|
|
THE "PAYMENT OPTIONS" ICON GROUP:

|
|
|
Specific "major" credit cards accepted by an individual business, merchant, or restaurant will be displayed in one of several animated icons similar to the icon shown at left here.

IMPORTANT: If you want to use a card you don't see in the Listing of a business you plan to visit, it's a good idea to call first to be sure. We provide user-searchability for the six major credit cards shown in the icon at left. However, some businesses do NOT accept all of those cards.
Our "credit card" icon may also show that a merchant will accept your personal check with proper ID. Such a message DOES NOT GUARANTEE that the merchant will accept your payroll checks, tax refund checks, third-party checks or anything other than your personal check.

Some merchants may also have a policy stipulating that your check must be drawn on a LOCAL bank. If you have questions about this issue, it's advisable to call ahead before making the trip to avoid embarrassment.

|
THE "SPECIAL DIET CHOICES" ICON:

|
|
|
This indicates if menu choices are offered for customers who have special dietary needs (or preferences).

Our Search Form provides INSTANT SEARCHABILITY for nearby restaurants offering menu choices that are:
 • Low (or Reduced) Sodium;
 • Low (or Reduced) Sugar;
 • Low (or Reduced) Carbohydrate;
 • Vegetarian (or Vegan);
 • Low Calorie (or "Low-Fat"); and/or
 • Gluten-Free.
IMPORTANT: Since it may often take longer than usual for a restaurant to prepare entrées that meet a customer's specific dietary requests, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND calling ahead if someone in your party has a special dietary need or preference.

|
THE "ADVANCE ORDERING AND RESERVATION METHODS" ICON GROUP:

|
|
|
Several icons indicate whether a restaurant accepts advance orders by phone, FAX, or online ... or any combination thereof; and also whether they require (or suggest) making reservations by phone or online.

For those restaurants that do suggest reservations, if the name of that store in their Listing is a hot link to their website, it might be worth checking out.

You could also call to find out about alternative methods of ordering, if another option appeals to you.

|
THE "HOURS OF SERVICE AVAILABILITY" ICON GROUP:

|
|
|
One of several animated icons showing which meals a restaurant serves. Indicates if they serve breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner, and/or "late at night" (i.e., after 9 p.m.).

NOTE: If they are open 24 hours a day, you would see the icon below.

|
|
|
Indicates a restaurant is usually open 24 hours a day.

If you are planning to visit there on a holiday, it's still a good idea to phone ahead and double-check whether they have "holiday hours".

|
THE "AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO GO INSIDE" ICON GROUP:

|
|
|
Indicates the availability of "curb service" where customers can pick up a meal without ever having to leave their cars. Most such services do require advance ordering by phone, so it's good to call ahead for specifics.

|
|
|
Here's a similar icon which indicates the availability of "drive-through service" (which usually doesn't reqire advance ordering by phone).

|
THE "SMOKING / NON-SMOKING ISSUE" ICON GROUP:

|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicates that both smoking AND non-smoking areas are available. This applies mostly to restaurants.

If you absolutely have to have a cigarette after dinner, this will be an important feature for you.

If so, it might be a good idea to call ahead to be sure that the section you prefer is in a barrier-free area, regardless of which side of the "smoking issue" you (or your dining companions) happen to favor.
 
|
"ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE AVAILABILITY" ICON GROUP:

|
|
|

Indicates that a restaurant serves alcoholic beverages, i.e., beer, wine, cocktails (or some combination thereof) for consumption on-premises by customers.

This is useful to know when one member of your party absolutely must have a glass of wine with dinner and somebody else just wants a beer. You can search for either, or both, or whatever you like. Also please note the next two icons in this list that deal with other aspects of the "alcohol" issue.
 |
|
|
Indicates that NO alcoholic beverages are served at a particular restaurant. This feature has been requested frequently in recent years, and may be important to parents of young children, recovering alcoholics, and those whose religious beliefs prohibit drinking.

|
|
|
Indicates if a restaurant can provide alcoholic beverages "to go" (this is also called "off-sale" in some States).

And yes, we do have a search filter for this convenience. However, fewer restaurants offer such a service lately as some jurisdictions now prohibit "off-sale" liquor.

|
THE "WI-FI" ICON:

|
|
|

If checking your e-mail during dinner is important to you, this feature's availability may be crucial to your ultimate dining choice. And choices are what we're all about. Some consumers find Wi-Fi convenient, while others seem to not care too much one way or the other.

|
|
|
THE "ALTERNATIVE DINING SERVICES" ICON GROUP:

|
|
|
Indicates the availability of "to-go" or "take-out" services (i.e., pick up your meal at the restaurant, and take it back home or to work to eat it later).
Some restaurants will prepare your carry-out order while you wait; others do require advance ordering. Consequently, calling ahead is usually a good idea if you're in a hurry and not sure.

|
|
|
Indicates the availability of catering services. Nature of service may vary from one establishment to another.
Some may offer "on-premises" catering (i.e., may be able to provide a party room or place for catering of your private parties). Others may offer "off-premises" catering (i.e., may provide food and related services to a location of your choosing). Some offer both. Most do require advance notice for scheduling of catering services.

|
|
|
Indicates a merchant's availability of delivery services, or pick-up service (or both, depending on the nature of the business).

Many stores or restaurants that deliver may have restrictions, such as that they only deliver within a certain radius, or only to certain Zip Codes, or only during certain times of the day. So it's always a good idea to ask for details when you call them.

|
"DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION" ICON GROUP:

|
|
|
Usually indicates the on-site availability of wheelchairs or motorized shopping carts for mobility-challenged customers. Details may vary widely on this, so it's always a good idea to call ahead and inquire, if you've never been there before and think you might need this assistance.

|
|
|
|
|
|

Indicates that barrier-free restrooms are available for use by disabled customers at that facility. Please note that if a restaurant has several rest rooms, they may not all be 100% barrier-free. It may be a good idea to find out where the barrier-free restrooms are located before your server assigns you a table.

|