Restaurants have gotten so expensive……also recycling and phone apps (2 Viewers)

[DA RAIDERS]

my amex card has a new promotion where i can save $20 when i use the card at a resy.com listed restaurant. took a look at some italian places near me and one is charging $42 for a scallop risotto dish. when rice is $42 it’s time to tap out.

my amex card has a new promotion where i can save $20 when i use the card at a resy.com listed restaurant. took a look at some italian places near me and one is charging $42 for a scallop risotto dish. when rice is $42 it’s time to tap out.

Scallops are expensive

my amex card has a new promotion where i can save $20 when i use the card at a resy.com listed restaurant. took a look at some italian places near me and one is charging $42 for a scallop risotto dish. when rice is $42 it’s time to tap out.

Don't get me wrong i think $42 is a lot too, but let's be fair you're not ordering 'rice'.

looking at "good" pricing for U8 Japanese dry packed scallops... $26/lb.. divide by 8= $3.25 per. did they give you 3 or 5 (typically odd number)?
if 5, most of the FC would be $16.25 for the plate. so the 300% mark up is not uncommon. i think it is a little high, but not crazy/insane. Personally, i would cap a scallop/risotto dish around $35

i didn’t go. part of the problem i have is being in italy so often and knowing that i spend in the teens for risotto makes it that much harder. obviously good risotto is labour intensive and scallops are pricey, but i can replicate this dish for less than a quarter of the cost. i wish they offered a base risotto and i could add in if i want.

This is my problem. Been in the restaurant biz for a million years. my wife and I can make most things better than most middle of the road places. And can rival some of the nicer places as well. If I go out, I can’t focus on cost. It ruins the experience. we mostly go out for things we don’t want to make, or don’t know how to make. santa brought a sushi making kit. If we get good at that, no more $100+ sushi nights.

scallop app at my place, on the sand, in Laguna beach, 3 u8/u10 scallops…. $24

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Since we don't have 1 where I live I dropped into a Long John Silvers last night for "nostalgia" as it's been decades since I've been there. 1 fish and chicken combo with a small drink, $18+. That'll be my last visit to LJS.

Long John Silvers is one of the few national fast food chains I've never stepped foot in. Fast food fish never struck me as something I must have. Have yet to order a Filet-o-Fish either

Same. I’ve tried a filet of fish, never ordered one. And I’ve never set foot in a fast food fish place. my wife made me go to some grease pit in NC that she went to as a kid. I needed an IV after all the salt and grease.

 

[Chemical X]

Since we don't have 1 where I live I dropped into a Long John Silvers last night for "nostalgia" as it's been decades since I've been there. 1 fish and chicken combo with a small drink, $18+. That'll be my last visit to LJS.

Long John Silvers is one of the few national fast food chains I've never stepped foot in. Fast food fish never struck me as something I must have. Have yet to order a Filet-o-Fish either

Same. I’ve tried a filet of fish, never ordered one. And I’ve never set foot in a fast food fish place. my wife made me go to some grease pit in NC that she went to as a kid. I needed an IV after all the salt and grease.

no wonder everyone here in NC is shaped like an oak barrel. bbq and grease.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Since we don't have 1 where I live I dropped into a Long John Silvers last night for "nostalgia" as it's been decades since I've been there. 1 fish and chicken combo with a small drink, $18+. That'll be my last visit to LJS.

Long John Silvers is one of the few national fast food chains I've never stepped foot in. Fast food fish never struck me as something I must have. Have yet to order a Filet-o-Fish either

need to add - the Filet-O-Fish is nothing like the fried, battered fish places - chain or otherwise

if you have ever had a school cafeteria fish sandwich ...that's it. Can't believe they charge like $4.50 for it - absolutely the worst thing and worst value McDonalds offer

It only exists so they can market it to Catholics during Lent.

 

[Terminalxylem]

my amex card has a new promotion where i can save $20 when i use the card at a resy.com listed restaurant. took a look at some italian places near me and one is charging $42 for a scallop risotto dish. when rice is $42 it’s time to tap out.

Don't get me wrong i think $42 is a lot too, but let's be fair you're not ordering 'rice'.

Plus, it’s only the third most expensive risotto mentioned in this thread (Look at me!!)

Any of you cheapos paid more than $65 for rice?

 

[Terminalxylem]

my amex card has a new promotion where i can save $20 when i use the card at a resy.com listed restaurant. took a look at some italian places near me and one is charging $42 for a scallop risotto dish. when rice is $42 it’s time to tap out.

Scallops are expensive

I just had tempura scallops from a street vendor for like 10 bucks. And it included the reproductive organs + roe.

 

[SayChowda]

I go out from time to time with suppliers who typically take me to some nice places. Last week we were in Chicago for a trade show and went to Chicago Chop House for dinner. He was already one in at the bar when I got there, he ordered another, I had a double. Bar bill came to $105 before we sat down for 3 drinks. One app, two very nice steaks, 3 sides, 2 more drinks each (no wine just bourbon) and the dinner bill was $571 before tip. I though that was a bit stupid.

Price aside, how was the steak? I went there in like 2008 or around then with my now wife for our first date. I remember the food being great, but the crowd just skewed a lot older.

 

[Drunken knight]

looking at "good" pricing for U8 Japanese dry packed scallops... $26/lb.. divide by 8= $3.25 per. did they give you 3 or 5 (typically odd number)?
if 5, most of the FC would be $16.25 for the plate. so the 300% mark up is not uncommon. i think it is a little high, but not crazy/insane. Personally, i would cap a scallop/risotto dish around $35

If it is real risotto, also a pain in the ### to make, and that adds to the price. Some other dish, they scoop out from the warmer, that costs a lot less.

what is this sacrilegious scooped risotto you speak of?

coming up, i was a sous at an italian restaurant. i can't even imagine

 

[elguapo07]

I very rarely go out. Inflation isn't changing that anytime soon

You wear an ankle bracelet too? My PO says it can come off in 6 months.

 

[Chemical X]

Since we don't have 1 where I live I dropped into a Long John Silvers last night for "nostalgia" as it's been decades since I've been there. 1 fish and chicken combo with a small drink, $18+. That'll be my last visit to LJS.

out where my wife grew up, they changed LJS to a sbux but you can still smell the fish.

makes me want to find a roy rogers and a howard johnson’s.

 

[Drunken knight]

Went out last night to a local favorite.

Seared Steakhouse, Seafood Restaurant, and Bar in Petaluma

Seared is Petaluma's top steakhouse for a reason. Stop by for dinner, cocktails, reserve our private event space, or join us for happy hour from 3:30-6pm.

www.petalumaseared.com

1 cocktail each
Calamari app (sesame/miso sauce)
Wedge

Substantial portions

$43 before tip

Gotta love happy hours

oh **** I didn't realize you were in the north bay, Seared is the bomb! I stay down in my novato hood for happy hour but Seared is a quarterly stop.

We lived in Novato for 6 years prior to moving to Breckenridge in 01.

Let me know if you would like to grab a drink/dinner sometime

 

[Desert_Power]

my amex card has a new promotion where i can save $20 when i use the card at a resy.com listed restaurant. took a look at some italian places near me and one is charging $42 for a scallop risotto dish. when rice is $42 it’s time to tap out.

Scallops are expensive

I just had tempura scallops from a street vendor for like 10 bucks. And it included the reproductive organs + roe.

I'm sorry, I'm not interested in how scallops reproduce.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Where has this thread been?
Holy **** is it f-bomb expensive to eat out at a decent restaurant
I hate eating out at most places, from having to kiss the staff's *** to the outrageous mark up on most food
Also, most of the food in Florida at most normal restaurants all comes from the same 2-3 distributors and such, it's all the same stuff

I don't even post about my experiences because I figure most will just assume I expect too much
I also don't know how many of them are able to stay in business.

 

[the moops]

6 of us. Two non-drinkers, so probably 15 cocktails for all of us - plus a few non-alc drinks. Had tons of good shareable food (scallops, sea bass, jerk chicken, lobster mac as main dishes. 7 or 8 veggie sides - two boxes of leftovers) was $375 + tip for the 6 of us. That's totally reasonable IMO and feel like I would have paid the same 10 years ago.

And we should be talking about grocery stores instead of restaurants. Trader Joes is definitely where it's at, cause all the other local'ish chain grocerers are ridiculous these days

 

[Ministry of Pain]

6 of us. Two non-drinkers, so probably 15 cocktails for all of us - plus a few non-alc drinks. Had tons of good shareable food (scallops, sea bass, jerk chicken, lobster mac as main dishes. 7 or 8 veggie sides - two boxes of leftovers) was $375 + tip for the 6 of us. That's totally reasonable IMO and feel like I would have paid the same 10 years ago.

And we should be talking about grocery stores instead of restaurants. Trader Joes is definitely where it's at, cause all the other local'ish chain grocerers are ridiculous these days

The grocery store prices are OUTRAGEOUS!
It doesn't help that in South Florida where I am, Publix has a virtual monopoly.
It's not just pricing, your choices are limited if you don't like their meats and produce, I personally find the meats at Publix to be pretty average at best
I try to hit Not So Fresh Market about once a week, they do have a decent meat case

$23 a lb for fresh XL cleaned shrimp from the local fish market, we get those at least once or twice a week, yeah their expensive but you won't find shrimp like that in any restaurant
Garlic, butter, lemon and I just spread them into the bottom of the wok, come out perfect in about 2-3 minutes per side, maybe even less.

 

[the moops]

$23 a lb for fresh XL cleaned shrimp from the local fish market, we get those at least once or twice a week, yeah their expensive but you won't find shrimp like that in any restaurant
Garlic, butter, lemon and I just spread them into the bottom of the wok, come out perfect in about 2-3 minutes per side, maybe even less.

delicious

 

[Ilov80s]

For me personally, there's almost nothing I am willing to pay more for (relatively speaking) than food and drink.

 

[culdeus]

Even crappy bbq places are charging $20/lb for brisket here now. High end places are going to the half pound pricing. And of course they want 20% for counter service.

 

[massraider]

The mid level restaurant model doesn't work any more. Only way is with a sweetheart lease deal, AND being run really well. Rare to find both.

If I was approached to do a place, it would either be ultra high end, or strapping on the feedbag for the masses. Order from a QR code, food/drink gets dropped off by a runner. No server.

 

[NutterButter]

Order from a QR code, food/drink gets dropped off by a runner. No server.

Sounds like my dream restaurant. Waiters seem so unnecessary at this point.

 

[Hawks64]

Where has this thread been?
Holy **** is it f-bomb expensive to eat out at a decent restaurant
I hate eating out at most places, from having to kiss the staff's *** to the outrageous mark up on most food
Also, most of the food in Florida at most normal restaurants all comes from the same 2-3 distributors and such, it's all the same stuff

I don't even post about my experiences because I figure most will just assume I expect too much
I also don't know how many of them are able to stay in business.

Seriously?? You must be going to the wrong places GB.

 

[ChiefD]

I try to hit Not So Fresh Market about once a week, they do have a decent meat case

Something seems off here.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

It ain't gonna change any time soon.

We tried to go to Cheddar's last night. Pretty regular place if you're not familiar, owned by Darden, basically their version of TGI Friday's. 140 MINUTE WAIT.

That was Friday night at least, but even on Wednesday nights here you're looking at 45-70 minute waits for some boring expensive chain restaurant like Olive Garden. Much less actual good restaurants with limited seating, you don't even want to know what the waits are. This is in Ogden, UT. A pretty regular town. 7-8 years ago you could walk in to any restaurant on a Friday night and you'd only have to wait for them to wipe down the table.

About an hour away is Park City. If you want to eat there I hope you made your reservations a month in advance or else you're gonna have to cook for yourself. And the prices there will make the ones here look like child's play.

So honestly the question is, why aren't they charging more? Because if they're doing price discovery to see how much people are willing to pay to eat out, they're not even near the limit yet. Every restaurant stock is at an all-time high and as long as there's even more juice they can squeeze outta that for the investors because people are willing to pay virtually anything to go out to eat, they won't hesitate to meet that demand.

 

[General Malaise]

6 of us. Two non-drinkers, so probably 15 cocktails for all of us - plus a few non-alc drinks. Had tons of good shareable food (scallops, sea bass, jerk chicken, lobster mac as main dishes. 7 or 8 veggie sides - two boxes of leftovers) was $375 + tip for the 6 of us. That's totally reasonable IMO and feel like I would have paid the same 10 years ago.

And we should be talking about grocery stores instead of restaurants. Trader Joes is definitely where it's at, cause all the other local'ish chain grocerers are ridiculous these days

Big fan of TJs. Their smoked paprika (fantastic and they have a kicked up version too) $3. Know how much that is at the big grocery stores out here? $10+ and that's if they have it.

Love Trader Joe's. Might grab a whole chicken there today for $7ish, bottle of $6 Rosé.....day is looking up!

 

[Uruk-Hai]

7-8 years ago you could walk in to any restaurant on a Friday night and you'd only have to wait for them to wipe down the table.

Wow. Your experience is way different than mine has been. Anywhere I've lived, walking into a restaurant on Friday or Saturday without a reservation was like spinning a wheel as to how long it would take to get seated (if you even could get seated). Places were always slammed.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

gonna hit Longhorn with the family tonight I just plan on using the app to get on the waitlist and then head up at whatever time it tells me

 

[roar_lions]

We had sticker shock for cocktails last weekend at a local Cheesecake Factory, of all places. My wife usually gets a Cosmo when we dine out and when we got our check we found out they cost $16 each. Think that's the most we've ever paid.

 

[massraider]

We had sticker shock for cocktails last weekend at a local Cheesecake Factory, of all places. My wife usually gets a Cosmo when we dine out and when we got our check we found out they cost $16 each. Think that's the most we've ever paid.

Cranking up drink prices, and keeping food prices low is a viable strategy. People's first decision on whether or not you are expensive is your entree price.

Boozer are supplementing everyone els'e check by paying $16 for a Cosmo.

 

[jwb]

wow yea... 2 pizzas, a dozen wings, and one cheesesteak = $77. I was not mentally prepared for that. This is outside of Raleigh.

Regarding cocktails, I'm giving up beer with most meals out. Lots of places are now charging $8 - $10 a pint... no thanks.

 

[Major]

Even crappy bbq places are charging $20/lb for brisket here now. High end places are going to the half pound pricing. And of course they want 20% for counter service.

The price of BBQ (at least here in Texas) has definitely skyrocketed over the years. It's almost gotten to the point where I can go to a fancy steakhouse for a nice filet mignon for not that much more.

I notice myself eating out a lot less for fast food and mid tier restaurants and just treating myself to upscale meals on occasion. As someone alluded to earlier, you can cook great meals at home as long as you have quality ingredients and know what you're doing. I also like being able to control the ingredients. It's crazy how unhealthy eating out can be with all the unnecessary oils, salts and sugars restaurants add to make your food taste better.

 

[culdeus]

wow yea... 2 pizzas, a dozen wings, and one cheesesteak = $77. I was not mentally prepared for that. This is outside of Raleigh.

Regarding cocktails, I'm giving up beer with most meals out. Lots of places are now charging $8 - $10 a pint... no thanks.

Some edge cases I've noticed where bottles of wine are about as expensive as two glasses.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Regarding cocktails, I'm giving up beer with most meals out. Lots of places are now charging $8 - $10 a pint... no thanks.

I remember when an "8 dollar beer" used to be a joke you made about buying an expensive beer at a stadium or New York City. Now I see an $8 beer on the menu and I'm like "hey, that's not too bad".

 

[FairWarning]

Our take-out orders are up quite a bit. I’m sure people are saving by drinking at home.

 

[stbugs]

Our take-out orders are up quite a bit. I’m sure people are saving by drinking at home.

I concur. Drinks are crazy and you are paying 30% on the drinks in tax/tip too. I usually tip around 10% on pick ups. I found one solid Italian place that I love to pick up from because relatively speaking they are a bargain and you can make another meal from leftovers. Just my youngest and I tonight so pretty much planning to hit that place. I made dinner at home the past two nights while wife’s away so don’t want to cook tonight.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

We took our granddaughter to Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning. Kids menu pancakes n bacon. Eggs sausage n hash browns for the boss. Blue berry pancakes for me. 2 chocolate milks 1 coffee

$40 lmao

 

[Major]

We took our granddaughter to Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning. Kids menu pancakes n bacon. Eggs sausage n hash browns for the boss. Blue berry pancakes for me. 2 chocolate milks 1 coffee

$40 lmao

that sounds reasonable to me but I guess it depends where you live

 

[NutterButter]

We had sticker shock for cocktails last weekend at a local Cheesecake Factory, of all places. My wife usually gets a Cosmo when we dine out and when we got our check we found out they cost $16 each. Think that's the most we've ever paid.

Cranking up drink prices, and keeping food prices low is a viable strategy. People's first decision on whether or not you are expensive is your entree price.

Boozer are supplementing everyone els'e check by paying $16 for a Cosmo.

As an infrequent drinker, I approve this approach. It is pretty crazy how much people pay for booze especially if you're doing wine.

 

[NutterButter]

wow yea... 2 pizzas, a dozen wings, and one cheesesteak = $77. I was not mentally prepared for that. This is outside of Raleigh.

Regarding cocktails, I'm giving up beer with most meals out. Lots of places are now charging $8 - $10 a pint... no thanks.

Pizzas include toppings? Toppings are where they get ya. You add 2 toppings to each of those pies and that sounds about right.

 

[the moops]

We took our granddaughter to Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning. Kids menu pancakes n bacon. Eggs sausage n hash browns for the boss. Blue berry pancakes for me. 2 chocolate milks 1 coffee

$40 lmao

How much do you think you should pay for that? Cause 40 bucks for 2 adults and a kid seems totally reasonable to me

 

[NutterButter]

We took our granddaughter to Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning. Kids menu pancakes n bacon. Eggs sausage n hash browns for the boss. Blue berry pancakes for me. 2 chocolate milks 1 coffee

$40 lmao

How much do you think you should pay for that? Cause 40 bucks for 2 adults and a kid seems totally reasonable to me

That's over $10 in beverages alone.

 

[General Malaise]

Went to a place for brunch last month that didn't accept tips. They bake everything into the price and tell you up front. Three of us, 2 fancy mimosas, 3 coffees, 3 entries (mine was outstanding - fried chicken and sausage gravy 10/10 I'm not making that at home). Just under $100 and would have been more if they did take tips because the service was impeccable.

 

[culdeus]

We had sticker shock for cocktails last weekend at a local Cheesecake Factory, of all places. My wife usually gets a Cosmo when we dine out and when we got our check we found out they cost $16 each. Think that's the most we've ever paid.

Cranking up drink prices, and keeping food prices low is a viable strategy. People's first decision on whether or not you are expensive is your entree price.

Boozer are supplementing everyone els'e check by paying $16 for a Cosmo.

As an infrequent drinker, I approve this approach. It is pretty crazy how much people pay for booze especially if you're doing wine.

Wine hasn't really increased much ime. I feel like wine has a hardcap of $60 ish or people pass. With $15 cocktails it is often the best choice.

 

[NutterButter]

We had sticker shock for cocktails last weekend at a local Cheesecake Factory, of all places. My wife usually gets a Cosmo when we dine out and when we got our check we found out they cost $16 each. Think that's the most we've ever paid.

Cranking up drink prices, and keeping food prices low is a viable strategy. People's first decision on whether or not you are expensive is your entree price.

Boozer are supplementing everyone els'e check by paying $16 for a Cosmo.

As an infrequent drinker, I approve this approach. It is pretty crazy how much people pay for booze especially if you're doing wine.

Wine hasn't really increased much ime. I feel like wine has a hardcap of $60 ish or people pass. With $15 cocktails it is often the best choice.

They'll certainly have some bottles in that 60 area or even a little less but then also some more expensive bottles; at least for a nicer joint. Even for an entry level bottle, you're almost approaching the price of two entrees.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

We took our granddaughter to Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning. Kids menu pancakes n bacon. Eggs sausage n hash browns for the boss. Blue berry pancakes for me. 2 chocolate milks 1 coffee

$40 lmao

How much do you think you should pay for that? Cause 40 bucks for 2 adults and a kid seems totally reasonable to me

Would’ve been 25ish at one of the diners I drove past to get to CB and would’ve been better

 

[massraider]

This stuff is regional. It's a big country. Even driving 20 miles in any direction, you get different prices.

I was reading that Cheesecake Factory post about the $16 cocktail, and I had a very similar sticker shock with pretty much that exact same number.
NYC, Ganesvoort Hotel had opened, had a roof deck pool, and it was a scene, man. Trendy place, I ordered a round, four drinks, and it was $60 or so. I drank that Don Julio Repo very slow, I can tell you that.

That was 2004.

Crazy NYC cocktail prices 20 years ago, Cheesecake Factory prices today. Is that reasonable? Understandable? I dunno.

 

[jwb]

wow yea... 2 pizzas, a dozen wings, and one cheesesteak = $77. I was not mentally prepared for that. This is outside of Raleigh.

Regarding cocktails, I'm giving up beer with most meals out. Lots of places are now charging $8 - $10 a pint... no thanks.

Pizzas include toppings? Toppings are where they get ya. You add 2 toppings to each of those pies and that sounds about right.

One pepperoni, one plain. The wings were $17 for the dozen. Been awhile, and I realize it's not .25 cent wing night anymore, but wow, are they always that expensive?

 

[the moops]

We took our granddaughter to Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning. Kids menu pancakes n bacon. Eggs sausage n hash browns for the boss. Blue berry pancakes for me. 2 chocolate milks 1 coffee

$40 lmao

How much do you think you should pay for that? Cause 40 bucks for 2 adults and a kid seems totally reasonable to me

Would’ve been 25ish at one of the diners I drove past to get to CB and would’ve been better

But you wouldn't have gotten the wonderful experience of the Cracker Barrel

 

[NutterButter]

wow yea... 2 pizzas, a dozen wings, and one cheesesteak = $77. I was not mentally prepared for that. This is outside of Raleigh.

Regarding cocktails, I'm giving up beer with most meals out. Lots of places are now charging $8 - $10 a pint... no thanks.

Pizzas include toppings? Toppings are where they get ya. You add 2 toppings to each of those pies and that sounds about right.

One pepperoni, one plain. The wings were $17 for the dozen. Been awhile, and I realize it's not .25 cent wing night anymore, but wow, are they always that expensive?

Weren't those nights the best? That and $5 pitchers of beer. Heaven. It is pretty crazy how much they charge for those little scrawny wings. Not sure the raw cost of the wings themselves, but seems a little excessive considering that they're pretty simple to prepare if you already have the deep fryer running.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

wow yea... 2 pizzas, a dozen wings, and one cheesesteak = $77. I was not mentally prepared for that. This is outside of Raleigh.

Regarding cocktails, I'm giving up beer with most meals out. Lots of places are now charging $8 - $10 a pint... no thanks.

Pizzas include toppings? Toppings are where they get ya. You add 2 toppings to each of those pies and that sounds about right.

One pepperoni, one plain. The wings were $17 for the dozen. Been awhile, and I realize it's not .25 cent wing night anymore, but wow, are they always that expensive?

Weren't those nights the best? That and $5 pitchers of beer. Heaven. It is pretty crazy how much they charge for those little scrawny wings. Not sure the raw cost of the wings themselves, but seems a little excessive considering that they're pretty simple to prepare if you already have the deep fryer running.

Tuesday nights at the bowling alley was quarter nights. Quarter games. Quarter hot dogs. Quarter beers.

Didn't know how good we had it!

 

[jwb]

wow yea... 2 pizzas, a dozen wings, and one cheesesteak = $77. I was not mentally prepared for that. This is outside of Raleigh.

Regarding cocktails, I'm giving up beer with most meals out. Lots of places are now charging $8 - $10 a pint... no thanks.

Pizzas include toppings? Toppings are where they get ya. You add 2 toppings to each of those pies and that sounds about right.

One pepperoni, one plain. The wings were $17 for the dozen. Been awhile, and I realize it's not .25 cent wing night anymore, but wow, are they always that expensive?

Weren't those nights the best? That and $5 pitchers of beer. Heaven. It is pretty crazy how much they charge for those little scrawny wings. Not sure the raw cost of the wings themselves, but seems a little excessive considering that they're pretty simple to prepare if you already have the deep fryer running.

Tuesday nights at the bowling alley was quarter nights. Quarter games. Quarter hot dogs. Quarter beers.

Didn't know how good we had it!

I get a "more wine for my men" vibe here. We were Gods!!