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Dear Helena,
Recently, I went to a restaurant and ordered the entrée of roasted lamb. When it came, it was just a few small pieces of meat with a blob of polenta and some artistic dabs of sauce. When you feel like the portions are stingy, is it OK to complain? I don't want to seem greedy, and I know a lot of restaurants are struggling to cut costs, but when I spend $26 on a dish, I expect it to fill me up enough so I don't have to polish off the previous night's takeout when I get home.
—Still Hungry
Dear Still Hungry,
Usually, when diners feel they're getting meager rations, it's the size of the meat or fish serving they're upset about—as in your case and the case of this Chowhound. Some restaurants skimp on the protein, since it's often the most expensive item on the plate. Sarah Quadri, a former server who worked at now-defunct San Francisco restaurants Aqua and Rubicon, says that when diners complained about getting kid-size portions, usually the dish in question involved a costly item "like duck, squab, or foie gras."
There's no need to feel shy about asking how big the portion will be, say the servers and chefs I talked to. "It happens all the time, especially if it's a couple and they want to split dishes," says Heather Lee Henry, chef at the Santa Ynez Inn.
If you complain about getting a measly portion, some servers will think you're greedy or overly concerned with getting value for your money. Patrick Maguire, a former server who has worked in the restaurant industry for 10 years, says diners who want bigger servings "are often bargain hunters who are used to eating at national chains and eating previously frozen food. … Some people aren't happy unless they are stuffed."
Nonetheless, the server's opinion about it doesn't really matter; if you think the portion is too small for the price, you should speak up. In a good restaurant, they will take your complaint seriously. Scott Stewart, general manager at Café Des Amis in San Francisco, says: "We examine the portion size; perhaps there was an error in the kitchen." Henry says, "I would just get another portion and double the size. You have to make customers happy."
Even if speaking up doesn't get you any more food, it's a courtesy to the restaurant to provide feedback before you skewer it online. The restaurant may adjust its menu. Recently Henry had a "croissant sandwich" on her breakfast menu that was fairly small since it was served with a side salad and there was also a full buffet of granola, fruit, and pastries. But people expected it to be heartier, and several complained. "Now I'm calling them sliders," she says.
Huge portion size is one reason we Americans are so fat. You don't see that so much in Europe or Asia, where meat is often more of a flavor item than the main dish by itself. Smaller meat portions are usual, with enough appetizers, veg, and grains for a healthy and satisfying meal. As the US is coming more in line with European models, I wouldn't expect a huge slab of meat at a fine dining...+READ
Huge portion size is one reason we Americans are so fat. You don't see that so much in Europe or Asia, where meat is often more of a flavor item than the main dish by itself. Smaller meat portions are usual, with enough appetizers, veg, and grains for a healthy and satisfying meal. As the US is coming more in line with European models, I wouldn't expect a huge slab of meat at a fine dining restaurant, unless it was mainly a steakhouse.-COLLAPSE
It depends. I always speak my mind though. If your getting ripped off your getting ripped off! Just be polite about it so they don't taint your food
While the question of value is relevant in restaurants generally, who goes to a resto with mains bobbing at the $30 line and expects to strap on the feedbag? You (usually) don't go out to eat simply to fill your belly, and that $26 is paying for more than the grocery bill.
(That said, I just recently complained about a portion size...and I emailed the chef-owner, as well...so there you are...)
I don't know about most of you guys, but where I live, unless you specifically ask for a hearty portion, you will get a small portion at most upscale restaurants. It's not listed on the menu; you have to know to ask for it. It's annoying, but once you figure that out it's easy to get a reasonable meal.
People know the difference between, "Gee, this is a smaller portion than I expected," vs. "These guys are ripping me off." It's the latter which gets commplaints. A diner should not have to go out to get something to eat after having just laid out meaningful money for dinner.
Americans (and I am one) have a thing about wanting massive portions of protein on the plate. I think a better way to eat--from the point of views of both health and environment--is to consider the protein portion as just another ingredient and not the sole focus of the plate.
While I agree Americans in general have become accustomed to what the rest of the world would consider ridiculously huge portions, I'm still unhappy paying for an expensive meal and leaving the restaurant hungry.
I feel some effort could be made at achieving a happy medium- if the protein portions are small, there ought to be some vegetables to satisfy, rather than just an garnish to make the...+READ
While I agree Americans in general have become accustomed to what the rest of the world would consider ridiculously huge portions, I'm still unhappy paying for an expensive meal and leaving the restaurant hungry.
I feel some effort could be made at achieving a happy medium- if the protein portions are small, there ought to be some vegetables to satisfy, rather than just an garnish to make the plate pretty- my last frustrating experience brought me a tapa-sized portion of very tasty sauced chicken with three or four skinny little haricots verts and about a tablespoon of potatoes whipped with turnip. No salad was included, and even after emptying the bread basket my companion and I left the table unsatisfied. Quality over quantity is one thing, but an offering this size would have been considered skimpy for an appetizer at any steakhouse. And IMO inadequate portions, while they might generate a few more orders for expensive desserts in the short run, are likely to hurt the percentage of return customers.
I've noticed a recent trend on some menus of offering small or large portions at different prices; I think this a step in the right direction. Myself, I'd be happier if those restaurants which tend toward tiny servings would offer a prix-fixe option, but except for holiday and/or promotional specials this seldom seems to be the case.
In haute cuisine of earlier times grains, potatoes and pasta were seen as "peasant food" but meals often consisted of many more protein courses than the modern standard. Nowadays even at the finest places we don't expect the extra plates of lark's tongues, robin's eggs and roast snipe. But if slightly more generous portions of satisfying starches were served in general, none of us would be faced with the choice of either departing hungry or doing the Oliver Twist- "Please, sir, may I have some more?"
Except for small things like sauce or butter I've never asked for extra at a restaurant, but sometimes I've left the table less than fulfilled. Nobody leaves a Chinese restaurant hungry. Why? Rice. My grandmother lived in Shanghai during the early 1930s, and told stories of twenty-course banquets, after which rice was served as a final course to ensure the complete satisfaction of every diner.
One could even wish for a more thorough take on the inclusive meal; I'd love to see prix-fixe deals for several, along the lines of what the chow mein houses offered years ago. "Three from column A, two from column B..."
Of course, I know that's not going to happen. But to portion out a decent serving of rice or potato instead of a tiny one would cost a restaurant almost nothing extra and pay dividends in the form of more satisfied customers. And it seems to me that including soup or salad would be a welcome boost for the small-plated.-COLLAPSE
I would rather eat at a restaurant which serves portions that are too tiny and notifies me in advance rather than at one which serves me portions which are too big and too many without warning. I count calories and I want to know what I am getting myself into whenever I enter a restaurant where I don't know what I might be ordering. I use the Calorie Counter's Handbook (right title?) but I should...+READ
I would rather eat at a restaurant which serves portions that are too tiny and notifies me in advance rather than at one which serves me portions which are too big and too many without warning. I count calories and I want to know what I am getting myself into whenever I enter a restaurant where I don't know what I might be ordering. I use the Calorie Counter's Handbook (right title?) but I should be on guard since the portions might be too big or too small.-COLLAPSE
I love good food. I can eat alot too. I avoid restaurants that serve an entree that looks like tiny items artfully arranged on a plate, with some dabbling of sauce. I spent $180 on lunch one day and walked away hungrier than when I arrived. No way. Don't even serve me this. It's ridiculous and you have got to be kidding. SERIOUSLY! Stop this!
@ gecki
there is a local, to me, fine dining restaurateur who is very concerned about the out-of-wack portion size thing in american restaurants. at his place, which serves a 3 course prix fixe, he has geared the portions to satisfy 80% of people, with no leftovers. although he does not advertise this, if you are one of the folks (20%) with a bigger appetite, his staff is trained to offer you...+READ
@ gecki
there is a local, to me, fine dining restaurateur who is very concerned about the out-of-wack portion size thing in american restaurants. at his place, which serves a 3 course prix fixe, he has geared the portions to satisfy 80% of people, with no leftovers. although he does not advertise this, if you are one of the folks (20%) with a bigger appetite, his staff is trained to offer you more food, free of charge, so that everyone leaves the restaurant well-fed, satisfied but not stuffed.
i think it's important to note that there is a huge physical range of people, and people's ages, activity levels and lifestyles can mean that caloric intake can be really different from one individual to another. just because someone has a very physical job, or is an athlete, and so they actually *do* need to consume more food than the next person, who may be physically smaller and have a desk job with a minimum of physical activity-- does not mean that the first person is a boorish hog, and the second is virtuous and sophisticated. i think the restaurateur who i mentioned came up with a very admirable solution to a deceptively tricky problem.
i'm a quality over quantity person, myself. i'd rather pay $29 for a small, great piece of fish and some high quality vegetables, well prepared, than $12 for a huge plate of processed ingredients, starch and dreck. so no, the value meal at chain restaurants and buffets don't generally do it for me-- i'm not defending the gaping maw syndrome.-COLLAPSE
I am European and more specifically Italian (so I should not be accused by some presumptuous commenters of being used to the fast-food-culture that they so easily blame upon commenters with different opinions). It seems that according to some people here, there are only to options: either TOO MUCH food (like Cheesecake factory, that I never tried) or TOO LITTLE. It is not so. There is a...+READ
I am European and more specifically Italian (so I should not be accused by some presumptuous commenters of being used to the fast-food-culture that they so easily blame upon commenters with different opinions). It seems that according to some people here, there are only to options: either TOO MUCH food (like Cheesecake factory, that I never tried) or TOO LITTLE. It is not so. There is a difference between "not enough food for being satisfied" and "enough food to bring home remainings". If a restaurant client is clever and money-savy (that is different from greedy) he/she will expect to be fed. Restaurants should etymologically "restaurer" that means "feed or restore". So, before being snob and criticize other people for being hungry, please try to know what you are talking about.-COLLAPSE
"Skimp" is the operative term here. Who wants to spend $26 on a meal from a place that skimps on portion sizes? And who cares what a waiter thinks? Unless the waiter is paying for your meal, they have no input whatsoever.
My food philosophy over the years has been....the owner of a restaurant has a right to make a profit on his product,....however, having wrote that ....THE CUSTOMER HAS A RIGHT TO A "PROFIT" ALSO !!....and that "profit" is two-fold,....VALUE AND SATISFACTION !....if the portions are small and the customer isn't satisified, they LOST their "profit" while the owner made his !...not fair now is it...+READ
My food philosophy over the years has been....the owner of a restaurant has a right to make a profit on his product,....however, having wrote that ....THE CUSTOMER HAS A RIGHT TO A "PROFIT" ALSO !!....and that "profit" is two-fold,....VALUE AND SATISFACTION !....if the portions are small and the customer isn't satisified, they LOST their "profit" while the owner made his !...not fair now is it ??...a customer deserves VALUE for their dollar, just as the owner deserves a profit for his investment...speak up !...and quote them my philosophy.-COLLAPSE
okay. . . i like a salad for a brunch meal, or on the side of a brunch meal, it's pretty normal to get some simple dressed greens with a slice of quiche, isn't it?
hey sometimes you just feel unhealthy after a long, arduous, or particularly booze-filled weekend, and you crave some salad on sunday morning. :) i don't think it's weird at all.
So if you don't want to leave a restaurant hungry after dropping a fistful of fifties for dinner, that means you are a cretin that belongs in a fast-food chain? I am sure that (some) restaurants get leverage out of that pernicious attitude.
There are fine dining restaurants that serve small portions that are not amazing. It's not that people always want to eat until they are stuffed. They want to eat until they feel satisfied and content. If a restaurant can satisfy people with small, artful, tasty portions, then great! People want to feel that their money was WORTH it. I've been to fine-dining restaurants that not only served small...+READ
There are fine dining restaurants that serve small portions that are not amazing. It's not that people always want to eat until they are stuffed. They want to eat until they feel satisfied and content. If a restaurant can satisfy people with small, artful, tasty portions, then great! People want to feel that their money was WORTH it. I've been to fine-dining restaurants that not only served small portions, but they were dull, tasteless small portions.
Not everyone who is complaining goes to Applebee's or doesn't appreciate fine food. Talk about pretentiousness in the comments. Sheesh.-COLLAPSE
I wish MORE restaurants served smaller portions. I enjoy food while I'm out but don't always want to take it home and have two more meals of it. It's one reason why I prefer higher end dining - the portions are realistic.
The article at the top says "Recently Henry had a "croissant sandwich" on her breakfast menu that was fairly small since it was served with a side salad. . . ." Now, first of all, who on earth would eat a salad for breakfast? And, second of all, I couldn't agree more with the people who want to get a full meal. After all, it's dinner time, right, and you want to have dinner? Not a visual feast, a...+READ
The article at the top says "Recently Henry had a "croissant sandwich" on her breakfast menu that was fairly small since it was served with a side salad. . . ." Now, first of all, who on earth would eat a salad for breakfast? And, second of all, I couldn't agree more with the people who want to get a full meal. After all, it's dinner time, right, and you want to have dinner? Not a visual feast, a meal! I can't tell you how many times I have forced myself not to lick the plate at some of these dinners. The cook may have taken some art classes, but it seems that he or she has forgotten about the whole point, which is eating. Good grief.-COLLAPSE
Your tiny may be my small and the other person's plenty, so it's not easy to judge without seeing the offending serving.
Yes, Americans expect larger portions than many Europeans do, and we are fatter because of that, at least in part. But how much is a fair portion? 6 bites of lamb? 6 ounces?
A few morsels artistically arranged on a 12" plate is not a meal. May I have a few more molecules...+READ
Your tiny may be my small and the other person's plenty, so it's not easy to judge without seeing the offending serving.
Yes, Americans expect larger portions than many Europeans do, and we are fatter because of that, at least in part. But how much is a fair portion? 6 bites of lamb? 6 ounces?
A few morsels artistically arranged on a 12" plate is not a meal. May I have a few more molecules of nourishment in my molecular cooking?-COLLAPSE
In many of these places, the point is not necessarily about the quantity of food, but rather the quality of the food- ie fresh ingredients, well prepared, and well presented. The latter point, which some might say "artistic" nonsense is something that some people, including myself, feel is an important part of eating since it is a multisensory activity. Similarly, I don't want to pay for...+READ
In many of these places, the point is not necessarily about the quantity of food, but rather the quality of the food- ie fresh ingredients, well prepared, and well presented. The latter point, which some might say "artistic" nonsense is something that some people, including myself, feel is an important part of eating since it is a multisensory activity. Similarly, I don't want to pay for processed, factory made food because I think they are generally expensive for what they are. One might argue that you shouldn't sacrifice quantity for quality, but in my opinion American food portions are much too big. So, i don't think its ok to complain about food portions in a restaurant.-COLLAPSE
In my experience, restaurants serving small portions are generally fine dining ones. As a person who can't eat much in one sitting, I delight in small portions - it means I can eat entree, main and dessert (app, entree and dessert for my American friends)!
Watching my weight is my choice, not something i expect a restaurant to dictate. Most places that serve small portions are known for that, and it is my choice as a potential customer to eat there or not, but suggesting that the restaurant has my health in mind is rather ludicrous.
"But if the tiny portions are good for watching your weight and food intake, why try to avoid them for that reason?"
A small portion of protein, especially prepared well, is ok with me, but when it includes 2 or 3 delicately arranged string beans or carrots, it crosses over into pretentious b.s. Vegetables are one of the few things one can eat freely when dieting.
But if the tiny portions are good for watching your weight and food intake, why try to avoid them for that reason? As long as they are not extremely overpriced, smaller portions helps you to limit the amount you eat while out and makes sure that you don't feel the need to finish such a large plate, such as going to cheesecake factory or a chain like this that offers too large portions.
At the sort of places where portions tend to be smaller (as in, places with food rather than food product), portions can really vary. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a dining companion get a chop that was twice as big as mine, or 2x the amount of risotto or whatever. Then I really do want to complain, but instead I end up whining to the person who got more food.
if i want to be "wowed", i'll go bobsledding or to the circus or a jai lai game. going to a restaurant implies that i expect to be fed sufficiently as to eliminate hunger; any venue (plain or fancy) which does not do so has failed in its mission and will not receive my dollars again if it does not offer relief. despite usda guidelines, one lamb chop or half of a chicken breast is not dinner...+READ
if i want to be "wowed", i'll go bobsledding or to the circus or a jai lai game. going to a restaurant implies that i expect to be fed sufficiently as to eliminate hunger; any venue (plain or fancy) which does not do so has failed in its mission and will not receive my dollars again if it does not offer relief. despite usda guidelines, one lamb chop or half of a chicken breast is not dinner unless expressly stated as such on the menu and priced accordingly.-COLLAPSE
Ahh, in our house we usually complain about portions that are too large! Need I mention Cheescake factory? But we always ask about portion size before we order. Some restaurants desingn portion sizes that are to comfortably allow the diner to order an appetizer and a desert as well as an entree. At others two of us would fill up on even one appetizer and the rest of the food is overkill.
Honestly, it seems like the majority of complaints about portion size come from people who somehow missed the fact that they were eating in a restaurant that serves small plates or multi-course meals. There's no reason why you can't ask the server about portion sizes or simply order more food later.
"I'm not going to pay for a dab of "artistically presented" food when the purpose of going out to dinner is to...eat dinner."
That's not the whole purpose or even always the primary purpose. I'm happy to pay for a dab of artistry rather than a slab of comfort if my goal is to be wowed rather than soothed. It all depends.
"Trying to cast the customer as greedy or ignorant is snobbish ploy."
So true! "If you complain about getting a measly portion, some servers will think you're greedy or overly concerned with getting value for your money"...when I go out to eat I like to feel I am getting value for my money, otherwise I will go somewhere else. More food does not equal "better value", but I'm not going to pay for...+READ
"Trying to cast the customer as greedy or ignorant is snobbish ploy."
So true! "If you complain about getting a measly portion, some servers will think you're greedy or overly concerned with getting value for your money"...when I go out to eat I like to feel I am getting value for my money, otherwise I will go somewhere else. More food does not equal "better value", but I'm not going to pay for a dab of "artistically presented" food when the purpose of going out to dinner is to...eat dinner.-COLLAPSE
It's a lot easier not to, but without feedback they're guessing as to what you think and probably won't improve. Of course, you're usually limited to talking to a wait person who has nothing to do with it, but enough complaints will eventually get through. Then, if you're PO'd enough, don't go back.
I try to avoid restaurants which try to pull off the tiny portions as art. I have seen the small portions extend to side dishes which include low cost veggies. Trying to cast the customer as greedy or ignorant is snobbish ploy.
Sure you can complain about a tiny portion, but only if you first remark how awful it tasted!
If it's going to be a small portion, it better be rare, expensive ingredients OR it better be bursting with flavor because of the time the chef put into preparing it. I've been to restaurants where it was $28 for an entree, small portions, and completely flavorless and unoriginal. That's a bad restaurant. And if I cared enough, I'd complain. But I'd rather just never come back.
Definitely had the experience recently of "That looks small", only it turned out to be more than I could eat, an order of lega-tibs at a neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant that, eaten traditionally using the plentiful accompanying teff injera as the starch/utensil, turned out to be plenty substantial. I'm far more horrified by enormous portions than teensy ones, and the small-portion problem is a...+READ
Definitely had the experience recently of "That looks small", only it turned out to be more than I could eat, an order of lega-tibs at a neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant that, eaten traditionally using the plentiful accompanying teff injera as the starch/utensil, turned out to be plenty substantial. I'm far more horrified by enormous portions than teensy ones, and the small-portion problem is a lot rarer. Most places that serve smallish portions quickly get that reputation online (read Chowhound and Yelp ahead of time), since disgusting hog troughs like The Cheesecake Factory have conditioned us mostly-overweight Americans to expect to go home with a bulging, dripping doggie bag. As a country, we'd clearly be better off eating smaller quantities of better food. As Pollan puts it, cheap food isn't really cheap: you end up paying for it in health care costs later in life.-COLLAPSE
Reminds me of the time we ate at a very highly regarded restaurant and included an order of quail with risoto. The rice was delicious, as was the half of a quail that was the entire serving.
once a friend of mine went to a resturant and order a mexican wrap with cheese and a small side of black beans, but instead has given a bowl of black beans, a tortilla, and a third of a sausage. well, that was not at any rate what she ordered
Hooray for a new topic! If I fear from the description/price that the portion might be small—or for that matter huge—I always ask. Nothing wrong with that, any more than asking how it's made or what the ingredients are. What's the server gonna say, "It's a surprise"? And frankly, instead of complaining, I look at a smaller-than-expected portion as an excuse to order something else. Finally, it's...+READ
Hooray for a new topic! If I fear from the description/price that the portion might be small—or for that matter huge—I always ask. Nothing wrong with that, any more than asking how it's made or what the ingredients are. What's the server gonna say, "It's a surprise"? And frankly, instead of complaining, I look at a smaller-than-expected portion as an excuse to order something else. Finally, it's amazing how often something *looks* small to our spoiled eyes and turns out to be just fine.-COLLAPSE