I do not eat out much. Once a month, usually, I eat out with the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ I enjoy that. The company is good. Because "Barnes and Noble" is now located at the South Plains Mall, sometimes we choose the "Food Court" at the South Plains Mall http://www.southplainsmall.com/. Other times we choose "The Olive Garden" http://www.olivegarden.com/ which is located in the northeast corner of the mall parking lot. Sometimes, we choose other restaurants just north of the mall on Slide Road.
For a while, I was trying to go, once a month, to a buffet that was mixed Oriental, American and Italian food. It was okay. I would bring a book, and take my time to eat. I tried to eat after 1 PM, so my lingering presence would not take up needed table space.
I have sometimes, over the years, especially on Friday night, bought take out from "The Fortune Cookie " http://fclbk.com/. They do Lubbock Daily Deals http://dailydeals.lubbockonline.com/engine/Splash.aspx?contestid=62192 so every time they do, I buy these coupons and appreciate them. I need to frequent this restaurant more often, though, without the coupons.
I received a gift certificate for an order at the counter, but the meal is brought to you, restaurant, River Smiths Chicken and Catfish http://www.riversmiths.com/. That was really nice. I again took a book, and enjoyed having someone else taking care of me.
Over the last few years, "Orlando's" http://www.orlandos.com/ and "The Texas Land and Cattle Company" http://www.texaslandandcattle.com/files/menus.aspx have from time to time, sent me gift certificates, which I use. I also enjoy the service, and usually bring a book to read while I am waiting for service.
I have also taken myself out a couple of times for a meal. Most recently, I went to "The Red Lobster" http://www.redlobster.com/. I was not pleased with the service or the meal, although it was edible, it was not worth the price. But, really, why should I complain. That is my long term experience with "The Red Lobster."
This is a holiday weekend. I have taken extra days off at work. I am thinking that one of my meals needs to be at a restaurant that will wait on me. I have not decided which restaurant yet, but I have Sunday and Monday to decide. I like having someone waiting on me, so I can sit back, relax, and just enjoy. That is a vacation kind of experience.
My take, on eating out (no pun "take out" intended), is that for a single person, it can be not that expensive, and is a nice break from the house and making a meal for one person. There is a nice Mexican food restaurant nearby that has a lunch menu, usually costs about $12 with tip, taxes, etc. Some of the fast food places have reduced price menus that fit the bill. There are also a couple of Mexican food places that have grilled fish tacos, one runs about $6 with tax and tip. Sometimes I'll go to a more expensive place, but I look at it as "I can afford it." since I don't abuse it, at least in my mind. I don't like Red Lobster - it's over priced and the service usually stinks. When at the malls, I usually do Chinese or maybe Japanese. No sushi, only cooked food. I had an infected gum recently, so had to avoid the pre-meal chips at the Mexican food restaurants. That's a downer but a couple of times I got a flour tortilla instead. I usually work my eating around other things. I'd rather golf than eat, literally. Besides, I can eat when it's dark. Come to think of it, a couple of the courses I play, the restaurants have a Friday special, it's just battered fried cod, but with cole slaw, it's good enough for me. On July 4, I played a course because the price included greens fee and a buffet barbeque. Made a nice start to the 4th of July. Sometime I'll plan my shopping around lunch or supper; mom and dad used to do that too.
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