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Take-out or pick-up?
Do you say, "Take-out or pick-up"?
2012/11/15
10:07am
joeparath
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2012/11/15
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Hi,

I grew up ordering "take-out" food (in North Dakota and Minnesota) but since moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin I have noticed most customers (and restaurants) themselves refer to food to go as ordering for "pick-up." I was curious to know if this is a regional distinction?

Thanks,

Joe

2012/11/15
12:20pm
EmmettRedd
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In Scotland, it is 'take-away'.

2012/11/16
12:16am
Ron Draney
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And in Arizona, it's "carry-out".

2012/11/16
10:10pm
sd619
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2012/11/16
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California, we say "to-go"…or at least I do.

2012/11/17
1:11am
tromboniator
Alaska
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In discussion: "What's for dinner?" "Let's get take-out."

Ordering: "Pepperoni pizza, to go."

Small corner of Alaska.

2012/11/17
7:41am
Robert
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Yes. That's always how I hear and use them, or almost always.
The 'carry out' may be for both, a little more ordering side.
'To go' pretty much all business.

2012/11/17
7:50am
callen610
Central New York
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My family would usually say something like…"Do you want to pick up a pizza?" Or when ordering say "I'd like to order a pizza to go." Although the other options sound fine too and I may have used them from time to time. (We're in Central New York. )

2012/11/18
9:05am
natatorium
Milwaukee, WI
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2010/09/26
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My guess is that there has taken place in the food service industry an effort to phase out "take-out" in favor of "pick-up" when it comes to phone orders. When you place your order at a restaurant, it makes sense to say "take-out" or "to-go." It would not only sound odd but be incorrect to say “for pick-up" at the restaurant because "for pick-up" connotes a future act—but you're already there. When you order over the phone, it makes sense to say it's "for pick-up" because you'll be coming later to get your order. I'm also in Milwaukee, and I think that in the past it was much more common to say "for take-out" when phoning in an order—and it was understood. I suspect that "the industry" has internally promoted "pick-up" as a way to distinguish between phone orders and counter orders. However, restaurants that you call and pick-up your order at are, by and large, still called "take-out" places. Are they to become "pick-up" places? You're looking for some kung pao, not a one-nighter!

2012/11/30
12:38pm
joeparath
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Thanks folks, I appreciate all of your insights!