What’s not worth it anymore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As food prices soar and will most likely do so given the impact that policies will soon deeply harm the immigrant community, what is no longer worth it when it comes to dining out or picking up food?

1) Chinese food (at least in my area); quality has been on the decline for years, but last night was the final straw at what used to be our semi-decent local place. The Crab Rangoon was cloyingly sweet on the inside, to the point of being inedible. The noodle dishes and meat dishes alike were greasier than usual, and the quality of meat was sub-par. The dumplings are super thin and don’t hold their shape; I love thick dumplings. Just not worth it anymore, unfortunately, though maybe I can find better Chinese food when visiting friends or traveling. I do love it every now and then!

2) Fast food or quick serve drinks of any sort. We’re going to stick with waters or drinks we bring on road trips, or drink iced tea, soda or alcoholic beverages at home when we bring food home. No alcoholic beverages or lemonades or anything at sit-down meals, unless it’s a very nice restaurant for a special night out; no drinks with casual dining.

What habits have you changed? What’s not worth it to you anymore?

WTF? Food prices have soared the last four years due to Biden. How do you not understand this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As food prices soar and will most likely do so given the impact that policies will soon deeply harm the immigrant community, what is no longer worth it when it comes to dining out or picking up food?

1) Chinese food (at least in my area); quality has been on the decline for years, but last night was the final straw at what used to be our semi-decent local place. The Crab Rangoon was cloyingly sweet on the inside, to the point of being inedible. The noodle dishes and meat dishes alike were greasier than usual, and the quality of meat was sub-par. The dumplings are super thin and don’t hold their shape; I love thick dumplings. Just not worth it anymore, unfortunately, though maybe I can find better Chinese food when visiting friends or traveling. I do love it every now and then!

2) Fast food or quick serve drinks of any sort. We’re going to stick with waters or drinks we bring on road trips, or drink iced tea, soda or alcoholic beverages at home when we bring food home. No alcoholic beverages or lemonades or anything at sit-down meals, unless it’s a very nice restaurant for a special night out; no drinks with casual dining.

What habits have you changed? What’s not worth it to you anymore?

If you are going to be so concerned with cost that you are not even going to have a "lemonade" at a sit down restaurant, just don't go. Or go less often and worry less about what you are ordering and it's cost. That is next level nickel-and-diming.

Oh eff off. I make a true MC income (nurse) and what you call next level nickel/diming is just sensible when you earn what I do. (spoiler alert: it's not $200k, $500k or $750k like everyone on DCUM).

I absolutely skimp on drinks during the rare meals out and will continue to do so. Beverages are the highest profit margin item on any menu and I happen to actually like water with a meal. Screw you for saying I should never eat a meal out ("just don't go"). The reason people like me CAN go out is that we don't piss away $37 a person on alcoholic drinks or $16/person on Coke.

Agreed. I was raised MC and am still MC. Going out has always been a luxury, and the main course is the main event. We don't have to get drinks, appetizers, or dessert every time. That's never been my expectation.

+2 When you grow up poor you figure out how to enjoy things without feeling compelled to order EVERYTHING. It’s a weird thing to say that someone shouldn’t go to a restaurant if they aren’t going to order a paid drink.

I agree. We order what we have a hankering for, but it's practically never a meal plus a drink plus a dessert. Usually it's just the main dish. Rarely a drink. Practically never a dessert - I make them better at home!

I love having a signature drink, sharing an appetizer, etc. before the meal, enjoying the ambiance and company... To me, that's part of dining out

Oh dear…

[Anonymous]

Five Guys - gotten way too expensive. Just make your own at home. Five Guys Corporate will pull all sorts of mental gymnastics to Italy their prices, but they need to decrease pricing altogether.

District Taco - I dunno- the service seems to have gotten less friendy over the past year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am done with the mini bar Jose Andres or pineapple pearls bulk shit. They keep jacking up prices and it's not worth it.

? “bulk shit”? What are you eating?

[Anonymous]

We have a personal chef and rarely dine out. If we do, both the quality of the food, the atmosphere of the restaurant, and the service need to be worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

I would also agree with this. We have been known to easily drop 2k on a meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

I would also agree with this. We have been known to easily drop 2k on a meal.

I don't think any meal in DC is worth $2000. I'd rather take that $2000 and fly to Tokyo and use the change to have a proper good meal. You can eat very well for very cheap in Tokyo. DC has become a terrible food town. Save your money and travel elsewhere for the good meals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most Mexican or tex-mex restaurants , they all have the same menu and it’s all overpriced glop with a big side of cheap rice and beans.

Same with the cheap Chinese carry out, all just glop now with a little bit of low quality meat mixed in.

Agree on Chinese and Mexican restaurants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

I would also agree with this. We have been known to easily drop 2k on a meal.

Fools and their money are easily separated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

I would also agree with this. We have been known to easily drop 2k on a meal.

You do realize that some people aren’t misers, they simply have less money than you, right? That doesn’t make you better than them.

[Anonymous]

We used to have family-style takeout once a week; now it's once a month, if that. Just not worth it.

We've also stopped dining out at mid-range restaurants altogether. Again, not worth it - declining food quality and higher prices.

Once a month or so we will go out for a really nice meal and do the whole experience - drinks, apps, entrees, desserts.

[Anonymous]

OP, going back to your question I think eating out in general is not worth it anymore. We’re a family of four so it adds up real fast. On the bright side I have learned to replicate some of my favorite dishes from restaurants at home. I expanded my techniques on international cuisine and I like the results. It takes me longer and it’s not always an exact copy, but I’m having more fun plus I can drink and cook and it won’t cost me a fortune.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

Oh good! Another "just stay home" poster! You want me, the MC nurse, to stay home (unless it's my birthday) because I don't want or need a $12 bespoke cookie or a 2-scallop app for $20.

I should have mentioned, I tip generously. I'm not a PITA and ask for nothing of the wait staff. I don't bring a 2 yr old who throws crumbs all over the floor.

You're a server, aren't you? or you partner is? These are the people who are "triggered" when people like me take up space in their section but keep the tab pretty low. Too bad. Your boss says I get to be there and you still have to serve me.

Lol you both sound insufferable.

Who cares about your profession? Or your income level?

[Anonymous]

Italian food:

$22 for a personal sized pizza with about $.80 of flour and $2 of cheese.

$25-30 for boxed pasta and some sauce

$48 for a crappy fish like bronzino

$25-35 for glopy cheap peasant food like risotto with a stingy amount of seafood

$16 per glass of low tier Italian wine

So overpriced and overrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

Oh good! Another "just stay home" poster! You want me, the MC nurse, to stay home (unless it's my birthday) because I don't want or need a $12 bespoke cookie or a 2-scallop app for $20.

I should have mentioned, I tip generously. I'm not a PITA and ask for nothing of the wait staff. I don't bring a 2 yr old who throws crumbs all over the floor.

You're a server, aren't you? or you partner is? These are the people who are "triggered" when people like me take up space in their section but keep the tab pretty low. Too bad. Your boss says I get to be there and you still have to serve me.

Lol you both sound insufferable.

Who cares about your profession? Or your income level?

I agree in principle with PP but now the heroic harping on "I'm a nurse" is a bit much as is the quick anger. Makes me wonder what this nurse's patients would say about their service...