Would you ask for a doggy bag?

[MSE Guy]

You're stuffed at a restaurant but there are still loads of juicy noodles/meat/whatever left over that would make a perfect lunch tomorrow… Which is closest to what you'd usually do?

Pick one of five options in this week's poll:

Vote in this week's poll

Did you vote? Why did you pick that option? Are you surprised at the results so far? Have your say below. To see the results from last time, click this

[BNT]

Not sure why anyone would be embarrassed to ask. The server should normally ask the customer, not the other way round.

[felixthemoggy]

My grandma takes her own doggy bag - a tupperware box!

Whenever she goes for a meal with her friends she takes a plastic box with her & puts half her meal in it at the start and then she has room for pudding and a meal to take home for another day!!!

[mrcow]

Have done and would do.

I've yet to come across an eating establishment that does not have containers/boxes for left over food.

Why would anything think it an odd thing to do? Especially with some of the portion sizes some establishments dish out.

[sav2001]

Having done a few trips to the USA, it's common practise over there. My SIL's fridge often has "leftover" boxes in, taken to work for lunch the next day, etc.

[lemontart]

always do and if not the sort of place that offers some gets wrapped in napkins for the two four legged members of the family as treat

[geekyisgood]

There has to be quite a bit leftover for me to bother and I'm much more likely to do it in Indian or Chinese restaurants (where they will definitely have take-away containers) - but then I'm also more likely to over-order in those restaurants.

I would definitely be a fan of it being commonplace for waiting staff to ask if you'd like one, as it can be a little embarrassing to ask.

[Bennifred]

I find it easier to ask for the remnants to be boxed up, rather than for a "doggy bag".

[SailorSam]

If you don't ask it's only going in the bin.
If it's nice ask and take it home.

[Cabbagewhite]

yes I do, but very rarely eat in restaurants these days. If we don't eat it the next day, it would go to either our dog or our chickens. When I used to work as a waitress at weddings and functions, I often used to take the leftover meat and fish home, that was left uneaten on the plates as we cleared, to feed the animals. As food waste is no longer allowed to go to feed pigs, restaurants are more than happy for you to take it away for free, rather than pay for it to go to waste. I've never known one be funny about it in over 30 years of eating out and 15 years working in restaurants.

[Sharon87]

There's this one place I love, a BBQ restaurant that I always order too much in. I've asked for it to be boxed up there. Still couldn't even finish it on the 2nd meal!!

Although I rarely have any leftovers at restaurants! And if I do, it's usually because the food wasn't great, with a few exceptions obviously lol.

[.Johanna.]

I only take pizza home, often eat it cold next day.

The last time I ate out was at a chinese buffet and I don't think they would allow you to take a doggy bag at buffets. Has anyone ever asked/got a doggy bag at buffet restaurant?

[Mearsy21]

Never need a doggy bag on my table... always clear my plate

[Meadows]

Better to only order what you feel you can eat and not need a doggy bag.
As the site is all about money saving isn't ordering food you can't eat at the time a waste of money?
Yes you can take it home if you are so inclined but that same amount of food would have cost you far less if you had cooked it at home rather than ordered more than you were hungry for, paid for in a restaurant and then took home to finish (or throw away as you didn't fancy it or it did not reheat well later).

[purplegirluk1]

I recently ate at a rather posh Tapas style restaurant. After everyone was finished there was quite a bit of food left over. They waiter asked if we would like it bagged up to take home, nobody was keen (I guess we were all very full!) and he looked horrified that the food would go to waste!! We then all changed our minds and took it all home!!

[pinchingpenny]

It depends who I'm with! With close friends I would ask. I'd like to take my own tupperware as sometimes the boxes they give you are awkward to carry but I'm not sure if I could bring myself to do it. If I'm on a date, no chance I'd be too embarrassed! Especially if they paid
At a buffet? Never!!

[Heithinn]

I don't have "left over" food. I eat it!

[XRAT]

Originally Posted by Mearsy21

Never need a doggy bag on my table... always clear my plate

Mmm, Me too! That really should have been an option.
(I also have a teenage son..., who clears everyone else's plate! We do try to restrict him to our table!)

[NinjaPenguin]

I don't think I've ever had enough left over to warrant asking for a doggy bad. If, however, I was to over order, I would certainly ask to take the leftovers home with me.

[pezza88]

I never leave food on my plate (as a point of principle), so have never had the need.

This did not fit any of the options