[ghaff]

>I wonder if there are any statistics around post-covid return rates for restaurants. I bet it is terrible.

There's probably more takeout and you have to take into account the effect of inflation on dining as well. But the number of people dining out in the US is broadly back to pre-pandemic levels although people are eating out somewhat less frequently.

[latchkey]

I'm more referring to the concept of buying food at a restaurant multiple times. Takeout and/or in-dining, not about the frequency of doing such things.

Interestingly, the place I went to last, was packed full in the late afternoon (~3pm), on a monday. The large bar seating was full.

My experience so far is that the quality of nearly every dish I've eaten has gone down significantly to the point that I keep trying new places and almost never repeating.

It could be that now that I cook more at home, I'm just not used to the amount of butter/salt that is being (ab)used in restaurants, as well as the quality of the ingredients (I mostly buy/eat "organic", whatever that is worth...).

[ghaff]

I can't say I've noticed a real change in food but it's a small sample size as I don't eat out on a very regular basis.

In terms of the percentage people who dine in or get out at least sometimes numbers seem to be pretty much back to pre-pandemic levels.