Restaurant Evaluation

L. Nicole Murtala

Eng 135

Restaurant Evaluation

Where should I eat?

There are a myriad of options when choosing a restaurant. With so many options come choices. Do I want fast food? If so, do I want fast food that has empty calories or do I want fast food that has some nutritional content? Do I want to order from the dollar menu or do I have a bit more to spend than what the dollar menu offers? Do I want a congested fast food restaurant? Do I want them to bring it out to me? Would I prefer a sit down restaurant?

Restaurant business is a recession proof business as consumers spend approximately half of their food budget eating out. The average cost for a fast food meal is $7.00 to $9.00. With this amount in mind, there are many restaurants you can purchase your meal on this amount or less: McDonalds, Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Wendy’s, Chik-Filet, Long John Silver’s, Taco Bell, the list is endless. Among this list we now have decisions to consider rather than a mindless adventure through the drive through window.

Your fast food eating experience can be a great one. I allow myself only one fast food meal per week and so I consider my options carefully as, being a full time student, I live on a very tight budget. My major considerations are having a healthy option with ambiance and have found that Panera Bread offers this as well as other benefits. According to Health.com there are 10 healthy fast food restaurants and Panera Bread came out in first place. Health.com utilized healthy fats, preparations, sodium count, availability of nutritional information and organic produce as their evaluation criteria. Most recently, Panera Bread was named Casual Dining Brand of the Year in the 2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend. Zagat fast food diners’ customer survey results for most popular restaurants rated Panera Bread as:

#1 Fast Food Large Chains Top Facilities

#1 Fast Food Best Salads

#2 Fast Food Best Value

#2...