# Would you like to see restaurants offer small portions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [April 30, 2026, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669 "2026-04-30T15:45:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/41 "2026-05-01T00:57:35Z")
In these old movies, the cocktail glasses look like they hold about an ounce. If you want to see a lot of cocktail drinking, watch an old Thin Man movie! ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/42 "2026-05-01T03:50:50Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > I’m not seeing a benefit for the establishment … by charging for an extra plate in a mid-range (at best) restaurant. Clearly mid-range sit-down restaurants don’t like the practice of two people splitting one meal. The benefit for them of the charge, I think, is that a) they recoup some small portion of the loss from selling one meal instead of two, and b) they discourage the practice of splitting single meals. The downside for them is that, by discouraging the practice, they may discourage repeat visits from those people. I’m sure they have done the calculation. Perhaps a restaurant manager is among our readers and they can offer more information based on their experience. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/43 "2026-05-01T04:00:09Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > What? I would be sitting at the same table whether it was just me or a second person. And that second person is ordering a drink, probably their highest profit margin item. So the wait staff is looking at a larger tip by not pissing me off. You know the waitstaff aren’t the ones who set restaurant policy, right? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/44 "2026-05-01T04:16:26Z")
I’m reminded of an issue several decades ago now - myself, my living-together-with-me girlfriend [now wife], and a friend went out to a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant and wanted to get six different appetizers split between us to enjoy as many different things as possible as a “lighter” meal. The restaurant owner came out and said he wouldn’t do it, with three people he demanded at least two entrees. So we got up and left without making a fuss, but also never went back. These days, it’s quite common when we go out for my wife to get two “appetizers” which combined are more than a entree food wise (with cost to match sadly) and I’ll get one entree and snag a bite or two of hers. Never had a server or owner come out and complain about it which I again attribute to it having been a common choice for “lighter” portions and therefore the higher costs I mentioned above. For me though it’s not a big preference - eating out is either an _occasion_ (Mother’s day, Father’s day, birthday, special event) or for something I can’t/can’t be bothered to make on my own (Thai food, Good sushi, etc.). So it’s a _splurge_ where cost is far less of an issue. Then again, outside travel, we eat out maybe once or twice a month - if it was more frequent, then I’d certainly be doing the take home box or want a smaller portion. Heck, my parents (in their 80s) probably eat out every other or every third day, always taking a full meal (for them) worth home each. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/45 "2026-05-01T06:26:49Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > And isn’t five ounces of wine still about the size of a normal “by the glass” restaurant serving today? Almost, at least around here. The places I know of locally that do wine-by-the-glass offer two sizes: 6 oz. and 9 oz. So, 5 oz. would be a little smaller, but still a reasonable amount, suitable for a small portion of food. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/46 "2026-05-01T07:09:28Z")
I would not avail myself of smaller portioned meals. My wife, OTOH, would probably order a small portion at least half the time. She rarely eats a full restaurant meal, so we’ve gotten into the habit of bringing our own containers for leftovers, but if the situation is not conducive to leftovers - dining out before going to see a movie, for instance - a smaller meal would be just the ticket for her. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/47 "2026-05-01T07:35:38Z")
When Ozempic first became a thing I recall seeing signs at an all-you-can-eat place that said you could pay half price with proof that you were on it. Makes perfect sense. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/48 "2026-05-01T08:15:10Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Many years ago, a restaurant opened in Buffalo whose entire menu was small plates. Small plate restaurants are a big thing where I live in the UK - basically tapas style, but not necessarily Spanish depending on what the restaurant is. I love it because you can order as little or as much as you like, and try lots of different things. It’s actually rather put me off traditional ‘start/main/dessert’ style dining - strikes me as a bit boring now. [Here’s an example menu](https://www.correstaurant.com/menus) from a local place I go to, and [another](https://www.rootbristol.co.uk/food-menu). ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/49 "2026-05-01T08:31:41Z")
Gosh, @SanVito , I wish we had those kinds of things where I am. Everything on both looks tasty, and if they’re small enough, they’d fill the void. Thanks for those links. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/50 "2026-05-01T09:38:59Z")
Yes, I am aware but I just wasn’t speaking for me. In general people will voice their displeasure with a place with a low tip instead of actively engaging with management or will do both. The idea being that the staff will bring up this policy. Right or wrong, this is what people do. If management gives this extra fee to the wait staff then they should state so, as this changes the equation. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/51 "2026-05-01T10:14:46Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > We normally try to get meals that will reheat well when we go out, because every “normal” dish is 3-4 servings for us. That’s economical in the long run, I suppose. One suggestion for people like us, though, is to find a restaurant that does tastings menus. I love tasting menus, especially with _omakase_ style sushi or varied Japanese cuisine beyond just sushi and shashimi, but also with Western style dishes. And it doesn’t have to be pretentious – I had an absolutely lovely evening a while back at an event held at a brewery restaurant which had great food, and for this event they customized miniature versions of pretty much their entire menu. It was perfectly wonderful. As for taking home leftovers in “doggie bags”, I just love this old _New Yorker_ cartoon! 😁 [![](https://i.imgur.com/PPhUxNg.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/PPhUxNg.jpeg) ETA: I should add to this that, as a Canadian, I find many restaurant meals in the US to be excessively huge. Why this is I cannot say, but it’s definitely been something I’ve noticed, though I haven’t been in the US in many years, so this may be outdated experience. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/52 "2026-05-01T11:34:12Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’m not familiar with restaurant economics. Nor am I - I just made up some numbers as an example. Obviously the restaurant would figure out what would work for them, and the customers would decide. Surely there’s a price point that would work, at least on some items. The amount of waste I see as tables are bussed is bordering on obscene, at least to my mind. Maybe it should be marketed the other way - base price for smaller portions with a small upcharge for more? I don’t know - never worked in a restaurant, never studied marketing. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/53 "2026-05-01T11:50:19Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I think most restaurant chains have lower calorie options. Yes, but at Seasons 52 pretty much all their entrees are below 600 calories. That’s their thing. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/54 "2026-05-01T13:19:34Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I should add to this that, as a Canadian, I find many restaurant meals in the US to be excessively huge. Why this is I cannot say, but it’s definitely been something I’ve noticed, though I haven’t been in the US in many years, so this may be outdated experience. The portions are still rather large. I’ve slimmed down considerably over the last few years and find it difficult to clean my plate at most restaurants these days. Especially if I have bread, chips & salsa, or order an appetizer. Typically I eat the entree, some of the sides, and then I’m done. I suspect there are a few reasons portion sizes are so large here are for a few reasons. The first is any savings to the restaurant for serving smaller portions are likely negligible for most dishes. Another reason is perceived value to their customers. Most of us want to feel like we’re getting a good deal, so a big pile of food is one way to satisfying your customers. I wouldn’t mind seeing restaurants offer smaller portions. But I’m unlikely to base my choice on where to eat based on portions. I don’t really care if I save $2-4 for getting smaller portions nor does leaving uneaten food on my plate bother me. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/55 "2026-05-01T13:27:14Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > At Five Guys, a hamburger has two patties, a “Little Hamburger” has one patty. But their regular fries include about 4 potatoes worth of fries. Then they add another half potato worth to the bag. I always wanted them to have a smaller size of fries. I often get an appetizer for dinner, though many places are offering 2 or 3 sliders as a meal which I like. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/56 "2026-05-01T13:33:26Z")
I have found that since I’ve been using the GLP-1 drugs, that I don’t want anywhere near as much food as I used to. So if we grab hamburgers or something, I typically get the “Jr” version. Which feels a bit weird and like I’m buying the old lady or kid burger. What I’d prefer is if they did something like made the Jr the “normal” size, but their #1 combo actually starts with a double, so that there’s no stigma associated with the smaller one, and nobody’s self conscious about their machismo getting the “Junior” burger. The ultimate problem is that since food is so cheap in an absolute sense, restaurants started to compete with one another on portion size within the same price point. Same thing started to happen with sodas in the 1990s, which is where we ended up in the weird situation that a 32 oz soda is a “medium”. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/57 "2026-05-01T16:15:54Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > ETA: I should add to this that, as a Canadian, I find many restaurant meals in the US to be excessively huge. People have been screaming about the size portions of American meals for decades. Except at the very highest-ends, restaurants seem to compete by height of the piles on their plates. Weird inconsistencies follow. Most people would deem a one-pound hamburger as oversized, especially with a pound of other toppings added, which is the latest food fad. One local place keeps being ranked in the top five burgers in New York with something they call the Aftermath. “It’s stacked complete with a 1/2-pound burger, American cheese, bacon, hash browns, fried egg, meat hot sauce and onion straws.” (OK, only a half pound. Still.) Yet every steakhouse seems to have 16, 18, 20, 24, 32, or 40oz steaks on their regular menus. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/58 "2026-05-01T16:23:39Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > These days, it’s quite common when we go out for my wife to get two “appetizers” which combined are more than a entree food wise (with cost to match sadly) and I’ll get one entree and snag a bite or two of hers. We call this a “mermaid meal” after the movie _Mermaids_ with Cher, Winona Ryder, Christina Ricci and Bob Hoskins. Mom (Cher) wasn’t much of a cook, so she made meals that were a combination of snacks and small bites. > [@SanVito](#): > > [Here’s an example menu](https://www.correstaurant.com/menus) from a local place I go to, and [another](https://www.rootbristol.co.uk/food-menu). Those both sound absolutely scrumptions. I’d be eating at those places a lot. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/59 "2026-05-01T16:39:53Z")
Restaurants that feature “street food” that you would find in Asian cities will have a wide selection of small plates. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669/60 "2026-05-01T16:45:45Z")
Only very occasionally do I wish that there are smaller portions offered: when there is a novel appetizer that is expensive and I am not sure if I will like it or not, or a dish that is very expensive but worthwhile to get on occasion. Like frogs legs. I wouldn’t pay $15 or more for 8 of them (when even that is not as much meat as on your average entree) but I might pay $2 for one since they are good enough to relish slowly. For entrees that I know and love, the issue is that the portions are not large enough, if anything. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-to-see-restaurants-offer-small-portions/1029669.md?page=4)