Unique restaurant model: Pay for the amount you want

by Stefani Pollack (Subscribe to Stefani Pollack's posts)
Posted Jun 7th 2008 3:00PM
Filed under: Restaurants, On the Blogs, Food News

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My favorite ice cream shop used to let you buy ice cream by weight so you got exactly the amount of ice cream you wanted to pay for. This arrangement was so perfect for me. I loved ordering a bunch of tiny scoops in all different flavors. Sadly, they recently switched to the more standard small, medium, and large model. I guess the old model didn't work for them.

Apparently, a similiar model is working at Dan's restaurant in Biddeford, Maine. The Today Show recently featured the restaurant and both the owner and customers seemed happy. Maybe you don't want that giant plate of fries, but what if you could just get a dollar's worth? At this restaurant, you just order the dish, state a dollar amount, and they fix up an appropriate plate. Whether you prefer smaller portions due to your diet or your wallet, it's great to have the option. I hope it continues to work for them and that the idea spreads.

[via The Consumerist]

Tags: restaurant pricing, RestaurantPricing

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6-07-2008 @ 4:12PM

wordsworth said...

This is an idea that would make it easier for families to eat out. I hope it does take off and these stupid chain restaurants see how stupid their executives really are.

6-07-2008 @ 4:18PM

S said...

In New York's K-town, there is a Korean restaurant that works somewhat the same -- you get a styrofoam tray, upon which you may pile as much food as you like, and then pay based on the weight of the tray.

6-07-2008 @ 5:33PM

bouv said...

I have nothing to say about pricing based on amount, but lordy did I cringe when I saw her cut an onion on a bare metal surface. That poor knife!

6-07-2008 @ 7:47PM

Emily said...

I've been to many, pay-by-weight restaraunts, but the downfall there is that you can easily get a big suprise by piling up the plate too fast. The idea of setting the price first and building the plate around that is a good inprovement.

6-08-2008 @ 6:26PM

dan said...

I know of a self-serve restaurant whose business model is "pay as you wish". They have a buffet with several different kinds of stews, rice, bread, dessert and so on where you can take as much as you like, come back for second servings, and so on. When you leave, you state how much you think that the food was worth--and pay that amount. Drinks have a fixed price, but you'll get a jug of water. Amazingly, this business model seems to work rather well.

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