We asked Allrecipes visitors to admit whether they prefer to eat in or go out to dinner, and why. Here is what more than 5,000 users told us.
1. How often do you go out to eat?
a. I buy at least one meal per day from a restaurant or store. 7%
b. I go out to eat more than once a week. 33%
c. Weekly 29%
d. Twice a month or so 20%
e. Rarely 11%
2. What's you favorite reason for eating out?
a. Trying a new restaurant 9%
b. Going to a favorite restaurant 16%
c. Celebrating a special occasion 8%
d. A dinner date with my sweetie 15%
e. Girls'/Boys' Night Out 3%
f. Not wanting to cook 41%
g. Other 8%
3. What do you like most about eating out?
a. Trying different cuisines 12%
b. Taking my time: enjoying appetizers, mains, and desserts 9%
c. Ordering dishes I'd never be able to recreate at home 18%
d. All of the above 49%
e. Other 12%
4. What do you like most about eating in?
a. Cooking relaxes me; the kitchen is my domain. 18%
b. My partner and I enjoy time spent cooking together. 6%
c. Trying new recipes: I'm a mad scientist-chef 17%
d. Having dinner as a family 13%
e. I want control over the types of food I eat. 15%
f. Saving money 28%
g. Other 3%
5. What would make you eat at home more often?
a. If I were a better cook 8%
b. If I had more time to prepare meals 35%
c. If I had a nice well-equipped kitchen 17%
d. If I had people to cook for 9%
e. Nothing--I eat in most of the time 31%
6. What would make you eat out more often?
a. If I had more disposable income 49%
b. If I had more leisure time 2%
c. If more restaurants were child-friendly 2%
d. If my region had better restaurants 9%
e. Nothing--I eat out too much as it is 15%
f. Nothing--I eat out as often as I like 23%
7. What concerns you most about eating out?
a.Eating healthy, balanced meals 32%
b. Serving sizes that are right for you 11%
c. Food safety and contamination issues 9%
d. Finding the right restaurants 9%
e. Wasting money 39%
8. If time and money were not an issue, would you rather cook at home or dine out?
a. Hand me my apron! 58%
b. Check, please. 42%
What's this?