Surging restaurant prices are making dining out a luxury

[The Contrarian]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/13/economy/food-prices-cpi-inflation/index.html

New York
CNN
—
If you’ve opted to cook a romantic meal at home with your partner this Valentine’s Day — no matter how it comes out — know that you’re saving a decent amount of money compared to couples dining out.

Even excluding pricey Valentine’s Day menus, it’s becoming increasingly cheaper for Americans to eat at home instead of dining out, according to January Consumer Price Index data. That’s because prices for groceries are up 1.2% year over year, while the price of food consumed at restaurants is up 5.1%.

It’s another reminder of the sting inflation is having on Americans’ daily lives. Even though price increases are slowing, prices remain much higher than they were before the pandemic, which has led people to have a miserable feeling about an otherwise strong economy.

-------------------------------------------

Grocery prices only up 1.2%, but restaurant prices up 5.1%. Clearly restaurant owners are getting in on the greed of corporate America and cashing in.

[Aussie105]

1. Don't forget to tip if you do dine out.

The bill might be larger than you thought it would be, but the servers still get paid poverty wages.

Dining out will slowly go back to where it was 50 years ago - a rare family outing to celebrate some important event, not just a matter of convenience. Birthdays, graduation, wedding anniversaries, that sort of thing.

Those are more memorable.

I distinctly remember two.

Childhood first time dining out with parents and siblings, Nasi Goreng in an Amsterdam restaurant.

Parent's 50th wedding celebration, Whyalla, Australia.

[Drum]

2. Yup. And once they've printed up those new menus the price will never go down.

[FelineOverlord]

3. They can always go to White Castle for that romantic dinner

Seriously.

Book your reservations here:

https://whitecastle.com/promotions/vday-reservations

[Aussie105]

5. Yeah, great menu!

The only thing that spoils it is the mediocre buns.

And what is above the lower half but below the upper half.

Better be cheap! (Not seeing any prices.)

[Lovie777]

4. One thing I learned..................

from all the corporate greed.

Goulash.................

[Aussie105]

6. One thing I learned . . .

Not so much what you have to dump in the big pot that makes it good, it's the spices you add.

[edhopper]

7. And tips

are around 20% now. Also It's not just prices on main courses. Prices on things like aps and drinks are way up.

[IcyPeas]

8. Its nearing $30.00 for a cheese pizza!!!

[multigraincracker]

9. I go out 3 or 4 times a week. I

hit the coffee shop and get a 20oz decaf and read the local newspaper for free. It cost $3.25. At the news stand. Give a $5 bill and keep the change.
Spending about $20 a week on going out.

[xmas74]

10. My parents get coffee every day

Their local Wendy's has senior coffee or a senior drink for $0.25.

[Retrograde]

11. We go out once or twice a week for lunch

usually after we do our volunteer shifts. I'd like to go out for dinner more often, and there are some good places within walking distance, but they're loud and crowded.

Since the end of shutdown, the tofu soup at my favorite Korean place has gone from $15 to $20, a 30% increase in a little over two years.

[tritsofme]

12. We're going out to a nice dinner for a $150 package tomorrow.

Crazy thing is, these days it sounds like a pretty good deal!

[TheBlackAdder]

13. A Chinese restaurant owner by me downsized from a double to single strip mall unit, Rent dropped from $32K/mo to $15K/mo

He has to pull in $500/day just for the restaurant space, not including utilities, furnishings, appliances, waste disposal, paper products, insurance, food, labor, advertising, etc.