Two thumbs up OP!
Usually I'm in and out of a restaurant in 2-3 hours (not that a bring a large family just 1-2 sims) unless I chose to stay and have more food or just hang out. I know it's because I avoid basically everything you mentioned. Especially hard on sims is placing fun activities. I downloaded on really cute diner with a basketball court and the waiters were drawn to it. It was obvious it had to go. Also the spacing is very important to not bottleneck the paths as you said. I try not to download MOO builds at all unless I know the builder playtests.
