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White tablecloth restaurant versus standing in line

November 04, 2025 07:48PM
I met a friend for lunch today at Bonefish Grill - many of you may be familiar with that chain...
it's a nice, sit down, white tablecloth restaurant with full service. They serve seafood....

They have a lunch special: $14.90 includes a choice of lunch sized seafood entrees, an appetizer of soup or salad, a side dish, a non-alcoholic beverage and they bring fresh baked bread and dipping oil to the table while you wait....it's full service with servers and a host that seats you.
With tip, our lunches were $17 each.

I believe the last time we ordered one of those big subs from JMs, it was over $18.
As well, our last burger/fry/drink meal at 5G was about the same price.

So, what's my point? - either some chains are better at managing their business or they're not interested
in gouging....either way, the result is the same.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/05/2025 12:26AM by BarefootBliss.
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November 05, 2025 12:33AM
oops typo - we each paid $18

you can still see my point lol
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November 05, 2025 12:40AM
I have noticed the same. Fast food isn't cheap anymore and casual dining, while more than it was, hasn't increased at the same pace. It's often cheaper or at least the same price for better food and a more comfortable dining experience.
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November 05, 2025 12:52AM
I've had similar experience. Fast food has become too expensive for me to want it. I can get something I enjoy more and that seems more healthy for a few dollars more.

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer
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November 05, 2025 01:02AM
We see similar stuff..

I'm getting very tired of going to fast food for a snack, or because it has been far too many hours since I had anything that resembled food only to find $30+ sucked out of my wallet. And even Taco Bell is getting that bad too, even without drinks. Culvers is charging $13 for a simple smash burger (I hate them, I want meat in my burger, not crispy bits of crap that got stuck on the blackstone). I paid $8 for a big mac (no fries, no drink) a couple weeks ago, I used to buy a big mac, fries and a soda for less than $2, and back then the big mac was actually a bigger burger than the regular hamburger.

We've started carrying our own drinks, and only ordering an entree each, and sometimes a side order to share. And making sure we've had a full meal before we leave so I won't make myself sick by not eating until much later in the day.
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November 05, 2025 02:37AM
Phew! I was waiting for someone to shame you for leaving a 12% tip lol. Sounds like a great deal.

@BarefootBliss wrote:

oops typo - we each paid $18

you can still see my point lol
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November 05, 2025 02:39AM
We got to know Bonefish when it was shopped, eons ago. Miss the shops, but happily go there on my own dime.
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November 05, 2025 09:07AM
and oh yes, online people will look for any reason to call someone out - ugh...
I checked my receipt after because I knew 17 didn't look right.
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November 05, 2025 07:28PM
I am also finding more value in casual dine places than fastfood.
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November 05, 2025 07:39PM
@BFB, that's a great price point for a nice lunch in pleasant surroundings. We have a Bonefish Grill nearby but have never gone.
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