Pet peeve (minor) - restaurants redacting prices from online menus

[jcommin]

I have become even more picky dining out and I don't go out as often. Menus, portions and prices have changed. I have skipped most restaurants and tend to dine a higher end ones. I'm more into food quality and service. I don't mind paying for something because I'm going out to eat for something special or something I can't/won't cook at home.

[flatbutt]

Covid nearly crushed my local diner. It took a long time for him to re-open at a new location which he did. His prices used to strike a good balance between his costs and the blue collar clientele supporting him. Now a cheeseburger, fries and coffee will cost you close to $30. Nope.

[Por_sha911]

When I lived in NYC there was a general unwritten rule that if the restaurant didn't post a menu in the window with prices, you probably will not want to pay what they charge. I forgot that one time around 1980 and paid $25 for a grilled cheese sandwich and cup of plain coffee at a sandwich shop (nothing gourmet) which should have cost about $10 max.

If you have budget concerns, call the restaurant and ask for prices. If enough people do this they will get tired of taking the calls and post pricing again. The other option is eat someplace else.

[PorscheGAL]

Just curious: If the restaurant listed a range of pricing, would you be ok with it? That could give them some wiggle room and you, as the consumer, would be aware of potential pricing.

I have eaten a couple Michelin Star restaurants that do not list prices anywhere. I know going in it can be very expensive and plan accordingly.

On the other hand, did anyone see the articles about the restaurant in Mykonos charging tourists crazy prices? Article

Being aware of a price range is beneficial.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Covid nearly crushed my local diner. It took a long time for him to re-open at a new location which he did. His prices used to strike a good balance between his costs and the blue collar clientele supporting him. Now a cheeseburger, fries and coffee will cost you close to $30. Nope.

My point exactly. I pass on places like that. I like Manhattans: it is a $14 to &20 drink in Chicago. But I got an old fashion with brandy sweet (similar to a Manhattan) in the Wisconsin Dells for $4. So the mark up is rent/profit/cost of ingredients/labor.

So I will buy the rye or bourbon and enjoy the drink at home.

[MBAtarga]

The closest Hooters breasturant near no longer lists their prices on the menu. Is that the norm?

[ard]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

The closest Hooters breasturant near no longer lists their prices on the menu. Is that the norm?

They don't list the prices on the physical menu presented to patrons in the restaurant? That is another level of temerity. And no I don't think that's the norm.

[911_Dude]

This is definitely an grouchy old fogy thread. If you cant tell by looking at a place weather or not you can afford it, or want to pay it, just stick to the buffet lines.



.

[stevej37]

^^^ Hooters has a buffet??
I'd like one of everything...don't think I could though.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Covid nearly crushed my local diner. It took a long time for him to re-open at a new location which he did. His prices used to strike a good balance between his costs and the blue collar clientele supporting him. Now a cheeseburger, fries and coffee will cost you close to $30. Nope.

The local "Greek" diners around here, have gotten ridiculous. Prices are nuts. $18 for a burger and fries. Fish and chips $25 $17 for a reuben. BLT $12. Same price for eggs and pancakes. $3 for an ice tea.

.

[plain fan]

Before covid I was always a little picky about my dining experience when it came to menu selection, pricing, service, etc. After covid, I have become very picky. I no longer frequent places that have significantly increased prices, reduced portions, reduced service etc. If I don't like it, I don't patronize the place and I have no problem saying that to the manager if it really needs to be stated.

[herr_oberst]

(nsfw)

[Por_sha911]

A NSFW warning on the above video would have been prudent.

[stevej37]

On a Saturday Night...lol

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

On a Saturday Night...lol

Maybe you are OK with children in your home learning cool words but I prefer to not share such things. Also, there may be those who won't open it up until next week.

Apparently you don't understand 'NSFW' is a phrase for general warning and not specifically for work. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ard

Ben thanks for the context and I sympathize with the vagaries in your world. However, you are misinterpreting my post. I am not saying restaurants (or anybody else for that matter) cannot raise prices; prices are a key lever in a free supply and demand economy. I am simply complaining, lightheartedly truth be told, about something, namely price transparency (seemingly) being taken away from me. Will that stop me cold from going to restaurants? No, but I'll gripe about it. Now, to be sure, there are "things" we buy without the benefit of price transparency, health care being the most egregious example, where I cannot see what I am on the hook for until the deed is done, irreversibly.

And on top of the insanity posted by Ben P, I think most restaurants pay someone to create their website for them, and most restaurant folks probably don't have the ability to update the website themselves or any guaranty that an update will happen in a timely manner (or hell, they may have to pay for updates).

So restaurant pays, probably a ton for a nice website, but the manager knows how to run a restaurant but either doesn't have access to the website or even if they did, doesn't really know how (websites aren't exactly a word document behind the scenes).
Ok, so the manager isn't the guy. THen the manager has to call "the guy" and the guy says "I'm busy, I'll get to it sometime in the next two weeks. Oh, and by the way, it's going to cost you $$$." (I have no idea, but I could see it costing several hundred or up to $1k for updates. Or the restaurant may have to pay a monthly retainer to the website guy.

So, it makes sense to leave the prices off.

I get it, I prefer to see the prices too, but I get it if I cant.

[KFC911]

It's not a matter of the actual price for me .... I think I can afford it and will pay anything reasonable ... usually. It's the principle ... and I just walk away .... mebbe without a nose on my face... but I still walk away... usually.

Hey .... that's MY lawn ... now git !

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Gogar

I'm not pissed off and I'm very happy to pay a premium for a nice place with real servers and real prices. Sometimes those 'real' prices are challenging but i get it. The only new trend that grinds my gears are restaurants that (by design) have no waitstaff and phone QR codes for the menu and human robot servers bringing you food from the kitchen. And then they tab you out and the low-tier tip is 18% but you really never even had a server. And they forced you to fck with your phone the whole dinner. I went out to eat exclusively so I could get away from my phone and you jammed me into my phone for the whole experience so fck you. anyway

LOL .... it's not very exclusive, and requires waiting years to join .... but...

Welcome to the club !

[javadog]

There are multiple ways to deal with changing prices and changing menus. It can cost very little, or nothing at all. Good restaurants have this easily handled, ask yourself why the others do not.

I’m not concerned if I go to a restaurant before I know the prices on the menu, I will say that I prefer to go to restaurants where the employees are working in a profession, not working a job. There’s a big difference.

I’m not interested in QR codes or digital menus or any of that garbage. And that sentiment goes far beyond just the restaurant world.

[craigster59]

I've posted here before about the Wife and I and our frequent disappointment with restaurant food in general, compared with what we can prepare at home.

Unless it's sushi, Indian, Greek, etc I'd rather just save the extra cash and eat at home. I do have to say the few times we've eaten out recently there has been a bit of "sticker shock" at the price increases.

As far as pricing on menus, I don't mind paying a premium for a great meal but I do like knowing what I'm getting into beforehand.