When you say a meal at a restaurant is expensive, what do you mean?

[punkin]

I had to think about this one...the last expensive meal we had was for my birthday. It was DH, DD12 and me. The bill was $230 (I looked it up ). I do not think that was astronomical but it was definitely significantly more than our usual night out. That included shared appetizers and deserts and a glass of wine for me (DH doesn't drink). SO yes, I think anything over $75 per person is expensive (I am not including alcohol because that can add up quickly for some people).

 

[SandrA9810]

Go to a city known for it's food, and a night out can run you a $100 tab. If you're from that city, then it's normal. If you're not, you're going to think it's crazy expensive.

I'd think Dallas, San Fransisco, New Orleans, New York City, are all up there with the fine dining, and I'm sure there's more out there.

 

[bettymae1121]

For DH and me, it's not expensive unless it's over $100 for two. We eat out at nicer places about 6x a year, and can spend anywhere from $100 to $220, depending on if we get a bottle of wine or not.

Going to Olive Garden tonight with a friend. Honestly, it's decent food for a decent price, it's a step up from Applebee's but not off-the-charts $$$ either. I do love their house salad dressing though, I'll buy a bottle of it and use it to marinate chicken before roasting, so yummy!

 

[disykat]

We visited NYC two years ago and found the prices weren't that bad in the kind of restaurants we were choosing. A little more than at home, but not that much. We didn't go anywhere where the entrees were over $20 a person. We didn't want to, because that is simply too expensive for us. It would be silliness to pay that much of our monthly budget on food.

Saying you find it reasonable doesn't make it so for others.

I still maintain meals of $20 an entre could be reasonably defines as "expensive," the difference is whether you are willing or able to afford expensive meals.

I haven't looked at a restaurant guide for a long time, but it used to pretty much be that one $ meant under 10 per entree, $$ meant under 20, $$$ meant over 20. Has that changed?

 

[mhsjax]

Olive Garden is great for what it is. An somewhat inexpensive chain restaurant offering Italian STYLE food.

You get what you pay for. My kids love it there, DH and I think it's ok. DH is Italian, he knows he's not going there for a replica of what his grandmother would have made.

I do like their bread sticks and salad. I have several friends that are 100% Italian. They won't set foot in an Olive Garden. I have to disagree about getting what you pay for. Again my opinion, but I can get a can of Chef Boy R dee at the store for a lot cheaper than Olive Garden. But hey, some people must love it, I just don't understand it, never will.

 

[staley7580]

This is pretty much how I see it too. Of course you have to look at the perceived "value" too. There is a local Mom and Pop place in my area that seems a little $$, but the portions are HUGE. The kids meal burgers are 1/4lbs with all the fixings and look like a regular menu burger anywhere else. So I think it's a good value. My DD15 ordered a $12 omelet and all four of us could have eaten off her plate and still had leftovers!

And I don't know if I'm the only one, but I do honestly think in terms of my grocery budget. . .I think things like. . .dang, that one meal was groceries for a week. Or my DD9 always likes to order mac n cheese. . .and when it comes I tend to think. . .gee, I just paid $7 for a portion of a $ box of Kraft and a few baby carrots. I guess I'm just cheap.

Do you live by me! Lol! That sounds just like Cars, a place we like to go to.

I hate eating out any more.. The cost is astronomical for us. So even fast food is expensive for me. We can drop $50 at flipping Wendy's!

 

[tvguy]

I know DH & I can spend $100 for the 2 of us at Outback - it's a good meal but hardly a fine dining experience.

Did I mention...
Holy .
We went to Outback in February for my son's birthday, 5 adults, $100 plus a $25 tip!!
You must have eaten several blooming onions a piece!
Did I mention...

$8 a person, cheap.
$15 a person moderate.
$25 a person expensive.

Did go to Morton's once, got a very nice $25 meal for $45.

 

[mhsjax]

Did I mention...
Holy .
We went to Outback in February for my son's birthday, 5 adults, $100 plus a $25 tip!!
You must have eaten several blooming onions a piece!
Did I mention...

$8 a person, cheap.
$15 a person moderate.
$25 a person expensive.

Did go to Morton's once, got a very nice $25 meal for $45.

There are 5 of us and we have never gotten out of OUtback for much under $100. maybe we haven't I can't remember, and 3 of us are kids. Now they do order off the adult menu, and we don't get appetizers. We also don't order the cheapest steak and we don't order chicken. We all get the Fillet.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Did I mention...
Holy .
We went to Outback in February for my son's birthday, 5 adults, $100 plus a $25 tip!!
You must have eaten several blooming onions a piece!
Did I mention...

$8 a person, cheap.
$15 a person moderate.
$25 a person expensive.

Did go to Morton's once, got a very nice $25 meal for $45.

Not quite...

1 Appetizer: $8-10
2 Entrees: $54 ($24 & 20)
1 add on: $12
Total before beverages & tip: $74-76


These are the current prices from our local Outback.

 

[fireflymedic]

I would not say $50 a person is not "not expensive"

I dont live in a big city our pay is low for most people in this area.

 

[tvguy]

Not quite...

1 Appetizer: $8-10
2 Entrees: $54 ($24 & 20)
1 add on: $12
Total before beverages & tip: $74-76


These are the current prices from our local Outback.

Most expensive thing on our outback menu is the Melbourne steak at $24.99, but I can't eat 20 ounces of steak. Their signature 7 ounce Sirlon is $13.99

http://www.outback.com/menu/pdf/C1.pdf

 

[FireDancer]

I wish someone could explain the Olive Garden phenomenon to me. I just don't get it, There is always a line out the door and I don't understand waiting for chef boy r dee food.

I wish I knew. The only time I ever go there is if I am in a group and everyone else out votes me. I'm pretty sure when I do step into one there is an earthquake in Sicily from all the dagos in my family tree rolling over in their graves at once. I guess in some places there may be no authentic alternatives but around here there are plenty of really good authentic Italian restaurants. I've traveled in Italy and didn't see one torpedo-shaped breadstick the entire time.

It is rare that I spend more than $25 pp at a restaurant if there are no drinks but I usually go to small locally owned places and I don't get dessert.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

LOL, one of my favorite places near me sells a lunch portion for $4.95... and it includes a sandwich, very small order of fries, and a drink.... now THAT is what I like to pay for a meal.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Most expensive thing on our outback menu is the Melbourne steak at $24.99, but I can't eat 20 ounces of steak. Their signature 7 ounce Sirlon is $13.99

http://www.outback.com/menu/pdf/C1.pdf

Our order was for the baby back ribs and the 9 ounce filet which are neither the largest nor the most expensive menu items.

There's lot of price differences between our outbacks:
The Melbourne steak is $28 and the signature sirloin is $10 for 6oz or $17 for the 9oz (there's no 7 oz on this menu).

http://www.outback.com/menu/pdf/C91.pdf

 

[Liberty Belle]

HOLY CRAP!!!

Well, I guess this separates the po' folk from the rich here.

I'd also like to know what all the rich people are eatin'! I can't think of anything worth that. I'd rather go out and have a nice, expensive-to-me meal and spend the rest on jewelry, stocking my bar, or clothes. Hell, I'd rather give the rest to a homeless person, than spend it on food.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'd also like to know what all the rich people are eatin'! I can't think of anything worth that. I'd rather go out and have a nice, expensive-to-me meal and spend the rest on jewelry, stocking my bar, or clothes. Hell, I'd rather give the rest to a homeless person, than spend it on food.

I have to part ways with you there. If I had it to spend I would eat better.

Of course I would also dress better, have better purses, shoes, car, and so on.

 

[MoonFaerie]

Well it depends on the meal. If the food isn't worth the cost, then it's expensive no matter how cheap the price might be.

Generally speaking though, my expensive trigger doesn't go off until around $150 for the 2 of us. A handful of times a year we go out for more expensive meals though. I'm super excited about going to Victoria & Albert's in Dec.

 

[MoonFaerie]

I'd also like to know what all the rich people are eatin'! I can't think of anything worth that. I'd rather go out and have a nice, expensive-to-me meal and spend the rest on jewelry, stocking my bar, or clothes. Hell, I'd rather give the rest to a homeless person, than spend it on food.

Well I am so NOT a jewelry kinda gal. I virtually never wear any, not even my wedding ring. Clothes - meh. As long as I have a handful of outfits I like, plus 2 or 3 dresses for going out, I'm good. Between dropping the kids off at school, going to class myself, heading the the gym, and then rushing back to get the kids before heading home to dinner, laundry, and homework, I pretty much live in my gym clothes these days. Our TV is 10 years old. My "new" car is a 2007 Corolla, and I feel like it's entirely too new & fancy for me.

Try to take away my salon visits, $150 running shoes, or our entertainment budget (which covers everything from eating out to plays or movies to concerts to festivals) though, and I will get vicious. Dinner & drinks with friends is one of my absolute fave ways to spend an evening.

 

[monkeyboy]

I good steakhouse I can drop $100 per person with drinks.
That would be Apps, entree and dessert

maybe more as I tip 20-25%, and a fin for the valet

 

[disneyofcourse]

Any amount over $50 a person before drinks is expensive.