# Is it stupid to use a drive-thru when the business is still open? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 14, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862 "2013-09-14T20:03:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/41 "2013-09-15T22:51:11Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > …Ever since it took 12 minutes to be served inside at Taco Bell, and 30 seconds at the drivein window, I go to the drivein. Drivein customers’ orders take precedence in the kitchen, it seems. They do. It’s a lot easier to keep stats on wait time for drive-thru customers than it is walk-ins so local management prioritizes them to keep corporate off their backs. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/42 "2013-09-16T00:46:08Z")
> [@Randolph](#): > > Or you gotta use the bathroom. And maybe want to stretch your legs, on a road trip. OK, there are now 4 valid reasons that I believe in. ( Previous mention was made to the possible long line of cars in the drive-through, with a relatively small line inside…) I’ll keep reading the thread, and see what else I failed to account for. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/43 "2013-09-16T00:52:13Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > Reason #5 - you are English and the order-taker cannot understand you over the crappy microphone system they have. > > I’ve given up using drive-throughs because after repeatedly asking me to repeat myself, they still get the order wrong anyway. And I speak (almost) the same language as them. Goodness knows how customers fare if English is not their first language. I never considered this, and I’m sorry that this is the case for you. Unfortunately, this is a failing on the part of the person listening to you, and theoretically solve-able. I will, therefore, not consider it as a valid reason to not use the drive through. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/44 "2013-09-16T00:55:47Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > Reason #7: Hard of hearing, don’t do well with speakers and prefer face to face conversation for lipreading cues. > > Also, I can watch them making my food. That’s important to me, I’ve worked in a lot of restaurants over the years. > > re: **Morganstern** ’s post from yesterday: If you eat your meal, I won’t call the cops on you. > But if, for example, you pass out in your food, or if you remove more than the usual amount of clothing, I might have to. > At home, you can fall into your nachos or rub them on yourself without that sort of hassle. Absolutely valid. So where are we now, 5 good reasons? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/45 "2013-09-16T01:01:38Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Absolutely valid. So where are we now, 5 good reasons? Six: > [@deltasigma](#): > > I think it’s rude to use the drive thru if you plan to rob the place. Robbery is a traumatic experience and is something that requires a personal touch if you really care about your “clients” and want to minimize the psychological impact. Plus there are the practical considerations of uncooperative clients who may feel less inclined to comply if you aren’t physically present. :eek: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/46 "2013-09-16T01:06:20Z")
> [@austerity](#): > > There are also people who won’t eat dine in at a fast food restaurant because they believe the people inside are poor and dirty. > > I had a few coworkers who felt that way and would only do drive thru. They were completely shocked that I would even suggest that we dine-in with the riff raff at mcdonalds. But they’re willing to let the riff raff cook their food? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/47 "2013-09-16T01:08:32Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > Six: I missed that one. 😃 6 it is. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/48 "2013-09-16T01:20:40Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > But they’re willing to let the riff raff cook their food? If they’re getting food at McDonalds, how are they not riff-raff themselves? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/49 "2013-09-16T01:27:31Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > What’s stupid is using the drive-through when the place is closed. Obviously, but what about using the drive-thru on foot when it’s open and the walk-in is closed? Why won’t they let people do that? Is it really that much more dangerous than people walking inside? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/50 "2013-09-16T02:28:07Z")
> [@deltasigma](#): > > I think it’s rude to use the drive thru if you plan to rob the place. Robbery is a traumatic experience and is something that requires a personal touch if you really care about your “clients” and want to minimize the psychological impact. Plus there are the practical considerations of uncooperative clients who may feel less inclined to comply if you aren’t physically present. :eek: 😉 Plus if you really splurged on a dead president or pig mask, you want to show that off a little. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/51 "2013-09-16T02:29:49Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Obviously, but what about using the drive-thru on foot when it’s open and the walk-in is closed? Why won’t they let people do that? Is it really that much more dangerous than people walking inside? Cars aren’t driving into the dining room.That’s where the danger comes from- the cars coming through the drive-through that aren’t expecting pedestrians to be there. And the restaurant won’t serve you there, because if they do they might lose the lawsuit when someone gets hit by one of those cars. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/52 "2013-09-16T03:01:30Z")
[Well there is this…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um30Lbu6-nc) ---
**Author:** ![HardlySanguine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HardlySanguine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HardlySanguine)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/53 "2013-09-16T03:35:50Z")
I usually don’t know what I want and will go inside so that I may stare at the menu for five or six minutes without holding up a whole line of cars. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/54 "2013-09-16T03:53:18Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > There’s a local fast-food chain here in Chicago called Portillo’s – they mostly do hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, but also do hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, etc. IME, their drive-throughs are almost always insanely slow. If I’m going to get an order for carryout there, unless there’s no line at all in the drive-through, I’ll always go inside, as experience has shown me that even a short line in the drive-through will likely translate to a 10-15 minute wait. We’ve got a Portillo’s out here, too (right down the street from Knott’s Berry Farm). I can’t figure out why they even HAVE a drive-thru. Takes fifteen minutes to get your order when you go inside. I can’t imagine that they move things along any faster for the drive-thru folks. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/55 "2013-09-16T05:06:59Z")
Is there some country where the OP’s question makes sense? One where drivethroughs are only used for customers when the dining room is closed? ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/56 "2013-09-16T05:20:18Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Is there some country where the OP’s question makes sense? One where drivethroughs are only used for customers when the dining room is closed? In Switzerland - if you’re talking about [drive-thru brothels](http://www.businessinsider.com/switzerlands-new-drive-in-brothel-goes-live-2013-8), or as they’re called there - “sex boxes” (tee-hee). 😃 edit: although in that case, I’m not sure what the “dining area” would be. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/57 "2013-09-16T05:40:36Z")
I’d like the OP to come back and explain how to use a drive-thru window when the business is closed. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/58 "2013-09-16T05:41:02Z")
I think it’s probably faster and wastes less fuel to order inside at almost all places I frequent. But sometimes I’m not wearing pants. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/59 "2013-09-16T05:59:36Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I wonder how they feel about a motorcycle. Is that car-like enough or closer to a pedestrian? > > Ever since it took 12 minutes to be served inside at Taco Bell, and 30 seconds at the drivein window, I go to the drivein. Drivein customers’ orders take precedence in the kitchen, it seems. I think drive thrus get priority in all circumstances, the reasoning being that if you have time to park and walk in and hang around, you, uh, have time to park and walk in and hang around. I worked at 2 chains, and this was the reasoning. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/60 "2013-09-16T10:19:54Z")
Okay,my fellow Dopers…there’s something you’re all forgetting: So far, we’ve discussed relative speed of the drive thru, we’ve discussed the financial side of giving priority to drive thrus, we’ve discussed the air pollution issues, and we’ve discussed the waving of one’s penis at the drive thru… But there’s one thing we haven’t yet covered: **The quality of the food.** I never use the drive through, for a very simple reason : If I’m at a McDonald’s, I went there because I want to, well, ummm, ya know, (…prepare for a surprise…) , well,…I want to _EAT_!!! And a fine meal like McD’s tastes better when it’s hot off the grill. By the time you drive 10 minutes back to your home or office, the fries are stone cold, and the hamburgers are barely warm. And that makes your gourmet food soggy, cold, and tasteless. And reheating it in the microwave is tacky…hardly appropriate for such fine food, and an insult to the chef. Besides, it doesn’t restore the crispiness of the fries, and it makes the hamburger bun soft and soggy. So I always go inside to order, and eat my food while I’m there. Along with the riff-raff and the common rabble. They’re my kind of folks, anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862.md?page=4)