At some restaurants, you will be asked after ordering if you’d like to have your meal “for here” or “to go.”
As far as I can tell, the only thing that changes based on your response is how your food is served.
If it is “for here,” it’ll be served on a plate with metal utensils. If it is “to go,” it’ll be wrapped and served in a plastic or paper bag.
Personally, I don’t care much about how my food is presented. However, I have occasionally thrown out food or ate more than I’d like because I couldn’t take my food with me. I could’ve avoided this by asking for my meals “to go,” and my meals would’ve been just as appealing and nutritious.
Here are some pros and cons of ordering your meal “to go.”
Pros:
You can order more food without worrying about waste.
You will have snacks for later, saving money on food delivery.
You won’t have to waste food if you run out of time to eat. Instead, you can save your meal for later.
Cons:
The food isn’t presented as well.
Plastic cutlery might be harder to use than metal cutlery.
It might be healthier to avoid plastic cutlery and food packaging.
I estimate that ordering my meals “to go” buys me 10-20 minutes a week, and also saves me around $20 per week. Consider making it your default!
Minor Life Optimization: Consider Ordering Your Food To-Go
At some restaurants, you will be asked after ordering if you’d like to have your meal “for here” or “to go.”
As far as I can tell, the only thing that changes based on your response is how your food is served.
If it is “for here,” it’ll be served on a plate with metal utensils. If it is “to go,” it’ll be wrapped and served in a plastic or paper bag.
Personally, I don’t care much about how my food is presented. However, I have occasionally thrown out food or ate more than I’d like because I couldn’t take my food with me. I could’ve avoided this by asking for my meals “to go,” and my meals would’ve been just as appealing and nutritious.
Here are some pros and cons of ordering your meal “to go.”
Pros:
You can order more food without worrying about waste.
You will have snacks for later, saving money on food delivery.
You won’t have to waste food if you run out of time to eat. Instead, you can save your meal for later.
Cons:
The food isn’t presented as well.
Plastic cutlery might be harder to use than metal cutlery.
It might be healthier to avoid plastic cutlery and food packaging.
I estimate that ordering my meals “to go” buys me 10-20 minutes a week, and also saves me around $20 per week. Consider making it your default!