Don't Bring a Big Bag; You May Be Accused of Stealing.
I took my mentally disabled son to Old Country Buffet. He couldn't finish two pieces of meat, so instead of just wasting it, I thought I'd take it home for him.
Granted that was not the best decision on my part because it's all you can eat there and not suppose to be taken home. But my logic was, it will be thrown away, so what does it matter. I had gotten him what he asked for with no intent on taking anything home.
I had a couple of plastic bags from homemade sandwiches we had while out that day, so as I started to put the meat in a plastic bag, the manager came up to me and said the food is to be eaten here, which was okay with me and I put the meat back on his plate. I calmly told her I was going to take the two pieces home, but if she rather they throw it away that was fine with me.
She then said I know you have a lot more food in your bag, at which time I opened my bag and showed her I had nothing. She said anyone that has plastic bags in their purse is intent on stealing.
If I wanted to wrap up some food, who needs plastic bags, napkins are always available.
I opened my wallet and threw a $20 bill on the table and told her to take it. She said she wouldn't and that she was just quoting me policy. I told her no, that's not what she did, she implied I was a thief.
I have never stolen anything in my life; in fact I've gone out of my way to pay back money that people have given me by mistake.
So really the only thing that was stolen was my appetite for food I had already paid for. I ate a couple more bites and was too upset to eat any more.
I enjoy taking my son to places he likes, but I'll never again eat at the Old Country Buffet on Southern in Mesa. Their food is okay if you like the regular fatty, salty restaurant food, but it's not worth stealing.