I learned so much reading this thread.
Many of the reasons previously cited apply to us to (hate waiting, cost, toddlers, overeating, etc). Another big one is food safety and germs. These items have become super important to me in the lst couple years.
We could start a whole thread on food safety of the restaurant food itself - proper temperatures, reheating things multiple times, high quality produce, sourcing food.
But taking a turn on things (because maybe a lot of people are sick this time of year)..
How many times have you seen the hostess, cook, server wipe their nose? Do they wash their hands? Or do they hand you your menus after they blow their nose? Grab your silverware? When do you see them wash their hands? Public Bathroom often have handles that pull inward when you are inside the bathroom requiring you and the employees to pull open the door (the dirty dirty door - there is likely feces on that door- you know some people don't wash up after using restroom) , touching the door, infecting your hands even if you just washed your hands (unless you use a towel to open the door or wait for someone else to open the door for you). Have you seen people use the same gloves that they just wiped up something to also touch your food? People don't change gloves often enough.
Also, when they refill water glasses, it is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine to rest the water jug on a patron's glass to refill. No no no. How many other patrons glasses did you do that too? The water jugs are typically washed a couple times per shift, if at all, but typically shared by all servers. I was a server in high school and college at multiple restaurants so I know what I am talking about. I also did shifts washing dishes, cashier, line cook, etc. Have you seen people touching menu and then touch your plate?
How clean are the tables? Who sat in the booth before you? Were they sick? Menus? Those rags are often used to clean everything. Yes I know there are inspections but everyone is on best behavior during food inspections.
I know I sound like I am a major germaphobe, but seriously ....think about it. Why would you pay for that? Again, we used to eat out a lot more, but we really like being at home (and yes we wash hands often, even at home, especially when we first get in the door from being out).
Ok, after writing this, I don't want to eat out again. Problem cured for me.