Since retiring, one of the small pleasures my wife and I have enjoyed is going out for dinner. Whether it was a neighborhood diner, a favorite restaurant, takeout, or even the occasional fast-food stop, it was an easy way to enjoy an evening together.

Lately, however, I find myself going out less and less. Here are a few reasons why.

First—and probably most important—it has simply become too expensive. Even fast food is no longer inexpensive. A meal at Five Guys with two small cheeseburgers, regular fries, and two soft drinks recently cost us nearly $30. Sit-down restaurants are even more shocking, especially once taxes and a 20% tip are added.

Second, customer service has declined. I realize many restaurants struggle to hire and retain good employees, but that doesn’t make the experience any less frustrating. On more than one occasion I walked into a McDonald’s, stood at the counter ready to order, and waited five minutes without anyone acknowledging I was there. The staff seemed entirely focused on drive-through orders, so I simply left. Unfortunately, that experience is no longer unusual.

Third, portions continue to shrink. Restaurants still provide plenty of bread or salad, but many entrées seem noticeably smaller than they once were. If I’m paying $30 or more for an entrée, I expect it to satisfy my appetite—and perhaps even leave enough for tomorrow’s lunch.

Fourth, the food often isn’t memorable. Too often the quality and flavor fail to justify the price. Spending $70 or more for dinner before adding a tip should leave me thinking, “That was worth it.” Instead, I often leave wondering why I didn’t stay home.

Finally, too few restaurants seem interested in earning repeat business. Years ago it was common to receive coupons, loyalty rewards, or other incentives to return. Today, those offers are mostly limited to fast-food chains.

One notable exception is Chick-fil-A. Every location I’ve visited has been clean, efficient, and staffed by courteous, well-trained employees. Whether you like their food or not, they understand customer service.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about McDonald’s. There was a time when counter service was consistently friendly and efficient. Today, at several locations in my area, employees often seem disengaged, and I rarely see the same people working there from one visit to the next. The high turnover is hard to miss.

I don’t expect these trends to reverse anytime soon. Inflation, rising labor costs, and staffing shortages continue to challenge the restaurant industry. Here in South Jersey, I’ve already seen several restaurants and fast-food franchises close their doors. The internet and social media have also made it much harder for businesses to hide poor service or disappointing food. One bad experience can quickly become public knowledge.

For my wife and me, eating out has shifted from being an affordable pleasure to an occasional indulgence. More often than not, the best value—and frequently the best meal—is the one we prepare at home.

Maybe I’ve become more demanding with age. Or maybe restaurants have simply become less rewarding. Either way, this “Thought for Food” leaves me with one conclusion: the best table in town is increasingly the one in my own dining room.