A NEW LOW IN THE RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE

[chief38]

My wife and I eat out frequently - at least twice a week. We are all aware of how high restaurant prices have gotten over the last 4 years but tonight there were 4 couples that went out to a fairly new restaurant (first time for us) and we each had two drinks over 2 1/2 hours. None of the drinks were exotic or super premium, just standard Jack Daniels, standard Bourbon, wine and beer. We got the bill and I was pretty shocked! They charge $22 bucks for a Bourbon or JD on the rocks! Add tax and tip to that and we are lookin at $28 bucks per drink! I can buy the bottle for that price!!! IMHO, paying for a bottle with one drink is just out of line and I thought it was abusive.

I understand the restaurants must make a profit to stay in business but this evening really turned me off! The food and service was fairly good, but not worth the $240 each couple ponied up. A good percentage of the bill was the drinks and they were not even a decent size pour!

 

[UncleEd]

Drinks are where the money is to cover the costs for the food, insurances, rent, utilities and a decent kitchen staff.

At most places today a soft drink, with refills, or a cup of coffee is around $2. Yet the cost is minimal.

Your few drinks, though costly, also meant you spent a good deal of time there which perhaps cuts the ability to have turn over for more customers.

Bottom line is you were not disappointed by the place and you and your friends had a good time. If this was an unacceptable cost, find another place of similar quality but cheaper or entertain at home.

 

[soFlaNative]

Drinks were about half the total bill same as a couple pitchers and a mess of wings.

 

[UncleEd]

Drinks were about half the total bill same as a couple pitchers and a mess of wings.

Note: Chickens only have two wings. When they are genetically engineered to have four wings, hopefully the price will drop, bird flu not withstanding.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I only go out to eat about once a month to my favorite restaurant. Prices have gone up over the years and the portions smaller. But the food is good and the folks that run it are friends. So what. The wine I have is great and it is only once in a while.

 

[UncleEd]

I only go out to eat about once a month to my favorite restaurant. Prices have gone up over the years and the portions smaller. But the food is good and the folks that run it are friends. So what. The wine I have is great and it is only once in a while.

Since you are the admitted Old 44 Guy, you may very well might be in your twilight years. If you got it, why not twice a month and have an extra glass of wine. And we'll all yell whoopee for you!

 

[AugieTN]

I was outraged when I paid $11.25 for a beer at a Bears game, but $22 for a bourbon takes the cake.

 

[Pisgah]

If I found myself paying $20+ for a single drink, rehab would be my next stop.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

At most places today a soft drink, with refills, or a cup of coffee is around $2. Yet the cost is minimal.

Your few drinks, though costly, also meant you spent a good deal of time the.

Central Ohio the soft drinks and coffee are $2.99-$3.50+ at any sit down restaurant!

Ivan

 

[ladder13]

Non drinker, all my money goes to $25+ plates of pasta.

 

[gym cat]

We have company over for a drink or two before we go out, Just got tired of paying high prices for drinks then complaining about it.

 

[Farmer17]

Wine is the biggest rip off. They charge 20 bucks for a glass of wine like it's the REALLY good stuff and it's probably $12 for a bottle.

 

[alwslate]

If they try to charge you $22 for a cheap Bourbon on the rocks tell them to lower the price or pour it back in the bottle for some other sucker.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

When I was much younger I managed restaurants for a couple of years. Drinks are like 90% gross profit but that tends to help cover for the items that are less profitable and the waste. While restaurants try to minimize waste it's still inherent in such food-based operations. A restaurant like a fast food operation will turn maybe a 20% gross profit after all expenses...salaries...utilities...product...if well run and not all are. A traditional restaurant...if well run...will turn maybe a 28% gross profit before all expenses. A fast food operation requires selling by volume for cash flow and profits...a traditional sit down restaurant needs a higher markup on product for cash flow and profit.

Today...payroll is a huge part of running any food service...more than ever. Now the cost of product is giving that a run. Operating a restaurant is a very difficult thing to do in good economic times...terrible when things are bad...no matter how well it's run.

This is not a good time to be in the food service business...hard to find quality employees who want to work...product is more expensive than ever...and potential customers have less discretionary money to spend there. You can't force customers to come into your establishment...you have to make them want to.

 

[ladder13]

Central Ohio the soft drinks and coffee are $2.99-$3.50+ at any sit down restaurant!

Ivan

At least you get “free” refills.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

When you go out for a meal with your friends and loved ones you really can't look at the prices of the individual components of the evening or it will drive you mad, and back home. You have to look at the event, like going to a ball game or a concert. Did you have a good time? Did you enjoy good conversation and some laughs with those who were with you? If the food is lousy or the music sucked then it is understandable one could be upset. But if a good time was had by all and the evening ended with handshakes, hugs and "let's do it again soon" then the cost should be of no consideration. You can't put a price on good friends and good times.

Great thread.

 

[Bald1]

Chief, I know you’re in SW Florida. What town is that? My wife and I frequent many high end restaurants in Naples and Marco Island. While I don’t really pay attention to prices, I’m sure a $22 drink would catch my eye. My wife drinks dirty Grey Goose Martinis. Not because she snobbish. It’s the only Vodka that doesn’t give her a migraine. I’m certain I’ve never paid $22 for one.

 

[pawngal]

$22 for Jack Daniels, ouch. Makes the Makers Mark Manhattans I had last night seem cheap $10. And the$18 crab cakes were excellent.

 

[lihpster]

At $449.00 a bottle I can buy some 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle. It's closer to $25 a drink at that price, but it's not bargain-basement whiskey, it's top shelf booze. I'd rather stay home and grill some ribeyes. Costs less and there's no drunks or screaming babies to ruin the meal.

 

[03hemi]

It was obviously a very nice restaurant if one drink is $22 bucks, like downtown Atlanta, or maybe you're in an area where everything is high?
We go out every Friday with another couple and usually one day during the week and our total is usually around $100 bucks per meal for two and I don't drink, but the wife will have a glass of wine. That's just the way it is these days.