Eating out

MacDoc

MacDoc

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Used to be we would have a nice meal out in a decent restaurant a couple or 3 times a month.
We bought the coupon books supporting rescue dogs and made our 50% off choices,
Now - aside from my $5 Hungry Jacks deals - it simply does not seem worthwhile and we don't buy the coupon books.
Admittedly we are on an austerity binge but I'm sure we are not alone.

Cost of living pressures eat into disposable income while our pensions don't keep pace.
Anyone else cutting back on eating out?
 
The last 2 times we 2 ate out is was $140+ after taxes and tip ... crazy!

Last weekend at a seafood place in Vaughan. Nothing crazy like lobster or crab and no dessert or coffee but 2 small (6 oz) glasses of the house wine alone were $28. Last time there ... wasn't worth it.
 
$28 not so bad with wine for two but yeah it's the $140 hits for two that hurts,
Before I retired I could take staff out for a steak dinner on the company at least once a year..
The last time we did, we all looked at the bill and said nah ....not worth it and that was a good few years back.
They preferred their cash bonuses.
 
Curious to what the $5 BK meal is like down there compared to here....
(I only recently found out that Hungry Jack's is BK)

Me, my wife, youngest, oldest & their gf
No alcohol
Lucky if we eat anywhere (sit down, but no dress code) for less than $250 - $300

I won't even THINK about fast food unless I have a coupon

How tf does a combo at McDonald's cost almost $20????

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MacDoc said:
$28 not so bad with wine for two but yeah it's the $140 hits for two that hurts,
Before I retired I could take staff out for a steak dinner on the company at least once a year..
The last time we did, we all looked at the bill and said nah ....not worth it and that was a good few years back.
They preferred their cash bonuses.
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The $28 was only the wine. The food was extra.

My wife and I eat out a lot less. We also have almost completely stopped going to fancier chain restaurants. While the Keg was never cheap, dinner for two with wine easily goes over $200 now. Dessert and a drink for two is over $50. No thanks.
 
This came in today. That's all in price. No tax no tipping.
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Last week - this was good deal but twice places ice cream machine was busted
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There is a Shake and Win deal twice a day and they can be very good deals.
I just wish the meal looked like the ad.

Used to be I could get two scones and tea for $10 when riding. Settle in with a book for an hour. Now $20 tho one place has 1 scone with generous clotted cream & jam and tea for $13....just tolerable with my small appetite,
 
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About the only time we go to a sit down restaurant is when travelling. We used to order take-out on a weekly basis years ago but hardly ever do that anymore. It's now probably once a month, if that. It's just a convenience that has become too expensive.
 
Oh damn - missed that it was just the wine :eek: You could get a decent bottle of Australian Merlot for $28 ;)
This change has to be hitting eateries. First covid now cost of living,
 
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We rarely go out anymore for dinner. I think Covid changed all that from a social and economic perspective. We have our favourite greasy spoon breakfast joints where you could get a decent breakfast and coffee $15-20 tip included, it is now $35-40.
Feels like the $5 is the loonie and the $20 has become the $5.
Starting to sound like the grandparents who used to say costs are so high compared to when I was a kid.
 
MacDoc said:
Oh damn - missed that it was just the wine :eek:
This change has to be hitting eateries. First covid now cost of living,
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There are a group of people with relatively unlimited money. They seem to have become the target market for many restaurants and vacation destinations. If you're not a baller, the places aren't sad to see you go. Friends used to go to the same resort every year and price is 5x over the last decade. Resort stays full. My friends don't go anymore. Restaurants seem to be on a similar path.
 
MacDoc said:
Slowly drifting down the middle class ladder. :(
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Who's drifting slowly? I feel bad for fixed income people. Even if you own your primary residence outright, without a substantial warchest or pension, it will quickly reach a point where you need to access the money locked up in the dwelling. Property taxes, insurance and every other expense are increasing at a rate at least double any potential COL increase on the income (assuming you get one at all).
 
That's us in a nutshell...but it is a slow drift for us. Once the car is paid for we'll have a bit more discretionary income.
Most Australians have sizeable supers to back them but not everyone.
 
We avoid chains and occasionally go to small owner operator places that helps take the sting out of the cost. At least makes us feel better. If the place has live music, even better. The Black Bull in Burlington, South Coast in Ridgeway, The Valley in St Catharines, Spicy Tai in St Catharines. Sorry we don't frequent local places in the GTA 🤷‍♂️
 
It's heartbreaking.

I'm a cashier and I've seen a lady in her eighties in a TH uniform and you can see the pain on people's faces when they take 30 seconds to take the money from their purses or wallets.

I get a good salary and have nearly successfully switched to rice. It's everyone.
 
The irony is these places are always full with people waiting to get in when we leave ... I don't get it.
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