Specialty items such as fish, lobster, scallops used to be market priced, and we would accept that due to fluctuations in supply. What we have seen lately, chicken wings at market price, is insane. Back in the day, wings were used for stock. Frugality and marketing put wings on the mass market- however I cannot get my head around how expensive they are.

FDR's fireside chat about a chicken in every pot, in the context of the 30's depression was a sign of prosperity. I have a sinking feeling that it will be once again.

I rarely eat out anymore & buy the 1/2 price meat/fowl when it's available & fill my freezer.

Eating out locally starts at around $11 without any drink. Buffets start at $15 now. Aldi grocery prices are around double the price they were last year.

Stores don't seem as busy lately, but restaurants seem about the same. Have prices increased enough we're going to see more restaurants closing, or will most people just pay higher prices and move on?

quote:

Originally posted by bryan11:
Have prices increased enough we're going to see more restaurants closing, or will most people just pay higher prices and move on?

Look at the average size of an American. That didn't happen from eating at home. I think the habits are way too established for most people to change. It's possible that people might hit the cheaper fast food places more often instead of the medium level places but who knows.

I drive by a McDonalds 5 or 6 days a week and its wrapped around the building and they are well know to be fast. Every Starbucks is still 10 deep when you get there etc.

For those of us who want to impress a lady with a nice lunch date, Costco and Sams Club both still have a slice of pizza and a soda pop for under $3.00.

^^^^^^^^^ And dessert too ! Just a couple bucks, the Very Berry Sunday is, I think, $1.65 ^^^^^^^^^
.

And it’s difficult to have anything other than a lousy bowl of gruel at home, for less than $1.65.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:

For those of us who want to impress a lady with a nice lunch date, Costco and Sams Club both still have a slice of pizza and a soda pop for under $3.00.

1/4 pound all beef hot dog and free refill soft drink is still $1.50 at the local Costco.

Didn’t a certain political party just expect businesses to eat, pardon the pun, the increased cost of labor and not pass it along to the customer?

Hey Honey, let's go to COSTCO for dinner.

As far as I can tell (and I can tell), pizza places in NC are pretty much holding the line.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:

For those of us who want to impress a lady with a nice lunch date, Costco and Sams Club both still have a slice of pizza and a soda pop for under $3.00.

1/4 pound all beef hot dog and free refill soft drink is still $1.50 at the local Costco.

There was a false report lat week they were going to bump it a buck for the combo. Created a Twitter storm or social media whatever. Was denied by Costco.

Its what you get for voting for that commie.

You can guess the age of a member if he takes his girl to Costco
for lunch! But hey, I like Costco!

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Hey Honey, let's go to COSTCO for dinner.

My friend and his lady do that. But they were doing it prior to all this. Hell I’ve done it when I’m picking up my groceries there to cut cost on my cheat meal. A slice and a drink is like $3.

I typically only go out to eat once a week but the meal I buy is typically the same and it’s gone up 33%. What’s busting my ass is the damn groceries going up, utilities (especially kwh), homeowners, gasoline, and the property taxes are through the roof. I’ve changed up my grocery buying up pretty extensively due to all this inflation. That Costco bird is got damn gold right now but many weeks they are out of them. I eat a lot fish and the prices are way more expensive. And we’re talking frozen fish not some fresh gourmet cuts.

I’m glad I inherited a 92F for helping a widow out as that’s the only thing I have been able to look forward to. This shit is crazy. I’ve never driven or ridden so little in my entire life and I’m staying home more than I ever have. If it were just dine out food, OK, but fuck it’s everything there is. China flu, the raisin, now war. I think everyone is just past fed up.

I only eat "out" (fast food or "fast-casual") once, maybe twice a week lately. Although I have other reasons for doing it, increased cost is a big one.

Before the Branch Covidians, at the local KFC I used to get a nice combo meal (leg and thigh, biscuit, mashed potatoes and small drink) for $5.49. Now it is nearly $8 and no drink. Other fast food has gone up, but not nearly this much.

Prices are getting nuts, but wife and I never ate out that much anyhow. On the way back from the mountains last weekend, wife and I stopped in a gas station North of Wilkesboro on NC-18 that we drive past all the time. It's family run, has a grill, super clean, very nice people running it and they make great hot sandwiches that are around $7 ea w a bag of chips.

Wife's reuben was amazing-getting that next time, and I had a barbecue sandwich with bbq from owner's son-in-law restaurant in Wilkesboro. This is the kind of place we will continue to patronize.

Plus...its one of few places in area with ethanol-free gas.

I live in the Zion N.P. area and prices have always been a little high. I notice prices have increased but the portions have not changed. Being local we get a discount at most restaurants and that helps, too.

Wife and I went out last night to a steak house that is part of a small chain in 4 other cities and towns. Been a few months since we had been there. A trip to the salad bar is $13.99. 8 oz prime rib is almost $40.00. Wife went for the salad bar and I settled for jumbo fried shrimp at $18.00. Used to get to pick two sides now only get one. Shrimp were a far cry from jumbo. Complimentary bread was a tad larger than a biscuit. Beer prices were too high so just had water. While quality was good, portion size and high prices will keep us from going back. Last few times we have eaten out have been disappointing. Quality has slipped and portion size is shrinking along with increased prices.

I guess that I am fortunate in that I got out of the habit of eating out long ago....same with take out. If I eat it.....I fixed it at home. A lot cheaper and better for me(no fried foods).