News So when do people stop going out to eat? - Page 8

**fan4ever** · 02-21-2023, 05:51 PM

I have a customer who owns 5 Mexican Food Cafes here in the Phoenix area. The past few years we've reprinted their menus 6 times...always to accommodate higher prices. Their typical cost now is about $18.00 per entree...Mexican food.

On a personal note I stopped by a McDonald's today and paid $4.96 for a large order of fries. There's got to be a breaking point for most folks.

**fan4ever** · 02-21-2023, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razaele

Honestly, I’m the opposite of most of you. I would much rather they charge me more money than they sneakily reduce the portion size. You don’t know they have done that until your plate comes and then you’re underwhelmed. If they charge me more but give me the same thing at least they’re being upfront about it. And we’re not in the habit of eating out all the time so when I go out I want to be satisfied.

From what I know of the industry reducing portion size recognizingly is a death knell for an existing restaurant. A couple of years ago my clients started using 1oz smaller spoons for ladeling out the rice and beans...said it made a real cost difference without the customer noticing.

**fan4ever** · 02-21-2023, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

You are officially a cheapskate. Any person providing you a service from cutting your hair to delivering your food, if they did good work, deserve a good tip.

You don’t want to do that, fine and dandy, don’t use their services.

My wife goes to a one woman salon...what she charges she keeps...but insists on tipping her. Not sure why that makes sense.

BWillie · 02-21-2023, 10:25 PM

I used to spend about $1100 a month on food. Now I spend like $1300. It isn't 3x or 4x more like people are saying, but it's noticeable.

ghak99 · 02-21-2023, 10:30 PM

It's getting tight everywhere. I've been wondering how bad the waitresses are getting shorted on the tips from customers trying to counter the inflation.

A new Mexican joint was opening up and quickly realized how bad the situation was in town. .... so they called the feds on the long established Mexican joint.

The place was crawling with INS and DHS vehicles for days and was completely shut down for a while. The service and food was so good I didn't even pay attention to what it was costing, until I realized just how much I was saving because they were closed down.

Why Not? · 02-21-2023, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkDavis'Haircut

Folks don't need to be tipped for doing their job.

If this keeps up, everyone should have a tip job at their place of employment.

Is that you, Mr. Pink?

RunKC · 02-21-2023, 10:41 PM

We decided to spend on big quality things that saved money. As I mentioned, the blackstone was huge. Also the air fryer was too. We buy in bulk from Costco and plan our meals accordingly.

I also spent a shit ton of money on a good espresso machine and grinder since I was spending $6.50 a pop on Cafe Corazón a lot.

It all pretty much paid for itself. We only eat out for date nights and that goddamn coffee set up was so damn worth it.

KCUnited · 02-21-2023, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghak99

It's getting tight everywhere. I've been wondering how bad the waitresses are getting shorted on the tips from customers trying to counter the inflation.

A new Mexican joint was opening up and quickly realized how bad the situation was in town. .... so they called the feds on the long established Mexican joint.

The place was crawling with INS and DHS vehicles for days and was completely shut down for a while. The service and food was so good I didn't even pay attention to what it was costing, until I realized just how much I was saving because they were closed down.

Thats interesting and makes me wonder if something similar is occurring near me as we seem to being seeing an uptick in calls to regulatory agencies for peoples side hussles.

Ladies selling homemade tortillas, tamales and such out of their houses. The neighborhood Facebook group which was 92% cringe and 8% bomb ass abuela fare on the cheap is now just 100% cringe.

KCUnited · 02-21-2023, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

We decided to spend on big quality things that saved money. As I mentioned, the blackstone was huge. Also the air fryer was too. We buy in bulk from Costco and plan our meals accordingly.

I also spent a shit ton of money on a good espresso machine and grinder since I was spending $6.50 a pop on Cafe Corazón a lot.

It all pretty much paid for itself. We only eat out for date nights and that goddamn coffee set up was so damn worth it.

Pizza was my takeout kryptonite because a) its delicious and b) I always felt it was one of those things that I can't make better myself. I received a portable outdoor pizza oven as a gift last year and haven't ordered a pizza since.

There's a learning curve, but if anyone likes to cook, especially outdoors, its hard to get less expensive than flour, water, yeast, and salt.

jerryaldini · 02-21-2023, 11:57 PM

I use the grocery store deli as a substitute for fast food when short on time. I'd say it averages about 5 bucks a meal.

scho63 · 02-22-2023, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I used to spend about $1100 a month on food. Now I spend like $1300. It isn't 3x or 4x more like people are saying, but it's noticeable.

You sound like a guy who eats well like me.

FlaChief58 · 02-22-2023, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkDavis'Haircut

$5 is a high tip for a haircut.

I've always tipped my barber $5 ever since I started paying for my own haircuts

Katipan · 02-22-2023, 07:39 AM

Girls tip at least $20 for anything under $100.

We're good with budgets but not math.

Mile High Mania · 02-22-2023, 08:21 AM

I rarely leave a bad tip, but if the service is just average or below... meaning, I've had to flag you down in a less than half full crowd to get a drink refill or something like that, you're just not trying. That tip is typically 15%.

Outside of that, I'm at least 20%... maybe 25% if you're just good at your job.

I tip the girl at Sports Clips 20% every time.

Now, tipping options are out of control with the new tablets/apps. If I'm driving through for coffee or fast food and all you're doing is turning around, grabbing my meal and handing it to me - no tip. If you really did nothing extra aside from just taking my order... there's nothing to tip.

Food prices are crazy - we're trying to be smarter and maybe we have pulled back on eating out a little bit, but not as much. Our issue is time to actually cook if we haven't planned for it.

RedRaider56 · 02-22-2023, 08:28 AM

My wife and I go out to eat about once a week. Last night two enchilada plates, ice tea and two house margaritas was $60 before time.. WTF.

Shoot Chick-fil-a is $13 for a deluxe chicken sandwich meal with large fries and an iced tea..crazy...

Mile High Mania · 02-22-2023, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRaider56

My wife and I go out to eat about once a week. Last night two enchilada plates, ice tea and two house margaritas was $60 before time.. WTF.

Shoot Chick-fil-a is $13 for a deluxe chicken sandwich meal with large fries and an iced tea..crazy...

The margs were probably a combined $25.

02-21-2023, 05:51 PM
fan4ever Supporter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $4244389	So when do people stop going out to eat? I have a customer who owns 5 Mexican Food Cafes here in the Phoenix area. The past few years we've reprinted their menus 6 times...always to accommodate higher prices. Their typical cost now is about $18.00 per entree...Mexican food. On a personal note I stopped by a McDonald's today and paid $4.96 for a large order of fries. There's got to be a breaking point for most folks.
Posts: 9,382

02-21-2023, 10:25 PM	#108
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1228759	I used to spend about $1100 a month on food. Now I spend like $1300. It isn't 3x or 4x more like people are saying, but it's noticeable.
Posts: 52,396

02-21-2023, 10:30 PM	#109
ghak99 MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $-1707750	It's getting tight everywhere. I've been wondering how bad the waitresses are getting shorted on the tips from customers trying to counter the inflation. A new Mexican joint was opening up and quickly realized how bad the situation was in town. .... so they called the feds on the long established Mexican joint. The place was crawling with INS and DHS vehicles for days and was completely shut down for a while. The service and food was so good I didn't even pay attention to what it was costing, until I realized just how much I was saving because they were closed down.
Posts: 9,008

02-21-2023, 10:41 PM	#111
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1400389	We decided to spend on big quality things that saved money. As I mentioned, the blackstone was huge. Also the air fryer was too. We buy in bulk from Costco and plan our meals accordingly. I also spent a shit ton of money on a good espresso machine and grinder since I was spending $6.50 a pop on Cafe Corazón a lot. It all pretty much paid for itself. We only eat out for date nights and that goddamn coffee set up was so damn worth it. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Jared Wiley
Posts: 52,054

02-21-2023, 11:57 PM	#114
jerryaldini MVP Join Date: Dec 2018 Casino cash: $2630400	I use the grocery store deli as a substitute for fast food when short on time. I'd say it averages about 5 bucks a meal.
Posts: 8,512	1 0

02-22-2023, 07:39 AM	#117
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $-729649	Girls tip at least $20 for anything under $100. We're good with budgets but not math. __________________ "Loving him is red."
Posts: 23,560

02-22-2023, 08:21 AM	#118
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $1097229	I rarely leave a bad tip, but if the service is just average or below... meaning, I've had to flag you down in a less than half full crowd to get a drink refill or something like that, you're just not trying. That tip is typically 15%. Outside of that, I'm at least 20%... maybe 25% if you're just good at your job. I tip the girl at Sports Clips 20% every time. Now, tipping options are out of control with the new tablets/apps. If I'm driving through for coffee or fast food and all you're doing is turning around, grabbing my meal and handing it to me - no tip. If you really did nothing extra aside from just taking my order... there's nothing to tip. Food prices are crazy - we're trying to be smarter and maybe we have pulled back on eating out a little bit, but not as much. Our issue is time to actually cook if we haven't planned for it. __________________
Posts: 30,894	1 0

02-22-2023, 08:28 AM	#119
RedRaider56 MVP Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin, Texas Casino cash: $1040400	My wife and I go out to eat about once a week. Last night two enchilada plates, ice tea and two house margaritas was $60 before time.. WTF. Shoot Chick-fil-a is $13 for a deluxe chicken sandwich meal with large fries and an iced tea..crazy...
Posts: 7,307	1 0