Delivery Is King

 A new Mexican restaurant opened near me a few days ago. Last night since there was just hubby and I having dinner, welcome to the world of teenagers, I decided I'd pop over and check it out. That turned out to be a frustrating but eye-opening experience.

 As I walk into the place, it's more takeout than eat in, there is one man in front of me and two people behind the counter. The customer is waiting for his food which is being prepared extremely slowly by the worker. Now I don't mean "we've just opened and I'm still learning slow". That I could understand. This was more slow slow. I'm struggling for a word but you get it.

  There was another employee who was not moving slowly. In fact, she was lightning fast. So why wasn't she asking me for my order? I was next and by now there were three others in line behind me. Because she does not wait on mere in-person customers. No she is the food delivery preparer. Those of us spur-of-the-moment clientele can wait but not the folks lying on their couches waiting for the doorbell to ring. They have priority. Interesting.

  Years ago the only restaurants that delivered were pizza places and Chinese restaurants. That was it. They had their own drivers and you paid and tipped at the door. And by 2am you were out of luck. Not anymore. Even gas stations will send you chips, ice cream, and pop thru a delivery service. You never have to go to bed hungry again! This has changed the take-out business like never before.

  My kids' order food all the time. To me, the extra costs associated with delivery, which can be as much as the order, make it worthwhile for me to throw on some clothes and head out into the night. Not for them. It's the norm. They are willing to pay for the convenience of someone dropping their late-night meals on the doorstep. And then tip on top of that. Especially when the app is connected to my credit card!

  Now restaurants, even new ones, don't need me as much as before. I'm not a priority. People ordering from home or the office take presidence. They are the ones who chose where to eat when they have an ever-increasing amount of options. They are the repeat customers. I am the icing on the cake.

  I won't be going back to that restaurant. Not because the food wasn't good or it was too expensive. Eating out is a luxury and if I'm going to spend my money on takeout I, at the very least, want to feel like my business matters. The least they can do is pretend it does. Even when it doesn't.

  Ang