Sit down restaurants empty while fast food fills up?

[lovinlife4]

We don't normally eat out during the week but we were out running errands last night and it was getting late. We passed through a row of Applebees, Lonestars, Bob Evans, etc... and there were not more than 5 or 6 cars in each parking lot at 6:30. We were driving past fast food, KFC, Taco Bell, etc...and all were packed. We settled on Taco Bell and waiting 15 minutes inside for our food (the drive thru was into the street) It was actually really strange as in our area, the sit downs are usually on a wait. Anyone else noticing this?

[Legacy]

Not really seein' it here....yet. Every time I go by Red Lobster, the parking lot is completely full. Even at lunch time. We don't eat out often either. But we ate at Texas Roadhouse a few weeks ago and it was a 45 minute wait to get seated.

? :idunno Don't get it. So much complaining in our area about gas prices, food prices, etc. Yet Red Lobster is full? I just don't get it...:ohno

[MochaMel]

Haven't really noticed the fast food being so busy.. But i have certainly noticed restaurants being empty.. I'm a Server/Mgr p/t and it's been slim pickin's with tips and customers -- people are tipping less and eating less too! That's okay though it's my vacation - hopefully it picks up soon so we don't lose more staff to other establishments.. Part of our slow time is b/c of the economy and the rebate checks being spent.. Plus we have a new mgmt. team that we are adjusting too as well..

[Amanda's mom]

We can't afford to eat out at all. That's okay, it's healthier to eat at home and from scratch.

[Tammy]

We don't normally eat out during the week but we were out running errands last night and it was getting late. We passed through a row of Applebees, Lonestars, Bob Evans, etc... and there were not more than 5 or 6 cars in each parking lot at 6:30. We were driving past fast food, KFC, Taco Bell, etc...and all were packed. We settled on Taco Bell and waiting 15 minutes inside for our food (the drive thru was into the street) It was actually really strange as in our area, the sit downs are usually on a wait. Anyone else noticing this?

My son works at Bob Evans and it is very slow. Also we went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday a couple of weeks ago on a Sat. night and there was no wait. I think there was more workers then people eating.

[Sister-N-Christ]

We are eating at home more too, but the last time we went out with friends, the place was empty. It is usually full on a weekend, so this was a big change.

[CharlotteCow]

The media has been reporting on that trend - families trading down to fast food from sit-down restuarants to save money. I've definitely seen it. I went to Ruby Tuesday recently and there was no one there! The no wait time was nice, though.

[RebMel]

Thursday we went shopping for vacation/school clothes. We went to a Gabriels, a steep discount store that sells name brand rejects (you can get some great stuff, but you have to really watch for stains, ripped seams, etc.) The place was pretty busy, especially for a weekday!

Then had to take two items back for a return at Target, and get a few items we couldn't find at the discount store. By then it was early evening, the traffic getting one place to the other really crowded, but the Target parking lot was EMPTY. We got what my husband calls a 'fat-man spot' right near the door.

Then we went out to eat at Long John Silvers. By now, it is six o'clock, the rush hour is on full blast. There was no one in Long John's, one other table, that was it. The drive thru, however, was around the building.

[christianmom]

We eat out several times a week and all the restaurants as well as the fast food places are full. Nothing has changed yet...at least not around this area.

[Patty13]

No..still packed in our area and the fast food places still has their steady stream of people.