A NEW LOW IN THE RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE

[NYlakesider]

As a person that at one time would have been considered a serious drinker, the prices of drinks today is not a bother.

I went down to about 9 alcohol drinks a year. A few family birthdays a anniversary To be honest I do not miss the hard stuff, but I do want good food at the restaurant!-

 

[326MOD10]

This post may have finally replaced the one about the pool cover being ripped and how big of a crisis that was as my favorite from you.

While I am sure you have earned and deserved all you have, and it seems you have a lot, why not just be thankful you get to enjoy the things you do?

I doubt the folks waiting on you could afford to go out and enjoy the same.

 

[zeke]

fortunately, or not, do not have to worry about prices at fancy restaurants. Since most the affordable restaurant's in town got consolidated 2 years ago, the only place am going for sit down food is the deli at the grocery store. Yesterday lucked into the brat and pop special for a buck. Corned beef hash/eggs/toast and coffee is under $8, and since there is no wait staff there is no tipping.

 

[Onomea]

We rarely dine out. But when we do, we splurge on the wine.

And dine out al fresco, too, I'll wager!

 

[chief38]

This post may have finally replaced the one about the pool cover being ripped and how big of a crisis that was as my favorite from you.

While I am sure you have earned and deserved all you have, and it seems you have a lot, why not just be thankful you get to enjoy the things you do?

I doubt the folks waiting on you could afford to go out and enjoy the same.

There were probably many at the same restaurant who are not able to easily afford the rip off drink prices - most customers don't usually look at the price before ordering a drink. Yes, I can afford it but that does not make the feeling of getting hosed easier to accept. I understand that restaurants have to make a profit and I also understand just how profitable liquor is, but c'mon..... that is abuse IMO! Kind of like when you go on eBay and find the least expensive price for a particular low cost item and then after clicking the "buy it now" button realizing freight is $199!

 

[tinkerer]

White Castle last night....20 sliders, 2 onion chips, 2 FF, 1 chix rings...No drinks...$38 with coupon...Fed 5 with some left over.

After burner free...

 

[Bill Bates]

Wow, just wow! I would have had a complete come apart if I get hit with a $20 bill for a shot of Jack. Thank you for the reminder of why the wife and I stopped going out for meals.

We use to eat more meals out than we ate at home. In 2008 we made a radical life style change. We decided to live like no other so we could someday live like no other. Yup, Dave Ramsey influenced us and now we've made it. Still, I brown bag it work days and I can't bring myself to eat dinner out.

Our weekly grocery budget is $100 with maybe another $150 per month for whiskey and wine.

Other than when traveling we haven't been in restaurant in years. Those rare trips I can't get it out of my head that I can cook a meal that would be better and at a small fraction of the cost.

Example, last night we had a couple over for dinner. I cooked two elk sirloins steaks. After the hunt and having the elk processed I figured what we got in meat averaged just less $9/lbs. That was figuring the cost of the tag, ammo gas plus processing. Last night elks steaks cost about $20. Toss in another 6 bucks for the salad, potatoes, sauce and a $20 bottle of wine our total meal cost was about $50. For us that was a splurge. I'll brag some, there isn't a restaurant within 50 miles that could match the meal. Plus, I really enjoy cooking.

 

[chief38]

White Castle last night....20 sliders, 2 onion chips, 2 FF, 1 chix rings...No drinks...$38 with coupon...Fed 5 with some left over.

After burner free...

White Castle can be used as a colonoscopy bowl prep - LOL!! The last time I ate White Castle was exactly 40 years ago - paid the price for it too with hours spent on the porcelain thrown!

 

[chief38]

I also take pride in my home made meals that the wife and I make. We usually have people over and so I usually make enough for more than just us. And...... NO CHARGE for the 9 year old Knob Creek - lol!!

 

[DWalt]

As wife and I usually imbibe nothing stronger than water when we go out to dine, high drink prices don't affect me. But I have noticed that at the places we frequent, mixed drinks are now in the $15 range. No way, Jose.

 

[ladder13]

I also take pride in my home made meals that the wife and I make. We usually have people over and so I usually make enough for more than just us. And...... NO CHARGE for the 9 year old Knob Creek - lol!!

Not a steak guy, more of a hamburger guy. But I do love sweet potato fries. Nice presentation on all.

 

[Bekeart]

We drink water and are still loved.

Restaurants probably hate us because we order water as our beverage.

The staff at our favorite Chinese Buffet love us.
They know our favorite table and that we drink lemon water.
Those details are taken care of soon after walking in.
The staff KNOWS our regular TIP.
Glasses are kept filled and dirty plates disappear by magic.

Bekeart

 

[Nevada Ed]

It is the one way that they can receive enough $$ to help pay the bills, now.

You have to order a meal but
you don't have to have booze, with it.

If you need booze with every meal, live with the going prices or learn
to look at the menue first, befor you order.

There are a few places in Reno that I don't go to any more, do to the prices or the size of the meal.

 

[Smoke]

My wife and I quit going out to eat when we went to Whataburger and got a Cheeseburger,a chicken sandwich,2 fries and two drinks and it cost 45 Bucks. That was at least two years ago I can imagine what the prices are now.

 

[lihpster]

As a kid growing up in the '70s I remember going to McDonalds or A&W as a rare treat, even at less than $1 a burger. My folks would have fainted if you had suggested a $240 meal to them. Remember Eddie Murphy's routine about the green pepper onion burger on square Wonder bread? It's like he was in the car with us.

 

[roarindan]

We rarely dine out. But when we do, we splurge on the wine.

I always ask for RIPPLE

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

As a kid growing up in the '70s I remember going to McDonalds or A&W as a rare treat, even at less than $1 a burger. My folks would have fainted if you had suggested a $240 meal to them. Remember Eddie Murphy's routine about the green pepper onion burger on square Wonder bread? It's like he was in the car with us.

When the first McDonald's opened in my hometown I could get two burgers, fried and a coke for 75 cents! Those days are long gone.

 

[zeke]

When the first McDonald's opened in my hometown I could get two burgers, fried and a coke for 75 cents! Those days are long gone.

Mickyd's still has the $5 value meal, which includes doulble cheeseburger (or chicken), small fries and small drink. If you save the coupon and fill out the online survey, you can get 2 sandwiches for the price of one.

 

[yeti]

$22 for a JD rocks is crazy.
Maaaybe if you ordered a top shelf cosmo or a 12+yo single malt or something. Maybe.

I have also reluctantly paid the $25 for two beers at a Bears game and that is obnoxious.
$22 for one Jack-rocks is beyond that even! Brutal

 

[LVSteve]

The booze prices have gone stratospheric on The Strip, and with them now charging for parking I simply won't go there. The iced teas at Applebee's were $3.40 each this week, and all the refills we needed. Booze is at least $12-$15 a pop even off Strip, but it doesn't bother me. UK drink driving laws killed my taste for alcohol a long time ago. A DUI there has you walking and taking the bus or train for a year.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have yet to enter an establishment with a liquor license that had a drink list with question marks where the prices are.

My wallet knows what to expect.

 

[DWalt]

My wife and I quit going out to eat when we went to Whataburger and got a Cheeseburger,a chicken sandwich,2 fries and two drinks and it cost 45 Bucks. That was at least two years ago I can imagine what the prices are now.

The Whataburger there must be a lot more expensive than ours. The "large sandwich" combos here are usually $15 or less, full price, and we get lots of freebie coupons. And drinks for seniors are free if you don't want a combo. My wife usually gets a "Justaburger" and a senior drink for $2, and I get a medium Whataburger combo with a freebie coupon for $6. We split the fries on my combo, enough for two, all for less than $10 including tax. We go to Whataburger at least once a week. If you are in the Whataburger club, they usually have lots of good deals they email you about.

The Justaburger is exactly the same as the Whataburger Jr., only it's $1.35 cheaper. Go figure.

The HQ of Whataburger is here in San Antonio, about a mile from my house, and all the local stores are company owned. In other states, the stores may be franchised with higher prices and no freebies like we get.

 

[zeke]

If any restaurant around here could even come close to serving a meal like that, would actually go out to eat

 

[llowry61]

I agree 22 for JD is overpriced. We went to a small venue in New Albany Ohio last night to see Howie Mandell a belated valentines thing. 2-16 oz Bud Lights and a glass of wine 50 bucks with tip.

Just the way things are anymore.

For comparison a buddy and I went out the other night and he is a single malt scotch guy. $25 bucks a pour for 12YO Mcallan. The pours are pretty strong and if you get a double $36, so you are better off getting the double.

I drink bud light draft not much of a liquor drinker.

BTW - No shame in being able to afford what you want. Just because a person has financial wherewithal doesn't mean they don't understand the value of a dollar.

Not sure what the wait staff's purchasing power has to do with anything FWIW.

 

[BAM-BAM]

If any restaurant around here could even come close to serving a meal like that, would actually go out to eat

We started noticing that about two years ago. Both the Boys are gone which cut our food bills by about 2/3. Feeling like the quality has gone down along with the serving sizes. Just not worth it.

Also, not uncommon not to see anything on the menu that I really want to spend the $$$s on!

Filets and tails are $25/$20 a pound; only need 12/14 oz. Sea Scallops are $19 a pound..........

I like to cook, so we eat in and eat well!

 

[UncleEd]

Ah, for the Army days when chow had a single offering and the admonition was "Eat it and get out."

 

[lkabug]

Most bars and restaurants have a rail and call pricing.
Those rail drinks can be pretty rough in most places.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I've got a habit of investigating prices before I go. Guess you don't. Whatever . . .

Edit: As a side note, why are you always yelling in all caps?

 

[Golddollar]

When my GI physician's assistant convinced me to lay off alcohol she did my liver and my wallet a big favor. And when I paid what I thought was a long price for a Rachel sandwich I decided to start making them myself.

I'm drinking unsweetened ice tea when I go out now. The one service club in town with a food service takes care of me by keeping a jug of unsweetened ice tea for me. To me that is making a special effort for me, so since I don't believe the servers should suffer financially for my medical issues, I mentally figure out what I would have paid if I was still drinking alcohol and base my tips on that price instead of on what I pay for the tea. It's worth it for me.

 

[jimmyj]

Luckly I survive on a small disability pension so eating out is not an in my budget. Also luckly I can not drink alcohol due to medical issues. In the past married with six children, a wife, and a big dog on a cop's salary hamburger helper was a regular visitor at our dinner table.