When did appetizers turn huge?

[spinbaby]

Lately I've been noticing more and more that restaurant appetizers have become giant piles of deep-fried objects rather than what they're supposed to be, which is something small and light to whet the appetite before the meal. Fifty years ago, I don't think appetizers existed beyond the shrimp cocktail. Now you get, like, 5000 calories of fried cheese. I think it happened in the 90s.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I think it's when restaurants decided they needed to charge $7-15 for an appetizer for a $20 entree.

2 of us went out a couple of weeks back, admittedly to a place we hit maybe once a year, the cheesecake factory, got two nonalcoholic drinks, 2 entrees, 1 appetizer, and with a standard tip, the bill ran $80, about 4-5 times what our normal out of house eating experience for 2 runs. Reminds me why we almost never go to that place.

[littlewolf]

4. wow thanks for the heads up - have never been there and probably will not go. nt

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

6. Update, actually.

I forgot, the housemate did order two slices of cheesecake to go as well. But it's still a darn pricey place.

[Laurian]

2. We frequently order the appetizer as our main course

and just add a side salad. They are as big as an entree.

[littlewolf]

5. we do this alot also. nt

[No Vested Interest]

3. Apparently appetizers have become one of the big money-makers

for restaurants, along with beverages and desserts.
And, yes, sometimes an appetizer can be your entrée, especially when it is a protein, - ex. crab cakes.

[spinbaby]

7. I do that sometimes

But so often the offerings are all heavy, greasy things.

[eridani]

8. I'm thinking that portion sizes now reflect the expectation that one night out will--

--yield two meals, one at the restaurant and another of leftovers the next night.

[SheilaT]

9. Depending on what part of the country you live in,

they went huge, or at least large, by the 1980's. It was back then that my husband and I learned we could easily make a meal out of appetizers.

Lately another friend and I have started doing that when we go out.