I tend to think it's part chicken-and-egg, part feedback loop.
Why do so many restaurants offer such unhealthy fare, and in such large portions? Because people want to spoil themselves, and think they're getting a good bargain, when they eat out.
Why do people equate "spoil myself" with "eat a day's worth of calories during the appetizer course"? Because of years of conditioning to prefer such fare.
And of course, we must consider what restaurants themselves are willing to buy and store. Fresh produce is expensive, and if nobody orders that fruit salad, it's money down the drain. So restaurants keep themselves stocked with things they know will sell (and/or last a good long time). And yes, as you point out, frying takes very little time (and, arguably, minimal training), so there's even more money to be saved.
Wow, just a real ray of sunshine tonight, ain't I?
Why is eating out typically less healthy?
Why do so many restaurants offer such unhealthy fare, and in such large portions? Because people want to spoil themselves, and think they're getting a good bargain, when they eat out.
Why do people equate "spoil myself" with "eat a day's worth of calories during the appetizer course"? Because of years of conditioning to prefer such fare.
And of course, we must consider what restaurants themselves are willing to buy and store. Fresh produce is expensive, and if nobody orders that fruit salad, it's money down the drain. So restaurants keep themselves stocked with things they know will sell (and/or last a good long time). And yes, as you point out, frying takes very little time (and, arguably, minimal training), so there's even more money to be saved.
Wow, just a real ray of sunshine tonight, ain't I?