cost of eating out

[old2soon]

       Last weekend I went North yet again to Illinois. One of my Nieces had turned 60 and I wanted to be there for that Party! Sunday morning went to see Ross and BonBon's new to them digs near Wonder Lake Il. And Ross had mentioned a Resturant they wanted to try so I said-let's went! Good food decent service and decent Coffee!. And the waitress made SURE we did Not run low or out of coffee. Time to pay and I thought she said $35.00 and change BUT It were Actually $45.60 for the 3 of us!  And Ross mentined it now averaged $15.00 for brealfast at a sit down resturant in them there parts! Next morning-Mon last-I went into a resturant in Crystal Lake Il. I had eaten at before and with the old fart and Military discount my breakfast was Still $14.44. Just this past Wed. at one of my favorite places in West Plains breakfast was $8.66 out the door and this A M here in Willow Springs breakfast was $10.20. Wonder Lake Crystal Lake and West Plains were all 3 egg breakfasts and 2 sausage 2 slices of sour dough bread toasted and taters and coffee. The breakfast in Willow Springs was the same except 2 eggs. YUP-yet Another old guy rant!  RIDE SAFE.

[Patrick]

Blame it on the WuFlu !

That always seems to be the excuse now. Once prices are up and we pay it, don't hold your hand os your #@$^ waiting for it to come back down.

[Jess from VA]

I don't eat in restaurants.  It's always been high.  And I'm almost always solo.

This was not a popular attitude with wives. 

I don't do wives either.   

I will do takeout, a few times a year.  (and a good dinner, gives me 3 dinners)

[Serk]

Costco has a type of pre-cooked bacon that I love, quick nuke it for a few seconds whenever you want bacon or want to add bacon to something, in the good old days it was $9.99 a pound (Keep in mind though that's a COOKED pound)

The other day I went to pick some up, it's now $16.99.

I chose to do without.

[f6john]

Costco has a type of pre-cooked bacon that I love, quick nuke it for a few seconds whenever you want bacon or want to add bacon to something, in the good old days it was $9.99 a pound (Keep in mind though that's a COOKED pound)

The other day I went to pick some up, it's now $16.99.

I chose to do without.

With the Chinese moving in on meat production, they have to get their cut!

[Moonshot_1]

The good news is in a few years we'll be down to eating bats too and can send the virus right back to China.

[Patrick]

The good news is in a few years we'll be down to eating bats too and can send the virus right back to China.

There ya go. Buffalo style bat wings.  Ya gotta eat a whole bunch of them thou.

[old2soon]

         Or as was told to me when I lived in Texas-Hoover Hogs! Last I checked they still free!  Course grey speed bumps and forest rats and wabbits still free too! RIDE SAFE.

[Robert]

Uh, just paid 120.00 for lunch out, so yes the cost is rising.  

The wife was with me and we went to one of our favorite places and unfortunately its a bit expensive. The price of everything is rising. So I wouldn't complain to much about 45 for 3

[cookiedough]

I hear yah, we RARELY go out to eat.  Kid came home with girlyfriend and went to local good pizza joint nearby I knew was expensive, but our bill for 2 large pizzas and one 10 dollar appetizer (no drinks just water) was 60 bucks.  Then of course wife adds a 10 dollar tip since the waitress lady we knew graduated with our daughter in high school.    Last month went to Culvers fast food restaurant and the kids meal we always get (get free flavor of the day ice cream cone suppose to be ONLY age 12 and under) use to be 6 bucks each now is 8.25 or so.  Bill was near 17 bucks for the 2 of us.  Small cheeseburger and fries and small drink for over 8 bucks? 

As Serk said, bacon is EXPENSIVE and refuse to pay 6.00 lb. for bacon when less than 1 year or so ago was on sale for 3.00 lb.  Anything over 4.00 lb. for bacon and not going to splurdge and buy it will have to live without.

You should know now anything in ILLINOIS area like Crystal Lake or anywhere else is going to be much more expensive than Missouri or WI.  Just got back last weekend from Lombard IL and gas down there 2 hours south was 3.40 gallon and just across the border in Beloit WI was 3.00 gallon a few short blocks from entering the lovely (yah right) state of ILLINOIS. 

[DIGGER]

When on fixed income its sad seeing inflation rising fast.  The wife and I are having to go out and spend money less and less.  Of course the number one thing we have had to cut way back on is eating out. 

[f6john]

When on fixed income its sad seeing inflation rising fast.  The wife and I are having to go out and spend money less and less.  Of course the number one thing we have had to cut way back on is eating out. 

And as was warned, those $15 an hour fast food workers are going to have a hard time holding on to those jobs when business drops off. I’m sure as prices continue to rise, my wife and I will drop off our dining out excursions even though that’s one of the few things we splurge on.

[old2soon]

         I'll Try to make it a [point to go to the golden arches and have the big breakfast NO HOTCAKES. VERY Few places I order hot cakes out. I make em maself cuz I KNOW What I WANT when it come to hot cakes. And I absofrikkinlutely REFUSE to pay 3 4 5 6 or more dollars for One Belgian waffle!  I Still have 2 waffle irons capable of making belgian waffles. And at this point in time here locally I can Still git Bacon for about $2.70 a pound buying a 10 lb box. RIDE SAFE.

[carolinarider09]

Actually we rarely eat out (wife and I), except on road trips.  That is a mixed blessing. 

I don't like waiting for a table but most of the places we have frequented allow on line waiting. 

We recently had a late breakfast at a "First Watch" somewhere a little south of Richmond.  I got in line before leaving my daughters home in Chester.  It said a 30 minute wait (about the drive time).

Got there and, as I was standing in line to tell the waitstaff I was "there" I heard her tell the person in front of me it would be a "about an hour wait".  REALLY!!!!!!  I don't remember if they waited.  When I got there she said our table was ready.  I felt a little guilty since the other couple had an hour wait. 

And yes.  I had a breakfast I like at Waffle House this morning (wife was out of town).  It was a three egg ham and cheese omelet on the side with a side order of bacon and wheat toast, $9.00.  With Tim $11.00.

Our breakfast that last Sunday at First Watch (about the same except I had the "Millon Dollar" bacon) was $30 for the two of us. 

Yes prices are up.  I can still afford it.  I don't worry since I know I cannot take it with me and who knows how much longer I will be able to take these week long road trip.

[f6john]

I think about young couples with young families. They need a break ever once in a while and this will hit them hard. Cost associated with feeding the poor and the homeless population will skyrocket for groups that have to depend on donations to function. This is just a part of the avalanche of inflation that we are headed for.

[carolinarider09]

And that is not only the sad part but the part that (sorry for turning this political) is the direct result of the current leadership in Washington. 

Its not just the COVID, its all the other little things because..........they could.

[Rams]

Costco has a type of pre-cooked bacon that I love, quick nuke it for a few seconds whenever you want bacon or want to add bacon to something, in the good old days it was $9.99 a pound (Keep in mind though that's a COOKED pound)

The other day I went to pick some up, it's now $16.99.

I chose to do without.

This is the appropriate way to deal with rising prices.   Buy less.   It's a Supply and Demand Economy.   When fuel pricing goes through the roof, folks drive less generally speaking or, they look to fuel misers for transportation.   While I admittedly love eating bacon, I can find an alternative.   

But, if one isn't willing to go to an alternative then be prepared to reach deep into that pocket.

Rams

[motomama]

We eat out ALOT!  Although I am a caterer and totally LOVE cooking, I don't always like cooking at home.  Now that there are only 2 of us here, as opposed to the 7 we had here previously, it is incredibly hard for me to cook for 2 people!  I am so used to cooking for an army!  So, Willow and I eat out a lot; at least once a day!  It is expensive and prices keep going up, but this is a luxury that we enjoy!  We have regular places we go to and regular servers that we ask for.  We have become friends with all of them and that in itself, is priceless!

[cookiedough]

We eat out ALOT!  Although I am a caterer and totally LOVE cooking, I don't always like cooking at home.  Now that there are only 2 of us here, as opposed to the 7 we had here previously, it is incredibly hard for me to cook for 2 people!  I am so used to cooking for an army!  So, Willow and I eat out a lot; at least once a day!  It is expensive and prices keep going up, but this is a luxury that we enjoy!  We have regular places we go to and regular servers that we ask for.  We have become friends with all of them and that in itself, is priceless!

good for you that you can enjoy eating out near everyday.  Is a luxury for sure nowadays seeing prices rising so so much.  Hiring fast food restaurant workers at 15 hr on up has thus increased restaurant pricing am sure plus the shortage of workers as well.     My one kid and her fiancee eat out WAY too much and they always complain about having no money,  wonder why?    Was up there last night and they ordered out pizza not just 2 pizzas, but ordered 5 pizzas so they have food to eat the rest of the week - OUCH!   For once I did not have to pay for it either...   

I still remember,  is a joke now,  but was not back in 1990 when I first took my now wife out on a first FANCY date age 19 or 20 at the time to a fancy restaurant.  I had 60 bucks cash on me and was NOT enough for entire bill having dessert as well and a drink each.  Back then so young had no credit cards either so now wife had to come up with 5-10 bucks or so.   Am surprised after that first fancy date night she even considered me after that now some 30 years later?  You think she would have gotten the hint right there and then I am a cheapscape..

[Jess from VA]

I had 60 bucks cash on me and was NOT enough....

This reminds me of a Sadie Hawkins HS dance, where the girl invites the guy to the dance and takes him to dinner after.  

A popular girl (I barely knew) asked me out and we had a decent time.  She took me to a pizza joint, and I ordered a perch dinner.  It was not really expensive (but two dinners was more than a medium pizza), and she didn't have enough money, so I covered the overage and tip (few bucks).  She was very embarrassed and I told her not to worry about it.  

But welcome to the boy's world.
 

Funny thing, my last Sadie Hawkins dance with my steady girl in HS (a senior, I was a junior), she got her dad's band new Continental Mark III to go on the date.  Her dad made a big point of telling us she was to be the driver (I had no reputation for reckless driving, and I was a much better driver than she was, especially in that land yacht).  So after the dance and dinner, it was late and she said she was tired, would I please drive.  So I did, and sitting at a light a staggering drunk woman rear ended us, and ripped up that covered spare tire trunk on the Lincoln.  So we pull into to her house and her dad is up and we give him the good news (and tell him I was driving, it was going to be in the police report anyway), and he tears me a new one.

Look, Mr X, I didn't do anything wrong or stupid, I was stopped at a red light and a drunk rear ended us.

Get the hell out of my house, and Caroline you go to bed.

I was persona non grata over there for weeks.

The things you remember.    

[Patrick]

I like cooking and we also like going out for meals. It certainly has become more expensive and I doubt the prices will ever drop. One thing is that now is that one meal feeds me for couple days, gotta look on the bright side even though that really doesn't have one.

[Jess from VA]

I do all my own cooking, and have for a long time.  I'm not a chef, more like a short order cook.

I buy some good stuff, alternating with mostly very average stuff.  The trick to eating very average stuff, is to wait until you're really hungry.  There are no regular meals at my house, only I'm so hungry I'd eat my shoe meals.  Strangely, this does nothing for my spare tire, but at least my pants don't fall down.   

[old2soon]

     I also do most of my own cooking. But while traveling That is NOT an option. And once in awhile one of my neighbors cooks too much or wants me to try a new dish. A single lady with 2 younglings and a Married couple with 3 younglings live across the street from me and I Always try to inform them when I see a Really Good unadvertised saleon "stuff" they may need. I picked up 2 Bacon wrapped pork grillers already seasoned up that were big enough I get 4 meals out of 2 pork grillers. From a bit over 4 bucks apiece discounted 2 bucks so basically my meat cost about a buck 15 a meal. NOT bad atall! Had 1 last night with a Romaine lettuce salad and that green tea from Aldi. Figured the entire meal was like 3 bucks here at Home.  I Always look for those yellow discount stickers in the meat dept where I shop the REASON I do eat so well is watching for the SALES and I live alone. RIDE SAFE.

[Patrick]

I do all my own cooking, and have for a long time.  I'm not a chef, more like a short order cook.

I buy some good stuff, alternating with mostly very average stuff.  The trick to eating very average stuff, is to wait until you're really hungry.  There are no regular meals at my house, only I'm so hungry I'd eat my shoe meals.  Strangely, this does nothing for my spare tire, but at least my pants don't fall down.   

LOL.

I find I feel better when I'm hungry. I'm certainly no chef either, but, I guess what I cook is mostly edible.
My pants do fall down, always have. No hips or ass, born that way. Too much info huh.

[Jess from VA]

My pants do fall down, always have.

This is why they invented belts and suspenders.  And personally, I like the look of both together.   

[Patrick]

My pants do fall down, always have.

This is why they invented belts and suspenders.  And personally, I like the look of both together.   

I can see you're quite the fashion statement ! 

[Mn. Norseman]

Hey all ,  Its been a long year at the DQ. Just a few things to vent, touch on .  Being seasonal we try to hire high school kids. We had 12 come back from last year. however to keep them we went from 10 to 11 an hour to 14 to 15. 3 to four people per shift 11 hours a day. I'll let you guys do the math. Supplies, when they weren't on backorder also were more money, along with delivery fuel charges . Mid Aug we had 14 employees, by the first of Sept we are down to three. Reason was not fear of covid or lack of pay, 11 were too busy even to work one shift a week. and yes our prices went up. What surprises me is with the increase, the younger folks didn't bat an eye and would order extra in most of the blizzards. Price does not seem to affect them. This is the last day of the season for our DQ.  Hope the weather holds so I can get some riding in. Thanks for letting me rant.

[MarkT]

Costco has a type of pre-cooked bacon that I love, quick nuke it for a few seconds whenever you want bacon or want to add bacon to something, in the good old days it was $9.99 a pound (Keep in mind though that's a COOKED pound)

The other day I went to pick some up, it's now $16.99.

I chose to do without.

I buy the 4-pak of 1# pkgs Costco bacon, always have several of them in the freezers.  I nuke one pkg on a plate interleved with paper towels, a pnd takes 12 minutes for almost completely cooked in a full-power microwave.  Then freeze the strips in a gallon ziplock baggie.  Need bacon for anything - take out say 4 strips for a BLT, nuke them for 80 seconds that finishes the cooking so I get bacon fast for whatever.  Always have under a pound ready like this in the freezer.  Works for me.  I don't care much on the cost (but it's way less than your quote)  Still.  That could change, the way inflation is going.  Thanks Joe.

We used to eat out dinners 2-3 times a week, and that's restaurants, typically around $60 with tip.  Not counting fast food lunches.  And we don't live in town.  Lunches, if I'm running to town on an errand, that's FF lunch time.  And I did that a lot.  Since covid - it's rare now.  Not even twice a month on dinners.  2-3 / month FF lunches.  Eating out, the biggest loss to our lifestyle.

[Patrick]

The one nice thing about these WuFlu lockdowns/restrictions is spending time in Florida. Last winter the state was open for business. We could still go wherever whenever we wanted and none of group got the couties.

[Patrick]

I guess this may fit in as it concerns eating out. Last night we were out with a group and the prices keep going up. This was  a place we go to regularly.

The conversion turned political which I didn't want because I knew how it would go. The vast majority loves Fauci, believes parents shouldn't have a voice in what kids are taught, love Biden and think our new lady governor [ NYS] is doing a great job.

 I guess I need this every once in awhile just to affirm how crazy I think some folks are.

[Jess from VA]

I do not keep company like that. 

I sure would not sit down to dinner with them.  My appetite would be gone. 

But then I can be pretty uncivil.

Not aiming criticism at you Patrick.  Everyone should do what they want. 

[Patrick]

Went out last night to the same place as 2 days ago. Prices were up by $2 for what I looked at.

The one good thing is we were with a different group, our more normal group, We think more alike. So we could bitch about politics and agree. 

[old2soon]

         Went to the golden arches of micky dz this A M and the big breakfast NO HOTCAKES with a senior coffee was $6.21 out the door. Last weekend our local American Legion had a breakfast fund raiser that was $7.00 all you can eat. Yesterday at the Senior Center they had their monthly breakfast fund raiser and it was $5.00 all you can eat. Last year the American Legion breakfast Was $5.00 but due to higher prices etc etc! 
          When I went into micky dz this A M I noticed the Long wait lines at the drive up and also inside. And I did strike up a conversation or three. After it tapered off a bit I had a quick talk with the Mgr as I've known her since her high school days. Asked her What the heck goin on with the long wait times. And she informed me just about get somebody trained up and they decide It's NOT enough money or the just don't like working or food service ain't fer them. She also mentioned that the owner authorized 15 bucks an hour to start! Still NO takers!  They can git 30 hrs a week and have made $450.00 and STILL NOT Happy? But That's fer another thread.. RIDE SAFE.

[Patrick]

$15/hr isn't enough !  Isn't that what they had to have ?!  Fought until they got it and now it isn't enough.
Many still think they are making, and will continue to make, more on biden's covid welfare payments.
All restaurants in this area still have 'help wanted' signs displayed.
We just ate at the local diner and it was $12 for the 2 of us. So it was $15 and out the door.         

[old2soon]

 Went back to my Favorite resturant in West Plains this A M and had biscuits and sausage gray 3 eggs raw onions-2 thick slices-and coffee. $7.47 out the door and it were GOOD!  But the 2 waitresses were looking high and low for-something! When I got a chance I asked Laurie-What wuz y'all lookin fer? You know those small square packages of jelly? My favorite put on the feed bag place Is OUT of and can NOT get STRAWBERRY Jelly!  Can you spell supply chain issues? Thanks JOE! RIDE SAFE.

[da prez]

Last Saturday in Rhinelander  , steak and eggs  with hash browns, toast and coffee for two was $22.00 . If going thru , highway 8 at the round a bout. Rhinelander restuarant.

                da prez

[h13man]

The state of Illinois imposes a sales and plus use tax of 6.25 percent on food, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages purchased at a restaurant for consumption on the restaurant premises. The only thing I purchase is fuel if I have to in IL otherwise I wait until I get back into Indiana for further purchases.

[old2soon]

     Well Ross-A K A daprez-Still SADLY resides in Illinois. I left the state in 78 with first ex wife. Generally Ross cooks at home but we Do like eating out. I was up there for Family first weekend of Oct. but even with the brutally high prices Ross and BonBon Were curious about this resturant so we went there that Sun morning. And while I have Not gotten sick at a mickyds those instant breakfasts while filling git old after awhile. And Yes even mickyds has raised their prices as have other "fast food" outlets. I had mentioned in another thread that I could still get bacon at about $2.70 a lb. That is NO Longer true. J T my butcher friend where I purchase my meat informed me the NEW PRICING on the 10 lb box of bacon is $36.00!  Soooo even puttin on the feed bag at home gonna be More Pricy!
      My local Aldi reopens tommorrow and I have a list of stuff I Need to restock on. Fixin to find out just How Bad inflation has hit Aldi! And once again-Thanks JOE! RIDE SAFE.

[3fan4life]

I have to eat out a lot at work.

Lately the cost is up, the quality of the food is down and the service sucks.

Especially, at the fast food joints.

[Chrisj CMA]

Don’t go to fast food joints. Too expensive for fake food. I like mom and pop type places and just don’t look at prices. I just pay, leave a good tip and call it good.