I'm Wondering How it evolved????

[sail7seas]

How did it evolve that cruise passengers came to expect to be able to have available to them humungous quantities of food; all the things their stomachs' savor; to be able to order three entrees and four desserts??

I realize that when ships switched from doing crossing to cruising, fine dining was one of the things they featured. Fine dining is not the art of stuffing ones face with any food that does not move before you can catch it. It seems today people have huge appetites for tremendous quantities of food while cruising.....do they eat such huge meals at home? Do many folks cruise to eat? Is that one of the main attractions? For some folks who want a shrimp cocktail every night....don't they have a Costa or BJ's or other store in their area where they can buy shrimp and eat them all the time? Big bags of them really are not very costly. They're on sale all the time. Defrost, put them on a plate with some cocktail sauce and a lemon......you can eat them whenever you want.

I'm really interested as it amazes me to see how high some folks can load a buffet plate or line up dinner plates in the dining room.

(Please do not take this as the least judgmental....I am simply curious).

[Orcrone]

Sail,

I've wondered the same thing, but have no good answer. When we went to an all-inclusive you could eat all you wanted. But food did not seem to be as emphasized by the people there. So I'm also curious as to where this originated.

I have noticed that cruise lines seem to be providing more. On my first cruise in 1990 I don't remember things like 24 hour pizza or ice cream being available. Obviously the cruise lines feel that people cruise to eat, and are marketing it as such.

[sail7seas]

Most of us go out to dinner at home ....at least occassionally if not more often. We expect to look at a menu and order one entree (and whatever appetizer etc). Why do we expect to order two (and some folks say three) entrees on a cruise ship?

[Vicar]

I know exactly what you are talking about.

The one thing everyone knows about a cruise (even people that have never been on one) is that they feed you from morning til night.

there is just something about all that food just there for the taking that makes you just want to pig out (I am NO exception) *LOL*

I am sure its the same way for many at a buffett restaurant at home, its there, it looks good, give it a try.

Ordering another entree in a fancy sit down restaurant as you would in the dining room is another matter (again I am guilty as charged there too *LOL*)

I am sure no one goes into a sit down restaurant at home and has two appetizers and the steak and the lobster and two Baked Alaska.

Not really sure where the cruise lines got the idea or the 24/7 eating orgy, but possibly with all the time you are on the ship and sometimes with two or three (or more) sea days between ports, they figured keep these people full and happy. You might not like bingo, or dancing, or movies, or gambling, but EVERYONE loves to eat *LOL*

[elmorejj]

I have also wondered about this. On our first cruise in 1982, there wasn`t any lido buffet, all meals were taken in the DR. Room service was mostly used for b`fast or if you were feeling under the weather. The only thing I will have 2 of, is when mussels are on the menu, and even then I feel embarrassed asking for 2. ......jean :cool:

[Vicar]

I remember my first cruise on the Song of America. Late 1980s
All three meals were in the dining room only. There were little tables of light foods sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads , desserts, throughout the ship all day. But no Lido buffett as we know it now.

There was a midnight buffett everynight, then about 2 am there was pizza. But not the 24 hour pizza on demand they have today.

And there were no "pay extra" restaurants.

Still just like today, we ate well and ate often *LOL*

[Tatka]

Sometimes it's difficult to choose just one entry...in this case it makes sense to ask for second entry without side dish.

I almost neve ask for the second entree (I can sometimes even skip entree completely)...but I can eat several appetizers and salads.

[iluvcruzin]

My BF loves to eat on a cruise. Actually he's one of those people that are nauturally thin and eat all day long (it wears me out). When we sail he only orders one entre at dinner. However, he had ordered room service maybe an hour before we dine. He eats from sunrise to sunset. It's like a food fantasy for him.

To me, I've been on enough cruises the food novelty thing has worn off. I stick with dining times.

[dst]

Sail: great thread, It is interesting. We have always chosen to cruise not so much for all the food but becasue of the convenience of not having to carry cash and we know exactly how much we are spending on the entire trip; excluding the alcohol *LOL*

Vicar, our very first cruise was on the Song of America 1989; and you are correct no extra restaurants no pizza joints just good food midnight buffett a (which was more of a show of art than a food frenzy) and wonderful cruising.......ahh the good ol days *LOL*

[Orcrone]

Vicar,

My first cruise was also Song of America in 1990 (seems like it's everyone's first ship). It didn't have a Lido, but I do remember it having an outside deli type of restaurant at the ship's stern. Also, the midnight buffet was much more lavish than what you find today.

[Vicar]

DST

Yes it was very nice :)

I remember my ex wife and I were like 21 at the time we were on the Song of America and every night we would go up to the round glass enclosed bar RCCI ships have in the aft of their ships and have a few drinks and just stare out at the ocean.
We thought it was the most beautiful spot on the ship.

Memories.......like the corner of my mind ...misty water colored memories *LOL*

[Vicar]

Orcrone,

You are right.

The midnight buffetts were much more lavish every night (of course the Gala buffett was exceptionally great )

When I was on the Conquest last November, the nightly midnight buffets were nice , but more like midnight snacks.

[jhannah]

I believe everyone's on track with their assessments. Ships began offering non-stop feeding some years ago, so that's what we've come to expect. The buffets here in Las Vegas are another good example. "I paid for all this, so I'm going to eat as much as I possibly can to maximize my investment" seems to be the clarion call. I'm amazed at how people here pile their buffet plates literally 6 or more inches deep with food. (They know they can go back. Why be so obvious with their conspicuous consumption????)

I don't think I've ever ordered a second entree. I do remember ordering a different second desert that my DW and I shared because we wanted to see what it was like.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I can remember when we began sailing years ago and there wasn't any Lido buffets - just dining room food - very rarely did you even have a hot dog.

As for ordering 2 or 3 entrees on a ship - never did and never will. Not 2 or 3 of anything.

In fact when we go out to dinner at home (like last night) we each brought home doggie bags - meals were large and neither of us could eat everything. We each did have a salad before our meal. (Now you know what is for dinner tonight - leftovers.) We didn't even order a dessert - sometimes skip them on the ship as well. And when we dine out at home, we will sometimes split a dessert.

We have known people brag about how much they eat on a cruise - as a one person told us one time - "I paid for it in my cruise ticket and I intend to get my money's worth". You know they don't order and for 2 or 3 entrees when they dine out at home.

[Vicar]

JHannah

Ahhh yes
Your fair city is also an eaters paradise *LOL*

At home I have a cup of coffee and a bagel or a hard roll with butter for breakfast.

At the breakfast buffet at the MGM Grand. I eat like I just got off the Bataan Death March *LOL*

But I have a little finesse, I make 6 or 7 smaller trips rather than piling my plate mile high on the first go round. Image is everything *LOL*

[ekerr19]

I am amazed at the plates I see in the Lido - so many left with untouched, uneaten food - what a true waste, IMO.

I've always wondered how people can eat like this and whether they do it at home...

Our last dining experience in the Pinnacle, well we chose to pass on ordering dessert and were really surprised by the claims of, "oh, how could you?" "you missed the best part!" Well, we could because we were both too full to eat anything else - no matter what it was.

It was actually quite easy to get up and walk away from that table without dessert. :)

[Randyk47]

I think Jim hit it right on. I know for sure I've heard folks comment that they paid for it and they're going to get as much as they possibly can. I can remember my first cruise or two and can't say I was much different. I was almost frenetic in trying to eat it all, drink it all, do it all and came off the cruises in worse shape, mentally and physically, than when I got on. I'm not only older but a least a little wiser now and have discovered how to relax and enjoy our cruises. This thread does remind me though of a cruise where we tendered into the port and the sea conditions were marginal....kind of like a carnival ride.....and I remember folks that went back to the ship at lunch because they'd paid for it and weren't going to give it up.....even if it meant they'd then get back in the tenders and come back to shore. I thought that was just a bit much.

[Orcrone]

But I have a little finesse, I make 6 or 7 smaller trips rather than piling my plate mile high on the first go round. Image is everything *LOL*I guess it's a difference of style. I would feel self conscious making 6 or 7 trips. So I bring in the Army Corps of Engineers to build a four foot high retaining wall around my plate, and fill it to the top. This way, after my belt rips in two and my pants snap is undone I can proudly state, "only one trip to the buffet".:D

BTW, make sure there's sweet'n'lo or Equal. I'm on a diet.

[the2ofus]

I really dislike that "too full" feeling which seems to happen more often and on less food than when I was younger.

I have only ordered a second entree once, on a night when crab legs were on the menu along with something else I just loved. I was upset to realize that the crab legs came with all the vegetables too, and that food would go to waste. Never have ordered a second entree since. A second appetizer? Occasionally.

One of my definitions of wealth is to be able to order anything on the menu in a restaurant, just to try a new food, and not feel badly about spending the money on something I did not like.

Of course, one of my definitions of a worthwhile food is that I do not feel guilty about the calories after I have eaten it :) HAL bread pudding falls into that category.

[ekerr19]

I guess it's a difference of style. I would feel self conscious making 6 or 7 trips. So I bring in the Army Corps of Engineers to build a four foot high retaining wall around my plate, and fill it to the top. This way, after my belt rips in two and my pants snap is undone I can proudly state, "only one trip to the buffet".:D

BTW, make sure there's sweet'n'lo or Equal. I'm on a diet.
LOL :D - Vicar and Orcrone - you two always crack me up! Orcrone, don't forget your "sugar-free" dessert selections too! ;) A true "must have" for the dieter.

Seriously, it is nice to see HAL offer sugar-free desserts. MIL's DH is diabetic and it's nice he is able to partake occassionally. :)

[sail7seas]

Thanks for your answers. After I posted the question, I started to dread the thought someone would pounce all over me for asking why they ate so much !! :o !! Personally, I don't care how much anyone (except me and DH) consumes but truly was curious about how it came to be that some folks board a ship as passenger and are taken off as cargo. :rolleyes:

[Orcrone]

Thanks for your answers. After I posted the question, I started to dread the thought someone would pounce all over me for asking why they ate so much !! :o !! Personally, I don't care how much anyone (except me and DH) consumes but truly was curious about how it came to be that some folks board a ship as passenger and are taken off as cargo. :rolleyes:

On my last cruise I didn't think I was eating too much until the Captain came to our cabin. He wanted to know whether I could move to an inside cabin, because the ship was beginning to list to port. I promised no more buffets if he let us keep our outside cabin.:rolleyes:

[Vicar]

S7S


Taken off as cargo????????

Hey I resemble that remark *LOL*

Have you ever been to the Nordic Lodge in Rhode Island or the former Custys . One of these all you can eat places with unlimited steaks and prime rib and lobster.

Good Lord !!!! *LOL*

Some people have to be hosed down between course :)

[ekerr19]

We have a place like that here - if you eat an entire 28 oz. porterhouse, your meal is free. You'd be surprised at the number of people who've tried it - we went there once, the steaks aren't very good...

[Vicar]

Orcrone,

You win!!!!!! You have much more style than i have *LOL*

Actually I would be apprehensive to try that. I would be afraid that one of the engineers might take food off my plate. Or perhaps the retaining wall would fall over on me and knock me off the chair and pin me to the floor and my arm would just be out of reach of my plate.

I look at the multiple trips as excercise between courses .*LOL*

[Vicar]

EKERR19

The food is very good at this place (at least it was several years ago, the last time I was there)

But they have everything and its all you can eat. Naturally I skip the salads and side dishes and all that and just have the Prime Ribs and Seafood .

[sail7seas]

You guys are killllling me!!! The Tom and Jerry act is at it again!! :D

( Hey....Vicar.....I'll add Orcrone's name to the Windex bill. He can help pay for the case I'm working my way through. ;) )

[Orcrone]

Orcrone,

You win!!!!!! You have much more style than i have *LOL*

Actually I would be apprehensive to try that. I would be afraid that one of the engineers might take food off my plate. Or perhaps the retaining wall would fall over on me and knock me off the chair and pin me to the floor and my arm would just be out of reach of my plate.

I look at the multiple trips as excercise between courses .*LOL*From what I've read HAL is very good at accomodating those with disabilities. So if you're going to get injured and/or disabled at the buffet, this would be the cruiseline for it to happen.

Actually, I also make multiple trips. After about the third I get the LOOK from DW. Of course she claims that she's not giving me the look, but we know better.:D :rolleyes:

[Vicar]

And to think S7S was afraid she was gonna be flammed for her comment.

It turned into a round table discussion on what a bunch of gluttons we are *LOL*

:) :) :)

[Vicar]

S7S

Thank you , takes some of the financial burden off me . I need all my money to buy Slim Fast :) :) :)

[mcduck]

Until I started reading this board, we never even realised that passangers were ordering multiple items off the menu, never mind actually doing it ourselves. The only time I would ever ask for a second entree is if the first was something I really did not like, or was poorly prepared. When my family has not "cleaned their plates" at dinner, the wait staff have always asked if the meal was ok and if we would prefer something else (at least on HAL).

I always laugh when I read a travel board review of an all inclusive resort (or cruise) that we have stayed at and there are comments that there was no selection, that the food was boring after a few days, and so on. My guess is that these were the same people we saw with one of everything piled up on their plates every night. If they have ribs and steak and roast chicken don't pile it up every night and then complain the menu never varies! Eat all you want, just don't complain that the buffet always looks the same. One sage on the RIU hotel board refers to them as the "fork and pork" crowd.

[Orcrone]

You guys are killllling me!!! The Tom and Jerry act is at it again!! :D

( Hey....Vicar.....I'll add Orcrone's name to the Windex bill. He can help pay for the case I'm working my way through. ;) )Windex... forget it. You'll get the generic concentrate like everyone else. Oh wait, I have to go. They just refilled the fresh lard container on the buffet. Gotta run, (well maybe not run, more like waddle).:D

[Vicar]

I'll have everyone know I beat Orcrone to the fresh lard at the buffet.

Fortunately he tripped over a child running around unsupervised on the Lido deck and is flat on his back like a turtle trying to get back right side up.

*Doing my Homer Simpson impression*

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM LARD" *LOL*

[Orcrone]

I'll have everyone know I beat Orcrone to the fresh lard at the buffet.

Fortunately he tripped over a child running around unsupervised on the Lido deck and is flat on his back like a turtle trying to get back right side up.

*Doing my Homer Simpson impression*

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM LARD" *LOL*Well I have the last laugh. Do you know how much food people drop on the floor? And I don't even have to waste those calories walking through the buffet line.

[sail7seas]

Windex... forget it. You'll get the generic concentrate like everyone else. Oh wait, I have to go. They just refilled the fresh lard container on the buffet. Gotta run, (well maybe not run, more like waddle).:D
There you go again, the two of you. Be careful.....We're having fun here.

Generic.....Sure!!! Cheap stuff you push at me!!! Suppose you're saving your money for more cruises!! :)


The LOOK ....Hmmmm :p DH seems to think I give him The Look from time to time. I won't comment on 'which time' that is!!



If a husband speaks in a forest and there is no one around to hear him.....is he still wrong??? :D

[Vicar]

Hey Orcrone

While you are down there , do you see any gum under any of the tables. i like to chew gum after a big meal , its supposed to be good for cleaning your teeth when you can't brush after meals

[Orcrone]

If a husband speaks in a forest and there is no one around to hear him.....is he still wrong??? :DOnly when watching Lifetime, the network for women (aka Men 'R Scum).:D

[Orcrone]

Hey Orcrone

While you are down there , do you see any gum under any of the tables. i like to chew gum after a big meal , its supposed to be good for cleaning your teeth when you can't brush after mealsNo gum here, but do as I do. Get friendly with someone who has a guide dog and bum a Milkbone off of them. They're usually happy to give it up, as long as I leave. AAAAHHH, they're beginning to clear the buffet, gotta go.

[Vicar]

Hmmmm Milk Bone

But the bones from the spare ribs from the spare ribs serve the same purpose and they are much more meatier.

[jhannah]

If a husband speaks in a forest and there is no one around to hear him.....is he still wrong??? :DNo, because we never are no matter where we speak! We just feign error on occasion to boost the self-esteem of our DWs. ;)

[bepsf]

I felt so bad when I accidentally ordered the Porterhouse Steak in the Pinnacle. I had intended to request the Rib Eye as I had already had the lamb and filet that week, but I was so caught up in the conversation (or was it the Champagne...) that I don't really know what I ordered...

Anyways, the waiter enters with a whole side of cow on a plate - a gloriously perfect medium-rare. After the visions of the opening credits of the Flintstones where the car flops over from the weight of the side of ribs finally clear, I say that I thought I had ordered the Rib Eye. The waiter graciously apologizes and offers to bring a Rib Eye, while my table-mates inform me "Nope, nope - That's what you ordered!"

"No-no" I gulp "This will be fine"

I manage to consume less than a quarter of it.

I actually think 'This will be perfect for sandwiches and stir-fry this week' - then I remember that I am at sea and have another week of vacation before I would be setting foot in my kitchen again.

I was never more sad to see a dinnerplate leave my table...

[Vicar]

Only when watching Lifetime, the network for women (aka Men 'R Scum).:D


AHHHHHHHHHHH Lifetime, the Discrimination Station .


Who knew there were so many husbands out there leaveing their pregnant wives for other men while they were dying????

TV is so educational:) *LOL*

[mhshapiro]

I do my best to get off the ship weighing no more than when I get on it.

I do appreciate the wide variety of food that is available on cruise ships. But unfortunately I'm one of those people who just has to look at food to gain weight, so I just try to eat less of it than some of the other passengers do.

Actually I've found that if you are careful you can eat quite healthfully on a cruise. We frequently cruise on Crystal; and, they always have a lighter entree available at dinner, which I frequently order. They also are quite accommodating about providing a "half portion" of just about any entree upon request.

On our last HAL cruise there were not as many dinner choices available as on Crystal, but the kitchen was quite willing to supply sauces and dressing "on the side" to help keep the calories in check.

I do think that some cruisers think that they have to pile their plates to the angle of repose in order to get their money's worth, but that's not why I cruise.

[dst]

You guys crack me up, I only left the site for a few hours and you have gotten out of hand. The one thing about eating alot is that you are definately keeping the Dr's in business when he check your Cholesterol :)

[ekerr19]

AHHHHHHHHHHH Lifetime, the Discrimination Station .


Who knew there were so many husbands out there leaveing their pregnant wives for other men while they were dying????

TV is so educational:) *LOL*
This is seriously off topic, but - oh well... my infamous daughter spent three weeks this summer visiting a friend of hers in Minnesota - she was so thrilled to shop at the Mall of America - the one item she couldn't live without???

A t-shirt that says "Boys are Dumb... Just Throw Rocks at Them"

Just about sums up the way it's always been between between girls and boys and men and women!

Sail - LOL!!! :D I love that one!

[Vicar]

DST

My doctor should talk *LOL* in the past few years he has gotten quite a gut on him.

He blames his new wife for being a great cook (he remarried a few years ago after being a widower for years) :)

[Vicar]

EKERR19

*LOL*


My daughter has a T shirt that says

Sit
Stay
Speak

Good Boy


Actually I shouldn't make fun of Lifetime, without it Patty Duke, Morgan Fairchild, Melissa Gilbert , Jane Seymour, and Stephanie Powers would all be ringing a register at Walmart :)

[ekerr19]

EKERR19

*LOL*


My daughter has a T shirt that says

Sit
Stay
Speak

Good Boy


Actually I shouldn't make fun of Lifetime, without it Patty Duke, Morgan Fairchild, Melissa Gilbert , Jane Seymour, and Stephanie Powers would all be ringing a register at Walmart :)Oh Vicar!!! This is too funny. :D I like Lifetime, DH does not - I can't imagine why... ;)

Here's another: "Boys are Stupider... send them to Jupiter"

I told DD she is not showing her intelligence with that one... "stupider"???? ;) hhmmm, I wonder??

I like your daughter's T... that sounds like one I could use!

[jhannah]

Let's get back to the posted topic of eating. After all, HAL does NOT stand for "Husbands Are Laughingstocks!" :cool:

[Vicar]

EKERR19

Ya know
with back to school we got the student handbook and parent advisory thing and as far as dress code goes

the only real no nos are anything that advertises Booze, Cigarettes , drugs, or any sexual explicit pix or sayings

Its so comforting to know that my daughter can go to school dressed like Paris Hilton just as long as her G string does say Budweiser, Marlboro, or Do Me

[ekerr19]

Oh Vicar - you are truly killing me :D

Sounds like we are irritating some others though, sorry - we don't intend to. I said I was going OT, didn't mean to drag this one - but it is pretty funny!

I guess we'll have to wait til 3:00am on Saturday again... :D I'll be here.

[Vicar]

3 am Saturday ....its a date *LOL*

[dakrewser]

WE do need to remember that serving sizes in the ship's dining room are generally smaller than those in most American restaurants. That's not a plus for the restaurants, but simply a way to justify higher prices.

I also don't think we can compare shipboard fare to that offered by "the Hungry Heifer" or other "quantity is better than quality" all-you-can-eat buffets.

I do find that the portions on board HAL ships are adequate, but geared towards eating 4-5 courses. Sometimes I will skip the soup, or the salad, or the appetizer (because nothing strikes my fancy) and order something different (a cheese plate plus a dessert, two appetizers, etc.). There's also the opportunity to order something additional which you've never tried before (escargot, bami goreng, etc.) without the worry that - if you don't like it - you'll need to spend a bunch more on something you will like.

One method for eating at a large table is to treat the menu as tapas, "small plates" or dim sum - order a number of dishes but share among everyone. Rarely will there be a one-to-one relationship between diners and courses.

I do remember on our very first cruise (1995 on the Carnival Exasperation :rolleyes: ) when we returned to the ship after a full day in port to discover it was formal night (back when those things were enforced) and we just didn't feel like dressing. The buffet wasn't open for dinner. Room service offered "tea and toast" (for those under the weather) - so we headed off ship to a close-by KFC. Things have changed, and not always for the worse!

[dakrewser]

I actually think 'This will be perfect for sandwiches and stir-fry this week' - then I remember that I am at sea and have another week of vacation before I would be setting foot in my kitchen again.
You could have brought it back to the cabin, slipped the steward a couple of bucks and asked that there always be ice around the package!

:rolleyes:

[dakrewser]

On the subjects of men/boys and food/eating, my wife forwarded this to me just a few hours ago:

********
A man asked his wife what she'd like for her birthday. "I'd really love to be ten again" she replied wistfully.
On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, got up, made her a nice big bowl of Frosties and then took her off to their local theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park: the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. Right away, they journeyed to a McDonald's where her loving husband ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate shake.

Then it was off to the cinema to see the latest blockbuster, complete with a hot-dog, popcorn, a big fizzy drink, and a huge bag of M&M's, her favourite sweets.

What a time she had!

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his precious wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, "Well, Darling, what was it like being ten again?"

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. "You ***!!!!@# idiot", she replied. "I meant my dress size..."
********
-dave :)

[Orcrone]

Good one Dave.:) :cool:

[sail7seas]

I am so laughing my head off. Thanks for the chuckles.

Vicar........Your daughter seems to have her Dad's fun sense of humor. That is a wonderful gift you passed along to her. :) Come, Sit, Speak, Stay......:D I LOVE IT!!!


I left here for a few hours this afternoon and Look What I Came Back To!!! :)

You boys have been busy!!!

Who 'wouldathunk' what I was starting with a 'pig out' question..... !!!! :)

[lipoppop]

A historical comment.

I think the notion of oversupplying guests with food started in the Catskill Mountain resorts in New York State. In the 40's, 50's up to the late 80's familys came during the summer months for the entertainment and the food, maybe a dip in the pool but heaven forbid the hairdo got wet!

Food was a marketing tool and it evolved into the "all-you-can-eat buffets", multi appetizers and entrees on cruises and so forth.

I don't see many people overeating but the idea that they can if they want is what the cruise lines are promoting. It is relatively cheap and it helps draw us to the ships.

[Vicar]

S7S,


Oh my daughter thinks I am nuts. She is now at the age where she constantly tells me not to embarress her. And yet all her friends think I am the cool dad. Go figure *LOL*

[Vicar]

lipoppop,

I lived through many summer vacations in the Poconos and Catskills with my entire family. grandparents, parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins YIKES!!!!

But the food was always terrific and more than plenty of it. The best times were when all the kids went to the pool or the game rooms at night while the parents went to see the shows.

[bepsf]

Didn't someone advertise 'Eight Sumptuous Meals a Day'?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Holy Moly - didn't check in with this thread for a few hours.

Sure glad I cooked dinner before I read this afternoon's posts - it would have been burned I got to laughing so much.

Eight meals a day? Nah - all you can eat in 24 hours!

[sail7seas]

lipoppop,

I lived through many summer vacations in the Poconos and Catskills with my entire family. grandparents, parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins YIKES!!!!

But the food was always terrific and more than plenty of it. The best times were when all the kids went to the pool or the game rooms at night while the parents went to see the shows.


:) We had heard so much about the Catskills, in the early eighties we went to The Neville with another couple. We had a fantastic time the once.....but knew we would never go back. Once was enough. Another place there I remember was called The Concord. We never saw it but I heard alot about it.
Eat, food, eat, food, eat, food......

[RevNeal]

This has been a great thread. Thanks for giving me a good laugh.

[Peggy Sue]

sitting here watching the red sox, and reading this insightful thread...then I started to giggle, and giggle, and giggle..finally had to share some of the great posts with DH, who is now giggling too. Thank you..great thread, fun and light hearted.

good for our digestion....

Peggy Sue

[Orcrone]

A historical comment.

I think the notion of oversupplying guests with food started in the Catskill Mountain resorts in New York State. In the 40's, 50's up to the late 80's familys came during the summer months for the entertainment and the food, maybe a dip in the pool but heaven forbid the hairdo got wet!I know exactly what you mean. I worked as a lifeguard at one of those hotels in 1977. I always said that my main duty was to make sure that no kids splashed because half the women just got their hair done that week.:rolleyes:

Food was a marketing tool and it evolved into the "all-you-can-eat buffets", multi appetizers and entrees on cruises and so forth.These hotels included food in the price. The guests would always ask for 'falatahs'. This was extra food that the waiters would wrap up so they could take back to the room 'for later'.:D

[Orcrone]

:) We had heard so much about the Catskills, in the early eighties we went to The Neville with another couple. We had a fantastic time the once.....but knew we would never go back. Once was enough. Another place there I remember was called The Concord. We never saw it but I heard alot about it.
Eat, food, eat, food, eat, food......Sail,

Was it the Neville or the Nevelie? Just curious. I worked in one of the hotels, but the big two were the Concord and the Nevelie.

[peaches from georgia]

Though it was actually filmed in the NC mountains, Dirty Dancing is the perfect movie example of a Catskill resort hotel . I remember growing up in that area that the Concord and Grossingers were very famous. Lots of celebrities performed in these hotels- stand-up comedians and singers in particular.

[Orcrone]

Though it was actually filmed in the NC mountains, Dirty Dancing portrayed a Catskill resort hotel .I know it was set there, but let me tell you, we never had that much fun. Although looking back, 17 years old working as a lifeguard at a hotel was not bad at all.;) I wish I knew back then just had good I had it.

[peaches from georgia]

I wish I knew back then just had good I had it.
LOL. Don't we all!!! :D

[sail7seas]

Sail,

Was it the Neville or the Nevelie? Just curious. I worked in one of the hotels, but the big two were the Concord and the Nevelie.



Yes.....I think you are correct. I'm lucky I even remember the name :) let alone how to spell it. :D We did have a funny time there but once was enough. I know what you mean about the "I just had my hear done ladies". :)

[lipoppop]

Sail,

Was it the Neville or the Nevelie? Just curious. I worked in one of the hotels, but the big two were the Concord and the Nevelie.



Yes.....I think you are correct. I'm lucky I even remember the name :) let alone how to spell it. :D We did have a funny time there but once was enough. I know what you mean about the "I just had my hear done ladies". :)

It is spelled Nevele. The name has an interesting history. Some young girls at the end of the 19th century were walking in the woods and came upon a waterfall. They named it Nevele which is eleven spelled backwards. Yes, there were eleven girls in the group.

Besides the food the hotels were famous for the comedians who got their start in show business there-Henny Youngman, Jerry Lewis (who was big at Brown's), Alan King etc.

The waiters and busboys were mostly college students who earned relatively good tips to pay their tuition. A lot of college basketball players were hired for an unofficial inter-hotel league, including some that were convicted in 1951 (date might be off by a year) of point shaving.

There were also bungalow colonies where you cookedfor yourselves for those families who couldn't afford the hotel rates.

Some of the hotel names I remember are Grossingers (where Jenny the owner sat on a high stool to greet the guests), the Concord, Nevele, Fallsview (next door to the Nevele), Browns

[Orcrone]

Lipoppop,

Thanks for the history lesson. By the time I worked in the Catskills the comedians you named were long gone. We also spent a couple of summers at one of the bungalow colonies you mentioned when I was a young kid.

I know it wasn't the Catskills, but one summer I worked at a sleep away camp for underprivileged kids in Northwestern New Jersey (Sussex County). It turned out that Gabe Kaplan (Welcome Back, Kotter) went there as a kid. So he wound up coming up to visit and put on a show for the staff and campers. Real classy guy.

[saltydog28]

Are you speaking of the Nevele in Ellenville NY? It has to be, because one of their buildings is named Fallsview. It is still in operation. I go to an Irish weekend there. I believe they have two a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. I go in the fall. Plus they have other non-irish events throughout the year. I always have a good time there.
Pat.

[sail7seas]

Yes, Pat. That is the hotel about which we are speaking. I'm glad to hear people are still enjoying themselves there. It has been years since I heard of anyone from our area visiting in the Catskills. Used to be lots of folks from around our area that would vacation there....but no longer.

[Orcrone]

Are you speaking of the Nevele in Ellenville NY? It has to be, because one of their buildings is named Fallsview. It is still in operation. I go to an Irish weekend there. I believe they have two a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. I go in the fall. Plus they have other non-irish events throughout the year. I always have a good time there.
Pat.Saltydog,

The hotel I worked at was the Echo Hotel in Ellenville. Do you know if it's still there?

[saltydog28]

Saltydog,

The hotel I worked at was the Echo Hotel in Ellenville. Do you know if it's still there?

Sorry Orcrone, I don't know. I come up from Phila. and go stright to the Nevele. I am unformiliar with the area. But I can tell you where there is a HUGE outlet mall. Woodbury Common.
Take care,
Pat.

[Slinkiecat]

I think it's just like at an "all you can drink" event where people end up so drunk they can't walk, they feel compelled to eat all they can when there is no extra charge. It doesn't do me much good as I can't eat half as much as I could when I was young. I do love those breakfast buffets with all the fresh fruit, though, and I'm not beyond taking a couple of bananas back to the stateroom to ripen another day or two before eating.

Slinkie

[Vicar]

I remember staying at the Concord in the Catskills, At the time they had what was billed as the tougest golf course in the country or something like that, It was called "The Monster"

I was just a kid , but I remember my dad and uncle played it.

There was also a place in the Catskills called Pine Grove Ranch in Kerhonkshon (sp) I rememeber going to several times.


S7S,

You talk about the "Don't get my hair wet ladies" They are still alive and well and live in Florida. My mom laughs when they come to the pool in full hair and make up with all their jewelry on , and they walk into the pool for a dip like they are walking on eggshells *LOL*

[trubey]

You talk about the "Don't get my hair wet ladies" They are still alive and well and live in Florida. My mom laughs when they come to the pool in full hair and make up with all their jewelry on , and they walk into the pool for a dip like they are walking on eggshells *LOL*
LOL X 2!!!

When I was visiting my Ma in Key West last February, there weren't many bluehairs at the Reach pool (called something else now, I don't remember what), but there WERE as lot of beautiful women with plastic boobs stuffed inside their bikini tops!

Can I say boobs? if one of the hosts doesn't think it's appropriate, please zap my message.

Thanks. lkt ;)

[Vicar]

Trubey,


Lucky You :)

How do i get my Mom into a place like that ? *LOL*

Actually if you go to my moms place at the right time all the cute daughters and granddaughters are there :)

[pollux]

Sails, here a other side of the story. Its the waiters fault in most cases.
I only order fruit or soup, mention small portion of meat, and dessert.
But the waiter insist I should try this and that and more.
Have not been to the night buffet in years mostly allready asleep in the first show. But I love the pizza parlor.
Yes, people can buy all the food in the supermarket but most wives are glad to be served for a change.

[sail7seas]

Oh, Pollux, I agree about the wives part. I am a wife and I enjoy being served when on vacation..... for sure :)