Too fucking high is an understatement.




YES, I know there have been past rants posted here but this just seems to hit home on the cost of eating out, hence this new one.

Is it really the companies in isolation? Or is the companies responding to democrat policies like minimum wage increases, energy policies, welfare demographics (cost of living and health care for those not contributing into the system) and such? Dems are not allowed to complain about these prices, only everybody else. Dems got what they wanted.

My wife and I eat in restaurants on average twice a week, they are not empty, not even close.

Same here. Restaurants in my area are steady on weekends and week nights.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Is it really the companies in isolation? Or is the companies responding to democrat policies like minimum wage increases, energy policies, welfare demographics (cost of living and health care for those not contributing into the system) and such?

Throw in the massive printing of money - sorry 'quantitative easing' - during COVID, and you got it.

I suppose it depends on where you live and eat but in my neck of the woods while prices at restaurants have gone up people are still eating out. My favorite meal at Texas Roadhouse has increased by about 5 bucks but the quality and portions are the same so I don't mind paying extra since I realize the cost to do business has increased.

20 minute wait at a local Tex-Mex last night. Didn't even consider going to another 4 blocks away because it's even more popular.

No lack of customers in restaurants near us. Our area is one of the fastest growing in the country but new restaurants are opening almost as fast.

Basic bacon and eggs breakfast for two is under $40 where I am. That was a pretty good lunch 5 years ago.

Just got lunch at Chick-fil-A...$60 for 5 of us...4 regular meals & 1 kid's.

New breakfast place opened next to our credit union. Now I can't find parking if I want to do any banking before noon.

quote:

Originally posted by Redleg06:
20 minute wait at a local Tex-Mex last night. Didn't even consider going to another 4 blocks away because it's even more popular.

We went to our favorite Tex-Mex restaurant last night, haven't been there in a couple of months (we also eat at two other Tex-Mex places) and it was a 20 min. wait for us as well, got there at 6:15pm. Place was packed.

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
My wife and I eat in restaurants on average twice a week, they are not empty, not even close.

I agree. We stay away from the pricey places and stay home on the weekends. Other times are still brisk.

I don't think dining out is down but from reading around, seems there's a big movement to not tip or tip less when it's a full service restaurant.

Prices are certainly up, but attendance doesn't appear to be down. On the occasions when I do go out, the places still have pretty good crowds, and parking lots are full or close to it.

Wife and I stopped at Longhorn for the burger lunch special last week. Maybe 10% or 15% of the tables were occupied.

I've been peeking into restaurants when I go out. I think around here, it's definitely less business now than before.

And if one looks online at review pics where menus were posted 5 years ago and now, prices have gone up 30% or more. And this is for asian food (chinese, thai, vn) that are historically cheaper. A curry dish that was $11.99 before is now $15.99.

One is getting two for the price of three now....

It all depends on where you go.

A lot of places around here are DEFINEITELY down as far as traffic goes, the Mexican place near us that used to have a line out the door at 6 pm on a Saturday night has been really dead looking when I go there to pick up an order at that time. Their prices skyrocketed and noticed a clear decrease in service and portion size and people are going elsewhere. Same with a local pizza place we get lunch from near work. Used to get put on hold trying to order something for pickup and the place would be going crazy on a weekday at noon, but every time I go now it's like a ghost town. Again, prices went WAY up and they also fell victim to local stupid shit policies like no more plastic bags or plastic/foam takeout containers and even cutlery. I asked the guy how people are supposed to eat their salads now and he shrugged.

On the other hand every time we go to any Texas Roadhouse around us (my kiddos love the place), it's NUTS packed and you'll wait 20-30 min for a table. But they still have a perception of VALUE. The food is decent for what it is and they haven't jacked up the prices like other competitors have and people are flocking there because you still get a good deal for the money.

Just had breakfast at the Yooper Big Boy. I had the buffet and my buddy had an omelet.
With drinks and tip: $47.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Just had breakfast at the Yooper Big Boy. I had the buffet and my buddy had an omelet.
With drinks and tip: $47.

That's freakin' insane. I could eat 3 meals a day for 2-3 days on that at home.