topic Prices At Restaurants in Among Friends

Prices At Restaurants

BunSnoop — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:44:20 GMT

We (hubby and me) like to go out to eat on the weekends.

We typically go to what I consider to be "average priced restaurants" (not fast food/not fancy). We have noticed the prices have gone up quite a bit since COVID. Our total bill is now at least $10 more than it was prior to COVID and then of course, the amount we leave for the tip is also larger. Plus, due to everything, we're also leaving a little larger tip too.

I understand why the prices have gone up - just about everything has, plus the restaurants suffered so much last year.

How about you - have you noticed the same where you live too?

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Mz iMac — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:00:25 GMT

NOPE!

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CrazyDaisy — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:03:55 GMT

Yes. The price of lots of things have gone up. Businesses are still in a horrible position, a constant balancing act....raise prices to cover costs vs lose customers because prices are to high.

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busymom22 — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:11:56 GMT

Prices have gone up a lot by me. We noticed that a soda in a local restaurant now is $3.50. If you count tax and 20% tip just on that soda, for a family of four, you're paying close to $18 just for beverages. Due to unemployment last year we are really trying save money, so on the rare occasion we don't eat at home we'll get takeout and use drinks at home where I have 12 packs of soda I bought for $3.

I understand why restaurants must raise prices. Their margins are thin to begin with and now they have to pay high wages to even find workers. When the government prints out more money prices have to go up.

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chrystaltree — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:15:42 GMT

Of course restaurant prices have gone up. I don't penny pinch or record prices I pay for things and we didn't eat out for a year. Still, I know we are paying more at our favorite restaurants. Local bakeries are charging more too. I don't know how much more we are paying, it's reasonable and affordable and I understand the struggles they are still having. One local diner where we went for breakfast and lunch. Best homemade muffins in the world! They did take out and delivery only during the pandemic. Limited menu. They just wanted survive. They decided to continue with take out and they do their own deliveries. Cost too much to reopen with dine in and they couldn't find workers. The people who had worked for them for many years either retired or moved on to other jobs.

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kaydee50 — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:16:45 GMT

Absolutely, prices in restaurants have gone up though, IMO, not that significantly. They were closed for many months and I don't blame them for upping the prices. DH and I enjoy eating out and have continued to do so whenever restaurants have been open.

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RedTop — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:30:56 GMT

I agree; the cost of everything has climbed steadily thru the pandemic.

As soon as grocery stores were hit hard in March of 2020, food prices started to rise steadily, and have not stopped. In addition to the higher food costs, the cost of plastic or styrofoam takeout containers has increased, delivery costs are up, and of course staffing issues, have contributed to the higher prices we have to pay.

Gas prices are higher. I put gas in my car when it's down to 1/2 a tank, or about once a month, and the cost is $26-$31 now. My electric company was recently granted a rate increase, as was our water company. My trash disposal company added another $.50 on the monthly bill for gas surcharge. I feel sure the cost of propane has also increased, and will be prepared for that when I call for a delivery.

We aren't eating in restaurants at all, and our drive thru/takeout expense is very small. I am just thankful to have everything open and running, and to be able to afford all the things I buy for my family.

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Dusty1 — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:38:17 GMT

Prices have definitely gone up. Groceries, gas, eating out...I am very happy to be going out & about, though.

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Jaspersmom — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:44:59 GMT

Yes, prices have gone up considerably in my area. I would say anywhere from a couple of dollars to ten or more for entrees. I know most places were trying to hold on in the past year with take out and that right there added costs because of the way items have to be packaged. Many restaurants near me also added delivery that they never had before and that probably has added to the overall price of a typical entree.

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Snowpuppy — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:45:44 GMT

We do carryout only, too. Prices have increased so we just go less often. Usually our locally owned steakhouse.

We tip the carryout staff generously in cash. Many are college kids not attending right now.

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Carmie — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:48:35 GMT

A few restaurants in my area are only open a few days a week. They can not get enough help and don't have enough employees to cover their daily hours seven days a week. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday and will remain this way until they can hire people.

Also, when you go in and are seated, they will tell you you might have a longer wait than usual and not to complain. Their waitstaff is doing the best they can with their short staff

Oh yeah, prices have gone up. Food prices are up everywhere including the grocery stores.

We don't go out to eat often, but did once this month for our anniversary.

We had the Grands with us this past weekend at our Lake property. They wanted pizza and the best pizza place in town is closed due to not enough staff. My DH had to drive one town over to their other resturant to get take-out. No more dine in service due to staff shortage.

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BunSnoop — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 18:15:37 GMT

@CrazyDaisy , you're 100% correct. As you said - it's such a "horrible, position, a constant balancing act". They need to charge more, but if they charge too much they'll lose customers. I feel so sorry for them.

A restaurant (casual) by us is now charging $4 for a soda. Customers may just order water to save the $4. If the restaurant charged $3 more customers may order the soda, plus they would have a profit. Yes...It is a terrible situation. They're probably feeling they're doomed if they do and doomed if they don't!

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millieshops — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 18:43:32 GMT

@BunSnoop Definitely true at several restaurants I've eaten at over the last few months, both in Florida and New York.

I am not surprised at all. Food has certainly become much more expensive over the last few months and hundreds of thousands of restaurant workers have either already moved on to higher-paying jobs or have indicated that's their intention even as the end of extra unemployment money is on the horizon. I am not counting on prices going down.

Even if food prices decline, wages are not all that likely to follow. Over the last few decades, pay for those who stand on their feet and work those low-paying jobs have risen only about 5% and these are the workers who have to show up every day to take money home. Meanwhile those who could work from home overall have seen their incomes rise well over 60% during the same years. I think only my fixed pension has increased less, and I sit here at my computer not working - in person or remotely!

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FancyPhillyshopper — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 21:39:58 GMT

My sympathies to all the restaurants and restaurant workers who struggled to survive this past year and a half.

I did order take-out from my local restaurants during the pandemic, but it is so nice now to be back in person and seated at a comfortable table inside!

Yes, we are eating out again, and paying higher prices and tipping more, but that is the way of the world right now, and we are happy to help support the restaurant business.

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ECBG — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 23:11:55 GMT

My fav resturant in Biltmore Village has gone up, but I didn't expect them to keep prices for 5 years.

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haddon9 — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 23:27:55 GMT

I'm sure that they have but I haven't really noticed. We tend to try new places when we can. Just this past weekend we tried a restaurant that was on a farm....very nice and a bit pricey but since it was my first time there I don't know what they charged before.

It was nice to try some place new!

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AuntG — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 02:46:07 GMT

We have noticed price increases at local restaurants. Waits are longer because of staffing issues. Still, we try to have one breakfast and one dinner out a week.

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hckynut — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 02:56:55 GMT

@BunSnoop

Think the last time I ate in a restaurant was in 2018, maybe early 2019. I have no idea what prices are, and probably won't know personally, unless my wife brings home her menu ticket, and it says "Paid"!

I do know that I filled up our 21 gallon vehicle about 3 weeks ago for around $45. Filled it up last week st the same station and this time it cost over $60. Also only drive when necessary, which at times is a few weeks.

One always has the option to "eat in", but I am rooting for the small business restaurants to stay in business. It just is not my thing, never was unless on the road auto racing. Did work at restaurants from age 12-17 regularly.

hckynut

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Imaoldhippie — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 10:57:05 GMT

Yes, everything and I mean everything as gone up. My most recent sticker shock is for window blinds of all kinds.

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LonestarBabs — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 12:12:56 GMT

Yes, prices have gone up at all types of restaurants. Even McDonalds.