There’s a world of difference between ordering in and dining out, but what are these differences, exactly? In today’s post-pandemic world, the question of whether to dine out or order in has suddenly become a lot more important, because the outdoors aren’t as safe anymore. Your favorite restaurants in Ridgewood, New Jersey may seem inviting, but should you dine out or order in? Aldo’s is Wyckoff is here with a comparison of the two, so you can make a better decision.
Dining out: The benefits
Dining out means going to a restaurant for a meal – whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. It has a lot to offer, and it’s an interesting experience (to say the least) for most people. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of dining out:
- Pleasant experience
Restaurants work hard to create a nice atmosphere at their restaurant, which makes dining out a rather nice experience. Most restaurants have comfortable seating, courteous waitstaff, wonderful food, and an atmosphere that sparks conversations.
- Break in monotony
You’ve been eating at home for years, and you’ll continue to do so for as long as you live there. So, what’s the fun of eating at home? Whether it’s at the dining table, in the kitchen, or even outdoors or someplace relatively nice – it’s still your home, and you’ve been to every single place a million times. Break the monotony by stepping out and going someplace new for a meal. Come to Aldo’s – we’re one of the best restaurants in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
- Piping hot food
If you like your meals fresh and piping hot, there’s no beating food straight outta the kitchen. It’s nice to have this privilege even when you’re not making your own food. When ordering from a restaurant, this isn’t possible because the transit time will invariably make the food cool down a little bit. So your milkshakes or soda will be cool, while your food will be warm. And who likes that!?
- Learning something new
Every time you go someplace new, you learn something new. If the place in question happens to be somewhere lots of skilled professionals work, the chances of picking up some interesting new information go up. Going to your favorite restaurant gives you the opportunity to chat with the staff and learn what different dishes are and how they’re prepared. You might find something you’ve never tried before!
Dining out: The disadvantages
While dining out is a pleasant experience, like most other experiences it has its downsides. Let’s take a look at some reasons why you wouldn’t want to dine out at a restaurant – especially right now:
- You’re exposed to people
While normally this statement would sound ludicrous, right now it makes perfect sense. We’re in the grip of a global pandemic that has taken millions of lives, and while it’s somewhat under control, you’re still taking a risk going out to a place where you’ll be exposed to strangers. Some of them may be earlier carriers of the virus, while some others may be asymptomatic patients. This is a key disadvantage of dining out.
- You have to drive out
If you’re feeling too lazy to cook, chances are you might not fancy a long drive out to a restaurant. If you don’t live near any good restaurants in Ridgewood, New Jersey, a long drive at night can seem daunting – especially if the weather isn’t on your side. And speaking of the weather, let’s move on the next point, which is…
- You have to brave the weather
Whether it’s a humid, hot summer evening with mosquitoes galore, a nippy autumn night, or a freezing cold winter night with icy roads – you’ll have to brave it all in order to get to the restaurant. And if the restaurant is the open kind, you’ll have to bear the weather while dining as well. Usually it’s nice to have the outdoors come in, but not always!
- Not possible for everyone
If you are differently abled, dining out may be a difficult experience for you – especially if the restaurant doesn’t have appropriate facilities available. At times, it may cause unpleasantness. Add to that the discomfort of a drive, and dining out seems like a rather unappealing prospect, especially when several alternatives are available.
Ordering in: The benefits
Food delivery apps have hit it out of the park because they offer something incredibly convenient. Now, here are some of the many, many benefits of ordering food online.
- Bad weather isn’t a problem
Most delivery apps are open despite the weather, so you can order food most anytime, no matter what the weather’s like. You’ll be paying the app a small fee to make up for the delivery associate’s time and effort, and for this fee you get the convenience of tasty food delivered right to your doorstep.
- It takes just a minute
If you’re a busy person and don’t have time to cook, dining out will be out of the question. However, ordering food takes just a minute (as long as you know what you want to eat)! Just choose what you want, pay, and place your order. Once your food arrives, you can enjoy it while working or studying. Most restaurants in Ridgewood, New Jersey deliver food through apps – including Aldo’s!
- The comfort of home
If you suffer from social anxiety, or just like the comfort of home, ordering food is perfect. This way you get to enjoy the best of both worlds – top-class food from your favorite restaurant, in the comfort of your own little home! And you didn’t have to drive out to get the food either. Nothing beats that.
- No car? No problem!
If you don’t have a car, getting around can be a huge problem. So, what happens if you don’t have a car and can’t (or don’t want to) cook at home? Well, you either go foraging in the forest, or you order some delicious food online! It’ll get to you in time, no matter where you live or who you are.
Ordering in: The disadvantages
While it may seem crazy that there are any disadvantages to ordering in (especially after reading that last section), we’ll be honest and admit it – there are a couple. Let’s take a look at some reasons why ordering food isn’t the best choice.
- Virus risk
The coronavirus spreads incredibly easily. So, if the delivery associate was infected and accidentally touched your parcel with one unsanitized finger, the virus would transfer onto your parcel and might, then, come in contact with your hands and infect your body. If you’re immunocompromised or just don’t feel comfortable taking the risk, ordering in may not be for you.
- Internet access
While it’s super easy to order from restaurants in Ridgewood, New Jersey, the process does involve one fickle element – the internet. If you live in a remote area, don’t have access to your smartphone, or if bad weather has caused a disruption in internet services – well, you’re out of luck!
- It’s expensive
While many apps offer discounts on food, it’s still rather expensive compared to a home-cooked meal. So, if you’re looking for an affordable meal, you might want to reconsider ordering in. When ordering in, you have to pay the app a fee for the service it provides, and a fee to the delivery associate (through the app) for the service they provide. This can quickly add up.
- It’s addicting!
It’s easy to order online and you get discounts a lot of the time, so you risk getting addicted to ordering food. The food is delicious, the offers are tempting, and the convenience is fantastic, so you may find yourself spiraling into an addiction – one which can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle and higher expenses. It’s a little like being addicted to shopping, except it impacts your health too.
Come dine at Aldo’s – one of the best restaurants in Ridgewood, New Jersey!
We’ve shared the pros and cons of dining out and ordering in so you can understand both concepts better and make a better decision the next time you don’t feel like cooking at home. However, if you can’t decide, just head out to your favorite restaurant – Aldo’s!
Here at Aldo’s Italian Restaurant, we follow all safety protocols to ensure your food is 100% safe. And it’s always fresh, healthy and delicious, made by our talented chefs who know how to cook up an Italian meal like nobody else. Our staff is polite and helpful, and they will help you choose a dish that’s perfect for your mood. We have a wonderful wine menu that you might like to peruse as well. Our delicious food and wine will soon have you feeling like you’re in heaven.
Dining out has been popular for centuries, and it will continue to be so for a long, long time – and that’s for a very good reason! So, while we do fulfil orders online, there’s nothing like the restaurant experience. Come try it for yourself!