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

[Don Quixote]

Dynamic pricing is legalized price gouging.

well Wendy's is claiming that they are offering deals and discounts, maybe that's partly bs but we will see. But it's up the consumer to decide. It's a private business and there's no monopoly or oligopoly on hamburgers.

If just to offer deals and discounts, then I don’t see the price gouging. That does not really seem different than a restaurant offering a happy hour discount at a certain time of day. Do people complain about price gouging for a restaurant to charge $5 for a beer during happy hour, but $8 for the same beer after those hours?

 

[pollardsvision]

The Wendy's thing is good business. What they really wanted to do (surge pricing)......not what they backtracked and said they want to do (incentive pricing. that's stupid. no fast food needs to incentivize anything right now).

But getting upset about it makes no sense. Listen, if you go to a restaurant with investors looking to make passive income, you're going to get screwed.
Some will screw you more than others. Some will screw you more efficiently than others.

But if they answer to shareholders, their job is to screw you.

No point in getting upset if they do it well.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

The Wendy's thing is good business. What they really wanted to do (surge pricing)......not what they backtracked and said they want to do (incentive pricing. that's stupid. no fast food needs to incentivize anything right now).

But getting upset about it makes no sense. Listen, if you go to a restaurant with investors looking to make passive income, you're going to get screwed.
Some will screw you more than others. Some will screw you more efficiently than others.

But if they answer to shareholders, their job is to screw you.

No point in getting upset if they do it well.

The mistake they made was trying to make too big of a deal out of it to impress investors.

But yea, I don't really see how this is any different from what airlines or ubers or hotels do when pricing higher when demand is higher. I don't like it, but it's already been widely accepted in plenty of fields.

 

[General Malaise]

Well, AND it got all yall talking about Wendy's for a week without even eating there. Helllo......

 

[Doug B]

I don't really see how this is any different from what airlines or ubers or hotels do when pricing higher when demand is higher. I don't like it, but it's already been widely accepted in plenty of fields.

Fast food is not supposed to be in the same universe as (relative) luxury items like hotel stays and airline fare. However, the points previously made about happy hours and Sonic slow-period discounts can be applied to fast food, I think.

Back to fast food apps: Apparently, local to New Orleans you can get a $1.00 Single using Wendy's app. I don't know if that's a one-time discount for one sandwich, or if that's a deeply-discounted special price you can order for the entire family. But that's a heckuva deal.

 

[Chemical X]

has anybody countered the “cash discount” shtick? i don’t have this near me, but when wife forces me to go to NY to visit here family, some places we have gone to, including an awesome italian bakery, have a phony cash discount thing. if i use my card it’s $15, but if i pay cash it’s $13. i know gas stations do something similar, but i think it’s disingenuous saying it’s a cash discount. it isn’t, you just aren’t passing the card fees onto me…..

 

[Instinctive]

has anybody countered the “cash discount” shtick? i don’t have this near me, but when wife forces me to go to NY to visit here family, some places we have gone to, including an awesome italian bakery, have a phony cash discount thing. if i use my card it’s $15, but if i pay cash it’s $13. i know gas stations do something similar, but i think it’s disingenuous saying it’s a cash discount. it isn’t, you just aren’t passing the card fees onto me…..

Our local chain liquor store does this.

Idk - if everyone in the world passes those fees onto me, idk what else to call it except a discount to not pass them on in exchange for paying cash. What would you call it?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

has anybody countered the “cash discount” shtick? i don’t have this near me, but when wife forces me to go to NY to visit here family, some places we have gone to, including an awesome italian bakery, have a phony cash discount thing. if i use my card it’s $15, but if i pay cash it’s $13. i know gas stations do something similar, but i think it’s disingenuous saying it’s a cash discount. it isn’t, you just aren’t passing the card fees onto me…..

I'd always heard that the card companies forbid stuff like this and would cease working with the merchant if they found out about it. Wondering if this isn't true or if those people are just taking the risk that they're small enough the card companies won't bother.

 

[Capella]

There’s a cash discount for labor that’s for sure. Different thread I guess but every single guy I have come over to do things on the house offer less for cash. Some straight up won’t even take a card, cash only.

 

[Mitchie]

has anybody countered the “cash discount” shtick? i don’t have this near me, but when wife forces me to go to NY to visit here family, some places we have gone to, including an awesome italian bakery, have a phony cash discount thing. if i use my card it’s $15, but if i pay cash it’s $13. i know gas stations do something similar, but i think it’s disingenuous saying it’s a cash discount. it isn’t, you just aren’t passing the card fees onto me…..

I'd always heard that the card companies forbid stuff like this and would cease working with the merchant if they found out about it. Wondering if this isn't true or if those people are just taking the risk that they're small enough the card companies won't bother.

it's legal if it's advertised as a cash discount, what they can't do is charge more at the register when someone uses a credit card.

 

[Instinctive]

There’s a cash discount for labor that’s for sure. Different thread I guess but every single guy I have come over to do things on the house offer less for cash. Some straight up won’t even take a card, cash only.

Well, to be fair, that's almost always so they can not report the income for tax purposes vs avoiding a CC fee.

 

[Snoopy]

has anybody countered the “cash discount” shtick? i don’t have this near me, but when wife forces me to go to NY to visit here family, some places we have gone to, including an awesome italian bakery, have a phony cash discount thing. if i use my card it’s $15, but if i pay cash it’s $13. i know gas stations do something similar, but i think it’s disingenuous saying it’s a cash discount. it isn’t, you just aren’t passing the card fees onto me…..

I'd always heard that the card companies forbid stuff like this and would cease working with the merchant if they found out about it. Wondering if this isn't true or if those people are just taking the risk that they're small enough the card companies won't bother.

it's legal if it's advertised as a cash discount, what they can't do is charge more at the register when someone uses a credit card.

There are some restaurants around here that add 4% to the bill if a credit or debit card is used.

 

[culdeus]

Dynamic pricing is legalized price gouging.

And has been going on forever. Not sure why it is now such a big deal.

I mean maybe. But not in the restaurant space.

Strip clubs excluded

 

[McBokonon]

without even eating there

Hello…

 

[shuke]

Dynamic pricing is legalized price gouging.

And has been going on forever. Not sure why it is now such a big deal.

I mean maybe. But not in the restaurant space.

You ever heard of happy hour? Or kids eat free on certain days?

 

[ChiefD]

There’s a cash discount for labor that’s for sure. Different thread I guess but every single guy I have come over to do things on the house offer less for cash. Some straight up won’t even take a card, cash only.

That ain’t because of credit card fees though. At least not entirely.

 

[snellman]

We are in Coralville/Iowa City for the state robotics tournament. We got in a little late last night and didn't have time to eat dinner before the matches started so we decided to just eat at the Arena. I got 2 cheeseburgers, 2 fries and 2 drinks for the wife and I, it was $39. Stadium food is more expensive then regular food, I understand that, but that is more expensive that when I get food at a Vikings game and I have had better burgers from a gas station.

 

[MAC_32]

There’s a cash discount for labor that’s for sure. Different thread I guess but every single guy I have come over to do things on the house offer less for cash. Some straight up won’t even take a card, cash only.

Well, to be fair, that's almost always so they can not report the income for tax purposes vs avoiding a CC fee.

That's the additional incentive but if I'm dinged 5% for using a cc, my price is $2k, and a customer offers $1900 cash that's the same net revenue.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

We are in Coralville/Iowa City for the state robotics tournament. We got in a little late last night and didn't have time to eat dinner before the matches started so we decided to just eat at the Arena. I got 2 cheeseburgers, 2 fries and 2 drinks for the wife and I, it was $39. Stadium food is more expensive then regular food, I understand that, but that is more expensive that when I get food at a Vikings game and I have had better burgers from a gas station.

Arenas pretty much invented price gouging for subpar food. Sounds like if you had more time you would have stopped at somewhere better before.

 

[Capella]

There’s a cash discount for labor that’s for sure. Different thread I guess but every single guy I have come over to do things on the house offer less for cash. Some straight up won’t even take a card, cash only.

That ain’t because of credit card fees though. At least not entirely.

Yea. Tax man.

 

[Mitchie]

has anybody countered the “cash discount” shtick? i don’t have this near me, but when wife forces me to go to NY to visit here family, some places we have gone to, including an awesome italian bakery, have a phony cash discount thing. if i use my card it’s $15, but if i pay cash it’s $13. i know gas stations do something similar, but i think it’s disingenuous saying it’s a cash discount. it isn’t, you just aren’t passing the card fees onto me…..

I'd always heard that the card companies forbid stuff like this and would cease working with the merchant if they found out about it. Wondering if this isn't true or if those people are just taking the risk that they're small enough the card companies won't bother.

it's legal if it's advertised as a cash discount, what they can't do is charge more at the register when someone uses a credit card.

There are some restaurants around here that add 4% to the bill if a credit or debit card is used.

yeah should've mentioned think laws vary from state to state

 

[Instinctive]

There’s a cash discount for labor that’s for sure. Different thread I guess but every single guy I have come over to do things on the house offer less for cash. Some straight up won’t even take a card, cash only.

Well, to be fair, that's almost always so they can not report the income for tax purposes vs avoiding a CC fee.

That's the additional incentive but if I'm dinged 5% for using a cc, my price is $2k, and a customer offers $1900 cash that's the same net revenue.

Sure, but that's not the real incentive - flip it. That's just like a nice benefit. The real incentive is the anywhere from 15-34% or so you save if you don't have to report that marginal dollar.

 

[culdeus]

Dynamic pricing is legalized price gouging.

And has been going on forever. Not sure why it is now such a big deal.

I mean maybe. But not in the restaurant space.

You ever heard of happy hour? Or kids eat free on certain days?

I suppose it feels different if the goal is to raise prices, and bring back to baseline.

 

[The Z Machine]

I ate at a KFC in China last week and a chicken sandwich and fries was a smidge over $3. Pretty good deal but you have to fly to China to get it. BTW, they love the KFC there. Biggest thing lately is K Coffee from KFC. Cam get lattes and everything.

 

[Desert_Power]

I ate at a KFC in China last week and a chicken sandwich and fries was a smidge over $3. Pretty good deal but you have to fly to China to get it. BTW, they love the KFC there. Biggest thing lately is K Coffee from KFC. Cam get lattes and everything.

You get the egg tarts?

 

[The Z Machine]

I ate at a KFC in China last week and a chicken sandwich and fries was a smidge over $3. Pretty good deal but you have to fly to China to get it. BTW, they love the KFC there. Biggest thing lately is K Coffee from KFC. Cam get lattes and everything.

You get the egg tarts?

Not this time at that KFC but those things are everywhere in China. They're OK.

 

[Doug B]

‘Out of control’ Five Guys prices ignites social media furor after $24 receipt for just burger, fries, small drink goes viral

Bacon Cheeseburger $12.49
Regular Soda       $ 2.89
Little Fry         $ 5.19
Subtotal           $20.57
Sales Tax          $ 1.34
Order Total        $21.91
Tip Amount         $ 2.19
Authorized Amount  $24.10

“Five Guys prices are out of control,” the X user wrote. “$24 for one person.”​

​

The receipt showed an order of a bacon cheeseburger that cost $12.49, one soda priced at $2.89, and small fries for $5.19 — all amounting to $21.91.​

​

And, even more eye-raising was a tip spotted on the receipt for $2.19.​

​

“I guess I was expecting about $12 to $15 per person for Five Guys. $22 (without tip) just seems to cross a line. What is the right amount these days?” the post, which garnered over 25 million views on X, captioned​

​

Heated X users stormed into the comment section, with many sounding off on the pricey meal they feel comes from an “overrated” fast-food joint.​

​

“That’s not even factoring in how overrated they are. $10 should be able to get you a premium burger from a higher-end place. Drink and fries plus $5,” one person said.​

​

...​

​

As inflation continues to rock the country and American’s wallets, the rise of fast-food restaurant prices has gained major national attention.​

​

One couple went viral after sharing their money-saving hack for how to beat the inflation-era prices at Five Guys.​

​

“Next time you’re at Five Guys, just order a double cheeseburger with all the toppings,” an account the couple runs called @nateandsaraheats revealed in a clip on TikTok, which was viewed over 222,000 times.​

​

The couple named Nate and Sarah then let viewers in on a little secret by instructing them to start asking for an extra bun on the side with the order to make it into two single cheeseburgers.​

​

They then showed firsthand how to turn one double into two single cheeseburgers, as they took the two patties and transferred them over to the second bun.​

​

“That’s two meals for less than half the price of buying them separately,” they said.​

 

[fruity pebbles]

The over $5 small fry is the biggest travesty there

 

[beer 30]

Dined at McAllister's last night. Wife got Just-A-Spud and I got the ever delicious Jalapeno Turkey Crunch. I'm a sucker for their black cherry sweet tea so I got that, the wif went with water. $24 for a good, filling meal. With tip, $30 out the door. I don't have a problem with that cost. I have a problem when I spend $28 for 2 people at Moe's with their cheap *** ingredients that probably cost $3 for a Homewrecker bowl. Is that reasonable or am I off base?

 

[beer 30]

The over $5 small fry is the biggest travesty there

Five Guys has been off my list since I experienced the same thing last year, dbl bacon burger, fries was $23. No thanks

 

[Beef Ravioli Part 2]

‘Out of control’ Five Guys prices ignites social media furor after $24 receipt for just burger, fries, small drink goes viral

Bacon Cheeseburger $12.49
Regular Soda       $ 2.89
Little Fry         $ 5.19
Subtotal           $20.57
Sales Tax          $ 1.34
Order Total        $21.91
Tip Amount         $ 2.91
Authorized Amount  $24.10

“Five Guys prices are out of control,” the X user wrote. “$24 for one person.”​

​

The receipt showed an order of a bacon cheeseburger that cost $12.49, one soda priced at $2.89, and small fries for $5.19 — all amounting to $21.91.​

​

And, even more eye-raising was a tip spotted on the receipt for $2.19.​

​

“I guess I was expecting about $12 to $15 per person for Five Guys. $22 (without tip) just seems to cross a line. What is the right amount these days?” the post, which garnered over 25 million views on X, captioned​

​

Heated X users stormed into the comment section, with many sounding off on the pricey meal they feel comes from an “overrated” fast-food joint.​

​

“That’s not even factoring in how overrated they are. $10 should be able to get you a premium burger from a higher-end place. Drink and fries plus $5,” one person said.​

​

...​

​

As inflation continues to rock the country and American’s wallets, the rise of fast-food restaurant prices has gained major national attention.​

​

One couple went viral after sharing their money-saving hack for how to beat the inflation-era prices at Five Guys.​

​

“Next time you’re at Five Guys, just order a double cheeseburger with all the toppings,” an account the couple runs called @nateandsaraheats revealed in a clip on TikTok, which was viewed over 222,000 times.​

​

The couple named Nate and Sarah then let viewers in on a little secret by instructing them to start asking for an extra bun on the side with the order to make it into two single cheeseburgers.​

​

They then showed firsthand how to turn one double into two single cheeseburgers, as they took the two patties and transferred them over to the second bun.​

​

“That’s two meals for less than half the price of buying them separately,” they said.​

I noticed a commercial the other day that Chilis has “3 for me” deals starting at $12 which I believe includes a burger, fries and drink.

Not saying the burger is great but compared to Five Guys, it seems like a good deal.

I have never been overly impressed with five guys.

 

[Doug B]

I noticed a commercial the other day that Chilis has “3 for me” deals starting at $12 which I believe includes a burger, fries and drink.

PLUS your choice of chips-&-salsa, soup, or salad:

HERE’S THE DEAL​

First made available in 2022, the 3 For Me combo has your choice of appetizer, entrée, and a soft drink, which is bottomless as always at Chili's.​

​

You can pick between unlimited chips and salsa, soup, or house/Caesar salad as your appetizer.​

​

Then there are numerous entrées to choose from. To keep the $10.99 price point, there’s a cheeseburger, a secret sauce burger, or a crispy chicken sandwich, all of which come with fries. You can also upgrade your éntree to premium options like chicken crispers for $14.99 and cajun shrimp pasta for $16.99.​

​

Whatever you choose, there’s an unlimited soft drink, or you can upgrade to a margarita for $3.49 extra.​

 

[Doug B]

The over $5 small fry is the biggest travesty there

Five Guys has been off my list since I experienced the same thing last year, dbl bacon burger, fries was $23. No thanks

I looked at that $12.49 burger, and I was thinking "C'mon -- where was that? L.A.? Hawaii? It'll be much cheaper here!"

Checked that same bacon cheeseburger at our local 5 Guys, which is almost certainly one of the cheapest in the U.S. (almost all out chain places are rock-bottom).

Bacon Cheeseburger. NOLA suburbs. $10.55.**

"Can I get an extra bun on the side?"


** @Mister CIA , the Bacon Cheeseburger in the Jackson, MS burbs (Madison Cty) is now $12.69 . It's by some new hotels and high-ish-end shopping, but still.

 

[stbugs]

The over $5 small fry is the biggest travesty there

It is and why is the person saying they expect it to be $12-15 per person and then get the little fry. I tend to go to Five Guys with family and we split one large Cajun fries so it’s like $6 for 3-4 of us. Also, my wife and I, here comes a big secret, split a drink or if I am picking up, no drinks. Personally, I also don’t tip 15-20% there for slightly above fast food.

It still feels expensive but even with tax and a tip, it’s usually $12-13 per person with the burgers being the big cost. If you are paying full price for drinks and a little fry, you aren’t doing Five Guys right.

 

[Hawks64]

The over $5 small fry is the biggest travesty there

That small fry, isn't a small fry. Most places would call it XL, it's a ridiculous amount that can easily serve two, maybe 3.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Well, NOW I want a bacon cheeseburger, so thanks for that.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

The over $5 small fry is the biggest travesty there

That small fry, isn't a small fry. Most places would call it XL, it's a ridiculous amount that can easily serve two, maybe 3.

Yeah, there's a small order of fries left in the bottom of the bag after you take out the small order of fries. They're guilty of supersizing to jack the price up.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Dined at McAllister's last night. Wife got Just-A-Spud and I got the ever delicious Jalapeno Turkey Crunch. I'm a sucker for their black cherry sweet tea so I got that, the wif went with water. $24 for a good, filling meal. With tip, $30 out the door. I don't have a problem with that cost. I have a problem when I spend $28 for 2 people at Moe's with their cheap *** ingredients that probably cost $3 for a Homewrecker bowl. Is that reasonable or am I off base?

I know nothing about McAllister's - is it a chain? what's it comparable to? - but that's a good deal if you like the food.

 

[Doug B]

Ann Arbor Five Guys raised their prices 39% in the span of a year (pic of six receipts between February 2021 and February 2022).

This menu, though from our neighboring state, approximately reflects the prices of the New Orleans area Five Guys when they first opened in 2017. I remember some magazine covers decorating their walls with taglines like "The best $5 burger anywhere!" These days? Read 'em and weep.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Seems like the going rate I’m afraid for burger places like this. I started this thread because of how much it cost to take my two kids to Elevation burger. I just did an online order of a double cheeseburger, order of fries and a fountain soda. $22.97 before any tip.

 

[Beef Ravioli Part 2]

I am meeting a guy at Ruby Tuesday’s today simply because of convenience. Haven’t been there in years. What should I get? I’ll report back on prices.

 

[dgreen]

The over $5 small fry is the biggest travesty there

The problem is they don't actually have small fries. Their small fries are more fries than most places large fries. I don't know why they don't have a fries option for an individual person. But, it's been years since I went to Five Guys so I could be wrong about that.

 

[dgreen]

‘Out of control’ Five Guys prices ignites social media furor after $24 receipt for just burger, fries, small drink goes viral

Bacon Cheeseburger $12.49
Regular Soda       $ 2.89
Little Fry         $ 5.19
Subtotal           $20.57
Sales Tax          $ 1.34
Order Total        $21.91
Tip Amount         $ 2.91
Authorized Amount  $24.10

“Five Guys prices are out of control,” the X user wrote. “$24 for one person.”​

​

The receipt showed an order of a bacon cheeseburger that cost $12.49, one soda priced at $2.89, and small fries for $5.19 — all amounting to $21.91.​

​

And, even more eye-raising was a tip spotted on the receipt for $2.19.​

​

“I guess I was expecting about $12 to $15 per person for Five Guys. $22 (without tip) just seems to cross a line. What is the right amount these days?” the post, which garnered over 25 million views on X, captioned​

​

Heated X users stormed into the comment section, with many sounding off on the pricey meal they feel comes from an “overrated” fast-food joint.​

​

“That’s not even factoring in how overrated they are. $10 should be able to get you a premium burger from a higher-end place. Drink and fries plus $5,” one person said.​

​

...​

​

As inflation continues to rock the country and American’s wallets, the rise of fast-food restaurant prices has gained major national attention.​

​

One couple went viral after sharing their money-saving hack for how to beat the inflation-era prices at Five Guys.​

​

“Next time you’re at Five Guys, just order a double cheeseburger with all the toppings,” an account the couple runs called @nateandsaraheats revealed in a clip on TikTok, which was viewed over 222,000 times.​

​

The couple named Nate and Sarah then let viewers in on a little secret by instructing them to start asking for an extra bun on the side with the order to make it into two single cheeseburgers.​

​

They then showed firsthand how to turn one double into two single cheeseburgers, as they took the two patties and transferred them over to the second bun.​

​

“That’s two meals for less than half the price of buying them separately,” they said.​

And yet they still bought it? It's really not that hard to look at the menu and know about how much something is going to be. No reason to be shocked at the time of the receipt. "I was expecting about $12 to $15 per person..." is a strange thing to say when you know the burger alone is $12+ and then you add a drink and fries.

 

[Doug B]

And yet they still bought it? It's really not that hard to look at the menu and know about how much something is going to be. No reason to be shocked at the time of the receipt. "I was expecting about $12 to $15 per person..." is a strange thing to say when you know the burger alone is $12+ and then you add a drink and fries.

Well ... yeah they still bought it. Once you walk in the door, you're pretty much committed.

The trick is: This kind of price-raising turns twice-a-month Five Guys customers into twice-a-year Five Guys customers.

---> Greek Chorus: "No it doesn't! Five Guys is still as packed as ever!"

Yeah ... well, Greek Chorus, since you aren't out in front of Five Guys every day counting heads, I doubt your premise. But even if they're doing fine today, let them keep raising price 39% a year and see if people are still on board with a $64 bacon cheeseburger and $26 small fries within five years.

 

[Mister CIA]

The over $5 small fry is the biggest travesty there

Five Guys has been off my list since I experienced the same thing last year, dbl bacon burger, fries was $23. No thanks

I looked at that $12.49 burger, and I was thinking "C'mon -- where was that? L.A.? Hawaii? It'll be much cheaper here!"

Checked that same bacon cheeseburger at our local 5 Guys, which is almost certainly one of the cheapest in the U.S. (almost all out chain places are rock-bottom).

Bacon Cheeseburger. NOLA suburbs. $10.55.**

"Can I get an extra bun on the side?"


** @Mister CIA , the Bacon Cheeseburger in the Jackson, MS burbs (Madison Cty) is now $12.69 . It's by some new hotels and high-ish-end shopping, but still.

It was probably a year ago I tried my local 5-Guys. I walked out the door $15 lighter with only a double and no fries. Luckily I've got better and cheaper options nearby when I have to have a burger, like this, for $12 (fries included).

Oh look, it's lunch time!

 

[dgreen]

And yet they still bought it? It's really not that hard to look at the menu and know about how much something is going to be. No reason to be shocked at the time of the receipt. "I was expecting about $12 to $15 per person..." is a strange thing to say when you know the burger alone is $12+ and then you add a drink and fries.

Well ... yeah they still bought it. Once you walk in the door, you're pretty much committed.

The trick is: This kind of price-raising turns twice-a-month Five Guys customers into twice-a-year Five Guys customers.

---> Greek Chorus: "No it doesn't! Five Guys is still as packed as ever!"

Yeah ... well, Greek Chorus, since you aren't out in front of Five Guys every day counting heads, I doubt your premise. But even if they're doing fine today, let them keep raising price 39% a year and see if people are still on board with a $64 bacon cheeseburger and $26 small fries within five years.

People really feel committed to buying something just because they walked in the door? Even if they do, there's no commitment to buying a burger, fries, and soda. But I'm not familiar with people feeling a commitment to buying something in other kinds of businesses just because they are there.

And, while I haven't been in a Five Guys in a while, they were never busy when I went and I always assumed at the time it was because of their prices. So I'm definitely surprised to hear that they've raised prices this much. Seems crazy. Hopefully this person who spent $24 doesn't go back again at these prices.

 

[Dezbelief]

Dined at McAllister's last night. Wife got Just-A-Spud and I got the ever delicious Jalapeno Turkey Crunch. I'm a sucker for their black cherry sweet tea so I got that, the wif went with water. $24 for a good, filling meal. With tip, $30 out the door. I don't have a problem with that cost. I have a problem when I spend $28 for 2 people at Moe's with their cheap *** ingredients that probably cost $3 for a Homewrecker bowl. Is that reasonable or am I off base?

I know nothing about McAllister's - is it a chain? what's it comparable to? - but that's a good deal if you like the food.

If it's like the one here I would compare it to Panera.

 

[Doug B]

People really feel committed to buying something just because they walked in the door? Even if they do, there's no commitment to buying a burger, fries, and soda. But I'm not familiar with people feeling a commitment to buying something in other kinds of businesses just because they are there.

Regarding the bolded: To a point, absolutely.

I mean, if the burger was like $100 ... yeah, you walk away from that. There's a point where you turn away. But the $12 bacon cheeseburger, IMHO, was within a reasonable "grin and bear it" range for most people. I could, however, see some people looking at the menu and leaving (but then you have to either go through the trouble of finding another place to eat on the spot, or else go home and eat). If you're walking into a Five Guys, you're generally there with the expectation and commitment of eating there, not with the expectation of checking prices first and then deciding whether to eat there.

 

[beer 30]

I looked at that $12.49 burger, and I was thinking "C'mon -- where was that? L.A.? Hawaii? It'll be much cheaper here!"

Checked that same bacon cheeseburger at our local 5 Guys, which is almost certainly one of the cheapest in the U.S. (almost all out chain places are rock-bottom).

Bacon Cheeseburger. NOLA suburbs. $10.55.**

"Can I get an extra bun on the side?"


** @Mister CIA , the Bacon Cheeseburger in the Jackson, MS burbs (Madison Cty) is now $12.69 . It's by some new hotels and high-ish-end shopping, but still.

$12.29 for the bacon dbl cheeseburger, $5.19 for small fries (which can feed 2) in Fort Mill, SC. We ain't all that round here.

I know nothing about McAllister's - is it a chain? what's it comparable to? - but that's a good deal if you like the food.

My bad, it's a chain but maybe regional. I'm in SC but I know they had them in OH when I lived there. It's advertised as a deli but they have some good combinations (like the aforementioned crunchy turkey jalapeno sammich).

McAlister's Deli Tea Freaks

Serving up delicious meals and fun for our fans and Tea Freaks everywhere.

www.mcalistersdeli.com

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I looked at that $12.49 burger, and I was thinking "C'mon -- where was that? L.A.? Hawaii? It'll be much cheaper here!"

Checked that same bacon cheeseburger at our local 5 Guys, which is almost certainly one of the cheapest in the U.S. (almost all out chain places are rock-bottom).

Bacon Cheeseburger. NOLA suburbs. $10.55.**

"Can I get an extra bun on the side?"


** @Mister CIA , the Bacon Cheeseburger in the Jackson, MS burbs (Madison Cty) is now $12.69 . It's by some new hotels and high-ish-end shopping, but still.

$12.29 for the bacon dbl cheeseburger, $5.19 for small fries (which can feed 2) in Fort Mill, SC. We ain't all that round here.

I know nothing about McAllister's - is it a chain? what's it comparable to? - but that's a good deal if you like the food.

My bad, it's a chain but maybe regional. I'm in SC but I know they had them in OH when I lived there. It's advertised as a deli but they have some good combinations (like the aforementioned crunchy turkey jalapeno sammich).

McAlister's Deli Tea Freaks

Serving up delicious meals and fun for our fans and Tea Freaks everywhere.

www.mcalistersdeli.com

You know what? I am an idiot. There is one in Front Royal, VA near to me and I have been there before - several times. Yeah, they are pretty good for the money.