Gransnet forums

Food

Takeaways

(188 Posts)
varian Thu 13-Mar-25 15:23:31

Apparently there are people who regularly "phone for a takeaway" - and hot food gets delivered to their home! Extraordinary!

We have never had a takeaway except perhaps fish and chips from a fish and chip shop, maybe two or three times a year, usually at the seaside and eaten on the beach - avoiding marauding seagulls!

Even if you can't be bothered to cook, why would you "phone for a pizza" when you could easily transfer a frozen pizza from your freezer to your oven in less time and at half the cost?

62Granny Fri 14-Mar-25 17:01:31

I do remember some of our neighbours back in the 60/70s who went to the chip shop nearly every night. My mother always commented on it as they would walk past our terraced house window and we would see them coming back with their parcel wrapped in newspaper.

IamMaz Fri 14-Mar-25 16:50:46

I can’t remember the last takeaway I had. Must be more than 10 years ago!
However, I’m having one tonight! It won’t be Indian as I don’t like spices, at all,
My DS (32) has asked his mate to come round and watch a film. I have been invited to join them 😂 and they have suggested a Chinese takeaway. Next step will be to try and work out which local one is best. I have no idea.

Claremont Fri 14-Mar-25 16:44:32

The Government and NHS are concerned that frequent take-aways has not gone down since Covid and that it means a 50% increase in calorie intake for some people, and some families. When something truly affects the health of a nation, and the ensuing massive costs to NHS and other services, then it is a real concern.

Occasional is totally fine and really enjoyable, of course.

crazyH Fri 14-Mar-25 16:39:02

We are atholics and my Mum always cooked Fish on Friday. And now, so do I.
I wonder if it’s to do with Jesus being crucified on a Friday ie Good Friday ?

ViceVersa Fri 14-Mar-25 16:36:48

Yes, Grannynannywanny, my son and daughter are the same. They and their spouses all work full-time (shift work and demanding jobs too), but they cook most meals from scratch, including batch cooking, although they do treat themselves to a takeaway sometimes at the weekend.

Grannynannywanny Fri 14-Mar-25 16:29:03

AuntieE I honestly don’t know anyone in the generation below me who doesn’t know how to cook or own a freezer. My adult children and their spouses all work full time in demanding jobs. They batch cook and freeze meals on their days off.

My daughter’s 2 children are teenagers and both can cook a meal from scratch. My son’s 2 are younger at 11 and 9 but they know their way round the kitchen. I stayed with them for a few days last week and the children followed a recipe and made a lovely Victoria sponge without any adult help.

However in both their homes Friday night is treat night. They come home after a hard week at work , relax and watch a family movie and phone for a takeaway dinner. I’m delighted that they can afford to do it. They batch cook over the weekend to eat during the other days .

AuntieE Fri 14-Mar-25 15:50:24

A lot of the two generations that are younger than I (under 70) have never really learned to cook and don't like doing so or shopping. And the really young people 18-30 age group probably got into the habit of takeaway food while studying and find it easier than shopping and cooking.

How they afford frequent takeaway, I do not know, but if they neither shop for food, nor have a freezer, it may be possible to balance a budget consisting of takeaway three or four times a week, and simple things like fried eggs and bacon, or cheese toast on the other day, or simply heating a tin of soup.

It would really be interesting to hear from the people who do live mainly on takeaway how they balance their budget.

Happygirl79 Fri 14-Mar-25 15:39:28

I couldn't afford to use a takeaway service to be honest but I do have allergies so I tend to cook from fresh at home to be safe.
But everyone to their own. We are not all the same.

Greciangirl Fri 14-Mar-25 15:13:33

We occasionally have fish and chips but order them over the phone and then go and collect directly.

That way the food is ready and no waiting,

Used to have the occasional takeaway curry, but gone of that now, mainly because it’s expensive.
Mind you, the cost of fish and chips has also rocketed.

Norah Fri 14-Mar-25 14:56:59

M0nica

Norah

Barleyfields

Fish on Friday (usually home cooked) is definitely a habit - my husband is Catholic.

Fish Fridays are a must in our Catholic home.

Perhaps it is a habit now. smile

A habit - but not obligatory.

During Lent it is obligatory.

Habit other Fridays. However we cook fish every Friday for those who comes round, our diet is vegan - no meat or fish needed.

Sarahr Fri 14-Mar-25 14:42:48

We have a fabulous Chinese Takeaway in our village. Lovely family, regularly voted best takeaway in our district. We walk round on the rare occasion that we get a takeaway to order and bring home with us. We like to support local business. Pizzas we make at home. Burgers we make ourselves.

Mollygo Fri 14-Mar-25 14:37:57

ViceVersa

What is the tradition behind fish on a Friday? Is it a Catholic thing? I honestly don't remember it being a thing when I was growing up, but maybe it's just not something we did in our family.

I think it was to do with catholics. Our school dinners were always fish or cheese pie on Fridays.
I love an occasional take-away, Chinese or Indian or more recently Greek.
My sister in law has an occasional Sunday roast dinner delivered from their local pub, but it’s our business. If it gives someone some enjoyment criticising that, who cares?

petra Fri 14-Mar-25 14:28:26

Anniebach

GransNet has become sooo judgemental

It was always there but members were too afraid to voice what they really thought because of the report button.

HeavenLeigh Fri 14-Mar-25 14:25:27

We love a takeaway ( shock horror) wether Chinese, Indian, or whatever takes our fancy at the time. No apologies here either!

Cateq Fri 14-Mar-25 14:25:02

When my son pops in on a Friday afternoon, We regularly have an Indian takeaway which is delivered because it’s more convenient that fighting through the traffic. As my DH doesn’t eat Indian food it’s too much of a faff t make it for 2.

knspol Fri 14-Mar-25 14:23:36

Their money their choice! Maybe not particularly healthy and certainly not cost effective but their choice.

ViceVersa Fri 14-Mar-25 14:16:23

What is the tradition behind fish on a Friday? Is it a Catholic thing? I honestly don't remember it being a thing when I was growing up, but maybe it's just not something we did in our family.

pably15 Fri 14-Mar-25 14:10:38

we occasionally have an Indian takeaway, son in law treated us at the weekend. I think young couples who are working do so oftener. but I don't think I'd have a take away breakfast..

M0nica Fri 14-Mar-25 14:08:56

Marydoll

For some of us, Monica, it is not as simple as going to a restaurant.
Ill health means eating in a restaurant is problematic for me. A persistent cough for years means, I either feel sick when eating, am embarrassed at disturbing others with the constant hacking cough or struggle to finish my meal.
A least with takeaway, I can do all this in the comfort of my own home. There is no pleasure in eating out, much to my annoyance.

We all have a different take on this!

P.S, I know exactly what to order and and can access the menu in seconds! wink

Yes, but I said all that in the last para of my post.

M0nica Fri 14-Mar-25 14:07:16

Norah

Barleyfields

Fish on Friday (usually home cooked) is definitely a habit - my husband is Catholic.

Fish Fridays are a must in our Catholic home.

Perhaps it is a habit now. smile

A habit - but not obligatory.

aonk Fri 14-Mar-25 14:00:34

I have just read this long thread in total
amazement! Various things come to mind.
Live and let live.
Each to their own.
Accept the things you can’t change. (There’s plenty you can change.)
I’m fed up with older people pontificating on the habits of others. I got this in spades from my DF and MIL when I was younger. Much as I loved them I didn’t miss that aspect of their behaviour.
Last week an old friend came to see me. I was cooking and she was horrified that I was using frozen chopped onions. I’m afraid I was rather short with her!

Ziplok Fri 14-Mar-25 14:00:19

We occasionally enjoy a Chinese takeaway (and it really is cheaper than eating out). We have the menu in a drawer, quickly choose what we want, phone the order in and have it delivered. No lingering smells, not loads of rubbish to dispose of and the dishwasher washes the plates and cutlery.
It’s an occasional treat, not something we do weekly and definitely not daily.

4allweknow Fri 14-Mar-25 13:59:35

Rarely have a home delivery and would be a Dominoes pizza as only one that would deliver. For all other types it would be a Takeaway having to go collect as no other establishments deliver in my area.

Polly4t42 Fri 14-Mar-25 13:50:22

We have a takeaway once a fortnight at our son and daughter in laws house after we have played with the grandchildren and they are in bed. It’s a chance to catch up and relax. Alternate weeks one pair cooks a simple meal. It works for us.

ViceVersa Fri 14-Mar-25 13:42:09

It's definitely a habit for my next-door neighbours - or possibly even an addiction! They had McDonalds breakfasts delivered this morning and I've just seen the Domino pizzas getting delivered now. That's a daily thing for them - on top of twice-weekly grocery deliveries from Tesco and Asda. I can't even imagine how much it must cost them.