Diners get less to chew

Dubai/Sharjah: Majority of cafeterias and eateries in Dubai and Sharjah have cut down on the quantity of food served in a desperate attempt to offset rising cost of food supplies.

Gulf News visited some of these places and learnt from the people running these establishments that they had also witnessed a fall in demand in recent times.

These cafeterias usually serve Asian and Arabic food and are largely frequented by middle-income group people and blue collar workers.

According to some of the customers, the difference in the quantity of food served is more apparent during lunch and dinner.

"Times are very bad and could get even worse. Prices have also been on the rise over the last three months. For example, we used to buy 5 kilos of fresh Sardines for Dh20. Now, the same amount of fish costs Dh30. Instead of charging an extra dirham from the customers, we opted to reduce the portions. Customers who frequent our cafeterias are bachelors from the middle and low-income groups," said Mustafa P.K., a cafeteria owner in Al Karama.

According to him, a non-vegetarian lunch earlier comprised rice, fish or chicken curry, a big scoop of yoghurt, poppadom and a piece of fried chicken or fish. "Now, the lunch is served minus the fried chicken or fish, with only a tablespoon of yoghurt and a small portion of rice. All this comes for Dh12," added Mustafa.

Ditto for Sami Mahmoud who is now using glasses that are smaller than the regular ones to serve fresh juice at his Deira cafeteria. He explained: "These are difficult times and one ought to be careful. I would like to offer a generous spread to my customers, but what to do? Now when the salad plate is to be served, I have asked my staff to be very careful [read stringent] with quantity.

"When we serve chicken burger, we apply a thin coating of mayonnaise on the bun. The burger comes with a small portion of fries, minus the salad, but if the customer insists, we provide him with a small leaf of lettuce. All that for Dh6.50. The customers understand the problem. Some have left, while others continue to enjoy their meal."

Meanwhile, customers do not have an option as they simply cannot afford expensive restaurants.

Mani Pillai, who lives in a shared accommodation in the Al Taa'wun area of Sharjah after having sent his family back home to India, does not know how to cook and so he depends on the cafeterias. He said: "It's a catch-22 situation for both the customers as well as the cafeteria owners," he said.

Have you noticed an increase in prices in your neighbourhood cafe? Have you cut down on your trips to cafe's? Do you expect prices to come down in the near furture?

In a way, it has brought a good change for me. I'm avoiding food from outside and preferring the food made at home. Thus, it's bringing a healthy change in my life.
Ainee
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 17:29

We can cry out as much we can on deepening of recession and high cost of living, but fact remains; how a poor man would survive with dignity today? Being a responsible person, I call upon all people who can afford to take out a portion from their monthly income to support the needy in these difficult times. I would myself support 5 persons food from this month onward (by donating this to a local cafeteria).
Azeem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 16:20

Yes, It is true. Dining out these days have become quite expensive with rise in price even for a cup of tea or a meal which has gone up from Dh7 to Dh10 in some restaurants.
Jene.A
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 14:11

I think authorities should step in and reduce the price of foodstuff as these restaurants are blaming rents and transport costs to keep the prices high. Diesel prices have been reduced several times but that is not being passed on to the customers who are suffering a lot in these days of job loss and high prices.
Manu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 14:02

I think there should b 2 choices:-old price with less portion-new price with more portionThats fair i guess
Sabeha Ibrahim
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 13:24

When the oil went up to $146 per barrel the market increased its prices due to the oil rate increase. Now the oil barrel is $41 but the market prices are same. This has brought the middle-income group into the low-income one. Before I used to eat non-vegetarian food, now I have stopped and started only vegetarian meals. Prices should come down as people will then purchase more and the market will move faster due to low rates. If you keep the prices up, public will go for limited things. Authorities should take necessary steps to come out of this crisis and strengthen the economy.
Irshad Ahmed
Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates
Posted: January 21, 2009, 11:40

My concern is deepened with the quality of the food provided rather than the quantity. I would throw in my extra coins on such.
Michel K.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 11:32

It's not only in neighbourhood cafes. I went to a restaurant I visit regularly and found the price of my favourite potato wedges had gone up AND the portion was smaller.
Alison
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 10:37

I recently bought a sandwich from a popular cafe for Dh23 and was more than disappointed to discover that the filling of that sandwich was virtually nonexistent. Considering I had paid quite a lotof money, this is pretty appalling. I shall definitely not be returning to this cafe. Conclusion: compromising the quality of the product you are selling is not the way to sustain business.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 10:07

Hey I learnt and started cooking myself and it is enjoyable to cook your own food and safe for health too. Though the cost for cooking for one is similar to the cost of having your food outside there is no reduction for quantum or hygiene.
Arasan
Dubai,Uae
Posted: January 21, 2009, 09:33

This is so true! While there is news that inflation has decreased this does not seem to be reaching the common man. Fast food franchises have actually increased their price list and are becoming way out of reach, and gone are the times when simple pleasures of a single meal out in a week. People in Sharjah can't even move around due to expensive cab fares and a lack of public transport even though bus service had been promised since May of last year!
From A Reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 09:23

Yes, there has been a rise. For example, a Shawarma Sandwich that cost Dhs.5 is now sold at Dhs.6 each at a nearby restaurant.
Tina Vibin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 09:14

yes ...it is true...there is no change in price but there is a change in quantity.At first we used to dine outside atleast twice a week(weekends) but now its not possible,i live here with my husband and a child, if our situation is like this, then what would be the situation of a family with three or more children. Another reason to reduce dining outside and lessen shopping is the increase in rent.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 07:47

Prices of all food items have gone up considerably. No one can blame the cafeteria owners. As it is, people have reduced their trips to restaurants due to the recession. But then it is all a matter of time. Situation is bound to improve and people will again start frequenting cafes. There is no chance of prices coming down in the near future.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 07:07

I think this is a good idea. If I see what amount of food is wasted because the portions are so big, it's a good approach. It is also necessary that people become more conscious about their health. There are so many overweight people around!
B. Peetz
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2009, 06:45