Bringing in outside FOOD and BEV

Marsha, oh yeah, I'd rather have a GOOD cake any day than the icky one that our friends brought from probably Vons or Ralph's (two grocery chains in the west.) I wouldn't have taken the cake in. If I'm going to spend $8 a person, I would rather have a decadent dessert from the actual restaurant. But the organizer of our little group did it, unbeknownst to me until the time, so it was what it was. And since she'd cleared it with the restaurant first, I couldn't complain. That particular restaurant is used to catering to demanding/entitled Californian tastes. Heck, they hosted a private b-day party for Tom Cruise several years ago. You know that had to have been a strange event with lots of demands.

I would never personally do it. I would feel really uncomfortable bringing in outside food. I put that up in the ranks of eating food at the grocery store from the bags/boxes before you actually get to the checkout and pay for the food. I used to date a guy who would open up a box of crackers or rice cakes and start eating them before we checked out. I had to break up with him. It was too bizarre for me to handle. (That, among other things...)

That said, my dad, many, many years ago, worked as a maintenance guy for a chain of local fast-food restaurants that shall remain unnamed. But he didn't like their food, he liked fried chicken. So he'd go to Kentucky Fried Chicken and pick up his lunch and take it to the dining room of the places where he worked to eat the outside food. He used to get a kick out of it because the managers would cringe and complain to him. I just thank God that I wasn't with him. As a teenager, I would have literally died to sit with him eating his outside food.

Bringing 'outside' food into a resturant IS a health code violation. If a person get ill from the food they brought in, the resturant is still held accountable.

Hmmm . . .I know people have purchased cakes from me for rehearsal dinners that were held at restaurants. I have both food service and catering licenses. I never thought of it as a problem.

I think some of you are being a bit petty. Come on. Your complaining about us bringing in soft drinks and birthday cakes? I can understand if I brought in a whole meal to feed my family. I would think the 42 dollars I just spent at your establishment would cover the cost of the 1.29 cup of ice tea I didnt buy from you. And the cake gripe really hits a nerve. I know that you all have your businesses to make money. And you certainly have that right to. How can you complain if I bring a cake in to your restaurant for my brothers birthday party? With that cake probably came at least a dozen ore more folks that drank, ate and left tips. Would you rather I went elsewhere? I could understand if you were Chucky Cheese. They make their money from birthday parties and cake. Most of you do not. I do not expect you to store my cake in the kitchen or even worse serve it to us but to complain just because I have it is a bit much.

When the hubby and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner, we brought a huge cake into the place. Not sure if anyone cleared it through the place first (although, I'm sure they were told it would be for a rehearsal dinner), and we had a great time, with absolutely no complaints from management.

i've posted a very similar topic to this several months ago
and i agree with most of you

outside food and beverages are a NO NO

i would only ask that anyone who wants to bring in outside food to another establishment - try it the opposite way first - take our pizza into Mcdonalds and see what their reaction is,

the cake issue should only be an issue if the restaurant does not serve desserts, but many restaurants do serve desserts and will gladly make one to order for your party, IF you give them enough notice to do so

shawn

I do not expect you to store my cake in the kitchen or even worse serve it to us but to complain just because I have it is a bit much.

Jay, I'm trying to have an open mind about this, but you should know that many, many people DO drop the cake off earlier at a restaurant, with instructions to store it, put candles on it, bring it out when they give you the nod, cut it AND serve it (again, I've never had this happen at Lou Lou, rather at more upscale, white-tablecloth establishments where I've worked).

I still don't understand why it's okay in people's minds to bring cake when they admit it's not okay to bring your own entree. The only exception I'll grudgingly admit makes it okay is if the restaurant in question doesn't serve cake of any kind, and has no one on staff that could possibly produce a decent one. But even that makes me uncomfortable, that slippery slope can lead to "Oh, you guys don't have sea bass on the menu, so I brought my own filet; could you please grill it for me?"

Would you rather I went elsewhere?

No...I'd be happy to have your group if it was my restaurant; I'd just prefer to only serve you food that I knew exactly what quality standards were applied in the production thereof!

They make their money from birthday parties and cake. Most of you do not.

What makes you think cake is a loss leader? It's not. By a long shot.

Oh, and - whoops - by the way, welcome to the ranks of posters, Jay - I should have started with that when I replied to you.

And hey, listen - next time you need a birthday cake, just let me know - it's on me!

Well let me add a few more things.

I do serve desserts and different cakes. Since my partner left, some time ago, I have cut back on some of my dessert making and I purchase a few cakes a month from another facility to help lighten my load a little. I would not have a problem with someone calling and asking permission FIRST or calling and asking if I could do a cake for them. My problem is people that just show up and expect it to be ok.
Second, being open for Lunch only limits my pricing somewhat anyway. Jay, if you were to come in and spend "$42" here on lunch, I would not have a problem with you bringing in a cake. Hell, I would even cut it and serve it to your party myself, if you would only call and let me know ahead of time.

In defense of the people bringing cakes, they may not be aware that the restaurant will make a cake for them. Although I worked in the industry and am aware that special orders are common, I think that some people believe that the menu is the menu, and it wouldn't occur to them to call and ask the pastry chef to make a special dessert just for their party.

Perhaps when someone calls and asks to bring a cake, it would be a good idea to mention that the pastry chef makes delicious cakes and would be happy to set aside one that hasn't been cut? And to mention that the restaurant doesn't want to get in trouble with the inspectors. It certainly is less of a hassle not to have to bring in a cake - and risk dropping it - and I think that many patrons would be relieved to know they have the option.

The only exception I'll grudgingly admit makes it okay is if the restaurant in question doesn't serve cake of any kind, and has no one on staff that could possibly produce a decent one. But even that makes me uncomfortable, that slippery slope can lead to "Oh, you guys don't have sea bass on the menu, so I brought my own filet; could you please grill it for me?"

I really wasn't aware of that many restaurants that can make and decorate a birthday or other special occassion cake. When you do this at LouLou (or whatever restaurant that makes special occasion cakes) do you sit down and go over styles and samples and colors of icing and what the person wants the cake to say?

The only exception I'll grudgingly admit makes it okay is if the restaurant in question doesn't serve cake of any kind, and has no one on staff that could possibly produce a decent one. But even that makes me uncomfortable, that slippery slope can lead to "Oh, you guys don't have sea bass on the menu, so I brought my own filet; could you please grill it for me?"

I really wasn't aware of that many restaurants that can make and decorate a birthday or other special occassion cake. When you do this at LouLou (or whatever restaurant that makes special occasion cakes) do you sit down and go over styles and samples and colors of icing and what the person wants the cake to say?

For me it's usually a phone call. No, we do not sit down and go over styles and samples. That is wedding cake territory (much bigger bucks). What I do is ask "what are the birthday girl's favorite flavors? How many people are we feeding? Is anyone allergic to nuts? What colors are preferable?" and, yes, of course: "What do you want the cake to say?"

I'm pretty sure Kroger and Desserts by Helen and Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen and those other places where people often buy birthday cakes to schlep to a restaurant are not sitting down with anyone and providing samples and color icing examples. Someone please correct me if I'm misinformed about this. My birthday cakes that feed 15-20 are around $60. You could definitely buy one at the Kroger deli that only costs $35.99. But it will have that hideous shortening icing on it...and hideous blue food-colored trim.

From reading this thread, it does seem to me that there may be a diner/restaurateur disconnect, as in: "we had no idea we could ask a regular independent restaurant to make us a special occasion cake to complement our evening!" People, please ask for what you want. You will find most of us extremely eager to please.

Would the same slippery slope prevent me from bringing in formula for my infant? I would hope not. I am sorry. I just dont believe that formula and bass are the same as cake. And I know desserts are available in pretty much all restaurants, but singing happy birthday with each guest having their own order of dessert in front of them kind of loses the moment.

I have never thought a birthday cake would be an option available at many restaurants. So in the future I will certainly ask before bringing my own. I have to believe that if I called you or any other restaurant and asked if I could bring my own cake for a celebration, you would probably say yes anyway.

Thanks for the welcome Marsha. I have been a long time looker here and have discovered many great restaurants because of you all.

I have to believe that if I called you or any other restaurant and asked if I could bring my own cake for a celebration, you would probably say yes anyway.

Thanks for the welcome Marsha. I have been a long time looker here and have discovered many great restaurants because of you all.

You're right. We would say yes. That's the thing about independent restaurants. We will do almost anything to please our patrons. And Jay, if you call me tomorrow and ask to bring a cake in, I would cheerfully say yes.

I would just be sorry you're missing out on a great cake that I could make for you.

My offer still stands. Free cake for you, my friend.

Marsha, you have made your point and I do understand . I do not believe all restaurants including independents will be as accommodating as you. Thank you for pressing the point. And I will take you up on your cake offer.

And I will take you up on your cake offer.

Props to you for being open to my suggestion. I am already dreaming up ways to impress you and your circle of family-and-friends. Believe it!