NYC restaurants impose 90-minute time limits on diners: ‘Out of control’

[Flint1979]

I've seen a few articles like this more, regarding time limitations.  It's a practical necessity, especially in a city where restaurants are small and turnover is a necessity.

Again, I reiterate what I said earlier...

I know that NYC is expensive to live and rent business space in, especially when you factor in the "loss factor", and that the margins tend to be thin in food service.

One YouTube video had the claim that a 3,000 square foot prime retail space located at 888 Sixth Ave between 31st and 32nd street was $300 per square foot per year. That is $75k per month, so you need plenty of foot traffic. Can someone please tell me the attraction of living in "The Big Apple"?

There isn't one with me anymore. I used to love the big cities and want to live in the big city and be around people and stuff. I grew out of that and haven't spent much time in big cities that last few years. Haven't been to NYC since 2012, haven't been to Chicago since 2021, only one I've spent any time in is Detroit mainly because it's the big city in Michigan and I find myself there often. But really I don't see the attraction of living in a big city anymore, it's expensive as hell, the crime is out of control, it's crowded and noisy and I don't think I'd want to live around that anymore. I'm more of a suburban and rural type of person now and like hanging out in places that aren't very crowded. I ask the same question though what is the attraction of living in NYC?

[hotdogPi]

the crime is out of control

This isn't true for every major city. Yes, the nearest one to you (Detroit) is pretty high. But New York City is quite safe, much safer than the national average, in fact.

[jeffandnicole]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

[Scott5114]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of having a mental illness!

[jeffandnicole]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of having a mental illness!

Well, break it down this way...you worked in a casino which by its very nature has made many very strict timelines. I'm sure the casino had a fancy restaurant or two which took reservations, so you were always around people going someone with reservations.  While the time commitment for a meal can seem a little overwhelming, it's nothing more than just a time. Just like any other doctors appointment or scheduled meeting.

[CtrlAltDel]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of having a mental illness!

Well, break it down this way...you worked in a casino which by its very nature has made many very strict timelines. I'm sure the casino had a fancy restaurant or two which took reservations, so you were always around people going someone with reservations.  While the time commitment for a meal can seem a little overwhelming, it's nothing more than just a time. Just like any other doctors appointment or scheduled meeting.

The stresses of work and healthcare and so on are different, I'd say, from what is supposed to be a leisure activity. I mean, there's a time to work on one's weaknesses and a time to not do that.

[jeffandnicole]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of having a mental illness!

Well, break it down this way...you worked in a casino which by its very nature has made many very strict timelines. I'm sure the casino had a fancy restaurant or two which took reservations, so you were always around people going someone with reservations.  While the time commitment for a meal can seem a little overwhelming, it's nothing more than just a time. Just like any other doctors appointment or scheduled meeting.

The stresses of work and healthcare and so on are different, I'd say, from what is supposed to be a leisure activity. I mean, there's a time to work on one's weaknesses and a time to not do that.

But again, a dinner reservation is really not all that unusual. If you live in or near a city, it's commonplace.

[Bruce]

I could see coffeehouses and cafes enforcing time limits as well. Some of them get very crowded with people who stay around all day.

[jgb191]

Good thing I normally take-out and eat in the comforts of my own home.

Can someone please tell me the attraction of living in "The Big Apple"?

I can't think of anything attractive about living there full-time residence, but I'm sure it's nice city to visit (in the summer time of course).  New York certainly gets extremely cold outside their short summer window.

[Scott5114]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of having a mental illness!

Well, break it down this way...you worked in a casino which by its very nature has made many very strict timelines. I'm sure the casino had a fancy restaurant or two which took reservations, so you were always around people going someone with reservations.  While the time commitment for a meal can seem a little overwhelming, it's nothing more than just a time. Just like any other doctors appointment or scheduled meeting.

Yeah, and I often got in trouble for not being able to follow the strict timelines. I did the best I could because I was paid to do so–I'm not willing to both put up with that and pay.

[rickmastfan67]

Technically many McDonald's have dining time limits with signs posted.

Thankfully, never encountered one like that, or any other fast food restaurants.

[kalvado]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of having a mental illness!

Well, break it down this way...you worked in a casino which by its very nature has made many very strict timelines. I'm sure the casino had a fancy restaurant or two which took reservations, so you were always around people going someone with reservations.  While the time commitment for a meal can seem a little overwhelming, it's nothing more than just a time. Just like any other doctors appointment or scheduled meeting.

Yeah, and I often got in trouble for not being able to follow the strict timelines. I did the best I could because I was paid to do so–I'm not willing to both put up with that and pay.

How strict that 90 min really is? especially if the place is in position to make that happen - kitchen keeps up, waiters are keeping an eye on what happens, and you don't have to wait 20 min to make an order?
Even people in original article were not asked to walk away from their dishes, they were denied top off order.
Yes, this is not a great place for a long conversation after meal. But that's probably the extent of restrictions. 60 min lunch, including getting to the place, is pretty common arrangement.

[thspfc]

Yeah, and I often got in trouble for not being able to follow the strict timelines. I did the best I could because I was paid to do so–I'm not willing to both put up with that and pay.

" Got in trouble" ? What did the restaurant do? Probably say something like "hey guys, we have a time limit and it's been 90 minutes, so we've gotta ask you to leave" ?

They're not going to kidnap your family because you  overstayed the time limit. If they get all bent over about it, then you know to not come back because they're not worth your money.

[hotdogPi]

Yeah, and I often got in trouble for not being able to follow the strict timelines. I did the best I could because I was paid to do so–I'm not willing to both put up with that and pay.

" Got in trouble" ? What did the restaurant do? Probably say something like "hey guys, we have a time limit and it's been 90 minutes, so we've gotta ask you to leave" ?

They're not going to kidnap your family because you  overstayed the time limit. If they get all bent over about it, then you know to not come back because they're not worth your money.

The context here is working at a casino, not eating at a restaurant. He could have lost his job.

[CtrlAltDel]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of having a mental illness!

Well, break it down this way...you worked in a casino which by its very nature has made many very strict timelines. I'm sure the casino had a fancy restaurant or two which took reservations, so you were always around people going someone with reservations.  While the time commitment for a meal can seem a little overwhelming, it's nothing more than just a time. Just like any other doctors appointment or scheduled meeting.

The stresses of work and healthcare and so on are different, I'd say, from what is supposed to be a leisure activity. I mean, there's a time to work on one's weaknesses and a time to not do that.

But again, a dinner reservation is really not all that unusual. If you live in or near a city, it's commonplace.

If it's a stressor, it's a stressor, regardless of whether someone else thinks it should be or not.

[kalvado]

(I won't eat anywhere that requires reservations for the same reason. I am not going to pay good money for the privilege of playing time clock grabass with somebody else's manager.)

Can you explain what you mean here? (Not computing in my brain at 6:42 AM)

I don't want to have to make a reservation for, say, 7pm. Because what will inevitably end up happen is 1) I will stress myself out about getting to the reservation on time that I will leave insanely early and get there at 6:42 and have to sit in the lobby killing time for 18 minutes, or 2) I will end up underestimating the time it takes to get there/how long it takes to get ready/whatever and end up still not being at the restaurant at 7pm and then will stress myself out about being late and probably do something like speed to get there.

All of that adds enough stress to the dining activity that stops being an enjoyable experience and becomes a chore, so I won't participate in it. You can find food that's just as good without that level of formality by going to a food truck or some greasy spoon place.

You are tremendously overthinking it now.

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of having a mental illness!

Well, break it down this way...you worked in a casino which by its very nature has made many very strict timelines. I'm sure the casino had a fancy restaurant or two which took reservations, so you were always around people going someone with reservations.  While the time commitment for a meal can seem a little overwhelming, it's nothing more than just a time. Just like any other doctors appointment or scheduled meeting.

The stresses of work and healthcare and so on are different, I'd say, from what is supposed to be a leisure activity. I mean, there's a time to work on one's weaknesses and a time to not do that.

But again, a dinner reservation is really not all that unusual. If you live in or near a city, it's commonplace.

If it's a stressor, it's a stressor, regardless of whether someone else thinks it should be or not.

It can be a stressor, and it's possible to avoid by going to places in less demand where scheduling is more relaxed, or going at less common hours. Manhattan may be a bad place to take your sweet time...

[J N Winkler]

Not wanting to place undue faith in my own ability to track time, I went back to some old GPS logs for some perspective on how long it actually takes to eat dinner.  From a visit to a Midwestern city almost seven years ago:

*  Lingering over my dinner on Sunday at a sit-down restaurant with a format similar to Applebee's (though I'm sure they'd be offended by the comparison)--car parked at 0125 hours UTC, car no longer parked at 0248 hours UTC (1 hour 23 minutes)

*  Parking in a free lot and walking 0.6 mile (12 minutes, per Google) each way to a gourmet burger restaurant in a scenic riverside town where a major bridge project was then in progress, with pauses to look both at that bridge and the one it replaced, admire a collector's mid-1980's JDM RHD Toyota Crown hardtop with inline-six engine with belt-driven supercharger, etc.:  car parked at 2234 hours UTC, car no longer parked at 0013 hours UTC (1 hour 39 minutes)

So, even though I consider myself a slow eater, I can turn over a cover within 90 minutes without strain, as long as the service is not unreasonably dilatory, which it was not in either case.  This said, I often lodge a drink and meal order at the same time when I am by myself, and I tend not to eat dessert.  I can easily see things running to well over two hours with drinks orders taken separately, one member of a multiple-person party needing more time (typically an additional 10-15 minutes) to pick an entrée, dessert plus coffee, and so on.

[JayhawkCO]

The fact that some people think this will in any way improve things is impressively stupid.

Do you think they're making these decisions and then their business is less profitable?

[formulanone]

with pauses to look both at that bridge and the one it replaced, admire a collector's mid-1980's JDM RHD Toyota Crown hardtop with inline-six engine with belt-driven supercharger, etc.

These are worthy and specific distractions.

[kphoger]

I just don't know why it has to be a time-clocked rule.  If a party is overstaying their welcome, then why can't the staff just politely request that they wrap it up because other guests are waiting?  And if that becomes a problem, get the manager involved.

[JayhawkCO]

I just don't know why it has to be a time-clocked rule.  If a party is overstaying their welcome, then why can't the staff just politely request that they wrap it up because other guests are waiting?  And if that becomes a problem, get the manager involved.

Basically, because that's not how dining culture works in the U.S. (and elsewhere). It's never been an expectation to "eat and leave", so it would be tough to get people to not lounge at least somewhat.

[kalvado]

I just don't know why it has to be a time-clocked rule.  If a party is overstaying their welcome, then why can't the staff just politely request that they wrap it up because other guests are waiting?  And if that becomes a problem, get the manager involved.

You never told us that before! No, we are going to stay!
Giving some upfront timing, likely with padding for cleaning and a bit of a delay for 2 hour reservation spacing, makes things a bit more predictable.
And if reservations are getting full,  vendor has to have either overflow capacity ($$$) or be a bit tough on enforcement. Upfront  rule makes things easier. I doubt thing would be enforced if there is extra capacity. So it's just about wording, "guests  holding the next reservation are coming" vs "your time is up".   

oh, and by the way

for this restaurant, parties of two have just 90 minutes, while parties up to six have two hours and larger parties have two and a half hours

Sounds like they reserved table for 2, but came in a bigger group

[formulanone]

I just don't know why it has to be a time-clocked rule.  If a party is overstaying their welcome, then why can't the staff just politely request that they wrap it up because other guests are waiting?  And if that becomes a problem, get the manager involved.

Basically, because that's not how dining culture works in the U.S. (and elsewhere). It's never been an expectation to "eat and leave", so it would be tough to get people to not lounge at least somewhat.

That, and people pay after they eat at most eating establishments, so ticking them right off before the bill is very bad for business.

[wanderer2575]

[Scott5114]

It can be a stressor, and it's possible to avoid by going to places in less demand where scheduling is more relaxed, or going at less common hours. Manhattan may be a bad place to take your sweet time...

Right, that's what I'm saying. They're welcome to have this rule as much as they want, but I'm not going to go there at all if they do.