Diner Food...

[WILMASBOYL78]

It seems that even local diners are raising their prices thru the roof...I assume this is mainly due to things costing more. Thursday I had lunch with a friend and a turkey club and a Reuben were $30...add in 2 iced teas and the tip and it was over $40 for lunch. :dunno:

Yesterday Karen and I spent some time cleaning the cars and it ran late for dinner....and then I ran out of gas in the black 4 speed car. :mad2:

Gas gauge reads full :hmmm:...I will address that in the tech section.

Lucky it was right in front of the shop...had to get a couple of volunteers from the cigar club to help push it inside :worship:

Karen said "let's get a pizza"...large white pie with sausage and mushrooms...$28 :shocked:

I'm generally not a big fan of eating out and with these prices it won't be happening very much...besides I enjoy the home kitchen better :cool2:

Interested to hear about diner prices in other areas...

-wilma

[chevyman0429]

Went out during the week for breakfast at a local diner for one basic breakfast and coffee $18.00 without tip! Crazy

[JRSully]

They had a recent piece on Diners here on LI. Owners said the days "of coming into your local diner and getting a mountain of food for little $$ are gone, we have to pay the same prices for food that the rest of the restaurants do.." Also went on to say the new generation has little interest in Diners in general..
I can tell you that we had a ton of them around here, now they seem to be going under by the hour, sad

[William]

Same here. Still seem busy but I expect some will not survive a drop in business. A number of them have changed their hours, breakfast & lunch only.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Thanks Joe :thumbsdown:

[1967 4K]

Wife n I went to Pizza Hut last evening, medium Supreme and small side salad we split n two bottles water. $28.00.
A sign on the door needing help. Only two people working, no waitresses we ordered at counter then had to pick it up ourselves.

[Jeff H]

I will only get something to eat out maybe once a week now. I think it's a combination of people willing to pay higher prices during covid to keep places in business, the loss of our energy independence which ran up the price of oil/gas and therefore the cost to get goods to the stores, and a lot of places are increasing their prices just to see how far they can push it and still get people to pay. I was at the watering hole yesterday and it must have been payday for a lot of people. The $7-9 beers were flowing and the $13-20 appetizers were non stop! Of course 90% of the people put it on their credit cards so they won't realize how much they spent until next month.

[Too Many Projects]

Yep, the cost to eat out has gotten prohibitive. The wife and I have been splitting meals for a few years now, as neither of us need a full meal. We still end up with a $25-30 bill.
I took her and our son out for a birthday dinner for her a couple nights ago and nothing fancy to eat, but the bill was $81, with the, now, obligatory 18% tip.
Groceries are just as bad and I'm sure, as seen, adds to the price of prepared food. We have stopped buying some of our favorite snacks or "special night" foods because of the cost. When a bag of basic groceries comes very close to $100 now, it sucks.

[muscle_collector]

stopped at jersey mikes yesterday got a #8 club sub bag of chips and drink $16 a month or two ago it was $13 and i thought that was too high. i think i just ate my last jersey mikes sub. like most on here yes i can afford to do it, but at some point im not playing this stupidity.

[Too Many Projects]

stopped at jersey mikes yesterday got a #8 club sub bag of chips and drink $16 a month or two ago it was $13 and i thought that was too high. i think i just ate my last jersey mikes sub. like most on here yes i can afford to do it, but at some point im not playing this stupidity.
We stopped at a Jersey Mikes a week ago and were put off by the same price. The glass front meat case had white paper over the glass and I asked why they didn't want us to see the display case and the answer was, they were very low on stock and thought it looked too barren for the customers. They can't get enough product and their price goes up with nearly every shipment they get. So yeah, we will probably not go back until this crap subsides. That will reduce the demand a little...:wink:

[67since67]

It's not just dining out and groceries. Hotel rates are crazy too!! Unless you are getting a group rate for a special event (Thanks Bob!!!:worship:) 4.0 or better hotels on the interstate are $200 after taxes, and if you anywhere near any touristy area or college football event, double that, or sold out. - Bill W

[chevyman0429]

It's not just dining out and groceries. Hotel rates are crazy too!! Unless you are getting a group rate for a special event (Thanks Bob!!!:worship:) 4.0 or better hotels on the interstate are $200 after taxes, and if you anywhere near any touristy area or college football event, double that, or sold out. - Bill W

Just paid $1,080 for two night stay in a Holiday inn express!

[Bill Pritchard]

Just paid $1,080 for two night stay in a Holiday inn express!

I would have slept in my car.

And if you haven't received the renewal for your homeowners insurance recently, be prepared.....

[L72copocamaro]

My belief is that pandemic price raises were a way for businesses to try to stay afloat. I got that and supported it. Once the recovery started, there was no way prices were going back down. They have steadily gone up on the ruse that they are still recovering from the pandemic. To be fair, some may be, but not all I'm sure. For instance, anyone think gas prices will ever go back to pre pandemic levels?

[Dave Rifkin]

My belief is that pandemic price raises were a way for businesses to try to stay afloat. I got that and supported it. Once the recovery started, there was no way prices were going back down. They have steadily gone up on the ruse that they are still recovering from the pandemic. To be fair, some may be, but not all I'm sure. For instance, anyone think gas prices will ever go back to pre pandemic levels?

In my opinion that depends on who's running this country.

[TimG]

My homeowners is renewing later this month and went up drastically.

[Lee Stewart]

Been out to dinner twice this entire year: my birthday and my son's birthday. Same restaurant: Chinese Buffett which prior to the pandemic was $11.99 for an Adult and $10.99 for a Senior. Now it's $16.99 and $15.99. Add a $5 tip which seems a little stupid as I get my own food, but Alex used to work there so we can't stiff the staff.

[Lee Stewart]

As far as homeowners insurance, if you live in either California or Florida you may see an increase as much as 300% to 500% because insurance companies are refusing to write policies under the current laws which are about to be changed in favor of the insurers.

[Lee Stewart]

My belief is that pandemic price raises were a way for businesses to try to stay afloat. I got that and supported it. Once the recovery started, there was no way prices were going back down. They have steadily gone up on the ruse that they are still recovering from the pandemic. To be fair, some may be, but not all I'm sure. For instance, anyone think gas prices will ever go back to pre pandemic levels?

Maybe on the gas prices - soon but not right away. Two brand new refineries are about to go online one in Mexico and the other in Nigeria.

Two long-delayed refineries outside the U.S. are set to ramp up production, pumping out about 1 million more barrels a day of fuel.

Large new refineries in Mexico and Nigeria are ready to start producing fuel after a long start-up process that had left Wall Street skeptical that they’d open soon.

“These two refineries, which have been hit by major delays and cost overruns, appear within reach of the finish line,” writes Tudor Pickering Holt analyst Matthew Blair.

[WILMASBOYL78]

As stated before...Thanks Joe :no:

[Too Many Projects]

Just paid $1,080 for two night stay in a Holiday inn express!
Where the heck was THAT ????? I'll be sure to avoid the aera.


I would have slept in my car.

And if you haven't received the renewal for your homeowners insurance recently, be prepared.....
You got that right, Bill. I'm always prepared to sleep in a vehicle when I travel.
We got our renewals for all policies a few weeks ago and were pleasantly surprised to see NO increases. Homeowners, auto, with 4 vehicles covered and an umbrella. Only issue is, we changed from other carriers all at the same time and are now hit with a 5k bill. I know, I know, you guys are going to say you pay that much just for homeowners. We have very reasonable rates compared with most thru Owners Insurance.

[Lynn]

Sherri and I rarely eat out. Mainly because she is trying to control my diet after my two heart procedures this year, AND trying to avoid dementia, as my Mom (94) is almost crazy as a loon.

But, because I am dealing with so much lately with cardiac rehab AND having to put my Mom in memory care a few weeks ago (then having to empty out her house to get it ready for a renter... so we can afford the memory care), we ended up eating out a few times last week. One place was a wonderful South American cuisine place. Owner is from Peru, and is a great guy. We used to get out of there for $15 or less when we first started dating in late 2008. $52 last week. Then we went to a place where we just get the Salmon Caesar salad. $64 with tip, and all we had to drink was water.

It CAN'T be inflation. I keep hearing from the mainstream (lamestream) media that inflation is under control. Of course it is.

You guys have probably figured out I am pretty middle of the road politically, and I REALLY DON'T want this to be a political post. So, I will just say this: the first $3 trillion happened when Republicans were in control; and it was probably 10X more than what was ACTUALLY needed. For those guys saying "Thanks Joe", well, yes, the next $3 Trillion was not at all necessary. Plenty of blame to go around. You cannot indiscriminately print $6 Trillion and expect no consequences. My kids may survive this; my grandkids, I am afraid, won't.

[clnovaparts]

In short time people will ask themselves "How come I didn't know" The world is changing for the good.

[markinnaples]

My wife, my son and I went to 5 Guys and each got a burger, one or two large fries, and 3 fountain drinks and the bill was $48.

Four of us went to Tacos and Tequila last night for dinner, my sons had chicken quesadillas, I had one PoBoy Taco and my wife had one Cuban Taco, plus I had one Shock Top Draft and my wife had a Pepsi. The bill was over $70 with tip.

The prices are INSANE.

[Bill Pritchard]

Got my auto insurance renewal for my Chevelle from MK Insurance today....premium increase of $2 (two dollars). Thank you, Tamara :worship:

[Vern B]

Small Ma and Pa diners are between a rock and a hard spot because they’re at the end of the delivery chain. They don’t have any say in what their costs for supplies is. Many Baby Boomers bailed on eating out during the pandemic and aren’t coming back.

The pandemic and inflation has given corporate America a license to steal and many are taking advantage of it. Unfortunately for small businesses they’re in the unenviable place of collecting their money from the public and losing customers at the same time that can’t, or won’t pay the higher prices.

This same topic has come up 4-5 times among friends in the past couple weeks, so it’s on everyone’s mind and most are doing as we are, cutting back.

One of our local favorite places used to be $25-30 for lunch, now it’s, $55-65 and includes
$4.99 for ice tea or soft drink. 3% surcharge for cost adjustment, plus 3% surcharge for credit card.

[WILMASBOYL78]

The best one I have seen so far concerns the bar bill at a nice joint.

Couple folks ordered martinis...the drinks were $18/each plus $4/ea. "mixing charge'... :confused2:

I make my martinis at home...:smirk:

[Pro Stock John]

I'm still supporting non-chain fast food restaurants in Chicago, the one-off hotdog/burger/sub type places... Mr D's, Nottoli, Bob-O's, Frannies.. etc.

But we are questioning our interest in nicer places for dinner, last time we went out we really didn't think it was worth it... Italian place in Roscoe Village.

[Too Many Projects]

The best one I have seen so far concerns the bar bill at a nice joint.

Couple folks ordered martinis...the drinks were $18/each plus $4/ea. "mixing charge'... :confused2:

I make my martinis at home...:smirk:
Must have been "shaken, not stirred"...:cool2:

[JRSully]

Living in a town that has over 85 Bars and Restaurants within a square mile, I can tell you that business is as cutthroat as it's ever been, not for the faint of heart...They primarily rely on people coming in from other areas as the locals are pulling back on paying the increases in their prices. I have seen places open up, rave reviews, 2 hr wait and then 12 months later, locked up and gone.. IMO the demographic that "does not care what things cost" is growing smaller by the hour. Tough business these days for sure

[Jeff H]

I just saw an article in the paper today showing that NJ is increasing the minimum wage (for non tip workers) to $15.13 at the beginning of the year and it was part of the law recently passed that includes the increase each year based on CPI. So businesses will need to pay workers more each year and probably charge more for food/services/etc. Inflation won't come down in this scenario so it's not sustainable. On the upside, I did pick up a package of bacon for $3.99 for the first time in over 2 years but I'm sure that's short lived at this point. Be prepared for a lot of places going out of business in the next couple of years and I wonder who's going to end up paying for it in the long run? :hmmm:

[SuperNovaSS]

How much do you make an hour Jeff?

Jason

[cheveslakr]

I support the local diners as much or more than ever, I don't think they're gouging anyone, it's their cost plus. What I don't support is street food, or trailer restaurants which charge similar prices and lack the service.

[Jeff H]

How much do you make an hour Jeff?

Jason

I don't anymore. I was salaried and I worked a ton of extra hours (without compensation) and even missed out on a ton of vacation days (went 5 years without taking a full day at one point) and holidays to help the company succeed. Now I'm fixed income living off my IRA/401K so the inflation/cost increases has hit hard. I did grab a hoagie from my nearby place yesterday but I'll get 4 lunches out of it and it tastes really good. But based on the hours I put in I was definitely below $24/hour.

[Lee Stewart]

New California law raises minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour, among nation's highest

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A new law in California will raise the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour next year, an acknowledgment from the state's Democratic leaders that most of the often overlooked workforce are the primary earners for their low-income households.

When it takes effect on April 1, fast food workers in California will have the highest guaranteed base salary in the industry. The state’s minimum wage for all other workers — $15.50 per hour — is already among the highest in the United States.

[Jeff H]

Another update: my local bar/restaurant just put out their seasonal menu change and the price on almost everything went up $2 or more! $17 for a sandwich/wrap/tacos/burger with fries! These items were $8.99 or 9.99 less than 4 years ago and there's no way I can justify these prices. One thing that most people did not notice last year was when they started charging an extra 3% to put anything on a credit card.