Comments on: Paying for Unfinished Food

by: TL

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:24:30 +0000

This rule is not new and is common in many buffet restaurants. I’ve seen many buffet restaurants and all you can eat korean bbq restaurants in Los Angeles and other cities with similar rules.

by: Taste T.O. - Food & Drink In Toronto » Food For Thought - Tuesday, December 9th

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:24:27 +0000

[…] You gonna finish that? - an all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant in NYC starts charging a surcharge for uneaten food. […]

by: Sara

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:40:00 +0000

Someone at the table still has to eat it, which is why it’s good to go in a large group and know the menu fairly well.

by: GLM

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:10:02 +0000

So who decided how much is “too much” waste? I’d have a problem with that, if there wasn’t clear guidelines. I mean, what if the food is more filling that someone thought, or if it just didn’t taste good?

by: Sara

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:33:45 +0000

It is common at AYCE sushi places, in Canada as well. The one I went to it’s around $20 a head plus $1something for all unfinished dishes.

by: Jonathan

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:11:33 +0000

Full disclosure: A recent sushi convert,I’ve never been to an AYCE sushi place. Sounds like a smart policy, though.

by: Missy

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:34:58 +0000

I think its pretty common at AYCE Sushi places.

I used to go to one that charged $1 for each piece of rice left to discourage patrons from turning it into an AYCE sashimi experience…which is both wasteful and much more expensive for the restaurant.

by: Jonathan

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:26:56 +0000

I guess you’d learn after that first time…I can’t imagine they’d have many repeat customers getting fined. That’s an interesting question about things you don’t like. But I could see a ‘gag me with a spoon’ clause being abused as the default excuse for anything left over.

It’s too bad about buffets and taking food home. I can see why they don’t allow it, but it seems like the cause of a fair amount of waste.

by: lauren

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:17:41 +0000

there’s an AYCE sushi joint in chicago that’s been doing the same thing for at least the 5 years i’ve been going there. all food including rice must be eaten or they do charge you. not sure what the policy is if you order something you then discover you hate. only the price makes new york look like it’s for suckers: $17.95. i only got busted for rice one time.

by: Green Resolutions

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:10:54 +0000

I’m not a big fan of all-you-can-eat places because I don’t eat enough to make it a great deal. If pay $27 for one meal, I want to take some leftovers home.

But kudos to the restaurant for calling attention to the problem. It sounds like a good opportunity for educating patrons.