The food provided in meal plans is satisfactory, but students would be lying if they said they were not looking for diversification from time to time. The dilemma presented today with eating out is rooted in the ever-rising costs. It has become so expensive that even eating at chain restaurants or fast-food establishments has become a rare treat, spaced far apart to ensure that money is spent conservatively. The majority of people who attend university are young and without a stable income. The fact of the matter is that we can’t afford to eat out.
The price rise is frustrating, especially because the quality of service and food have simultaneously taken a hit. It feels as though the corporations behind the restaurants have taken great lengths to minimize the cost of operation. The problem is that these savings are never seen by the consumer. Instead, lower operation costs, paired with higher prices, result in nothing but profit for these companies. As long as profit margins can be expanded, the consumer is likely to suffer more.
With fast food chains becoming out of reach for most, locally-owned restaurants may begin to make more sense to patronize. At one time, these restaurants struggled to meet the low prices that mega-corporations could offer. With the way things are going, however, it may be worth spending a couple of extra dollars to enjoy locally cooked food. There is much joy in finding fabulous restaurants that each specialize in making a certain dish in a particular way. Trying new places, comparing the taste of one restaurant to another, and recommending your personal favorites of a certain town or county are all part of the joy of eating out.
It remains a reality, though, that if the industry were to take a hit, the ones going first would be the small family-owned restaurants. Although they are the ones making your burger or pasta with enthusiasm and heart, In their establishments, you have the reassurance that your meal is not something that was peer-researched and overanalyzed for potential profit. It was made with elbow grease, sweat, and a little bit of love.
