tents with tables & chairs on the sidewalks. I've only ordered take out Pizza Hut & Dominos.

Same here in NJ. Outdoor dining only so tables on sidewalks and parking lots. Some places have tents or at least umbrellas. No way in hell I'd recommend anyone go to an indoor restaurant under any circumstances.

[cypher1]

Mostly patios, but some bars inside with people spread out. While it feels surreal at times, all the loudness of crowds is very annoying, and quickly reminds me why I prefer takeout. In other words I really don't miss dining out.

[riverwed070707]

Yes. A few times. But I tend to go during non-peak hours. A late lunch or early dinner. I don't really miss eating out so much as I miss live entertainment and going out to watch baseball - the few places here that are doing outdoor live music are SO packed because of limited options. Some places are also doing indoor music/sports games/etc but I'm still steering clear of that.

[disneysteve]

the few places here that are doing outdoor live music are SO packed

That's awful. They should be limiting attendance and enforcing social distancing. And that's part of why this pandemic isn't going away anytime soon.

[myrdale]

Multiple times a week.

Moe's, Willy's, Firehouse Sub, Jimmy John's, CiCi's Pizza, a couple of different Mexican restaurants, all have had their lobbies open for weeks now (Georgia).

Zaxby's and a few others are still drive though only.

For active infections, you're still looking at <1% of the population.

There was a big to-do a while back because a worker at one of the restaurants I listed above tested positive with Hepatitis, I am not sure which type.

A guy I work with, who uses hand sanitizer on a constant basis just broke out with a staph infection across his face.

Social distancing makes sense up to a point. I personally believe mask are a complete farce. I don't believe this is going away until 60% of the population has been infected or vaccinated against it. We are surrounded by germs that will kill you dead on a daily basis. Quit worrying, live your life and let other people live theirs. Your grandmother and your buddy with HIV and your friend going though chemo should probably stay home.

[Fishindude77]

We've been out to eat quite a few times. Waitresses are wearing masks, they spread the tables out a bit, and no sitting at the bar.
Some of the small diners, etc. are pretty much back to their same old routines, while places that had buffets and salad bars, etc. are pretty well done for.

I have always preferred a get together and meal at our house or a friends -vs- eating out, but my wife likes to eat out. With these weird factors thrown into the mix, I'm way less interested in dining out.

[disneysteve]

a worker at one of the restaurants I listed above tested positive with Hepatitis

A guy I work with, who uses hand sanitizer on a constant basis just broke out with a staph infection across his face.

I personally believe mask are a complete farce.

Hepatitis is spread through blood and semen. Not really a risk in a restaurant.
Staph is spread through direct skin to skin contact. Not really a risk for anyone but the closest of contacts.

COVID is spread through breathing - and that spread is almost completely eliminated by the simple act of wearing a mask.

[disneysteve]

Your grandmother and your buddy with HIV and your friend going though chemo should probably stay home.

What about your kid's teacher who has breast cancer? Or your secretary who has MS? Or the bus driver who has COPD? Or the 8th grader with Crohn's disease? Or the grandmother who is still working as a hostess at the diner?

The number of people who are high risk is way higher than people realize. They can't all stay home. That's part of why masks are so critically important.

[kork13]

We've been out to eat quite a few times. Waitresses are wearing masks, they spread the tables out a bit, and no sitting at the bar.
Some of the small diners, etc. are pretty much back to their same old routines, while places that had buffets and salad bars, etc. are pretty well done for.

I have always preferred a get together and meal at our house or a friends -vs- eating out, but my wife likes to eat out. With these weird factors thrown into the mix, I'm way less interested in dining out.

That's pretty much us... We've done dine-in maybe a couple times a month, though mostly just take-away. Everywhere (except one little diner in the middle of nowhere) was following the spacing & mask guidelines. While I'm personally not exceptionally concerned about COVID, I respect/follow the guidelines out of courtesy for those who are concerned, or may be at particular risk (and you never really know, since people don't wear signs saying "I'm immune-compromised.")

But that's part of the problem, IMO.... Americans are so wrapped up in themselves that people aren't willing to change behaviors for the sake of others. In my view (having grown up in Guam with a heavy Asian influence), it's simply about respect for others.... And our current social climate has sparse little of that respect.

[Fishindude77]

COVID is spread through breathing - and that spread is almost completely eliminated by the simple act of wearing a mask.

Your mind is obviously made up. I'm not sure what to believe on this.
For every supporting article we read in favor of masks there is another one that refutes the effectiveness of these simple cotton masks against a virus. I've worn the things enough over the years doing dusty work to know quite a bit of nasty stuff still gets through and around them.

Can't stand wearing the darned things and try my hardest to avoid anyplace that requires them.

[disneysteve]

Americans are so wrapped up in themselves that people aren't willing to change behaviors for the sake of others. In my view (having grown up in Guam with a heavy Asian influence), it's simply about respect for others.... And our current social climate has sparse little of that respect.

Exactly!