Eating out is big $$$ these days... Who does it?

[motion]

The new restaurants in our little area of South Orange County all get $30+ for an entree for dinner. A lot of them are $40+. This means, for 2 people, starters, dinner and a couple drinks (wine is $9+ a glass) along with tax and tip is going to set you back $150 or more. I can see where it would be very easy to drop $200+.

I guess I'm getting a bit thrifty as I age... I just can't seem to justify this. I know the situation is even worse in some of the big cities. I was astounded at what it costs for dinner in Kauai when we were there a couple years ago.

Do people just do this once a month and put it on the credit card and pay for it over time?

[cabmandone]

Dude! It pisses me off when I go out for breakfast with my wife and two kids and drop $50. At a buck fitty for dinner, I'd probably be out of my mind.

[Jim Richards]

I know what you mean about getting thrifty with age. My wife and I like a Mexican dive in SJC that has tasty food and really good prices. Wood bench seating. And you get to enjoy TVs that are all playing futbol with Spanish commentary.

[stomachmonkey]

We used to go out every Friday and Saturday night.

That was when we lived somewhere that had food that was worth it.

Living here has curbed that habit.

Having two kids who can not agree on anything also helps.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by motion

I guess I'm getting a bit thrifty as I age... I just can't seem to justify this.

Totally agree with you Richard. We are light eaters and will split an app/salad and an entree. The killer is always the alcohol as we don't skimp. Wine is $9/glass or $50 for a bottle, and we don't drink well cocktails or house specials. A couple weeks back we had an early dinner at Las Olas. Sure you're paying for the location - and it is excellent. With our 2 kids in tow we split 3 Mexican combos (very basic food but good), a couple sodas, and 4 premium margaritas (for Mom and Dad, son drove us home). With tip is was $160.

We are trending away from sit down restaurants for sure. Prefer simple fresh foods that we throw together at home with me as the bartender.

[craigster59]

I don't mind getting breakfast or a burrito, burger or sandwich at some of the local Mom & Pop places around here. But when it comes to the more expensive dinner places I always find myself remarking "We can make better at home".

We both like to cook and are pretty dang good at it if I do say so myself.

[Cajundaddy]

2x a month typically. We prefer the "value priced" non-chain establishments but we don't eat a lot of food in one sitting and usually bring 1/2 home. We will do appetizers and a beer or wine out on our deck before we go to dinner. Then split a salad, 2 entrees, maybe split a desert and we are good. $60-80 max.

My wife says I am so tight I squeak when I walk.

[motion]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

We are trending away from sit down restaurants for sure. Prefer simple fresh foods that we throw together at home with me as the bartender.

This is what we mostly do. I guess I feel like we're missing out on life a bit.

Except for a few places in the world, like London, Santiago, St Tropez... I can't think of any place that gouges for restaurants like the USA.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

We used to go out every Friday and Saturday night.

That was when we lived somewhere that had food that was worth it.

Living here has curbed that habit.

Having two kids who can not agree on anything also helps.

Protip: It's not up to the kids. If they can't agree, they can stay home and eat mac and cheese. Offer that choice and see if it improves their ability to compromise.

[motion]

Our little town of Red Lodge, MT is outrageous, too. A chicken fried steak at the old family diner downtown is $30. A large pizza at a couple of the pizza places can set you back $40+. How can a pizza cost over $40? I mean, how is that possible?

[john70t]

Most restaurants fail within the first two years...so I've read.
There is a lot of initial overhead, investment paperwork, planning, OT work, taxes, rent, and often sub-zero return paying off the loans.
I've worked in many and don't envy it.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

We used to go out every Friday and Saturday night.

That was when we lived somewhere that had food that was worth it.

Living here has curbed that habit.

Having two kids who can not agree on anything also helps.

True dat, the selections around town are pretty rough. Sysco sets the menu for the burbs. Could head into the city but that chews up an entire evening.

I travel every week and now only eat at the small, ethnic places that show interesting on Yelp. You can find some gems at a decent price if you are daring enough.

[vash]

Santa Rosa is insane. A bowl of Pho is $11.99.

I don't eat out much anymore.

[asphaltgambler]

My wife & I rarely eat out, maybe 4-5 times a year. But on special occasions we like to go to Wegmans - which is right around the corner, buy something good, bring it home & prepare it.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Protip: It's not up to the kids. If they can't agree, they can stay home and eat mac and cheese. Offer that choice and see if it improves their ability to compromise.

Meh, my kids are not trouble makers. They are straight A students. Caring and compassionate. Help around the house. Independent with a strong sense of self worth. Don't cause us a bit of grief in any way shape or form.

I can indulge them when it comes to a choice of what they may want to eat.

But thanks for the advice.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

True dat, the selections around town are pretty rough. Sysco sets the menu for the burbs. Could head into the city but that chews up an entire evening.

I travel every week and now only eat at the small, ethnic places that show interesting on Yelp. You can find some gems at a decent price if you are daring enough.

The new Kroger up on my end, they are building more shops on the other side of 407.

There was a poll on the community Facebook page, what food would people want to see go in next.

Whataburger.
Chik-Fil-A
Tex Mex
Some chain pizza like Dominoes or Pizza Hut
Chain crap
Chain crap
Chain crap
etc....
etc....
etc...

I don't think one thing that was suggested can't already be found within a 5 mile radius.

These people have no clue what real food is.

Have you tried Prime? Next to Fuzzies where the French Bistro used to be?

The owners parents live across the street from me.

Good food, a bit steep but there is really no set menu.

It's farm to table meaning they build the days menu based on what they can buy that day.

We are getting some better options out on 377 though. Earls is not too bad.

[Jim Richards]

We eat out 1-2 times/week for breakfast. A few times a month for dinner, frequently it's with our son & DIL. We pay roughly half the time. Sometimes pricey, sometimes no too pricey. We go out for dinner weekly with senior citizen friends, and those times are usually casual, non-chain places. Not too pricey, especially since my wife & I don't drink. I guess the drinks sure add up.

[KNS]

And restaurant staff complaining that the waiters/waitresses need ever bigger tips because the cost of living is going up. 15%, 20% now 25%... WTF?

The cost of the meal goes up with everything else. The waiter is going to make the same proportionally on a 20% tip whether the meal is 15 dollars or 50 dollars.

[jwasbury]

Red Lodge = small tourist town, so its going to be overpriced as there's not so much competition. My wife and I have visited your little town a couple times. She was pissed when the menu indicated soba noodles and she was served ramen noodles.

There are outrageously priced restaurants in NYC, but there are also plenty of excellent and reasonably priced places in the area...fierce competition helps I think.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Dude! It pisses me off when I go out for breakfast with my wife and two kids and drop $50. At a buck fitty for dinner, I'd probably be out of my mind.

Tell me about it... wife and I stopped in a coffee shop in Pismo for breakfast... the bill was over $30, nothing fancy either... no lobster omelet, just basic eggs and bacon x2.