[jyl]

I have a small circuit of places I go to, and they are mostly pretty low end.
- The Oxacan place near my house, they are super nice, totally authentic, and trying to get established, so I support them a lot. Taco $4.75, sope $4.00, burrito $12.
- An inexpensive but good sushi place, no frills but the fish is fresh and well prepared. Usually about $15-20 a head.
- A neighborhood Italian place near my house, excellent food, a bit nicer than my usual. Entrees $16-23.
- A Cuban place near my house, been going there 20 years. Entrees $16-20.
- A dim sum place, the best in Portland, which isn’t saying much to be honest, but it’s good and the ratio of Asians to others is acceptable. Usually end up around $20/head but we’re stuffed.
- A dive bar near my house, also been going there 20 years. Burger $12 which feels like a lot but these days it actually isn’t.
- A brewery near my house, here the food is a bit overpriced but I like the beer. Burger $16.

The theme “near my house” is recurrent. I don’t like going far to eat, and try to support my neighborhood shops.

I probably eat out once a week, maybe twice.

The cost of eating out is definitely becoming a deterrent. A buddy and I went to lunch, a place near our offices, nothing special - I think a big caesar salad with chicken, a meatball sub, two beers - ‘twas like $45 after tip. Yeah I can afford it but I increasingly don’t want to.