What defines "restaurant"?

[mojoman]

I think most sources define restaurant as a place where food is served to the public.

IMO, a "restaurant" has to:

1. Be open to the public.

2. Charge for the food.

3. Serve food that is ready to eat with no further preparation.

So, if you all will agree with the properties I have proposed that define a restaurant, it comes down to what is the definition of serve?

Certainly, being having a hot entree placed on a white tableclothed table on fine china is being served.

I also would posit that having a plate full of spaghetti put in front of you on a picnic bench constitutes service in this context.

Does being handed a tray with a Big Mac, fries, and a milkshake constitute service?

How about pointing to a hot dog on a rolling thing, having the guy stick it in a bun, and hand it to you?

[rconnelly]

I think most sources define restaurant as a place where food is served to the public. 

IMO, a "restaurant" has to:

1. Be open to the public.

2. Charge for the food.

3. Serve food that is ready to eat with no further preparation.

So, if you all will agree with the properties I have proposed that define a restaurant, it comes down to what is the definition of serve?

Certainly, being having a hot entree placed on a white tableclothed table on fine china is being served.

I also would posit that having a plate full of spaghetti put in front of you on a picnic bench constitutes service in this context.

Does being handed a tray with a Big Mac, fries, and a milkshake constitute service?

How about pointing to a hot dog on a rolling thing, having the guy stick it in a bun, and hand it to you?

←

Of course, it's all service. Different degrees of service, but sevice nonetheless.

Now quality of service...that's the question.

[Lilija]

I would say it's all service, too. Right down to the hot dog guy. You didn't shop for, take home, unwrap, and cook that hot dog. That's all been done (however badly) so, it's "service".

[Fat Guy]

So is a hot-dog cart a restaurant? The food-service industry wouldn't define it as such. A hot-dog cart would fall into the category of "Retail, Vending, Recreation, Mobile." There's also some gray area around drinking places. They don't become restaurants just by virtue of serving popcorn on the bar, at least not for industry categorization places. But something like McDonald's? Definitely a restaurant by industry definitions. Specifically, they call it a QSR: quick-service restaurant.

[Daniel Rogov]

A restaurant per se must be a place that provides fully prepared meals at fixed hours, at a fee, that has tables at which people can be seated, and that provides service staff to present the meals and provide whatever other food and beverage services are required.

An establishment with self-service is a cafeteria and not a restaurant.

A fast-food eatery falls somewhere between the restaurant and cafeteria as it specializes in foods meant to be prepared and served quickly and provides minimal service.

A hot-dog stand on the street no matter how good the hot dogs, knockwurst or bratwurst may be and even though there may be a few benches or even tables nearby is a food-service point.