Is it my responsibility?

always check before you leave, someone there should be checking of course but even workers with the best intentions will overlook an item from time to time. luckily most places are gracious enough to replace the item if you call them as soon as you get home with it, although you're then out the time to go pick it up again.

I got in the habit of checking my to go orders myself when I was in college....many of the places tried to "bilk" the poor, niave college students.....

I still hear people behind me in the drive thru grumble as I check and catch the "fubars" of their ways.

I, too, am single, but I cook a lot. I can't remember the last time I ordered takeout. So luckily, I don't have that vexing problem.

I give a place 2 chances. If they screw up twice, I take my money elsewhere. Thats why we no longer order lunch from Buckheads. They screw it up every time.

I always check the bag before I leave a restaurant, and even if its delievery I request the driver wait till I check the order.

Even though it shouldn't be,if you want to be sure the order is correct it is up to you. I think you've documented very well what happens when you leave it up to the restaurant. This is one of my major peeves and if someplace does it twice I'm gone. Interesting observation on the Chinese places btw..... never really thought of it but I can't think of the last time one messed up an order.

i say, you have got to check it yourself, even the best employees can make a mistake

I have seen a few places post they will not be responsible for errors after you leave and come back. Albeit, one was Waffle House ( hey , I slum every now and then ) , I am willing to bet there are more than just this one.

To your initial question:

I order takeout on a regular basis too for the same reasons. However, I have encountered mistakes from every restaurant filling a takeout order. They do occur; though you'll not want to dine at ones that excel with these mistakes. I understand mistakes. I have worked in restaurants. I'm willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. It's more how they treat me afterwards that determines my overall opinion.

I like El Tarasco in St Matthews for dining in, but NEVER will get carryout again. I've made the mistake three times now . They have NO system. Sadly, I was watching two other families, both with small children, wait over 20 minutes with me on the last trip. The restaurant wasn't even busy, it's as if nobody prepares the carryout orders or puts a name on them (or checks). Beware.

Let me give you the perspective from someone who has worked in several kitchens. At most places that are sit down restaurants that don't specialize in carry out, to-go orders are quite burdensome most of the time. Most restaurant lines are set up to serve in house patrons. If you get the random to-go order, that means most of the time one of the line cooks will have to track down containers, bags, plastic cups for dressing and lids and plastic cutlery. You would think those things are in one place, but are seldom checked, and may be scattered all over the back of the house because most places do so few carry outs. Most servers will seldom help you put an order together; because they usually won't get tipped on a carry out. So some poor schlep in the kitchen has to try to remember to fill your order correctly and may from time to time forget your salad dressing or bread.
Chinese, pizza, BBQ and most seafood places will hardly ever mess up your order because the are setup for and specialize in carry out. While we are on the subject, It never ceases to amaze me the things that don't travel well that people will insist on ordering anyway. Like calamari, hot browns or French onion soup and then wonder why they aren't any good when they get them home.

We get quite a few carry out orders at Lou Lou, where it's the job of the person that's going to take the patron's money to check for accuracy and untensils, etc - whether or not they get tipped. However, if the kitchen staff has time, they may put the order together and check it. In our system, a bag that's stapled shut means everything's been checked and re-checked. It's a great system - I won't say we never make any mistakes or omissions, because nobody's perfect, but everyone in the place knows that if the bag's not stapled shut it needs to be checked ONE MORE TIME.

As an aside:

I order a lot of carry out as well, but because it's usually a pretty small order, I never really experience the forgotten items. But what about the "should have gotten" items?! Oh, this gets me all the time, trying something new, not knowing what I would probably ask for if I were still there, like veggies and extra sauce. Those little 2oz plastic cups are my nemesis! 2oz is never enough!!!

always check before you leave, someone there should be checking of course but even workers with the best intentions will overlook an item from time to time. luckily most places are gracious enough to replace the item if you call them as soon as you get home with it, although you're then out the time to go pick it up again.

Places always give me a weird look when I ask for compensation for gas and time.

I just brought to the office a carryout order for 6 from August Moon, and everything was perfect. All of the entrees were placed in to-go containers and the name of the entree was labeled on the outside of the container. The soups were in sealed containers and there was plenty of cutlery, napkins, soy sauce, and even a small container of hot mustard for spring roll ordered. There were even stapled bags of crunchy noodles for the won ton soups ordered. They were all placed in a cardboard bottom bags and stapled shut. Everything was hot, orderly and not missing one item.

Hats off to Looi, William, Mimi and the whole staff of August Moon for a great in-office lunch.