Why do american restaurants have such big portions?

I have always wondered about this.



Whenever I go to a restaurant in America whether it is pittsburgh, new york, california, or texas, the portions are ridiculously big even when you only pay $6-$10 whether it is a burger and fries, a pizza, or even chinese food although the biggest portions I have seen are burritos or anything from a mexican restaurant. You normally can never finish the portions they serve you and it takes two or sometimes three meals to finish the food they serve you.



But when you go to london, paris, barcelona, madrid, or nice or many european cities, the portions at restaurants generally(where you can get a meal for 5 euros or a similar price to something in america that is $6-$10 for similar items) are much smaller. As a matter of fact, you never feel full after a meal and you need to get a small snack afterwards such as a croissant or a mousse de chocolate..and even these desserts are really small too.Why do american restaurants have such big portions?
It's just the culture of America, more is always better, bigger is always better. Americans wouldn't pay money for a meal that wouldn't leave them full, even if they are rich, they would be too cheap.



But in general, your money goes a lot farther in America--look at the size of our houses.
At the end of the day it all comes down to money. America has prided itself in trying to sell much bigger portions for a much higher rate. Basically in America the motto is "The bigger the better". Its not like this at all restaurants of course, but it comes down to money. The bigger the ration the more the restaurants can hike the price. The other part of it is the availability of the food. In other countries, the food might not be readily available and the rations have to be taken into account which means less in terms of what the customer gets.Why do american restaurants have such big portions?
making the stuff is cheap and inexpensive here. you go to eirope, the countries are small so not as many places to grow food. in australia, the land isnt too fertile. in china even, the cost of shipping the food due to its lack of transportation resources are much higher than in america.
You touched indirectly on a problem and solution In general Americans are considered

over-weight and that is not healthy. Why is that so? Check your question -- because they

are given "big" meals and they think it is healthy or healthier.
So you people are willing to pay more for less. So, to answer you're question. It's because Americans demand more for they're money. Also all the food you just listed is very cheap to make.
Because that's what it takes to maintain our girlish figures
No racism intended, but it's 'cause we Americans are known to have a bigger... um, appetite than other places. Think: Whopper Burgers, etc.
Look at the people who are eating these portions! America Top Obese country in the world I would think.
you are not hungry whith small portions? French have small to, like yours, but we seem to like cheese more. =) no offense
When you get a huge portion, just eat what you can and leave the rest. Lol
because we like to eat alot
because Americans are big hungry people. o.O
BECAUSE WE'RE F*CKING HUNGRY!!!! AAARRRRRRRRR!!!!!