[Baz]

I know how this will sound, but in my experience it's all part of the "roll the dice" aspect of going out to eat vs. staying in and doing it yourself.

There are so many things out of your control when you go out to eat.

But to answer your specific question.....for me cost is always a factor in most decisions I make but for a social gathering I think sometimes you have to consider stuff like parking, logistics, safety, and appeal of consumer product to the Gruppe as a whole and just bite the bullet for the sake of the collective.

Pepto Bismol works wonders, BTW....