12 Unappetizing Truths About Restaurants That Made Me Stop Eating Out

Eating out sure is easy — And sometimes the best option, since cooking is such a hassle! But what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurants? I used to dine out a lot until I came across some facts that made me re-think about them. Here are twelve of them!

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Ice Machines Need Love Too

Close up view of glass of cold brewed coffee with ice cubes
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Everyone uses the ice machine but cleaning them? That’s another story. These machines are a breeding ground for bacteria & mold because they’re not the easiest to clean. As such, the next time you hear the clink of ice in your glass, just remember that it might include some unwelcome company. That’s why I stopped going to restaurants because knowing that I could get sick from eating some ice is rather annoying.

Soda Fountain Fiascos

Coca Cola Cans on White Textile
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Similarly, soda fountains are just as difficult to clean (especially around the nozzle)—which causes a build-up of mold & bacteria. It’s enough to make you think twice about going for that refill! I don’t want to think about germs while I’m sipping a Coca-Cola!

Pass the Germs, Please

Salt and pepper shakers in holder on table
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Think about the last time you grabbed the salt shaker at a table—now think about how many others did the same and didn’t wash their hands. Yes, items like salt shakers, menus & ketchup bottles don’t get cleaned as much as they should be. People pass them around all day, and with each hand that holds them, they get more germs.

Yesterday’s Leftovers

Food waste
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The daily special might not be so special after all as it can actually be a way for restaurants to use up ingredients that are about to go bad. It’s not exactly wrong—but it does make you wonder if you’re actually getting the freshest meal. Or are you merely helping the kitchen with its spring cleaning? I’d rather stick to eating at home—at least it’s fresh.

The Lettuce Lowdown

Smiling african american child holding green fresh lettuce in kitchen
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Even though fast-food salads might seem like the healthier choice, that iceberg lettuce is prone to bacteria. Why? Because it’s mostly water—and not handled as carefully as it should be. Let’s not forget that the dressing on top often includes more calories & sugar than you probably expect. It’s easier to eat healthy by making my own food instead.

Hidden Calories Everywhere

Olive oil and olives in a cup
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A lot of the time, restaurant food includes lots of oils & butter that can quickly turn that “healthy” option on the menu into something else. As such, eating out can make you pile on calories if you’re not careful! You should look at the nutritional info if it’s available—or at least ask how things are prepared.

Watch Out for Cross-Contamination

Person Holding Allergy Medicine Bottle
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For anyone with food allergies, eating out is more difficult than it should be. Even if a restaurant tries to be careful, the fast-paced kitchen environment & shared surfaces may cause accidental allergen exposure. You might think you’re being safe but you can never truly know unless you’re making the food yourself.

The Waste Behind the Meals

Feast Like Royalty on a Pauper's Budget: 15 Savvy Strategies for Thrifty Food Lovers
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Restaurants can be rather wasteful since they’ll throw out unsold food at the end of the day—that’s a major environmental issue. It’s enough to make the entire dining experience a little worse since for every meal enjoyed, there’s a good chance something else is being wasted. This food for thought made me stop visiting restaurants.

The Hardworking Heroes

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Many restaurant workers are working rather hard for not a lot of pay which often causes high staff turnover—and sometimes a drop in the care that goes into the service you receive. These people are an important part of the whole restaurant experience. I refuse to support such unfair working conditions—so I stopped going.

Menu Magic Tricks

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Menus can be difficult since they use fancy descriptions to make dishes sound more appealing than they might actually be. That “Italian flatbread with mozzarella and olives” they’re talking about? It’s often just frozen pizza—and nowhere near the price it should be. While it’s often a bit of marketing magic, these menu descriptions gave me enough letdowns to stop bothering.

Quality or Cost-Cutting?

Chef Holding White Tea Cup More info
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Not all ingredients are created equal and sometimes restaurants cut corners to save on costs. As such, the quality of what you’re eating might not be as high as you’d hope, with frozen ingredients used instead of fresh—or lower-quality options instead. What’s the point in going if you’re going to get something sub-par?

The Real Cost of Convenience

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The convenience of eating out comes with a hidden price tag that involves more than the bill at the end of the meal. When I started really tracking my expenses, I noticed a lot of my budget was going towards restaurants & takeout. The taxes, the tips—it’s way more expensive to eat out than if I had cooked at home.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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